Garage Door

custom garage storage

2008-08-15T14:22:00.001-07:00

Designing And Setting Up Your Custom Garage Storage

There are many different ways that you can set up your custom garage storage. If you take some time to read below I am going to get into a couple different things that you need to consider before installing and setting up your custom garage storage

Options To Consider For Your Custom Garage Storage

The first thing to consider before purchasing your custom garage storage is what materials to use. The two main ones to consider are metal and wood. Metal is more expensive than wood, but is far more durable especially when you consider that the cabinets will be outside. Wood however is a great option if you are able to get the cabinets off the ground and keep them dry. Personally I would recommend going with metal as they will last longer and do more to increase the resale value on your home.

In addition to the cabinets you will need to look at wall hangs. You can use a variety of things from simple hooks to complex hanging systems. Depending on what your needs are either option can work. I recommend getting something that is expandable so as the amount of tools you need to store grows you are able to keep up. Rakes, shovels, golf clubs, baseball bats and all manner of things can be safely and neatly put away using a good hanging system. In addition you will not have to go digging around to find items that you are looking for. A hanging system is an often overlooked but important part of your custom garage storage.

Once you have planned the raw materials of what you want to get you now need to sit down and realistically think about how much storage you need. This is probably the most important part of the custom garage storage design that you are coming up with. You want to get enough storage to hold are your stuff, but not so much that it is overkill. I would recommend getting a little bit more than you think you need so that you are able to expand easily as time goes by.

As you can see there are several different things that you need to consider before beginning you quest to set up your custom garage storage. Follow the steps outlined above and you will be hanging cabinets and rakes in no time. Thanks for reading and hopefully all of this will help you on your way.

custom garage floor

2008-08-15T14:21:00.002-07:00

Planning Your Custom Garage Floor

If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive way to update your garage and make it your own, the best thing to do is install a custom garage floor. Custom garage floors come in many different styles and this article is here to help you figure out what you can do to make the most out of it.

New And Unique Ideas For Your Custom Garage Floor

The first thing you need to do is start trying to think a little outside the box. Most garages are just that, a place to park your car. But if you want something unique then installing a custom garage floor will take your garage to the next level.

The first thing to do is come up with a theme for your custom garage floor. Be careful that you can match your custom garage storage with them so that your garage can look its best. When selecting a theme for your garage pretty much anything is possible, but you want to make sure it is something you can live with as you will be seeing it every day for the rest of the time your own the house. In addition to that you may want to make it something that someone buying the house would not be turned off by.

If you do go with some unique colors take care to make sure that the can be painted over easily and that you are able to put the garage in a neutral state. Some basic color schemes that I can suggest are using your family crest, favorite sports team or racing team, high school or collage colors, or maybe even just something you think looks nice.

Personally I did a custom garage floor with Dale Earnhardt’s number three. I was a huge Earnhardt fan and painted my garage in a black, white, and red combination. On the back wall I painted a picture of his car, and then on the floor I painted a huge number three. I took a couple of pictures and uploaded them to the tribute section of Dale Earnhardt enterprises’ web page. If you get some time do a search and you should be able to find my tribute there.

As you can see the key to making a great custom garage floor is finding something you feel passionate about and putting it there. No where else in your home do you really have as much freedom to create as you do in the garage. You can really turn this place into a great expression of your love and desire. Hopefully you take this to heart and create something special.

custom garage design

2008-08-15T14:21:00.001-07:00

Planning A Custom Garage Design

There are many things to consider before building your custom garage. This article is going to take a look at some options that you can use to plan your custom garage design. The basics may not be completely obvious to you, so read on and then you should be ready to go.

Options For Custom Garage Design

The easiest way to start your custom garage design is with the floor. A custom garage floor will add a real uniqueness to your garage and is the best starting point. First thing to do is pick the colors that you want to use. Some ideas for what to use include your family crest, college colors or even your favorite sports or race team’s colors. You then need to plan the size of your custom garage design. I would plan to have enough room to fit three cars comfortably. This way you can have room for all your vehicles and ample space to plan your garage.

After you have lain out a basic floor plan you can draw in the garage door. This part of the custom garage design is very important as most doors will come in fairly standard sizes. Check with local retailers to make sure that a door will fit into your custom garage design. In addition to the physical width and height of the door, you are going to also want to start thinking about the material and how thick the door is. If you plan on working in you garage in the winter and want to be warm, you are going to need something with some insulation. In addition to keeping the garage warm in the winter and cold in the summer, a thicker more insulated door will block unwanted sounds better as well.

Now that you have the structure of your customer garage design laid out, you need to start planning on what you are going to put inside. Cabinets, work benches, and wall hangs all need to fit inside the garage and still allow room for the vehicles. At this point you may end up needing to go back to previous steps and adjust your custom garage design to meet the requirements of these components.

That is about it. Once you have designed in all of those different components you should be good to go. Now you just need to get started buying and building all the different parts from your custom garage design.

custom built garage

2008-08-15T14:20:00.002-07:00

Doing A Custom Built Garage From The Ground Up

First step to creating a custom built garage is to plan out what you want to do. There are many components in a custom built garage so you are going to want to have a good plan before you get started. Make sure to take accurate measurements before you get started. Also budget and plan your materials ahead of time so that you do not find yourself half way through the project realizing you can not complete it.

Steps To Creating A Custom Built Garage

The first thing you need to consider is where and how big your garage will be. Important in this decision is how big the door is. I would start your design here as it is much easier to design a custom built garage around the door rather than try to fit a door into a custom design later on. There are a number of high quality garage door retailers around so find one in your area and take a look at what they have to offer.

By starting with the door, your custom garage design should come together much easier than if you started with the overall garage. For the door you need to know the width and height you want. This should be based on your cars. Once you have that you probably are going to want to add at least a foot on either side for side room. At least another foot on top for headroom, than at least 18 inches past the height of the door to accommodate it. Once you have those numbers you have your basic outline for your garage.

After that you can really start to get into your custom built garage. Next steps will include picking out the floor, with a design if you want, as well as cabinetry and wall hangs. Each of these components has their own unique qualities and features, so do some research before you buy. I recommend looking at going with as much metal as you can as opposed to wood. Wood has a tendency to rot in water, and garages, no matter how well built, have a tendency to be wet.

Colors and other options for the walls, doors and floor are an important part of making your custom built garage truly your own. There are many different things you can go with but I suggest finding a theme and sticking with it. A popular idea lately has been to model your garage around your favorite sports or race team. This gives you a very defined color palette to work with and will focus your design even more.

custom garage door

2008-08-15T14:20:00.001-07:00

Designing A Personal Custom Garage Door

If you are looking to design a custom garage door than you probably have realized there is more to it than just slapping something on your current one. While a custom garage door is nowhere near as complicated as doing a kitchen remodel or redoing your bathroom, there are some important things to consider before you get started.

Planning Your Custom Garage Door

The first thing you need to understand before getting started on your custom garage door are the basics of a garage door. While garage door fundamentals are not complicated, understanding these basics is necessary. The first thing is the garage door materials. You may not thing this but insulation and the gauge of the steel on the door is important.

If you spend a lot of time in your garage and live in a colder clime you are going to want something solid that will keep the heat in. Vice versa, if you are looking to keep it cool in the summer a solid insulated door will keep the cool in. The way this is measured is called R-Value. R-Value is the measurement of thermal efficiency of the door. The higher the number, the better insulated the door.

The second value to consider is the steel gauge. The lower the gauge, the thicker the steel so if you door is going to have basketballs hitting it you want at least a twenty four gauge steel. This is a very important consideration for your custom built garage.

In addition to considering these options you need to consider the width and height of the door you are putting in. Taking the measurements for this is pretty straight forward. First thing is to measure the door opening width and height. Do this in feet and inches as most doors are measure that way.

This will determine the size of the rough opening for the door. Next up account for side room. This is around three and three quarter inches on each side to account for the vertical track and extension spring. Some systems may require more so make sure how much room you need before purchasing a custom garage door system.

Next thing you need to do is account for the headroom. This is the pace between the top of the door and ceiling. The standard for this is 10 inches, but it can be up to twelve. After you have accounted for this you need to account for the backroom. This is the distance the door will travel on the ceiling. The room needed for this is the door height plus eighteen inches. You may need more room for the installation of an automatic garage door opener, so check the manual to be sure.

After getting all of that measured out you are ready to begin getting and setting up your custom garage door.

custom garage

2008-08-15T14:19:00.004-07:00

Setting Up And Designing Your Custom Garage

If you have decided to set up your own custom garage but do not know where to start this article is here to help. I am going to outline a brief plan so that by the end you will have an idea of exactly what you want to do to set up your custom garage. Before you read on though have a decent idea of what you want the finished product to be. Not necessarily exactly what you want it to look like and everything, but a general feel to work off of.

