Rick Scully, Author at Garage Tailors

On this Earth Day, Green Your Garage

April 4, 2017 by Rick Scully

Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect on our garages. Here are a number of ways to “go green” in the garage. One way to celebrate the day is to get your garage in order again after a messy winter while implementing two or three of these green initiatives to your garage. Prepare for Earth day this April 22, 2017.

Energy Savings found in the Garage

A good place to start is by checking the exterior door from the house to the garage. It should be a solid core exterior door with full weather stripping like any other exterior door of the house. Assure the weather stripping is in good shape and that it prevents drafts as well as fumes from leaking into the house from the garage. Not only will the right door and weather stripping save energy but it’ll assure the air quality within the house remains low in pollutants and toxins.

Just by emptying the central vacuum and changing the filter regularly, you’ll be able to optimize the performance of your central vacuum cleaner and minimize the energy consumed by the household.

Next, if a refrigerator is something you own in your garage, upgrade to an ENERGY STAR refrigerator. With the changing temperatures of the garage, the newer fridges with better seals and improved energy efficiency will help you reduce energy consumption significantly making it easier on the pocket book and better for the environment.

Green the Garage Door

The garage door is typically the largest single door to the outside. If you’re looking to replace the garage door, the new garage doors can be made of sustainable and recycled materials. The new garage door materials not only make the door lighter but they provide improved insulation value over the original aluminum or wood doors.

The new garage door materials use modern paints and finishes that are baked on or powder coated leaving stronger and more durable coatings and finishes. These newer materials last longer and the industrial strength finishes won’t chip and wash off into the local water system like the older garage door paints.

Finally, when selecting a new garage door, pair it with one of the new door openers which run more efficiently than older models. This means energy consumption savings over some of the older door opener systems and improved safety features for your loved ones.

Green the Lighting within the Garage

These days LED lighting can be found in all types of light formats including pot lights, floodlights and standard bulb formats. Not only do LED lights last 20,000 to 50,000 hours which is 5x more than any comparable light bulb, but they use even less energy than CFL or incandescent light bulbs.

LED light bulbs run better in cooler temperatures. Choose an outdoor LED light for the sconces outside the garage. LED lights are far less appealing to bugs so they don’t attract bugs the same way that CFL or incandescent bulbs attract swarms of flying insects. Save energy while improving the aesthetics of your outdoor light sconces.

Protect the Air Quality around the Home

Clean out your garage regularly of hazardous wastes such as paints, solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, old batteries, empty oil cans and other solvents which may emit undesirable or toxic fumes into the air within the garage.

Start a recycle centre area in the garage for hazardous waste and bring them to a local hazardous waste depot regularly. To find a depot, check out these websites:

For single-use batteries, pressurized cylinders, antifreeze/coolant, empty oil containers, oil filters: http://www.makethedrop.ca/
For medications and sharps syringes: http://www.healthsteward.ca/returns/ontario
For paints, pesticides, fertilizers, solvents: http://www.regeneration.ca/

To reduce the amount of pathogens from entering your home, add an external floor mat in front of the door to the house from the garage and then a runner or floor mat just inside this external door. This allows family members to travel a longer distance with their shoes so more particles are left behind on the mat. Just 5 steps on a runner or mat will significantly reduce the amount of particles and oils tracked into the house.

Green Your Garage Floor

Upgrade your basic cement garage floor to a polyaspartic coated garage floor or add garage floor tiles. These flooring materials make them easy to clean and don’t absorb oils or chemicals like the typical cement floor. Nor do they chip like painted garage floors so family members don’t drag in paint flakes or dust from the exposed cement when they walk through the garage.

Polyaspartic flooring is also UV resistant which means the coating does not disintegrate under the sun and provides many years of durable floor protection. Clean up is a breeze meaning that slush, snow and vehicle fluids sit on the surface and allow for removal instead of soaking down into an uncoated cement floor which makes cleaning and removal much more difficult.

When the garage floor can be cleaned easily and regularly, family members don’t carry the fluids, oils and multitudes of particles left behind by car tires, vehicle leaks or exhaust fumes with every footstep.

Get the Whole Family Involved

When greening your garage, get the entire family involved. Explain the changes and their value to the family as well as the impact to the planet. Get involvement from the entire family to make new initiatives a reality for the entire family. Celebrate your “green” garage initiatives with pride and make it contagious throughout your entire neighbourhood.

Happy Earth Day 2017!

Garage Renovation & Design: DIY or Do It For Me

March 21, 2017 by Rick Scully

Garages are a great way to use the space effectively for storing a wide variety of household items from garden tools to sports equipment to winter tires. The main concern, of course, is to find a place for all these items in the garage while keeping the vehicles safe as they are being driven in and out as well as parked inside the garage.

The walls of a garage may be made of cement blocks, brick and for some newer homes, drywall. It’s not easy to work with some of these types of walls. Not only are some garage walls difficult to work with but mounting shelves so it can carry the weight of heavy items. We want to prevent things from falling off and damaging the vehicles or worse, injuring family members.

Am I ready for a Do It Yourself Garage Renovation?

The garage is one of the more complex rooms in the entire house. If you’ve just purchased your first set of tools, this is likely not the project for you to tackle. Some of the building materials and dimensions of the space can be more challenging than the typical room found inside the house.

Some of us have very talented hands-on people in our family. They may even be professionals with related skills. However, not all professionals may have the time to spare to work their own homes in a timely manner. Some professionals are over worked because they are so talented in their field of expertise. If this is your family, consider if the best way for this person to gain a mental reprieve from work is to spend their time off doing something else or whether a garage renovation would be a relaxing past time activity.

Many of our garage renovations can be completed in approximately one week, once we start because we have a well-established plan, process and timeline. There are exceptions to this timeline, but a big consideration is keeping the garage renovation time to a minimum so the family may be able to enjoy as much of the summer as possible.

