Who doesn’t love more usable space at home? Whether you want to keep your garage as a semi-finished space or turn it into an in-law suite or ADU, improvements to this area will increase both your quality of life and home value. In this blog, we will discuss data points around garage remodeling, ways to improve your garage, and more.

If you live in North Georgia and need help with garage floor coatings in Atlanta, house painting services in Johns Creek, or anything else, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you.

What Goes Into Finishing a Garage

Adding Insulation and Drywall

Insulating your garage makes it more comfortable year-round by regulating temperature and reducing energy costs. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that properly insulated garages can lead to 15% lower energy bills in homes with attached garages. Installing drywall creates a finished look and adds fire resistance, making it a necessary step for any garage transformation.

Adding Custom Garage Storage and Cabinets

Built-in storage solutions maximize space and improve organization. Custom cabinets and shelving systems can make room for tools, seasonal decorations, and sports equipment. According to HomeLight, garage storage upgrades can add up to $2,500 in resale value, making them a practical improvement for homeowners looking to enhance usability and appeal.

Adding a Polyurea Garage Floor Coating

A high-quality garage floor coating, such as polyurea, is more durable than traditional epoxy and resists stains, chemicals, and wear. Homeowners who install a premium floor coating often see an ROI of 65% to 80%, as it improves aesthetics and long-term durability.

Adding a Bathroom, Workshop, and More

For those who use their garage as a workspace or recreational area, adding a bathroom can be a game-changer. HomeAdvisor estimates that adding a small bathroom to a garage renovation costs between $3,000 and $6,000, depending on plumbing complexity. Creating a dedicated workshop with built-in workbenches and power outlets can further enhance functionality for DIYers and hobbyists.

Upgrading Your Garage Door

Replacing an old garage door with a modern, insulated version is one of the highest-ROI home improvements. According to the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, garage door replacements recoup over 100% of their cost at resale. A new garage door improves curb appeal, security, and energy efficiency.

Garage Conversions – The Next Level

For homeowners looking to maximize their square footage, converting a garage into a living space can provide additional functionality and increase home value.

Do You Need a Permit for Converting a Garage to Living Space?

In most cases, converting a garage into a living space requires a permit. Local zoning laws dictate the requirements, and failure to secure proper permits can result in fines or complications when selling the home. Costs for permits vary but generally range between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the location and scope of work.

Prepping the Garage to Be a Living Space or Den

Transforming a garage into a den or family room involves insulation, drywall, heating and cooling, and upgraded flooring. According to Zillow, garage conversions can add $20,000 to $40,000 in value, especially when they enhance livable square footage in competitive housing markets.

Prepping the Garage to Be an Apartment or In-Law Suite

Turning a garage into an independent living unit requires additional considerations, such as plumbing, electrical work, and separate entrances. ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are growing in popularity, particularly in areas with housing shortages. According to HomeLight, homes with garage ADUs can sell for 35% more than similar homes without them.

Does a Garage Remodel Boost Your Home Value?

The value added by a garage renovation depends on the type of upgrade. Here’s what recent data shows:

• Garage door replacements have a 100%+ ROI according to the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report.
• Insulated and finished garages can lower energy costs by 15% and improve home comfort.
• Custom storage solutions add approximately $2,500 in value by enhancing organization and usability.
• Garage floor coatings provide a 65% to 80% ROI, improving durability and aesthetics.
• Converting a garage into a living space can increase home value by $20,000 to $40,000 and attract buyers looking for additional square footage.
• Garage ADUs can boost property values by up to 35%, making them a strong long-term investment in high-demand markets.

While the best return on investment comes from garage door replacements and smart storage solutions, full conversions into living spaces can significantly increase resale value in competitive markets. Homeowners should weigh costs, local demand, and personal needs before committing to a full-scale garage renovation.

Garage remodels in 2025 offer both functional benefits and potential financial gains. Whether upgrading storage, enhancing insulation, or converting the space into a livable area, these improvements can make a home more comfortable, efficient, and attractive to buyers.

Call Bear Mountain Custom Painting For Home Improvements

As the leading painting company in Cumming and all of the surrounding areas, we would be happy to help you. From window replacements in Alpharetta to garage floor coatings in Atlanta, we are here to help.