Steps To Designing Your Custom Garage

The first thing you need to do is pick your floor type. For this we have several different kinds to choose from. You can go with solid poured concrete, a simulated granite flake, or simulated quartz. All of the floor types are durable, easy to maintain and have a non-skid chemical resistant surface. Each is pretty much the same in construction so it comes down to the look you are going for.

Once you have the look picked out you can now choose what you want to paint on the floor. You can go with a solid color throughout, or if you are looking to really make a truly custom garage you can do a unique blend and design. If you choose design you have many options as to what you can go with: logos, insignias, family-crests, school colors are all good options. This is your chance to really be creative. Add a custom garage door for a truly one of a kind look.

Next up you need to decide on what kind of cabinetry to put in. There are two basic options each with there own advantages. The first is wood cabinets. Wood cabinets offer a cost effective way to store your things. They are durable and very traditional as well as being lightweight and generally easy to assemble. Most will have adjustable legs or can be mounted on the walls.

If you do not want wood, you can opt for metallic cabinets. Most metallic cabinet systems are modular and upgradeable to your needs. This helps as they usually are far more expensive than their wood versions. Metal cabinets are long lasting and extremely durable. The big downside is the cost.

Last but not least is the organizer. This wall mounted system makes it easy for you to find and store all of your big tools and sports equipment. There are several systems to choose from, but all have the same basic function.

That is about it. Hopefully this has helped you to design the custom garage of your dreams.

garage wall storage

2008-08-15T14:19:00.003-07:00

Getting Creative With Your Garage Wall Storage

Any kind of storage is only useful if it is effective and the most efficient way to create effective storage is to create custom storage. This goes for any kind of storage and that includes garage wall storage. A custom garage wall storage set up is nice because not only is it something you can create to your own specifications but you can also make it so it is perfectly scalable to your own needs.

The garage wall storage systems they offer in stores are quality products but not every garage is the same and not only that but you can get really creative with materials when creating your garage wall storage system and save yourself a lot of money in the process. It only takes a little creativity to get the perfect garage wall storage system going and if you put just a little thought into it you can find all kinds of ways to make the most of your garage storage space.

There are some little tips and tricks you can use to maximize space in your garage that can save you time and money and I am going to turn you on to some of those tips and tricks that can help you create a very effective garage wall storage system.

The first trick is to use corners to your advantage. Building garage wall storage into a corner area can really help to make the most of your available storage and corners also offer the ability to make storage that is a little more stable and stronger than something put across a regular wall. Always maximize your corners when creating your garage wall storage and make sure that you allow yourself the proper access to them as well because while corners make great garage wall storage anchors they also tend to get cluttered faster than the rest of the wall space.

Always Use The Wall Studs

When you are creating a garage wall storage always make sure you mount everything on to the wall studs. You want the strongest support available and the best way to do that is to make sure you are anchored to the studs in the wall and not the drywall if your garage is finished. You can use a stud finder if you have finished garage walls or you can just line everything up with the wall studs by sight if you do not have finished garage walls.

Everyone loves to maximize storage space and the space on your garage walls can be a great source of storage if you just know how to use it.

garage storage rack

2008-08-15T14:19:00.001-07:00

Maximizing Wall Space With A Garage Storage Rack

When people take a look at their garage and try and determine how to get more storage space out of it they always look to the ceiling. Planning on building garage ceiling storage is not always the most effective way of getting the most out of your garage. Maybe you should look to garage wall storage as an effective alternative to spending a great deal of time, money, and effort in remodeling the ceiling and roof of your garage.

A garage storage rack is an effective and inexpensive way of getting the most of your wall space and if you install a garage storage rack correctly you can store almost anything from it. I have seen people put their lawnmowers up on the garage storage rack with no problem at all. Bicycles get up and out of the way and all kinds of gardening tools suddenly have a safe place to be stored but yet still have easy access. So before you go hammering into your garage roof and ceiling to create more storage maybe you should look to the walls and find the many effective uses of a garage storage rack as a garage storage alternative.

Hanging a garage storage rack is just like hanging anything else that will be called on to support a great deal of weight. When you are installing a shelf that you know will be carrying a great deal of weight, or when you are installing kitchen cabinets, you always look to find the wall stud to mount them to. If your garage is finished then never install a garage storage rack directly into the drywall even if you use anchors. You should always look to mount a garage storage rack directly into the wooden studs in your garage to avoid any problems. An unfinished garage makes this process much easier.

Limitless Possibilities

A garage storage rack has many uses beyond just hanging some hoses or some garden tools from it. If properly mounted you can use it to store tires, lumber, car parts, and even concrete blocks. But always make sure your garage storage rack is securely installed before you add any great weight to it. A garage storage rack is not very effective if it gets pulled out of the wall trying to do its job! So explore the possibilities but always be careful that you take precautions so that you and others do not get injured.

garage storage cabinet

2008-08-15T14:18:00.002-07:00

What You Can Do With A Garage Storage Cabinet

Everyone could use more storage and the garage is always the first place people look when they think about creating more storage space. For some people it makes sense to build a whole storage area into the roof of their garage but for others that is not an option. Some people cannot deal with heights while others are physically unable to climb up and down ladders or steep stairs to get to a garage ceiling storage area.

For those people there is the garage storage cabinet and while it may seem on the surface that a garage storage cabinet may take up more room than they make if you engineer your garage correctly then a garage storage cabinet can make a great deal of space. Remember that a garage storage cabinet allows you to store more in less square feet so while it may seem like you are taking up extra space you are actually freeing up space by storing things in an upright cabinet as opposed to letting them lie around on the floor.

You should also remember that a garage storage cabinet has a top to it that can also be utilized as storage space along with the space inside the cabinet. Just like a garage storage rack can be used to get bicycles out of the way so can the top of a garage storage cabinet be used to store lumber and other things.

The first thing you want to do to make maximum use of the garage storage cabinet space in your garage is to map out exactly what you want to do before you purchase any cabinet. Take a look at the layout of your garage and determine where a garage storage cabinet can be of the greatest use. Also think about ways to combine cabinets to allow for the cabinet roof storage that we spoke about earlier. Planning out how you are going to use your garage storage cabinet space prior to installing cabinets is a very useful plan.

Maximize The Cabinet

You would be surprised at the versatility of a cabinet these days. The things you can add to a cabinet and accessorize them with can add a lot of space and functionality to the cabinets that can help to maximize the space they sit on. Remember that the name of this game is maximizing usable space so always do a lot of research into which cabinets you want to use in order to get the most out of your garage storage cabinet layout.

You don’t need to add on to the roof and ceiling of your garage to get the most storage space out of it. A little creativity and a lot of planning can help you to keep everything safely within arm’s reach.

garage ceiling storage

2008-08-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

Garage Ceiling Storage Is Not For Everyone

Some people look at the roof of a garage and see nothing but wasted space. They simply have to go up there and create garage ceiling storage. But garage ceiling storage is not necessarily for everyone and there are a lot of factors you have to take into account before you start planning your garage ceiling storage. It would be a shame to create all of that new storage space just to find out that you cannot use it.

Go through these considerations before you create your garage ceiling storage space and you may find that it is in your best interest to use a nice garage storage cabinet as opposed to remodeling your garage. A cabinet can be placed anywhere and can be just as convenient as overhead storage.

In many cases a cabinet is better than ceiling storage because a cabinet can be easily moved to accommodate changes in your garage and to be flexible with your future design plans with your garage. Plus it is easier to add a cabinet than it is to create more ceiling storage space. So always consider these points and more when you are looking to create a garage ceiling storage space.

The age of your garage is a huge factor in to whether or not it can support garage ceiling storage space. If the roof supports in your garage are older then they may not be able to handle the strain and weight of garage ceiling storage and you may be doing much more harm than good by trying to create new space. Getting a professional in to evaluate the condition of your roof supports is an excellent plan and even though you may wind up spending money on something you cannot actually have done at least you will have piece of mind knowing that you made the right choice.

Cabinets May Be A Better Choice

If you go through the time, effort, and expense to create garage ceiling storage space only to realize that all you have to store up there is a rake and a shovel then you may have made a really bad remodeling choice.

Always consider the items you are looking to store before you go building anything. It may turn out that cabinets are more convenient and sensible after all and that you do not need to do any garage remodeling. It is always better to be practical than foolish.