While a garage renovation is a great home project, don’t let it take away from your time with your kids during those precious years. Also, don’t let a home project affect your children’s summer experience and enjoyment of the garage as home base to their bikes, scooters, skateboards and other modes of play and transportation.

Knowledge and Expertise Gets It Done Right the First Time

There are no other rooms in the house with the same challenges as the garage. While learning to paint one bedroom gives experience to painting a second bedroom, it’s not the same when it comes to the garage. Renovating the garage has its unique challenges because it is a room directly exposed to the outside and the elements.

Knowledge and the experience to complete the task properly the first time means as homeowners, you can enjoy a low maintenance garage for many, many years ahead. The whole family can appreciate the garage instead of having regular garage projects every couple of years which take people away from family time together.

Many of our garage storage solutions last the lifetime of the home when they are applied correctly. We often see other solutions which don’t last or which need regular attention every couple of years. High maintenance items take away from family time because of time and attention needed for regular maintenance.

Specialty Tools and Skills for Garage Renovation

Whether you are ready to renovate your own garage or not, there are some specialty solutions in the garage. For instance, the preparation and application of garage floor coating takes specialty tools and skills to apply. However, a high quality garage floor such as polyaspartic coating is an item which adds a lot of comfort to the garage while making the floor surface easy to clean up and low maintenance.

Garage floor coatings require special skills, tools and processes to prepare the cement foundation adequately. Preparing the cement foundation is the key to a successful polyaspartic garage floor coating. The polyaspartic floor coating will not adhere and remain maintenance free for the lifetime of the coating unless the preparation of the cement floor is completed properly.

In addition, there are a wide variety of engineering skills used throughout a garage renovation to assure that the mounting of overhead platforms and wall shelving can carry typical loads of 600lb to 800lb per square foot. Safe and secure installations of overhead platforms, racks or shelving are key to assuring that belongings, vehicles as well as family members are protected from any damage or injury.

Made to Measure Garage Storage

There are no standard dimensions or shapes for garages. Made to measure solutions give a finished and professional look to the garage. People often want to see end-to-end wall organization systems or garage cabinets. The typical big box store garage storage items or cabinets come in standard sizes and dimensions that are rarely able to accommodate unique dimensions or other challenges which add to the unique space of a garage.

There are a variety of challenges that shape a garage including:

odd outcropping or corners of the walls,
the location of the door to the house
the central vacuum situated in the middle of a wall
the plumbing for an outdoor faucet placed at an awkward location along a garage wall
the standard slope of a garage floor built to code

These hurdles add challenges which are overcome with Made to Measure solutions that need a little additional preparation. This includes unique sizing of platforms, cabinets and wall systems as well as some special adaptations to the garage space, at times.

Many Paths to a Garage Renovation

After overviewing some of the larger challenges that might be found during a renovation, it’s easier to see what would be appropriate for your situation. There are few paths that we find people will take to accomplishing their goal of a functional garage design.

The Do It Yourself project is self-explanatory. However, many people with DIY projects get us to complete a garage floor coating, made to measure product installation or a variety of other specialty services. The Do It For Me project is what we find the large majority of people are seeking whether it is a fully finished or a partially finished look as the final goal.

To start your project, use our online garage survey tool to assist with a definition of your garage renovation project that best reflects your needs and preferences. The garage survey tool helps people define what they need or don’t need and to start to consider and communicate preferences as well as a plan to fit their garage storage requirements. We provide a complimentary in-home consultation to discuss how you envision your project. After seeing your garage, we introduce additional ideas that you may want to consider.

Give yourself a healthy lead time for planning, ordering and installation dates so your family can make the most out of the summer days ahead.

Preparing for a Garage Renovation

March 14, 2017 by Rick Scully

The garage has become a dumping ground for your family’s stuff. It’s taking over the garage floor and it’s becoming ever more difficult to park the vehicles with belongings littering the space. Now is the time to start planning and preparing a garage renovation.

Declutter with a Garage Sale

Start by clearing out the clutter. As spring approaches, it’s a great time to hold a garage sale and clear out equipment or tools you haven’t used for a couple of seasons or toys the kids have outgrown by paying it forward to another family in the neighbourhood.

Having a garage sale is a great way to set a deadline for everyone to get things cleared out. By getting the entire family involved in the process, it becomes a learning experience in decluttering and organizing habits which will carry through a lifetime.

Start by throwing out anything that is broken. From there, if you have duplicate items, move them to your garage sale items. Decorative items that we don’t love are ideal for the garage sale. If you’re just holding on for some day, then take courage and put it with the other garage sale items. If it is clothing that you haven’t worn for a year, the guideline is that you probably won’t be wearing it again. So, take courage and include it with the garage sale items. Finally, all belongings require upkeep so if you’re not willing to dust and clean it regularly, consider it another item for the garage sale.

For some people, decluttering may be more psychologically difficult than it is physically difficult to do. Letting go of items will improve the well-being of your family.

Donate Your Stuff

Whether you decide to run a garage sale or not, whatever is collected or left behind from the garage sale can be donated. Anything from clothing, furniture, small appliances, old renovation items like insulation and even an old clunker which may still be sitting in your driveway can be donated.

In Canada, there are some great ways to donate your belongings. In the Greater Toronto Area, there are many drop off locations for donations of clothing, furniture and old renovation items. In some cases, there are ways to get your donations picked up free or for a small fee. Depending on the items, sometimes you may get a donation receipts for your items.

Clothing & Small Items

You can donate to specific charities or choose a thrift shop near you.

For instance, Diabetes Canada (formerly Canadian Diabetes Association before February 13, 2017) will accept: gently used clothing, bedding, sleeping bags, blankets, footwear and small household items such as kitchenware, pots & pans, tools, blenders, etc. They’ll also accept small electronics such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, iPods, digital cameras, gaming consoles, PDAs.