Of the roof window types, skylights and functioning “roof windows” are the most popular. This blog will discuss the differences between the two, and lead you through pros and cons, like:

• natural light
• additional ventilation
• UV damage in your home
• Leaking due to poor installation techniques

If you live in North GA and would like a professional opinion or complimentary quote, please get in touch at your earliest convenience. We are the leading window replacement contractor in Johns Creek and elsewhere in the area, and we’d be happy to hear from you.

The Difference Between Roof Windows and Skylights

The essential part of this discussion is the difference between skylights and roof windows. By knowing which is which, you can better judge what window works for you. So what’s the difference between both?

Technically, what is a Skylight?

A skylight is a fixed frame of glass in your ceiling that cannot be opened. This frame style’s popularity revolves around its ability to pour in natural light. You might hear window installers refer to this window as “not vented” or “non-powered.”

What is a Roof Window?

A roof window is a type that you can open for ventilation. Like the skylight, it brings in natural light with the advantage of adequately circulating air. Our Roswell window replacement contractors usually call this window type a “dormer.”

The Pros and Cons of Skylights

Skylights are nice features, but they have their pros and cons. Here’s what to know before deciding to put in a skylight.

Skylights bring in more light to dark spaces. Since the sun doesn’t hit every part of the house, these fixed window types assist in bringing natural light to a room, even ones with no other windows. Skylights have cons as well; while this window adds style, you should be concerned about interior damage.

The damage sometimes happens from improper installation or poorly made panes. A proper, sturdy skylight is made with a low-e coating that protects the home from UV rays and heat damage. Furthermore, bad sealing can lead to devastating leaks in your home.

The Pros and Cons of Roof Windows

When deciding between roof windows and skylights, you need to consider both pros and cons. One pro is ventilation. A dome window allows the user to ventilate indoor air properly. One con to think about is random placement. While you might think installing a window above the bed is a good idea, it’s best to consult a professional window installer first to get a second opinion.

While deciding on what window style to pick for your roof, consider getting a professional opinion from an expert in window replacement in Cumming, GA. Bear Mountain Custom Painting offers professional feedback for its customers and will help you find the best window to accentuate the room and bring in more natural light. Contact us for a free quote today. We are also known as the leading window replacement experts in Alpharetta, so don’t hesitate to get in touch regardless of your specific location in North GA.

Molding is a popular technique that simultaneously enhances a room’s appearance and covers your walls and ceiling imperfections. Panel molding is a process used on recessed or flat surfaces. These molds are common on mantels, doors, and walls. There are many types of molding to consider, and two formal options you might be considering include wainscoting and judges paneling—read on to explore the differences between these elements.

If you would like a complimentary quote from our expert painting contractors in Cumming, or if you need to speak with a house painter in Alpharetta, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What Is Wainscoting?

It can be hard to memorize every single type of panel molding. However, you only need to know two today: wainscoting and judges paneling. Here are a few points on what you should know about the wainscoting panel type.

1. Wainscoting is not the molding name; it is a type of panel molding.
2. This panel type is decorative and spans about 32” above or below floor level.
3. Wainscoting is always a panel piece. The most common type of wainscoting is wood.
4. Some people also call wainscoting a sectional wall treatment.

What Is Judges Paneling in Home Molding?

Judges paneling is similar to wainscoting in a variety of ways, with one being that they’re both wood paneling types. The main difference between judges paneling and wainscoting is that judges typically takes up entire walls. Additionally, judges paneling refers to the process of installing woodwork up to the ceiling.

The Difference in Wainscoting

This paneling system is often confused with judges. Wainscoting appears closer to floorboards in rectangles or squares. Here’s a distinct difference: the rectangles you see toward the bottom of a floor are wainscoting; these wood panels provide character and dimension to a space. The designs in wainscotting often appear like horizontal picture frames on the lower half of a wall.

Why Should You Use Wainscoting?

While it looks beautiful, wainscoting does serve a purpose. Since wainscoting is close to the ground, it creates a barrier to protect the wall from chair and table damage.

The Difference in Judges Paneling

These panels are usually rectangular shaped; this common style is a recurring pattern of rectangles and squares. While the rectangular designs in wainscoting typically appear horizontally, judges paneling utilizes vertical rectangles.

Why Use Judges Paneling?

Judges paneling covers wall blemishes and prevents wall damage. While it protects walls from damage, it will be cheaper to replace judges paneling if ever necessary than it would be to repair a wall. With this option, you don’t need to go through extensive construction to enjoy your space again.