Your garage simply may not be designed to handle garage ceiling storage space. Check with an engineer to make sure your garage is able to handle garage ceiling storage space before you put down a single nickel to get the job started.

overhead garage storage

2008-08-15T14:17:00.002-07:00

Being Practical With Your Overhead Garage Storage

When you start to plan your overhead garage storage you have to remember the limitations of your garage. Not all garages are created equal and some people get to planning their garage ceiling storage and they can get a little carried away. Sometimes it is not practical to pay an engineer to come in and do a stress test on the roof supports for your garage but you should try and get a professional in to look at your overhead garage storage plans and make sure that they are attainable given the make up of your garage. Sometimes people look at their garage roof and see overhead garage storage that can hold twice as much as it should hold.

Remember that it is not just the things you are storing in your overhead garage storage that can get damaged but anything, and anyone, that is in the garage when the overhead garage storage gives way. So be smart and get a professional in to your garage to make sure that you are not planning on too much stress and weight for your garage roof supports to handle. It may cost you a few dollars but in the end you avoid all of the crisis that can come with bad planning.

After you have determined the limitations of your overhead garage storage many people like to develop finishing plans for after they have created their overhead garage storage space. One of the best things for finishing an overhead garage storage space is a suspended ceiling or hanging ceiling. They are very easy to install, they allow proper air flow to your garage roof, and they look very nice. The only thing you need to be on the watch for is too much ceiling. Your garage roof still needs room for air circulation so be certain to watch out for that.

Plan It Ahead Of Time

Another big mistake made by people planning an overhead garage storage space is not planning on how they will use the space. If you are going to take the good time, effort, and money to determine the limitations of your space then you can certainly take the time to plan out how you intend to use it so that there is no over crowding. Misuse of an overhead space in any situation can result in problems especially when the weight you are storing goes over the weight limit of the roof supports. So always plan ahead with your overhead garage storage space and avoid issues as much as possible.

garage storage

2008-08-15T14:17:00.001-07:00

The Right Way And The Wrong Way To Do Garage Storage

I remember going to my grandparent’s house when I was a child and they had a huge two car garage. When you are little a two car garage can look like an auditorium with its wide open space. But this was a dirty place and it was the perfect place to hide cars. My grandfather believed in utilizing space as effectively as possible but he was also not one for details.

So when you would walk into my grandparent’s garage you would look up and see boards haphazardly strewn across the roofing supports and an occasional rake or some other potentially dangerous yard tool resting delicately across the boards. Luckily no one ever got hurt but that was definitely the wrong way to do garage storage. If you are going to do overhead garage storage you want to be certain that you are doing it the right way. The way I just describe is most obviously the wrong way.

One good jolt to the garage wall and all of that garage storage would come crashing down. Like I said, no one ever got hurt, but the potential was there and when you are talking about heavy and sharp objects hovering 4 or 5 over your head you probably want to make sure they are as secure and as safe as possible.

Designing garage storage can get a little complicated if you let yourself get carried away. The first thing you want to make sure your garage storage has is easy access from the floor. Climbing ladders may not always be the best way to get things up and down from your garage storage. It may be best to build some sort of collapsible stairway or some other secure way of getting to the garage storage overhead. If you are comfortable with a ladder then that is fine but remember that it takes at least one hand to safely climb a ladder and you may not have one hand available when carrying an 8 foot long piece of lumber.

Make It Secure And Airy

Closing off your garage roof to create garage storage can cause problems. A roof needs to breathe so sealing the garage roof to create garage storage could cause serious damage over time. The best way to build garage storage is to have a couple of good sized openings in the floor of the upper storage to allow air flow. Remember to use good plywood at least a half inch thick or more to make sure it is safe to walk on and store things on.

Taking the extra steps to make sure your garage storage is safe is the smart thing to do. I always wondered why my grandparents’ things never collapsed on them in the garage but then again I was always happy they did not.

garage organization tips

2008-08-15T14:16:00.004-07:00

Some Friendly Garage Organization Tips

Your government recognizes that the idea of garage storage is becoming very popular today and so to that end we offer some garage organization tips that we hope inform you as well as enlighten you as to some of the dangers of improper storage. We hope that you take our garage organization tips to heart and remember that your government is always watching so sit up straight and stop chewing that gum!

Our first very practical garage organization tip is that nuclear warheads do not store well in above ground garages. We understand that as the former states of the Soviet Union continue to sell off their nuclear weapons in an attempt to offset their rising debts that some Americans may come into possession of some of these artifacts. Well, take it from us that they do not store well at all and if you do find yourself in possession of an old Soviet nuclear warhead then our best garage organization tip is to call the government right away. Better safe than sorry!

Don't Be The Crazy Cat Lady

We at the government understand that cats are cute but we strongly urge you not to horde cats in your garage in an attempt to give them a temporary place to live until you can find them a home. This garage organization tip is important because we are getting a lot of calls from cat owners wanting to know why their cats are disappearing and we suspect that the crazy cat lady from each neighborhood is storing them away in her garage. Kitties are cute but as a serious garage organization tip we suggest that you do not horde them in your garage because they may actually belong to someone and we are frankly tired of handling calls from frantic cat owners every night.

We at the government understand the need to feel safe but in our final garage organization tip we are going to ask that you stop stockpiling weapons in your garage in anticipation of the coming conflict with the terrorists. The government has the terror problem under control and random citizens stocking up on anti-aircraft weapons can make communities nervous.

We at the government appreciate your attention to these helpful garage organization tips and remind you that we are watching you, er, watching out for you so sleep well and thank you for your time and we appreciate all of your efforts in making our community and our country the absolute best it can be.

garage tool organizer

2008-08-15T14:16:00.003-07:00

Some Ideas On Creating Your Garage Tool Organizer

When you go into planning your garage tool organizer you could probably benefit from a few garage organization tips that will not only add some space to your work area but also will reduce your stress while finding the right tool. The most important thing with any garage tool organizer is to create a system that will easily allow you to access all of your tools and know where they all are.

The first thing to remember about a truly good garage tool organizer is that not everything will be within arms reach. It is good to spread your work area out so that you do not get too cluttered in your work space and so that you can also develop various workstations that will allow you to work on several projects at the same time. Some tools and machines may have different space requirements as well and a good garage tool organizer will recognize this and allow for the proper use of space. Not only that but a good garage tool organizer will make sure that nothing is in the way and that the tools that need the extra room and power have them.

The first trick to a good garage tool organizer is to make sure your work areas have plenty of power and lighting. There is nothing more frustrating that putting a whole garage tool organizer together only to realize that you did not create enough power outlets for you to do the job and the lighting is completely insignificant. For any good project you always need proper and lighting so make sure you take the precaution to plan out exactly what your power and light needs are and compensate for them in your design. A well planned garage tool organizer is the best one to have and it will save you a lot of hassles in the future.

Let The Heat Out

One very important thing that people forget in a good and proper garage tool organizer is that they need the proper ventilation for their tools and work area. If you do not allow for proper air flow and heat release then you are asking for damaged tools and potential injuries, or worse. Always plan out your ventilation in your garage tool organizer and make sure that you are placing tools and machines in places where they have the proper exposure to ventilation. Sometimes a little extra planning can save a whole lot of problems in the future.

garage organization system

2008-08-15T14:16:00.001-07:00

Installing a Garage Organization System For Your Tools

Small work tools can get lost easily. Small work tools left laying around a garage will almost surely get lost quickly. You need a garage tool organizer and any good garage organization system for your tools is going to allow your tools maximum protection and you maximum access to your tools. You are going to want a good garage organization system for your tools because work tools are expensive and rather than replacing them every time you want to do a project you may want to invest in a garage organization system for your tools that will allow you to keep the same tools for years to come.

The first thing you need in your garage organization system for your tools is something that doubles as a storage spot for your most used tools and a work area. A work bench with a system of drawers and a peg board backing used to placing hooks and hanging tools is the best way to do this. With this garage organization system you can not only have constant access to the tools you use most often but you can also be sure they are secure and safe at the same time.

Make sure you get a work bench with enough work room on it and enough space to store the tools you will want to store on it and in it. Take your time and think about the tools you will be storing in it and the work you will be doing on it before you invest in this part of your garage organization system for your tools.

Hang On The Wall Or Put In A Cabinet?

The rest of your garage organization system for your tools is your own personal preference. Some people like the neat look that cabinets offer and they also like the extra storage space on the doors that cabinets offer. There are many types of cabinets offered for garage organization system ideas and you are sure to find one that suits your needs.

People that are not fond of cabinets usually like their work tools readily accessible and for those people they prefer wall hanging units. They can conveniently hang their tools out of the way while making them very easily accessible. Of course this method prevents locking your tools up at night but to some people that does not matter nearly as much as the ability to easily access their work tools when then need them.

garage organization ideas

2008-08-15T14:15:00.002-07:00

Prioritize Your Garage Organization Ideas

Garages get so cluttered because people sometimes just refuse to throw things out regardless of how silly the reason may be for keeping the item. Do we really need to keep those old towels even though we already have a barrel full of rags? It is really necessary to find a home for every rusty screw we take out of the various home improvement projects we do?