Visit http://www.diabetes.ca/how-you-can-help/clothesline to book a pick up.

Vehicle Donation

If you’ve got an old clunker which needs to go to Car Heaven, they will tow it ($200 value) for no charge and give you a $100 donation receipt to one of the charities featured to promote health, protect the environment or inspire communities.

Furniture Bank

The furniture bank works with social agencies which need furniture for shelters, refugee programs as well as homeless & poverty programs. For a listing of agencies they service, visit http://www.furniturebank.org/programs-services/partner-agencies/.

Donate here: http://www.furniturebank.org/furniture-houseware-donate/

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Donate by dropping off items to a Habitat ReStore nearest you. They accept all sorts of renovation items from flooring, windows, doors, kitchen cabinets, sinks, counter tops, hardware, tools, building materials, garden tools, fridges, stoves, microwaves and more.

They also have multi-item pick up services and de-construction services to remove kitchen cabinets and bathroom fixtures. Submit your ReStore Donation Form here.

Organize What Stays in the Garage

Now that you`ve decluttered, the remaining items will need to be organized back into the garage.

Organize the remaining belongings into groups. Typical groups include sports equipment and camping gear, bicycles, seasonal decorations, household supplies, workshop tools, gardening tools, automotive accessories, recycle and trash bins. You may have some additional categories unique to your lifestyle. Many people who have home businesses may find that they need to find appropriate storage space for their working tools and supplies so plan this category of items into your overall garage renovation plan.

Once there are categories of items, it makes it much easier to understand what needs to be organized and stored in the garage.

Do It for Me or Do It Yourself Garage Renovations

Next, the question becomes whether you do it for yourself or you get someone to do it for you. You might have a handyman in your family. Maybe, they are not adequately skilled. Or, they are abundantly skilled but just don’t have the time to get it done in a timely manner. It`s may be time to consider booking a complimentary in-home consultation with one of our garage renovation specialists.

If you’re on the fence as to whether you’re ready and prepared to do your own garage renovation, then, read my upcoming blog on “Garage Renovation & Design: DIY or Do It For Me”. You’ll gain some insights as to whether you are able to handle the garage renovation as a DIY or DIFM project.

Five Ways to Maximize Storage in Tall Garages

February 23, 2017 by Rick Scully

Having cathedral ceilings in the house gives a spacious inviting feeling to the room or space in the home. In the garage, most of us just don’t spend enough time living in the space to enjoy the tall ceilings in the same way. Instead, more often, we use the garage as a place to store and easily access a wide variety of tools and lifestyle items from bikes, kayaks, canoes, tires, seasonal decorations, and much more. For the car enthusiast, a drive in a favourite vehicle is always just moments away.

The tall garage with its abundant overhead space is one of the most versatile design spaces in an entire garage renovation. With a wide range of overhead storage solutions available, the tall garage has the most potential for unique options of both form and function.

The Mezzanine

The mezzanine is a way to create a functional space in the garage. With tempered-glass safety railings, the mezzanine offers a storage space which is comfortable to access. Instead of constantly having to reach overhead, access to the mezzanine can be as inconspicuous as a retro style pull-down attic ladder which maximizes the use of overall space. Or, it can be actual stairs which can automatically lower with the push of a button. And, in one instance, where a car lift already existed, it was incorporated as an actual lift to reach the mezzanine platform overhead.

To consider a mezzanine, the higher the ceiling height the more well-suited the garage is to a mezzanine. Ideally, people would be able to walk around on the mezzanine without running their heads into the ceiling above. The ideal depth would be a platform area of 8 feet or more. Mezzanines are typically situated above the garage door or to the rear of the garage depending on what makes the most sense.

Storing seasonal decorations, off-season sports equipment and other bulky or seldom-accessed items is the ideal use of the mezzanine. In a tall garage, the mezzanine makes it possible to leverage the entire height as well as depth of the overhead storage space.

Overhead Platform Storage

People rarely realize how to leverage the overhead space in the garage to maximize storage space while opening up the floor space in the garage for vehicles to be parked and your family to get around the garage safely. There are many options to use the overhead garage space to add additional storage space.

A storage solution like an overhead rack or a platform is a good answer to many storage challenges. We offer aluminum Hyloft racks which we’ll install securely to the ceiling of your garage. The other option is the Strong Racks steel racks which come in two styles: the overhead platform or the wall shelf which attaches high along the side or rear wall of the garage.

Racks are typically mounted near the centre or away from walls so there is clearance on multiple sides to access the items stored above. On the other hand, a steel shelf is typically not as deep as a rack as it gets mounted to walls of the garage. The overhead height is adjustable so that more or less space may be made available to store garden or winter tools, seasonal decorations and sports equipment.

Made-to-Measure Platform Solutions

Our made-to-measure platform solutions are made to measure and will fit all the nooks, crannies and turns which the wall takes. Our custom platforms are made to the specified depth and length while being mounted to the specified height from the ceiling.

Not only are they secured to the garage wall but using airplane cable, the platforms are mounted to the ceiling joists allowing them to wrap around the side and rear walls of the garage. Alternatively, poles can be used instead of airplane cable for supporting the platforms. In general, poles limit the amount of usable floor space available. Whether it’s airplane cable or poles, the platforms can support 750 lbs worth of off-season tools, spare tires, seasonal decorations, automotive accessories and more.

Made to measure custom platforms can also be finished with drywall and pot lights below to improve the lighting of the garage or the workspace areas of the garage.

Sports & Vintage Car Lifts

For automotive enthusiasts who love to be near their cars, in their cars and out driving their cars, the hydraulic car lift is one of the ways to park extra vehicles in the garage. Not only are additional parking spaces a concern but for vintage or sports vehicle owners, securing and safely storing these vehicles makes it possible to preserve and prolong the life of these limited edition treasures.

