More and more people are looking to creative ways to reduce, reuse, and recycling. Believe it or not, now on this list is ways you can recycle your garage door! Another new trend is upcycling – taking an item and re-purposing it for an entirely new use. Check out these amazing examples from Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Orlando, FL.
Indoor Ideas
If you have a wooden garage door, there are so many ways you can upcycle the panels. Rustic home decor is a popular trend nowadays. Use those old wooden panels to compliment this look. You can hand them directly on your wall, for starters. If they’re in good shape, you might consider distressing them some. Take a heavy chain and hit the door and drag the chain across it. This will give it some character.
The panels can also be built in furniture. Use a panel to create a unique back to a couch. Attach it to an entertainment center with hinges for a rustic looking cabinet door. The panels can use made into table tops, shelves, or even wooden chairs.
Outdoor Ideas
Because overhead doors are designed to hold up to the weather, they’re ideal for outdoor upcycle ideas. The panels are an ideal length to create an outdoor bench. As with the interior, they can be made into a table that will hold up wonderfully in your backyard. They could even be fashioned into a picnic table.
One truly creative idea is to create an elevated garden. An elevated garden consists of a box made of short walls that is filled with soil. They are easier to access for weeding and harvesting. They also allow you to use high quality soil if your yard doesn’t have good soil. Garage door panels are the perfect height for an elevated garden box.
One Crazy Idea!
One homeowner took their upcycling to a whole new level. He decided to build an ice rink with his old garage door! Yes, an ice rink. Apparently, it was a lot less complicated than you might think. Here’s what he did.
First, he rounded up old garage door panels that were headed for the junk yard. He also bought several large plastic tarps, and some 16” rebar, and a few 4×4 fence posts. With his supplies on hand, it was time to get to work.
He measured out and marked off the rink outline in his backyard. This could also be done in a public space if you get permission from your homeowner’s association and local government. Once the perimeter was set, he set up the garage door panel outer wall.
Each panel was attached to a 4×4 post that was securely anchored in the ground. One of the panels was attached to its post with hinges to allow for easy access to the rink. The rebar was pounded into the ground just outside the walls all the way around to brace them and hold them up.
Next, he put the tarps in place. They were taped together with waterproof duck tape to keep them watertight. The tarps were also secured to the walls with a lip about 2” high to keep the water in.
Last, some finishing touches. The walls were painted inside and out. Some decorative knobs were affixed to the top of the four corner posts. Finally, he brought in the goal nets.
The key to all of these projects is to recycle your garage door because a new one is being installed. Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Orlando, Florida is your best source for getting that new door. Call us today, and we’ll get you on the road to the perfect new door!