Every good idea needs a plan and for your garage organization system you need good garage organization ideas. You have to decide what is important to keep and what can be discarded and sometimes it may not be able to stick with those decisions but once you put garage organization ideas into place you have to stand by them to give them a chance to work.

At some point you may have to decide what is a garage organization idea and what may require off site storage but before you get to that point it is a good idea to get a series of garage organization ideas in place that can help you prioritize items that stay and that go. Anything you do now to put garage organization ideas in place will help reduce the clutter that can accumulate in your garage over the years.

The first in your garage organization ideas needs to be what to do with family heirlooms. Family heirlooms don't belong in the garage. Always put family heirlooms in more environmentally controlled areas such as the attic or basement. If your attic or basement is insufficient then you may want to consider off site storage for the heirlooms. Most heirlooms don't do well in a garage because of the constant change in temperature and the exhaust fumes from cars so keep this in mind when you are looking into garage organization ideas.

If You Don't Use It Then Throw It Out

If you have something you have never used in years and you can honestly not think of any moment when you will ever need the item then you have two choices. You can throw it out. If it seems to have some value then collect these items together and have a garage sale. Either way it is always a good garage organization idea to get rid of items you know you have never used and you suspect you will never ever use anyways.

It is not always easy to prioritize your junk but if you don't get a handle on it early then it can take over your garage. An organized garage is a wonderful thing to have.

garage storage organization

2008-08-15T14:15:00.001-07:00

Some Help With Your Garage Storage Organization

Getting organized is always a difficult task and people can usually use all the help they can get. Getting good garage organization ideas is always helpful and if they are practical and inexpensive then that is even a bigger help. Sometimes common household items can aide in garage storage organization and can do so at a huge cost savings to you.

Not only will you save some money with creative garage storage organization but you can also save yourself a lot of headaches trying to figure out what to do with all of the stuff that seems to be growing in your garage. Getting good garage storage organization is not only something that can save you money and headaches but it can make your garage safer for your family to walk around in.

With things all over the garage sometimes an accident is just waiting to happen, but with proper garage storage organization you can make sure that everything harmful is up and out of the way and make sure that little hands don't find the things that they are not supposed to find.

Of course one of the most convenient garage storage organization ideas that comes from household items is using jars to store small things. If your family eats peanut butter or mayonnaise then you know that they come in plastic jars. Up until now you probably threw those jars out. But you can use those jars for garage storage organization. Clean them out thoroughly when you are done using them and then put them in your garage to store various small items such as nails, bolts, or screws. You can label them so you know what is in there and then you don't have small sharp objects rolling around your garage.

Don't Throw That Old Dresser Out

An old clothes dresser makes a great storage cabinet for a garage and not only can you fill the drawers with various things but you can get some of the other items off the garage floor by putting them on top of the dresser. A well used dresser can not only create a lot of floor space in your garage but it can also make some of those things much easier to get at if you ever need them in the future.

A good garage storage organization project not only helps you to organize your garage but it can make it safer as well which is a bonus that is wonderful to have.

garage organizer

2008-08-15T14:14:00.002-07:00

Choosing the Right Garage Organizer System

When it comes time to organize that mess you call a garage then you need to decide on which garage storage organization system is best for you and your needs. There are a lot of things that go into deciding on the best garage organizer and chief among them is how much you will need to get at the stuff you are organizing in the future. If you know you are just storing things for posterity's sake and will probably never need them again the a garage organizer that does not allow a lot of access but offers a lot of storage is best for you.

If you will be using your garage a lot and know that you will be needing to access the things in it then a garage organizer that allows total access would be in order. It also depends on what you are storing as well. Your power tools would not get the same type of storage as your summer lawn furniture. So much goes into choosing the right garage organizer but it helps to know what your choices are prior to investing in a garage organizer system. If you know what your choices are then it makes it easier to get the garage organizer that is best for you.

If you are going to require constant access to your stuff then it may be a good idea to get modular and creative with your garage organizer. For example, if you will be storing a lot of tools but you know you will be using them regularly then you will want to get tool storage cabinets and wall mounted shelves that will allow you to store your tools but also have access to them as well. You may also want to consider a garage organizer system for your tools that also doubles as a work bench. This can save you considerable space and add to your convenience.

I Never Want To See This Junk Until I Pass It On To My Kids

Sometimes your garage organizer systems needs to be a little more permanent. In that case you may want to get a professional engineer in to look at your garage and design a system that utilizes the available wall and ceiling space in your garage. Perhaps cabinets can be built into the walls of your garage or maybe even remodel the ceiling to include a great deal of storage space as well. It can all be done but it needs the touch of a professional because you don't want your possessions to come crashing down on your car or your family one day.

garage organization

2008-08-15T14:14:00.001-07:00

Make Some Room With Garage Organization

For many people the garage becomes a place that just collects stuff that they cannot bring themselves to throw out. Before you know it the whole garage looks like a disaster area and you cannot get yourself in to do anything. You can forget about fitting a car in there. What many people fail to realize is that with a simple garage organizer you can not only rescue your garage from the mess that you have created but your new flair for garage organization has also created space for you to use your garage as what it was meant for, a place to park your car out of the elements.

The art of garage organization can be a very intimidating task depending on how much stuff you have collected in your garage that needs organizing. But in the end your garage organization will reap the rewards of a car that will last longer and it will also bring you the ability to get at that stuff that has been hiding in a heap in your garage for all of those years.

There are many ways to achieve garage organization but probably the easiest is to use cabinets and shelves. You would be surprised at how much stuff you can organize with a simple use of cabinets and a few well places shelves. If you are mounting your shelves or cabinets into the walls of your garage always make sure that you use the wall studs as a source of necessary support. When you are doing a garage organization you never know the weight of stuff you will have to deal with so always make sure your cabinets can handle it.

For The More Ambitious People

Many people like to take their garage organization one step further and remodel the roof of their garage to accommodate their clutter. Some people even go so far as to create a whole finished room in their garage ceiling to use as storage space. This is a great idea if you have the time and resources but always make sure you get a professional in to look at your garage before you start building.

No matter what your preference is it is always a good idea to get some garage organization to your clutter so that you can not only get at the things you need to get at but so that you can use your garage to protect your car as it was intended to do in the first place.

building a garage loft

2008-08-15T14:13:00.004-07:00

What You Need For Building A Garage Loft

There are many different ways that you can go about building a garage loft. If you take some time to read below I am going to get into a couple different things that you need to consider before building a garage loft.

Options To Consider Before Building A Garage Loft

The first thing to consider before building a garage loft is what materials to use. The two main ones to consider are metal and wood. Metal is more expensive than wood, but is far more durable especially when you consider that the floors and walls will be outside. Wood however is a great option if you are able to get the loft off the ground and keep it dry. Personally I would recommend going with metal as it will last longer and do more to increase the resale value on your home.

In addition to the where the loft is going you will need to look at wall hangs. You can use a variety of things from simple hooks to complex hanging systems. Depending on what your needs are either option can work. I recommend getting something that is expandable so as the amount of tools you need to store grows you are able to keep up. Rakes, shovels, golf clubs, baseball bats and all manner of things can be safely and neatly put away using this garage organization. In addition you will not have to go digging around to find items that you are looking for. A hanging system is an often overlooked but important part of building a garage loft.

Once you have planned the raw materials of what you want to get you now need to sit down and realistically think about how much storage you need. This is probably the most important part of building a garage loft. You want to get enough storage to hold all your stuff, but not so much that it is overkill. I would recommend getting a little bit more than you think you need so that you are able to expand easily as time goes by.

As you can see there are several different things that you need to consider before building a garage loft. Follow the steps outlined above and you will be storing your stuff and rakes in no time. A loft is truly the best way to get your stuff stored economically and quickly. Thanks for reading and hopefully all of this will help you on your way.

building a garage door

2008-08-15T14:13:00.003-07:00

Getting Your Garage In Order by Building a Garage Door

If your garage is a mess, perhaps a good way to get it fresh and up to date is to re do it. First thing to do is come up with solid plan, and then all you have to do is execute it. It is tough to decide where to start so this article is here to help you. Maybe building a garage loft is the answer, but the best place to start is with building the garage door

Starting Your Garage Project By Building A Garage Door

First things first, the most important part of your garage is the door. You may be able to find someone who can make the door for you, but building a garage door is not as hard as it seems. Building a garage door can be a fun project that will customize and add value to your home.