When considering an automotive lift, the minimum garage height depends on the vehicles being stored but a tight squeeze would be 10 feet or 11 feet. And, of course, the automated garage door mechanisms may need to be replaced by a Jack Shaft Operator which allows the garage door to slide up along the ceiling to clear the overhead space for the vehicles. The garage also needs an appropriate width to safely operate the lift to avoid damaging the vehicle or other belongings.

From there, a decision can be made for a 1 post, 2 post or 4 post lift. If you’re considering a car lift, book an in-home consultation with a garage renovation specialist to work out the viability of a lift in your tall garage.

Overhead Bike and Water Sport Storage

Hydraulic lifts are not only for vintage vehicles but also for bicycles. A whole family of bicycles can be parked on a single rack and lifted up and out of the way with the click of a switch. While there are numerous bike storage solutions using walls as well as ceilings, the hydraulic bicycle rack is accessible by every member of the family regardless of their height or strength. And, it’s a good way to leverage the space overhead and use the overhead space in the centre of a garage. In addition to the hydraulic bike rack, a wide variety of bike rack solutions are available to suit any bike lifestyle.

In addition to bikes, water sports crafts such as kayaks or canoes tend to be stored in the garage as well. Water crafts tend to be bulky and don’t tend to fit standard storage solutions such as platforms or shelves. To optimize the overhead garage storage space, an overhead sling is one of the safest ways to store water crafts and keep them out of the way of being damaged by a vehicle or damaging a vehicle. In addition to kayaks and canoes, wake boards and stand up paddle boards can be place in an overhead sling storage solution.

The Versatile Tall Garage

If you have a tall garage, there are many ways to use the overhead space to improve and increase the usable space in the garage. Not only are these garage renovation solutions functional but they can also add visual appeal to support even the most dynamic of family lifestyles.

Garage Door Challenges of Winter

February 7, 2017 by Rick Scully

The garage door has been rattling off and on for the last few weeks. Now, on a cold winter morning with ice and snow everywhere, the garage door refuses to open. It’s time to call the office, get alternative transportation for the kids and someone to help get the door moving again for the next day.

To get out of a pinch like this one, there are garage door services to help. Even better, with a few minutes of inspection and some care tips, we can all elude a troublesome morning because of a malfunctioning garage door.

Worn Out Moving Parts of a Garage Door

If we think about it, the garage door opens and closes almost daily and mostly, twice daily. Worn out parts is a natural part of the life of a garage door. Listening and paying attention for squeaking, rumbling and other sounds from the garage door is a way to remain alert to potential issues. Following up with a visual inspection of the moving parts while the door is opening and closing allows us to find and replace worn parts before they prevent the garage door from opening or closing.

The moving parts to inspect are the rollers, hinges, bearings and latches. Replacing these worn out parts will keep the garage door operational and running smoothly all year around. By getting parts replaced along with regular checkups of the garage door, any problems will be prevented without disrepair.

Clear and Properly Aligned Tracks

If the garage door sounds persist, it may be the garage door tracks. The place to start is checking for impediments in the door tracks such as leaves, gravel, dirt and salt. Impediments can cause premature wear and tear to parts such as rollers and other parts.

If the tracks are clear and the sound is a rubbing sound, it could be the door tracks are not aligned. This may be due to something as simple as a loose screw. If that’s not the case, then err on the side of caution by calling in overhead door professionals to assure the tracks get aligned properly. A garage door which is properly balanced and with garage door tracks aligned will reduce wear and tear on the parts to ensure long lasting and problem free garage door ownership.

When it comes to a balanced garage door and properly align garage door tracks, leave it to the trained professionals for peace of mind.

Metal Parts Need Lubricants

Many of the garage door parts are metal. Lubricants such as silicone based ones or grease help prevent friction between parts as well as expansion of metal which causes ill-fitting parts to rub together unnecessarily. Lubricants protect metals from freezing or freezing to other parts. With lubricants, metal parts continue to glide smoothly over each other even when frigid temperatures settle in. Assure lubricants are clean and the correct viscosity for the cold of winter and then again for the heat of summer.

Check with your local garage door expert for advice on lubricants which work best for the seasons experienced in your region.

Reduce Drafts with Fresh Weather-Stripping

The weather-stripping that runs along the bottom edge of the garage door serves to prevent cold air from rushing into the garage. If there are broken edges to the weather-stripping, the garage and house may be losing heat. This makes it more difficult to maintain a warm garage and home.

Weather stripping should be soft and pliable to effectively seal against water and cold. Brittle weather-stripping is more likely to lift and collect ice at the base of the door. Weather-stripping in good condition will also keep out insects and small rodents. Care for the weather-stripping of your garage door and it will protect your family and home.

If you’re handy, there are many YouTube videos and help by the local hardware store to show you how to replace the weather-stripping. Otherwise, request a weather-stripping replacement from a local handyman or garage door specialist.

Checking the Auto-Reverse Safety Features

Automatic garage doors come with a safety feature so loved ones will be protected from the closing mechanism should they be in the path of the garage door while the door is on its way down. The way to test if the safety features are still working properly is to place a piece of wood or a brick on the ground in the path of the garage door. Then, push the button to close the garage door. When the garage door presses against the wood or brick, it should release and return back to an open position. If your garage door is not doing this then there is something amiss.

If your garage door has photoelectric sensors, it might be the photo eye that is a problem. To test the photo eye, wave the handle of a broom or shovel in front the photo eye sensor while the garage door is closing. The door should reverse when the sensor beam is broken and return to an open door position. If this is not happening, start by wiping the front of the sensor to clean the path for the beam to appear.