Hire Bear Mountain Custom Painting for Paneling Services

Home molding is an exceptional process that enhances your home in various ways. It easily elevates a space while allowing you to cover a room’s imperfections. From installing a sectional wall treatment to installing panel molds to the ceiling, there is plenty you can do to customize your room’s layout with wood wall molds.

Bear Mountain Custom Painting offers homeowners professional carpentry services along with specialized services, including the installation of wood mold paneling. We’re ready to chat with you about the differences between wainscoting and judges paneling and booking your first carpentry job—contact us today!

We are also known as the leading house painters in Buford, GA, painters in Westfield, and house painters in Duluth, so get in touch at your earliest convenience.

You’ve thought long and hard about how to make your home more interesting – should you paint your house green or red? Install board and batten siding? What about bay windows? We urge you to consider crown molding.

It adds class to every home, and experienced professional painters and carpenters should have no problem working with it. Furthermore, it will increase your home value, and the timeless look won’t deter potential buyers over time.

Keep reading to learn more about adding crown molding to your home, and if you would like a complimentary quote from our house painters in Cumming, GA, get in touch!

Crown Molding Increases Your Home Value

Crown molding can enhance a home’s aesthetic appeal, potentially increasing its value. The National Association of Realtors states that buyers often perceive such architectural features as indicators of a higher-quality property (NAR, 2020). A study from the Journal of Real Estate Research (2018) suggests that crown molding may increase home sale prices by up to 3%, depending on regional tastes. Additionally, Zillow’s 2019 report found listings mentioning ‘crown molding’ sold for 29% more than those that didn’t, suggesting a strong correlation between this feature and higher property values. These findings don’t establish causation, and many variables are at play, but it is a good sign nonetheless.

Crown Molding Creates a Warm Atmosphere, Even With High Ceilings

This casting technique gives more weight to tall ceilings; instead of feeling empty, vaulted, or cathedral, ceilings feel fuller. This technique wins over every prospective buyer—it’s a beautiful touch that makes every space feel expensive and classy.

Crown molding bridges the gap between wall and ceiling, giving the room a finished look (Architectural Digest wrote about this is in 2019). In rooms with tall ceilings, molding can lower the perception of height, creating a cozier atmosphere. Using double or triple stacked moldings can emphasize the grandeur of the space, while contrasting color between the molding and the ceiling can highlight architectural details. Molding can also function as a decorative shelf for ambient up-lighting, casting a warm, subtle glow onto the ceiling. Its versatility makes crown molding an excellent choice for high-ceilinged spaces.

Artfully Disguise Irregularities

An aging home is likely to show more defects than newer construction. Even when a home has irregularities, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with the house. It could be an indent in the wall is starting to bother you more now than it did when you moved in. If you don’t like how a spot in a room looks, cover it with crown molding.

The crown molding technique is flexible. It allows you to cover up as much or as little of an area as you like. This is an excellent camouflage technique to use if you don’t want anyone noticing obvious mistakes in the room’s walls and ceilings.

Cracks Be Gone

Cracks happen in every room, and they can be an eyesore. Sometimes, cracks are a sign there may be a foundation problem. While you can use plaster to fill the hole and paint to cover it up, it may still be noticeable. The best way to completely seal off cracks is with crown molding.

While these are all good reasons to use crown molding in your home, make sure to avoid covering gaps that extend toward the middle of the wall or ceiling. In this case, it’s best to hire a professional to inspect the damage and work with you to plan and execute a proper solution.

If you’ve thought of doing something different to your home for the longest time, this is your sign to try something new. Our award-winning house painters in Alpharetta use crown molding as the finishing touch to achieve the level of elegance you desire for the rooms in your home. Contact us today with any questions you may have and to book your paint job.

How Much Does It Cost To Install Crown Molding?

HomeAdvisor estimates that homeowners typically spend between $2-$8 per linear foot for professionally installed crown molding. However, elaborate designs and premium materials like hardwood could cost up to $25 per foot or more. Labor costs can also fluctuate based on local rates and the complexity of the project. Do-it-yourself installation can reduce costs, but it requires skill and precision.

Call Our Expert Contractors For a Complimentary Quote

While we are the leading house painters in Roswell, GA, house painters in Johns Creek, and elsewhere throughout North GA, our team of carpenters can also install the perfect crown molding solution in your home. Get in touch for your complimentary quote today.