The first step in building a garage door is measuring where it needs to go. When measuring your garage door be sure to get an accurate measurement of the area the door needs to cover, length and width, along with all the measurements of the sides of the door as well as all the way to the back wall. These measurements will come in handy when selecting building a garage door as some require more length and width for the extra housing and mechanisms out side of the normal door. It would be best to make one that can simply slip onto your current rails, but not everyone gets that lucky. In addition you will also need to consider how much insulation and what gauge of steel you want to use for the door. More insulation should be used in colder climes and a thicker door if you expect things to hit it and need something resistant. If you have kids, opt for the thicker door as you never know what they will be throwing at it. The best thing is by building a garage door on your own you can design in these features.

The next thing you need to decide on is the floor plan for your garage. Cabinets, workbench, hangers as well as the actual floor should all come into your decision here. Decided what size and material cabinets you want as well as the size and material on the workbench. These materials should match up with what you are doing your cabinets in so that everything matches in your garage. This will work for you when you go to sell the house.

As you can see there are many different basic options for your garage. Take the time and plan correctly and you will have the garage of your dreams. Just follow the simple steps outlined above and you will have a perfect garage in no time.

building a garage apartment

2008-08-15T14:13:00.001-07:00

Designing and Building a Garage Apartment

If you are looking into building a garage apartment than you probably have realized there is more to it than just slapping something on your current one. While building a garage apartment is nowhere near as complicated as doing a kitchen remodel or redoing your bathroom, there are some important things to consider before you get started.

Planning What You Need For Building A Garage Apartment

The first thing you need to understand before getting started on building a garage apartment are the basics. While the apartment fundamentals are not complicated, understanding these basics is necessary. The first thing is the materials. You may not thing this but insulation and the gauge of the steel on the door is most important. If you spend a lot of time in the garage apartment and live in a colder clime you are going to want something solid that will keep the heat in.

Vice versa, if you are looking to keep it cool in the summer a solid insulated door will keep the cool in. After designing and planning the heating and cooling for the unit, the next most complicated thing is the plumbing and actual heat. Many times you can simply attach this off of your house, but if you are planning on renting your apartment than building a garage apartment can be much more complicated.

You are going to need many additional items if you are building a garage apartment for rental. These include a toilet, stove, refrigerator, and other needed household items. There are plenty of how to guides dedicated to setting up and installing each of these things.

Another option for the garage is to set it up as a loft apartment. Building a garage apartment like this would be something suitable for an older child or visiting guests and probably would not require as much design and set up as a full blown apartment. These loft apartments are great for adding value and extra space in your current home and are fairly simple to do. In addition you should be able to keep the original door as building a garage door can be extremely difficult and time consuming. The loft garage apartment is a great small project if you do not feel like taking on a whole major reconstruction.

Well there you have it, some basic guidelines on building a garage apartment. Follow these instructions and you should have a valuable addition to your home.

building a detached garage

2008-08-15T14:12:00.002-07:00

Ideas On Building A Detached Garage

When building a detached garage for your home there are a few simple guidelines you need to follow. The first is to have a solid plan. That is the most important part of any garage construction project. Start by having an idea of what your goals for building a detached garage are. Is your garage going to be for personal use? Are you just going to use it for storage, or are you going to be doing actual mechanical work? Are you building a garage apartment? Once you have these questions answered you can truly dive into what it is going to take in building a detached garage.

Planning Your Garage

The first thing you need to figure out is how much space you want for your garage. Is it going to be big enough for three or more cars, or do you just need it for one? Will you be needing addition storage space on top of the room for the cars? How tall and how much storage do you want in the upper section? These important questions will dictate the majority of your construction project. Take each one in turn and think about it then decide what direction you want to take your project in.

After you have a rough idea of what the size of your garage will be you can begin planning the inside. The first place to start here is with the garage door. This important piece must fit the opening nearly exactly if you expect to do anything in the winter or have a structure that is at all secure. Be sure to plan for enough room for the door. This will include both sides, directly above the door and on the ceiling as the door is pulled in. Depending on what rails you get and what automatic door system you put in, you will need different amounts of space for all of these sections. You should have enough of a basic layout that building a detached garage is only a couple short steps aways.

The door is by far the trickiest part to design for. Once you have that in place you can start planning out the different pieces inside your garage. You will need ample room for all of your things, so plan accordingly so that you are not left with a storage shortage. There are many different kinds of storage to choose from starting with simple wood cabinets all the way to complex metal workbenches capable of holding your tools and doing all your work. Again it is up to you how much you are going to need.

Hopefully this article has given you some ideas into what building a detached garage requires.

how to build a garage

2008-08-15T14:12:00.001-07:00

How To Build A Garage That Is Your Own

If you are looking to do some thing to truly express yourself, you may want to consider how to build a garage. I am going to take a look at a couple examples to give you some ideas on what is possible when you build a garage that is your own. Both of these examples come from friends of mine that have redone their garages, so take a look and see if anything they did inspires you.

Two Examples Of How To Build A Garage That Is Fun

One of my friends is a huge fan of the Grateful Dead and decided to build a garage to store his van in the winter and hang out in. The cost to build a garage like this was a factor, but he was pretty open to spending some money. He then went about building a detached garage.

The first thing he needed to do was make sure that the garage would be comfortable in the winter, so he made sure to purchase and extra sturdy and insolated garage door. He took his extensive collection of cloth banners that he had collected and hung them throughout the garage. I would estimate he approximately twenty of them at all and they took up most of the walls and ceiling. On the one side he parked his van that he used for summer tours back in the day.

Now it sat most of the time, all though every once in a while he still takes it for a spin or the occasional show. On the other side he set up comfortable couches and throw rugs. On the floor he painted a massive steal your face. The walls underneath the hung banners were painted tie dye. All of this created a really unique area and since it was the garage it was not something that he needed to show people. In addition it could easily and quickly be converted to normal garage with a couple gallons of paint and some time.

The next friend I have was a huge Dale Earnhardt fan and when he died he how to build a garage that is somewhat of a shrine. The first thing he did was paint a large red black and white 3 on a black background on the garage floor. After that was done he went about collecting as much Dale Earnhardt memorabilia as he could collect. He filled the garage over time with as much as he could.

On the one side he parks his vehicles and on the other he has a mechanics shop set up complete with a full hydraulic lift capable of picking up a loaded cargo van. He also has an extensive collection of tools here as well including air compressors and pretty much everything needed to do a full tear down and rebuild. He has done work on the side in the garage to fund this project and to help offset the cost of all the tools. His idea on how to build a garage is truly inspirational.

As you can see there are two very different approaches on how to build a garage into something that is unique and your own. Hopefully this helped to give you some ideas on what you can do.

cost to build a garage

2008-08-15T14:11:00.002-07:00

Calculating Your Cost To Build A Garage

There are many things that you need to calculate to figure out the cost to build a garage. There are going to be multiple components that you are going to use so the best advice is to take it step by step when trying to determine how to build a garage.

Costs To Build A Garage Taken Step By Step

The first thing you are going to need when building a garage is wood. You are going to need to get costs on support beams, as well as plywood and other wood to figure out how much it will cost to build a garage. After you determine how much each of these components cost you need to calculate how many you need of each. The first step in that is devolping a plan with which you are going to go off of to build your garage.

This plan should be comprehensive so you can arcurately figure the cost to build a garage before getting started. In addition to the wood you also need to figure the price and cost of concrete to pour for the base. Concrete prices very frequently so be sure to check oftern how much it is going for and especially right before you get started so that you can accurately determine the cost to build a garage.

The door may be the most biggest contributor to the cost to build a garage. There are many different methods that you can do to make a garage door, or you can buy one from a retailer in your area. There are many quality doors out there that you can buy. Important factors in the door are whether you need it insulated or not, how thick you want it, are you putting in a garage door opener, and of course how big it is.

The next thing you need to figure out is what extras you are going to put in the garage. Cabinets, workbenches, and things for hanging your tools can get real expensive really quick so do not start getting these until after you have the structure planned and priced out. It will be pretty pointless to get all the internal stuff if you can not afford the frame to put it in.

As you can see a lot of things go into the cost to build a garage so plan now so you can rest knowing you have enough money to complete your project.

build a garage

2008-08-15T14:11:00.001-07:00

Build A Garage From The Ground Up

First step to creating a custom built garage is to plan out what you want to do. There are many components you need to build a garage so you are going to want to have a good plan before you get started. Make sure to take accurate measurements before you get started. Also figure out how much it will cost to build a garage and plan your materials ahead of time so that you do not find yourself half way through the project realizing you can not complete it.

Steps To Planning How To Build A Garage

The first thing you need to consider is where and how big your garage will be. Important in this decision is how big the door is. I would start your design here as it is much easier to build a garage around the door rather than try to fit a door into a custom design later on. There are a number of high quality garage door retailers around so find one in your area and take a look at what they have to offer.