If the path of the beam is clear, the next step is to make sure the sensor is pointed towards the sensor on the opposite side of the garage door opening. If not, the sensor may have been knocked out of place so a small adjustment may re-align it and make it activate again.

If any of these safety features continue to malfunction, it’s time to have your trained garage door professional troubleshoot the safety mechanisms so your family will remain unharmed.

General Care for a Garage Door

Overall, a semi-annual check of your door for wood chips, rust and fraying tension cables will help maintain your garage door for many years of use. While the handyman in the family can sand wood and rust from garage door parts, seek a professional if you find any fraying tension cables. Garage doors can be very heavy so a well-maintained door is important to its daily function and to your family’s well-being.

An ignored garage door can lead to a wide range nuisances, damage to vehicles and most importantly, endanger the safety of family members. If you believe there may be an issue, call your local professional today and make a semi-annual garage door inspection part of a garage maintenance routine.

Winterize the Garage Floors

January 26, 2017 by Rick Scully

We seldom think about the garage floor. However, this important surface undergoes continuous abuse. It must bear the weight of vehicles, withstand damage caused by debris tracked in on tires and shoes and hold its own against leaking automotive fluids. Fluctuating temperatures of sweltering summer heat and frigid Canadian winters cause concrete floors to expand and contract. Then there is the battle of the elements: rain, sleet, snow and salt that gets tracked in on shoes and tires.

Protect the Garage Floor from the Elements

Winterizing your garage floor may not be the first thing on your garage renovation list of to-do’s, but it is important not to be missed. Your car and your family will undoubtedly track snow and salt into your garage this winter. Ensure the protection of your floor from road salt and other damaging de-icers. Road salt on an untreated concrete floor can easily be absorbed and within a few years, it can destroy an unprotected floor.

By preparing your garage floor now, you can reduce the inevitable damage to your floor this winter. Consider applying a durable waterproof and stain-resistant protective floor coating to prevent harsh damage and preserve the life of your garage floor.

Prepare the Garage Floor

There are several reasons why durable garage flooring is a key part of a long-lasting garage renovation. Concrete floors are vulnerable to degradation caused by the elements including salt and oil. Thus, concrete floors often become pitted, which is not only unsightly, but generates dust causing the concrete to become more difficult to keep clean and maintain.

Bare concrete floors generate dust and are susceptible to staining and cracking that gets worse with moisture. Garage floor coatings and coverings are not only beautiful, but functional. They protect concrete floors from stains and other damage.

Refinishing your floor will protect it from the elements, while at the same time reducing the dust which covers your tools, bikes, garden equipment and other items. The household items and tools stored in the garage become easy to appreciate when you’re reducing the concrete dust that can affect the operation of work and garden tools or that can give your belongings a prematurely aged look. Of course, garage floor coatings or floor tiles look great too!

Painted Garage Floors Peel Up After Just a Season or Two

A lot of people consider painting floors. The issue with paint is it only coats the top layer of your concrete. Whether you prepare a concrete floor or not, paint based materials sit on the top of concrete which means that paint doesn’t protect or enhance the concrete floor unlike some other options.

Because paint sits atop the concrete, it’s not forgiving when the concrete floor expands and contracts with the changing seasons. Whether we know it or not, our garage floor is subject to thermal expansion and contraction. This means that the concrete swells up and expands in the heat. In cool weather, the opposite effect occurs; your concrete floor shrinks or contracts. Often times, it is these expansion and contraction cycles that tend to lead to cracking and peeling of painted floors.

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings are Durable and Last

Polyaspartic flooring is always a great choice for any garage, but especially those with drywall that extends down to the floor. A polyaspartic flooring system is a tough, durable floor coating with the sophisticated look of granite. Unlike paint which sits on top of the concrete, the polyaspartic coating seals concrete and keeps moisture out to prevent the garage floor from cracking. Not only does a polyaspartic floor coating reduce concrete dust, it provides a non-slip grip to make the garage a safer place for little ones during wet and slushy weather. All the snow and mud of the various seasons get tracked into the garage by everyone in the family but having a floor coating makes the garage easy to keep clean and dry.

A professionally installed polyaspartic flooring system includes a ten-year warranty and is available in a wide range of colours. The colours of the floor can be selected to match the exterior brick, siding or trim of your home for a matching look and feel as seen from the sidewalk or edge of the property. The variety of coloured flakes makes it possible to transition from exterior house colours to interior colour schemes.

The granite arrangement of colour flakes also camouflage the dirt, dust and debris left behind! You’ll be glad to know that this system also protects concrete floors from corrosive elements including winter’s biggest culprit – salt.

The quality of a polyaspartic floor coating system is in the preparation of the concrete floor before applying the polyaspartic coating. By grinding and preparing the concrete floor, any application of the polyaspartic floor coating bonds to the concrete for lasting results.

Challenges of Other Floor Coatings

Other types of floor coating include epoxy which is also applied concrete floors. While it is sold in big box stores, homeowners run into problems when applying epoxy because they miss the importance of surface preparation. More than a simple, weekend DIY project, applying epoxy to a garage floor still requires several steps and specialized equipment.

Unlike polyaspartic floor coating, epoxy floor coating can take a few days to cure and it tends to be more brittle the polyaspartic. On the other hand, the 100% UV resistant polyaspartic floor coating doesn’t yellow with time.

PVC Garage Floor Tiles

Alternately, a garage floor made of an interlocking PVC tile floor will hide imperfections and protect floors from further damage.

Interlocking PVC tiles are sturdy, attractive and chemical-resistant. They can easily be adapted to fit any garage configuration. Since no adhesive is used, simply remove and replace a single tile in the event of damage. PVC tile can be hosed down, pressure washed, mopped or hand scrubbed.

A variety of floor designs can be accomplished with a series of coloured floor tiles.

Baseboards in the Garage Protect Walls, Brick and Concrete Blocks

The baseboard in your garage serves a couple of functions. Perhaps the most important function is that of protection. If your baseboard is installed properly, it protects the interior of your garage from small animals from making a home in your garage. Baseboards also provide protection from dust, dirt and water seeping behind the drywall or slatwall and into the exposed brick or concrete.

Another function of your garage baseboard is aesthetics. Some of the baseboard finishes include a polyaspartic finish, vinyl baseboards or even, punched aluminum wainscoting or baseboards. With a garage flooring makeover, many homeowners choose to finish the floors with a baseboard trim.

Planning You New Garage Floor This Spring

There are several factors to consider when selecting the best garage flooring system. Budget and personal preference play a major role. However, the condition of your garage floor is also a factor. Substantial pitting or cracking requires that voids be filled before any coating is applied.

Consult with a garage renovation specialist and then plan the de-cluttering of belongings so there is unrestricted access to the entire garage floor space to apply a new floor to your garage.

Prepare Your Garage for a Snowy Winter

January 12, 2017 by Rick Scully

Winter storms bring snow, ice, powerful winds or a combination. Roads and walkways become very dangerous. A little planning will help the whole family to get going on the morning of a snow flurry or winter storm. Having a few emergency supplies on-hand can save everyone a lot of discomfort and trouble when the storm hits.

During the many activities of summer, it’s easy for the garage to become a family dumping ground. Maybe you’ve even resorted to parking your vehicles outside, rather than vying for the parking space inside the garage over the multitudes of family belongings. Before winter arrives, here are some ways to prepare your garage and car.

Organize for Winter

When the seasons change, how we use our garage storage space often does as well. Gardening tools, golf clubs, and bicycles take a back seat to sleds and skis once the air turns crisp and cold. The lawn mower makes way for the snow blower, shovels and walkway salt.

Take a few minutes at the change of the season to reorganize your garage so that seasonal items are easily accessible. The last thing you want to do is wake up to a snowy drive, only to realize that you must first dig out the snow blower or shovels.

Switching winter tools to the front of the garage while moving summer sports equipment and gardening tools to the back of the garage or into overhead storage areas is one of the steps to preparing for winter. Using PVC slatwall which is durable and resistant to the changing temperatures and moisture of the four seasons is important to slatwall storage systems. Using slatwall with camlock hooks and baskets secures the shovels, sleds, winter tools, sports equipment, recycling bins and even lawn mowers and some snowblowers. A variety of home tools with a hole in the handle including those which seem bulkier, awkward and or even slightly weightier like lawn mowers and some snow blowers can often be placed on camlock hooks and removed just as easily from the slatwall hooks reliably and safely.

The beauty of slatwall is you can add or change the amount of storage you have over time by changing the shelving, basket and hook options. The flexibility of slatwall organization systems allow it to change with your family’s growing needs.

Prevent Ice and Snow from Collecting in Gutters and Downspouts

Snow and ice can wreak havoc on our homes and make getting out in the morning difficult. Some basics to protect the garage and home include a regular cleaning of gutters and downspouts. Removing debris from rain gutters is easy enough to do or get done, but if overlooked, it can result in severe water damage and ice damming in the winter. Pooled water can penetrate the edge of roofs, interior walls and ceilings of your home or garage, causing serious damage to the garage or house.

When the layer of snow on the roof melts due to the heat rising in the attic of your home, water pools along the edge of the roof, where the temperature is much cooler. There, it refreezes, causing ice dams—a mound of ice that starts along the eaves of the roof and spreads upward. This formation of ice, which often traps pools of water underneath it, can cause substantial damage to the exterior and interior of your home.

Protect Your Car from the Snowy Winter

The first step to protecting your car from winter’s blustery affects is parking your car in the garage. Not only will you be able to get out quickly in the morning, you won’t have to clean a mountain of snow off the windshield each morning before work. Parking the vehicle inside the garage not only protects the car from the elements but it also prevents vandalism as well as theft. It won’t take as long to start the car in the morning. By saving time each morning, you won’t be rushed during your commute, making travel safer for you and your loved ones.

By keeping a bag of sand or gravel in the trunk plus a shovel, you’ll be ready for all sorts of winter driving situations. In addition, it’s ideal to use winter tires on snowy roads. With the softer rubber used in winter tires, they provide better traction on snow and ice than the typical all season tires. To swap out all season tires for safer winter tires, you’ll need to store tires. A variety of tire storage racks and overhead storage options are available for use in the garage to store winter tires during the summer months and alternatively, the all-season tires in the winter.

To get the vehicle starting sooner in the mornings, a lot of people use an engine block heater. Park the vehicle in the garage on brutally cold days where there is access to an electrical outlet. Especially, if you get hit with a snow storm and need to get your child to school, a block heater helps make the morning routine run smoothly with less stress. It keeps the engine warm and ready to start while preventing damage to engine components that can occur when starting a cold engine at below freezing temperatures.

Ready for Winter Snow & Cold?

Preparation is key to protecting your garage and car from the winter elements. After looking after some of these basics, we seldom think about the garage floor. However, this important surface undergoes constant abuse. In the next blog, I’ll show you the importance of having a good garage floor, especially in the winter months.

Four Ways to Make Storing Holiday Lights and Seasonal Decorations a Snap

November 22, 2016 by Rick Scully

Decorating your home in celebration of the holiday season may be something you look forward to each year. However, if you’ve ever spent hours searching through battered cardboard boxes for a favourite holiday ornament, you know what a dreaded chore the annual holiday decoration hunt can be.

Getting your home ready for the holidays is a big enough job. Tracking down strings of lights and other seasonal decorations depletes you before the real even job begins. However, implementing four changes to how you store your holiday decorations will make storing and retrieving seasonal items a snap.