By starting with the door, your custom garage design should come together much easier than if you started with the overall garage. For the door you need to know the width and height you want. This should be based on your cars. Once you have that you probably are going to want to add at least a foot on either side for side room. At least another foot on top for headroom, than at least 18 inches past the height of the door to accommodate it. Once you have those numbers you have your basic outline for how to build a garage.

After that you can really start to get into your custom built garage. Next steps will include picking out the floor, with a design if you want, as well as cabinetry and wall hangs. Each of these components has their own unique qualities and features, so do some research before you buy. I recommend looking at going with as much metal as you can as opposed to wood. Wood has a tendency to rot in water, and garages, no matter how well built, have a tendency to be wet.

Colors and other options for the walls, doors and floor are an important part of deciding how to build a garage. There are many different things you can go with but I suggest finding a theme and sticking with it. A popular idea lately has been to model your garage around your favorite sports or race team. This gives you a very defined color palette to work with and will focus your design even more.

garage floor sealer

2008-08-15T14:10:00.004-07:00

Garage Floor Sealer Helps Protect Strength Of Concrete Floor

Whether the garage floor is brand new or several years old, it can pay to apply a garage floor sealer to help protect the integrity of the concrete. By using a quality garage floor sealer, the concrete will not be subject to damage from water stains, oil and grease and is also easier to keep clean. A good sealer can also be used to prime concrete to accept paint or other types of floor coverings. Moisture and road salts can be damaging to unprotected concrete and a good sealer will help keep those from entering into the porous surface.

Before applying a garage floor sealer, the floor should be thoroughly cleaned with degreaser to remove any oil or grease from the existing concrete. Hot tire marks can usually be lifted from the surface by using special cleaners and in some instances degreaser and these specialty cleaning products may have to sit on a stain for a while before the stain can be completely removed.

The important thing to remember about using garage floor sealer is that any stains that are on the concrete will become more permanent and more difficult to remove after the garage floor sealer is applied to the floor. Sealing also prevents water from soaking into the concrete where, if it gets cold enough to freeze inside the garage, can cause more damage to the floor.

Think Safety When Choosing Sealer For Garage Floor

A quality garage floor sealer will give the appearance of a shiny surface without becoming slick and slippery. When water gets on the surface of the sealed floor it should be like walking on ice, which can cause a slippery environment and can be hazardous to the homeowner's health. When planning to build a garage, making the application of garage floor sealer part of the plan will help insure the floor lasts much longer than unprotected ones last.

Proper preparation will insure a smooth finish to the surface once the garage floor sealer is dry and making sure all dust and dirt is cleaned off the floor will prevent it from becoming a permanent part of the flooring. Once the floor is properly sealed, adhesive stickers can be applied without worry of them leaving adhesive residue behind when they wear out or are removed.

A quality garage floor sealer will also prevent the reappearance of marks left by hot tires when a car sits in the garage. To help protect the garage floor after it is sealed, it may be wise to use rubber parking mats on which the tires rest when the car resting is in the garage.

garage floor finish

2008-08-15T14:10:00.003-07:00

Garage Floor Finish Provides More Attractive Environment

Not everyone is happy with a plain garage floor and even after applying a fresh coat for paint they may feel as though something is missing. Those that view their garage as simply a place in which their vehicle is parked at night probably will not care about the garage floor finish but others take extra steps to create an attractive environment even in their garage. Especially, those who use their garage as an extension of their homes for home entertainment and parties find an attractive garage floor finish a plus in their outdoor environment.

Preparing the concrete floor for the application of a garage floor finish can be tedious and time-consuming, but it also insures the new finish will be on the floor longer. Simply sweeping and scrubbing the concrete before painting will result in a floor that looks terrific for a few days, but it will not take long before all the oil and grease left on the floor begins poking up through the new garage floor finish.

With today's paint technology there is no reason to stick with many of the old standard colors of red, grey or brown and by using some of the new epoxy based garage floor finish products, stone chips can be added to enhance the appearance of the garage floor.

Getting Floor Ready To Accept New Finish

Unless the garage floor finish is being applied to newly-poured concrete floor, there may be years of stains and surface contaminants that will have to be removed before the new finish is applied. When considering a new garage floor finish it is important to understand the difference between a finish and a garage floor sealer, and the function that each is intended to provide.

Any cracks in the concrete, especially in older garages need to be thorough cleaned of any dust and debris before filling with an epoxy compound to level the floor. The end result of applying a garage floor finish will be solely dependent on the quality of the preparation of the surface prior to its application. By insuring all cracks and chips are adequately cleaned and filled, the new surface will better adhere to the old floor.

Allowing enough time for the new garage floor finish to dry before using the garage is also a crucial part of the job. If the instructions say two days are needed for the floor to dry, depending on the air circulation in the garage, no less than two days should be allowed.

painting garage floor

2008-08-15T14:10:00.001-07:00

Painting Garage Floor Can Be Time-Consuming Work Of Art

There are a few things many homeowners really dread about maintaining their home and spending a weekend painting garage floor concrete is usually one of them. It is not only the time the paint job will take as well as the drying time before anything can be put back into the garage, it is the time to prepare for painting garage floors that makes many people keep putting off the project. However, those that consider the concrete floor a canvas for their artistic expression may find the job more enjoyable than simply applying a single color paint to the floor.

Not too long ago there were limited colors available for painting garage floor with grey being the most common. Today, not only are the colors more vibrant and diverse, many are using their garage floor like a painting canvas to paint designs and logos to help liven up the space. The type paint for painting garage floors must be able to withstand the vehicle traffic as well as occasional spills of chemical and petroleum-based products that will inevitably end up on the floor.

Just as with many type of paint, when looking at painting garage floor concrete, the surface has to be clean and oil free so the paint will adhere to the surface without air or water bubbles forming. When that happens, the paint will need to be refinished and repainted to maintain a consistent surface.

Cleaning Before Painting Garage Floor Insures Quality Project

To prepare the garage floor for painting, it will have to be swept out and thoroughly washed. The use of degreasers to remove petroleum-based products from the floor will be needed as well as a thorough rinsing to insure all detergents and cleaning products are cleaned off the surface before applying paint. Using fans to speed the drying process may seem like a good idea, but they will also blow dust and dirt around the cleaned floor.

Once painting garage floor has been completed, the use of a quality garage floor finish is highly recommended to help protect the new paint job. The finish should not be applied until the paint has thoroughly dried and before any vehicles have been allowed on the newly painted floor. There are different application methods used for painting garage floor concrete from rollers to sprayers, but regardless of the process, the paint needs to be uniform across the floor to provide the desired appearance.

garage floor covering

2008-08-15T14:09:00.002-07:00

Garage Floor Covering Can Change Overall Appearance Of Area

When a homeowner gets tired of looking at their old concrete garage floor and want to do more than paint it every few years, they can look into using a garage floor covering to get rid of a lot of past mistakes. While concrete, when properly maintained can provide years of service and a good appearance, when people begin using their garages for additional entertainment space, they want something more than plain, often bland concrete on which to provide that space. Special garage floor covering can stand up to the function for which it was intended as well as create a unique décor for the garage.

Consider that garage floor covering is similar to coverings available for most kitchens and bathrooms, except they are designed to hold up under the weight of a vehicle, and the possibilities begin to appear endless. Manufacturers of garage floor coverings are finding that more homeowners are willing to install these products that can provide a better appearance, provided they are durable and easy to keep clean.

Finding the right garage floor covering that meets the needs of the homeowner as well as their special interests can be a simple matter of using all available resources. With many of the covering manufacturers, even a personalized photograph can be printed on the garage floor covering and then sealed through a special process to insure it can withstand the pressure it will be under.

More Incentive To Keep Garage Floor Cleaner

With a plain concrete garage floor, many people simply learn to turn a blind eye to the floor, allowing dirt, oil and grease to build up over time. When they install a garage floor covering, they are more apt to give the floor more attention to keep it clean and looking new. Especially if the garage floor covering contains the logo of their favorite sports team.

Using a garage floor covering also takes away the frequent need for painting garage floor concrete and is installed properly will typically last longer than a coat of even the best paint. The chemicals that are prone to end up on the floor will quickly eat through most paint but special treatments used in garage floor covering helps protect the material from this exposure.

Coverings are available in many sizes and types, from self-stick tiles to a roll out garage floor covering and the majority can easily be installed by the homeowner in less than a day. Provided the floor is properly prepared to accept the covering, it will also provide a great looking floor for many years.

concrete garage floor

2008-08-15T14:09:00.001-07:00

Concrete Garage Floor Too Often Ignored And Overlooked

In the majority of houses with attached garages, the car is parked on a concrete garage floor, most often forgotten until the garage is needed for more space for a special occasion. While people are in their garage at least once a day, they typically ignore the floor, rarely giving it the attention they give to other floors in the home. In most instances the concrete garage floor is considered a functional object in the home with little effort given to help prolong its life or maintain its appearance.

Oil and other products often drip from the underside of the vehicle and for the most part will not cause significant damage to a concrete garage floor, provide the spills are cleaned up on a frequent basis. Allowing some of the chemicals to accumulate can lead to serious damage to the surface and small chips caused by falling tools can grow into larger cracks if left unchecked.

Since many homeowners also use their garage as a storage area for outdoor power equipment, toys, tools and other objects that do not fit in their basement, they tend to overlook the concrete garage floor when it comes time to clean. They might organize the stuff in the garage and occasionally sweep the floor, but generally shy from providing any lasting care to the concrete garage floor.

Using Garage As Extension Of Home For Entertaining

When folks are planning a large gathering that may require the use of the garage for seating or as a gathering place, they will start to be concerned about the appearance of their concrete garage floor. Cleaning the floor and protecting its finish can be aided by the use of a garage floor covering, available in many colors and designs, including a clear vinyl that can show the true colors of the concrete garage floor.

Coverings are available in many styles and can provide a hint of the homeowners' interests as well as cover up a dirty-looking and repaired floor. Proper preparation of the concrete garage floor will be necessary in order for the covering to remain in place and to prevent damage to the covering. Filling in holes and leveling upraised areas of the concrete garage floor will help maintain any applied coverings.

Keeping the concrete garage floor clean and in good condition will require regular maintenance, cleaning up oil and grease and then insuring the chemicals used to clean up the spills is also thoroughly rinsed off. Taking care of a concrete garage floor will make sure the floor lasts at least as long as the rest of the house.

garage floor tile

2008-08-15T14:08:00.002-07:00

Garage Floor Tile Can Add Life To Existing Parking Space

Installing a new garage floor can be an expensive proposition and with most of them made of concrete they can quickly become an unforgotten part of the house. Even though most people will pass through the garage at least twice a day, if not more, they simply forget about the floor until they need the garage to add to their living space. Instead of settling for a limited number of paint colors, companies have developed garage floor tile that can withstand the abuse often suffered by the garage floor.

There are many different styles and colors of garage floor tile that can be used for their functional purpose as well as decorative capabilities. Similar to regular floor coverings, they are usually available in tiles about two-feet square or larger, and some are provided in roll form. Depending on the variety selected, they can be put down by the homeowner or in some cases, by a professional installer.

In either case, the underlying floor, usually concrete, will have to be properly cleaned and prepared to make the installation as permanent as possible. This would include filling any small holes or cracks in the concrete before installing the garage floor tile to prevent it from cracking on the surface and ruining the finish.

Protecting The Tile Will Make Floor Look Better Longer

Most of the available garage floor tile is pretreated to repel stains from chemicals and other liquids dripping from the parked car, but clean up of messy spills is essential to preserving the finish and appearance. They can add a luster and charm not usually available with a painted concrete garage floor and provide years of service. Different colors also allow for homeowners to make a statement in their garage.

Resources for garage floor tile vary and there are some that can provide garage floor tile that once installed will hold the logo of a favorite sports team, race driver or even a local establishment. There is even a floor tile provider that produces a garage floor that appears as thought it is covered with diamond tread metal.

Some of the more popular garage floor tile is available with a peel and stick feature that allows for easy installation over a clean floor as well as a custom fit. They are easy to install and with a cushioned backing can provide years of service. The individual tiles also make replacing a damaged tile quick and easy.

garage floor

2008-08-15T14:08:00.001-07:00

Protecting Garage Floor Will Significantly Extend Its Life

Regardless of the importance many people place on their garage, most think that sweeping and hosing their garage floor once or twice a year is all the care it requires. In reality, the garage floor takes more abuse in short period of time than most of the other floors of the home take in a lifetime, and the load they are asked to bear can be significant. In addition to the abuse the floor suffers, they are also subject to spills of many corrosive products with little regard to their future.

Typically, a garage floor is made of a poured concrete slab, generally thick enough to withstand the weight of an average vehicle. However, some floors are little more than dirt covered with a thin layer of gravel in order to control the costs of building a protective area for the family vehicle or other equipment used around the property. Although it is often ignored, the garage floor is an important part of the building and can be costly to repair or replace if left unattended.

Small chips and cracks in the surface of the garage floor can quickly turn into larger chips and cracks, allowing spilled chemicals or products from a leaking vehicle to penetrate the surface. On top of that, the garage is often used as an extension of the interior living area for hosting larger gatherings and a clean, well maintained floor makes it more attractive for that purpose.

Keeping Floor Clean To Make It Last

How much time the garage floor will require to be kept clean will be up to how it is used. If the owner parks their car in the garage with very little else, regular sweeping and an occasional rinse with the garden hose will generally keep it clean. However, those that perform different types of work in their garage, often spilling dirt or chemicals, may require much more labor to maintain the floor.

Those that want to use their garages for entertaining more often, may consider using a special covering on the garage floor to make it more attractive to visitors. Rubberized floor coverings as well as garage floor tile can withstand the rigors of holding a vehicle as well as the chemicals that may tend to drip from the vehicles, helping to maintain the floor as well as making a good appearance. A good sealer can also help stop chemicals from penetrating the surface of the garage floor and damaging the concrete.

garage door installation

2008-08-15T14:07:00.004-07:00

Garage Door Installation Maybe Best Left To Experienced Installers

Unless you are experienced with tools and have little fear of making mistakes, a garage door installation may be best left to those with experience. While the installation process is fairly simple, all of the pieces and parts have to go together just right to insure the door operates as it is intended and the hardware does not wear out too quickly. Additionally, springs that assist in opening and closing the door will be under a lot of tension and can prove dangerous for someone new to garage door installation techniques.

All new garage doors will come with installation instructions that may seem easy at first glance. However, once the garage door installation procedure has begun it may quickly become a reality that it is something that is not as easy as it looks. Installing the side tracks on which the door will glide up and down has to be done with the right amount of spacing at the top and bottom to insure the door seals in the frame when closed and yet, does not bind on the door frame while going up and down.

Rollers on the side of the door provide some allowance for the width of the door during the garage door installation but if the tracks are too close together they will prevent the door from moving and if they are too far apart, the rollers will simply fall out during the door's operation.

Lightweight Doors Are Easiest To Install

There are some garage doors made of fiberglass or other lightweight material that make the garage door installation easy enough for the inexperienced. They require no springs to help take the weight of the door and are light enough for one person to handle. One of the keys to garage door installation is to insure the rubber astragal on the bottom of the door provides a good seal between the door and the garage floor.

This seal can prevent the intrusion by wind, rain and snow during inclement weather as well as keeping uninvited guests out of the garage, Mice, bugs and other small animals and insects will try to find comfortable living conditions and a bad garage door installation job can leave many openings for them to access the house.

For the homeowner who has little or no experience, it is probably best to hire someone who knows how the garage door installation project should be done. Many homeowners have attempted the installation on their own and find a professional installer often charges more to undo what the homeowner messed up in addition to their regular price for garage door installation.

garage door hardware

2008-08-15T14:07:00.003-07:00

Inspect Garage Door Hardware Frequently To Detect Wear

To many homeowners, the garage door is an essential part of the house and if it properly maintained should last for many years. However, there may come a time when some of the garage door hardware may have to be replaced to keep the door functioning as it was designed to do. A garage door is actually fairly simple, once it is understood how they work and by knowing how the different pieces of garage door hardware work together can make it easy to figure out which piece needs to be replaced to restore a non-working door to service.

The garage door is usually the biggest piece of moving equipment in the home and it is used more frequently than most other doors in the home. With this frequent use parts will wear out and require replacement. With the exception of torsion springs to assist with lifting the door, most garage door hardware can be replaced by the homeowner with a little knowledge and a few tools.

The first step in maintaining a garage door is to frequently inspect the door and all of its hardware to insure it is securely fastened to the door. Springs, hinges and rollers that guide the door in the tracks are the most common pieces of garage door hardware that go bad and, again except for the springs, most of it is easy for the homeowner to change.

Springs Play Key Role In Garage Door Safety

To check the springs on the garage door, disconnect the motorized opener if so equipped and lift the door manually. It should open and close smoothly and not offer excessive weight for the average homeowner. If the door tends to slam closed, it is a sign the springs need adjusted or replaced but this garage door hardware replacement is best left to the experts.

If the garage door installation was done correctly, the rollers on the outer edges of the door should roll up and down the tracks without binding. If one spring is tighter than the other or the side tracks are not in alignment, the door may have more weight on one side that it has on the other and be difficult to open and close.