Save Time and Frustration with Specialized Storage Containers

The size, shape and fragility of seasonal items make them challenging to store. Large artificial trees can be unwieldy. Wrapping paper and ornaments can easily be damaged. Strings of holidays lights easily become tangled, damaging bulbs or wiring, which creates a fire hazard. However, just as selecting the right tool makes household repairs quicker and simpler, so does choosing the right storage container for each seasonal item.

Specialized seasonal storage containers are available for the most common seasonal decorations. Storage bags—many with a rolling base—are the perfect way to store a large, artificial tree. Multi-level, compartmented storage totes provide safe storage for fragile tree ornaments. Specialized storage spools keep holiday lights tangle free and complementary storage bags prevent damage to bulbs or wiring. Holiday wrapping paper organizers keep wrapping paper clean and dry while preventing rips.

Relatively inexpensive specialized storage containers make storing and retrieving artificial trees, holiday lights, ornaments and wrapping paper simpler. However, what is the best way to store holiday décor odds and ends for which specialized containers are not available?

Transparent Storage Bins—Clearly a Better Option

Clear storage boxes make seasonal items easier to find. Any big box store has a variety of plastic storage bins in stock. Available in a wide range of sizes and colors, plastic storage bins can accommodate an endless array of seasonal decorations. Solid colors can be festive. However, transparent storage totes are more functional. The contents stored inside can be quickly and easily identified. Still, items in the center of the tote may be difficult to see. One more step makes keeping track of all of your seasonal items a breeze.

Label Holiday Lights and Seasonal Decorations Before Storing

At the end of the holiday season, seasonal decorations are frequently tossed in random cardboard boxes and shoved in a corner. This storage method takes the least amount of time or effort. However, it necessitates far more time and effort when the next holiday arrives and causes needless frustration. A little forethought while storing seasonal items will make life much easier next holiday season.

Labeling each plastic bin and specialized storage container with its contents may seem tedious. However, it must only be done once. At the end of the season, return items to the appropriate storage bins. The time invested in neatly labeling storage bins will save time and prevent frustration for years to come.

Plastic storage totes and specialized storage containers make storing holiday decorations and other seasonal items a breeze. However, large storage bins can take up a lot of space in your home or garage. Creative storage solutions can multiply garage storage space without sacrificing valuable floor space.

Reserve Floor Space with Overhead Garage Storage

Floor space is at a premium in your garage. Only so much can be stored along the garage perimeter before parking your vehicle inside becomes precarious, if not impossible. However, creative storage solutions can significantly increase the storage capacity in your garage.

Overhead shelving converts unused space into usable storage space that won’t interfere with vehicle parking. Standard overhead garage shelving options require a step ladder to access the space, making overhead storage ideal for storing seasonal or seldom used items.

A range of overhead shelving options are available, but always consider safety first. Overhead garage shelving should be installed by a qualified expert or someone knowledgeable about the safe installation of weight-bearing overhead shelves. Strong racks steel shelving, for instance, is made of tough, 11-gauge steel and can safely hold up to 750 pounds when installed properly.

An experienced garage renovation expert can install pre-fabricated shelving or build made-to-measure wood shelving designed specifically for your unique space and individual needs. A garage renovation expert can also install hydraulic lift shelving that can be raised and lowered with the push of a button, eliminating the need to scale a step ladder with bulky items.

Storing and retrieving seasonal decoration doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. Use specialized storage containers and clear plastic totes to store holiday lights and seasonal decorations. Label containers to make it easy to identify contents. Then request a consultation to discover how overhead garage shelving can expand garage storage and make storing seasonal items a snap.

Five Tips for Storing Hockey Gear and Winter Sports Equipment in Your Garage

November 8, 2016 by Rick Scully

If you have a family that’s active year-round, by this time of year your garage is likely overflowing with a clash of seasonal sports equipment. Tennis gear, swim noodles, bicycles, softball equipment, snow sleds and hockey equipment may all be vying for space in your garage—leaving very little room to safely park your vehicle(s). However, with a little planning and preparation, you can create order and eliminate chaos.

Let’s examine five quick tips for storing hockey and other winter sports equipment while still making room to park your car inside the garage.

Tip #1: Assess Your Family’s Storage Needs

Carefully determine your family’s unique storage needs. Take inventory of the sporting goods stored in your garage and plan for any items you’d like to store in your garage. Then consider the following questions:

What activities do we participate in?
What kind of equipment do we need to store?
How much equipment must be stored in the garage?
Who needs to access the equipment?
Does storage space need to be sectioned off by sport or individual?
Does open storage or hidden storage best suit our aesthetic preference?

Once you’ve answered the questions above, you’ll be in a better position to choose the organization system that will form the foundation of your organized storage space.

Tip #2: Purge

As part of the previous step, you likely encountered forgotten items. Equipment for sports you or your child have lost interest in, sporting goods your children have outgrown, duplicate equipment and broken items hijack valuable real estate in your garage. Reduce clutter by eliminating these items.

Items that are still usable and in good condition can be gifted to another family or donated to a local charity. Items that are damaged or in poor condition should be tossed. Once you’ve condensed your sporting goods down to what you plan to keep, it’s time for the next step.

Tip #3: Establish a Storage Organization System

Organization doesn’t just happen. Without a storage organization system in place, disorder will ensue. Garage storage systems range from basic, do-it-yourself options and store-bought storage racks to specialized, professionally-installed garage storage systems.

Simple hooks or nails can provide a basic system for hanging hockey sticks, jerseys and pads. However, nails can damage the walls and/or sports gear. Stationary hooks provide a more stable way to hang equipment, but don’t offer flexibility.

Repurposed bookshelves or purchased shelving provide off-the-ground storage for skates and other gear. However, these items can quickly crowd your garage, making parking tricky, if not impossible.

On the other hand, a garage wall organization system provides sturdy, attractive storage space that is highly flexible—allowing you to rearrange the configuration as often as needed. The storage system is comprised of durable PVC wall panels that come in a variety of appealing, neutral colours. Corresponding shelves, hooks and baskets allow for countless storage configurations which can easily support any sport or activity.

A wall organization system provides an attractive way to organize hockey equipment and other sporting goods. However, not everyone wants the items stored in their garage to be readily seen. Garage storage cabinetry comes in a variety of price points and configurations, including locker-style cabinets ideal for storing hockey sticks, pads and other equipment.

Tip #4: Group Similar Sports Equipment

Whether you choose the open storage of a wall organization system or locker-style cabinetry, a storage organization system serves as a framework for an organized, clutter-free garage. Maximize garage organization by grouping similar sports equipment. For instance, create one section for hockey equipment and another for sleds, skis and other winter sports gear.

Another way to group items is by individual. Create a storage section for each member of the family. Within that section, equipment for various sports may be grouped separately. This will create an aesthetically pleasing space in which it is easy to find hockey equipment and other sporting goods.

Tip #5: Keep Hockey Gear Clean and Dry

It may be tempting to toss hockey gear in a bag and store the bag in the garage until the next game or practice. However, keeping damp, sweaty hockey gear in a closed bag—even in a cold garage—encourages odor and promotes the growth of dangerous germs and bacteria. If bacteria get into cuts or abrasions, it could result in a nasty staph infection. Reduce the risk of infection by at least thoroughly drying hockey equipment between uses. Whenever possible, thoroughly clean hockey gear and allow it to completely dry.

Even with limited space in your garage, you can maximize available storage for hockey equipment and other winter sports equipment. First, assess your family’s storage needs for sporting gear. Purge unwanted, unused and broken items. Establish an organized storage system. Group similar items by sport, individual or both. Lastly, reduce the risk of staph infection and foul odors by cleaning and thoroughly drying hockey equipment.

Need help creating a system and layout which maximizes storage in your garage while still allowing you to park your vehicles inside during the brutal Canadian winter? Request a complimentary consultation with a local garage renovation expert.

Create a Mudroom in Your Garage

October 18, 2016 by Rick Scully

As the weather cools we’ve traded shorts and sandals for coats and galoshes, creating a storage dilemma for all of our outerwear. Flooring takes a beating when children, pets and hurried adults track wet, muddy boots inside. This creates extra cleaning duties and can stain or damage carpeting, tile or hardwood floors.

Mudrooms were designed to remedy the issues outlined above, but not every home has a mudroom or adequate space to create one. If you have a serious case of mudroom envy, but lack space for one inside your home, don’t despair. Move your focus to your attached garage instead. Your garage just may be the perfect space for a “mudroom”.

Collect Design Ideas

Creating a mudroom in your garage can be as simple or elaborate a project as you wish. It’s an ideal project for DIYers that can be completed in an afternoon. However, if you’re looking for a lot of additional storage, want a more detailed mudroom or don’t know where to begin, a garage renovation expert can create a made-to-measure design tailored to fit your family’s specific needs.

Whether you choose to take on the project yourself or hire a garage renovation expert, it can be helpful to explore a variety of mudroom design ideas. Pinterest, Houzz and other sites offer a wealth of design ideas for inspiration.

Plan the Space

Consider what is most important in your mudroom. You’ll need a space to store shoes and coats, but what else do you plan to store there? Do you require space for umbrellas and other items? Would it be an ideal place to store reusable shopping bags? What type of seating will you incorporate into the space and where?

Consider the number of family members that will use the space and the volume of coats, shoes, etc. that will be stored there. Determine your aesthetic preference when it comes to storage. Do you prefer hooks, baskets and open shelves which allow everyone to store their items quickly and easily? Or do you prefer closed storage which tucks everything away neatly out of sight?

Once you know what you’ll be storing and how you want to store it, lay out exactly where you plan to install each element of the design. Take measurements to ensure any materials purchased will fit into the space.

Gather Needed Materials

Once you have a plan for your design, it’s time to gather your materials. Storage for coats and shoes is the most essential feature of a mudroom. Go for high-quality shelving that will endure the fluctuating temperature of the garage and stand up to daily use.

A garage wall organization system is perfect for open storage. Corresponding hooks, baskets and shelves make it easy to store coats, shoes, umbrellas, backpacks, dog leashes and more. Alternately, a wall organizer can be built from scratch or purchased.

Quality garage cabinets are available in a variety of configurations and are ideal for closed storage needs. Reclaimed items like repurposed dressers or wooden crates can be combined with fabric or wicker storage crates or drawers to create neat, simple closed storage. Seating can also be built, purchased or repurposed.

When acquiring your materials, don’t forget finishes, hardware, paint, tools and anything else necessary to complete the job.

Create Your Mudroom

If your garage walls are unfinished, you’ll want to install drywall first or hire a garage renovation expert to finish the walls. Another option is a garage wall storage system which can be installed directly on an unfinished wall while giving you a finished look.

If you choose to paint the walls, invest in quality paint that can withstand broiling summer heat and frigid winter temperatures without breaking a sweat. It should also be easy to clean and tough enough to survive bumps and scrapes.

Now it’s time to pull out your plans and install the elements of your mudroom. Install shelving and hooks. Build or install a bench to provide comfortable seating while removing footwear. Put baskets and other functional elements into the space to hold shoes, umbrellas and other items. Add finishing touches like a clock, artwork or wall stencils to give the space a special touch.

Once your mudroom is installed, it will transform the space in your garage and cut down clutter inside the house. Say goodbye to wet coats piled in the corner; muddy boots tracking salt onto your wood floors and soiling the carpets; and balancing on one foot to remove footwear.

If you want a more complex mudroom installation or DIY isn’t your idea of a good time, request a free, in-home consultation from a garage renovation expert.

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