A paid of scale can be used to determine if the weight of the door is evenly distributed by placing one sale under one side and noting the weight. Weighing the other side can quickly tell if the garage door hardware is installed correctly or worn out and needs to be replaced.

garage door repair

2008-08-15T14:07:00.001-07:00

Some Garage Door Repair Projects Best Left To The Experts

Unless you have driven your vehicle through a closed door, there is a good chance that it will last for several years before any garage door repair is needed. Provided it has been maintained properly to prevent weather damage, except for an automatic door opener, there are few parts that will need replaced. However, when garage door repair is necessary, it may be wise to contact an experience repair company to affect the fix. Guide wheels and tracks are easy enough to replace but unless you know what you are doing, replacing springs can be dangerous.

One of the most common garage door repair jobs is the replacement of the tension springs that assist in the manual or automatic opening and closing of the door. The springs take most of the weight off the door making it easier to open by hand as well as helping the opener motor do its job. Extension springs are the easiest and safest for the homeowner to change on their own, as they usually involve the need for a little understanding on how they work to affect the garage door repair.

On the other hand, torsion springs, coiled at the top of the door, are under a lot of stress and tension and can be dangerous for an inexperienced person to attempt to replace or repair them. If the garage door repair involves changing torsion springs, it is probably wise to let someone who knows what they are doing make this repair. Additionally, some companies will not sell torsion springs direct to consumers due to the dangers involved in replacing them.

Other Repairs Can Be Much Simpler

If the garage door repair does not involve springs, there is a good chance the home owner can affect these repairs on their own. The lift bracket fastened to the bottom of the door for example, is another piece of garage door hardware that often goes bad due mainly to its position at the bottom of the door.

Snow and rain often accumulates near the bottom and can cause rust to eat away at this plate to which one end of the door's cable is attached. Performing this garage door repair can be as easy as removing the old plate, usually held in place by four bolts, and replacing it. However, the wood at which the plate attaches may also need to be replaced as part of this garage door repair.

garage door remote

2008-08-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

Garage Door Remote Makes Opener More Convenient

When installing an automatic garage door opener, you will find they come equipped with a garage door remote to allow the door to be operated from inside the vehicle, the house or any other location within range of the remote control. Unlike the remote that operates many appliances in the home such as your television set, the garage door remote does not operate on infrared, which requires a direct line of sight for the signal from the remote to reach the controller.

Since the garage door remote does not need to see the opener to operate it can send the signal through walls and doors and, depending on the quality of the opener, over distances as far as 150 to 200-feet. This enables a person operating a vehicle to open the door from the end of their driveway so the door is open before their vehicle reaches the garage door. They can also use the garage door remote to close the door once inside, before exiting the vehicle, to remain protected from the elements and other dangers that may be present.

Every garage door remote operates on a frequency specific to the opener installed on their garage door and rarely will there be two on the same frequency within a community. While there are only a certain number of frequencies available for garage door openers, the odds of two openers operating on the same frequency in the same neighborhood are remote.

Tuning Frequency For A New Remote Control

Occasionally, it may be necessary to replace the garage door remote that came with the new opener. Contacting the factory that made the opener and providing the model and serial number will usually be enough to order a new one. However, since it can take a few days to have one shipped, many home improvements stores sell programmable remote controls that will probably work on most door openers.

These devices can be programmed quickly by following a few simple instructions to replace an old one that no longer functions. Additionally, there are times during garage door repair projects that the remote may no longer function with a new opener and by programming a new universal garage door remote can have the homeowner back in business in minutes.

For most homeowners losing their garage door remote is as serious as losing the remote for their television. Once a person installs an automatic garage door opener with a remote it is nearly impossible to live without one.

garage door opener

2008-08-15T14:05:00.002-07:00

Garage Door Opener Makes Life Much More Convenient

Many homeowners joke about having a garage door opener and then tell their older children or spouse or to get out of the car and open or close the door. As funny as they might believe that to be, there are many advantages to having a powered garage door opener, including the convenience and safety of not having to exit the vehicle in order to open or close the door. Typically powered by electric, the opener should also be equipped with a quick disconnect in the event of a power failure and the door has to be opened to get the vehicle out.

When choosing a garage door opener, they are available in various sizes and designs and the right one needs to be chosen to open the door onto which it will be installed. Typically, a one-third horsepower garage door opener will suffice for all but the heaviest doors for a one-car garage, with larger motors required for larger and heavier doors. Even the lightweight fiberglass doors can be connected to an opener simply for the sake of their convenience.

In addition to the safety of not having to exit the vehicle when coming or going, a garage door opener allows the door to be operated while the driver remains in the vehicle and out of the elements.

Consider Safety When Choosing Opener For Garage Door

A garage door can weigh several hundred pounds and even with the best of springs and door maintenance, it is possible for the springs to break and cause the door to go crashing down. A garage door opener can prevent this from happening as even if the springs break the opener can help keep it from causing an injury. Additionally, electric eyes can used in the door opening to prevent the garage door opener from operating if a person, small animal or other object is danger of being injured by a moving door.

Typically, a garage door opener will have at least one garage door remote to operate the garage door opener from inside the vehicle as well as a contact inside the garage to open and close the door from inside. Additionally, keypads can be installed on the outside of the home that accepts a secure code to operate the opener in the event the remote is lost or broken. Some families buy a spare remote to use inside the home so the door can be operated without the need to venture out into the garage to push the button.

garage door

2008-08-15T14:05:00.001-07:00

Garage Door Helps Secure Structure's Content

Depending on the style of home and available budget, there are many choices available for a garage door to help protect the contents. Doors can be made of wood, a thin outer layer of wood or vinyl and filled with an insulating material or can be as inexpensive as lightweight fiberglass, simply to close the hole in the front of the structure. Designer doors are also available that replicate wood grain as well as other building materials in order to help the overall appeal of the house fits into its environment.

The type of garage door on the building as a personal choice, however the majority of doors are built in panels, designed to roll up with all but the lightest doors using springs to assist with the weight of the door. Other garage door designs allow them to open as a single panel or as two separate doors that open similar to a regular door by swinging on hinges.

For the most convenience, a garage door opener is often used to allow the door to be opened by pressing a button on a remote control device from within the vehicle so the homeowner does not have to get out of their vehicle and wrestle with a garage door in inclement weather. Single buttons installed somewhere inside the garage or keypad controls can also be connected to the garage door to allow the opener to work.

Choosing Door Will Depend On Home And Environment

With many choices available in different garage door designs, it can be somewhat tough to choose the right door. Remembering that wood doors will be heavier and harder to manually open and close, they are often considered in areas where the climate is colder. They help insulate the interior of the garage, which is important to garages attached to the home.

For detached garages the choice of a heavy door may be made more for security than insulating qualities, but even those with an automatic opener should be fitted with a lock to better prevent unwanted persons gaining access to the home or contents through the garage door.

Maintaining a garage door is not that difficult and if small cracks develop in the joints or in areas where the hardware fastens to the door are corrected quickly, they are easier to fix without a lot of expense. Keeping the tracks for the garage door clean and greased will also make for easier use of the door, requiring less effort to open and close the door.

garage

2008-08-15T14:03:00.001-07:00

Garage Often Used For More Than Safe Harbor For Family Car

It has often been said that a man's home is his castle but in most homes, the garage is his sanctuary. There are many opinions about what a garage should look like and what its function should be, but in the majority of cases this section of the home does more than provide protection for the family car. It is a place, depending on its size, where numerous tools, equipment and sometimes just plain junk are placed for the lack of a more convenient place for it to be stored.

There are many types and styles of areas often referred to as a garage. They can be attached to the house, built as an entirely separate structure or even as part of the home's basement. Depending on the available land when building a house, some people building their garage, which by default has to be on the ground level, and then add rooms over the garage to create additional family living space.

While in many cases the garage serves as a place in which the car is parked when not in use, in others it is used to store outdoor power equipment, toys and outdoor recreational items are kept until they are needed. Keeping the garage organized is usually part of homeowners daily or weekly routine, but sometimes a garage is so piled with junk that keeping track of it all is nearly impossible.

Size Of Structure Varies By Preference

Depending on the number of cars the family owns, the available land space and the family budget the size of the garage will greatly vary. From just enough room to house one vehicle to one that can hold several vehicles along with other outdoor recreational toys, the size of the garage also helps determine the amount of stuff it can hold. Many claim that smaller garages are more easily kept organized.

An important part of the garage is the type of garage door that helps keep everything inside secure. In addition to the entry door for the vehicle, there is usually a service door through which entry can be gained without opening the larger door. Windows in the door are optional and depending on the individual's need to keep the contents of the garage private, may be filled with wood panels.

In addition to keeping the vehicle secure, a garage also protects it from the weather and, in the case of a garage attached to the house, makes it more convenient when returning home with packages, especially during inclement weather.