Rick Scully, Author at Garage Tailors

Finishing Touches for Your Garage Project, Part 1

January 30, 2020 by Rick Scully

2 car garage willowdale showcase - 4 post hydraulic car lift, garage cabinets, polyaspartic garage flooring, overhead platform storage, tire storage, satinless steel work station, flatscreen tv fixture

Previous articles have addressed the refinishing of your garage floor. We covered everything from the fundamental steps required for proper floor preparation to the application of your new floor covering. Next, you will want to consider what is commonly referred to as the finishing touches. In this case, finishing touches can be separated into three key areas: drywall, painting and lighting.

Drywall is an established garage wall covering material found on both existing and newly constructed homes. Unfortunately, in many cases the drywall installation is only about fifty percent finished. That is, when the home builder was done with the garage, he may have left the drywall both unsanded and unpainted. Now understand this is a common practice and totally above board. The builder is simply following the building code and completing what he needs to do to complete the job.

Yet unfinished drywall is not just found in newer homes. Actually, there are quite a few existing homes out there where the garage hasn’t actually been touched since the builder left. That’s quite common, and now that you have decided to move forward and upgrade your garage you can be sure it’s done right, the way you want.

You see, the time you have set aside to refinish your garage floor gives you the perfect opportunity to take care of that drywall. Here are a couple of options for you to consider. First, imagine the scenario where the drywall is already installed and thoroughly covering your garage walls. With this scenario, the existing drywall might only need to be sanded and painted. Also, there may be a few areas where the existing drywall needs to be patched or repaired and then re-mudded. “Remudding” is just contractor speak for applying new joint compound to the seams between the drywall sections. Remember, the point of the “mudding” process is to make the joints invisible so that your wall looks smooth and uniform. Of course, at this point you will want to choose a paint color complimentary to your home exterior and garage floor covering.

1.5 car garage, etobicoke - slatwall, overhead platforms, polyaspartic floor coating, shelves bike racks - before

Another scenario is when the drywall installation doesn’t cover as many walls as you want or is damaged in one or more areas. When this is the situation, you can choose to install drywall over any other areas you want as well as replacing or patching any damaged drywall. One thing to keep in mind with new drywall installation is that the building code requires newly installed drywall to be at least 5/8 inch think and fire retardant. After the correct drywall is installed, the same “mudding” process, sanding and painting procedures needs to be completed.

Once you have addressed the drywall in your garage, now you will want to consider painting. Of course, if your garage walls are drywall, they will have been painted as explained above. But what about exposed concrete or exposed brick walls? You will be pleased to learn that both of these garage wall surfaces are prime candidates for a new coat of paint. There are combination paints that serve as both a sealant and paint. We’re experts at making your garage interior match your home’s exterior as well as garage flooring, so whether you already have garage flooring or coloured cabinets, we can recommend colours which will make your garage match the rest of your home when the door is open and being enjoyed by your entire family during the warmer months.

T8 LED tube light

Lighting is the third area I’d like to discuss when considering finishing touches for your garage. The typical garage lighting is modest at best. Often times, there are either one or two incandescent fixtures with a single bulb. While that may be all right for the builder, it may not look so good once you refinish your garage. In fact, most people who choose to transform their garage use this opportunity to upgrade their garage lighting.

There are three popular options available to you when you decide to upgrade your garage lighting. Your first option and the most popular choice is replacing the incandescent fixtures with LED lighting fixtures. LED’s have exploded in popularity and dropped in price. They consume far less energy, put out more light, last a lifetime, have controls over the color temperature, and come in a variety of very attractive fixtures. Fluorescent bulbs are still a good option, but one precaution to be aware of is to make sure your fixture includes T8 rated bulbs. The ‘T8’ rating indicates those bulbs are designed to work in colder temperatures. Fluorescent tubes do go out and have to be disposed of carefully as many contain elements that are not appropriate for regular landfills. LED lighting is the fast and economical upgrade recommendation to your existing garage lighting.

On the other hand, the alternate lighting option is to install recessed lighting or what the home builders refer to as “pot lighting”. Recessed lighting or pot lights need an opening or recess to accommodate the new fixtures and is most commonly found in garages with finished ceilings or often, under our custom overhead storage platforms where we again have the space to recess the pot lights and run the electrical wiring.

Next month, we’ll review additional finishing options such as baseboards, casings and doors.

How to Turn Your Garage into a Customized Workshop

June 24, 2019 by Rick Scully

Many people love the idea of setting up a workshop inside their garage, and for a variety of reasons. For one, you don’t have to be a dedicated do-it-yourselfer or a professional woodworker to enjoy a garage workshop.

A workshop in the garage can serve a variety of purposes. It’s also a great place to go when things get a little too loud inside the house. Today’s blog offers tips regarding how to turn your garage into a workshop you’ll love.

Determine the floor plan.

The first thing to do when planning a workshop is to measure the floor space so you’re sure about how much room you have before separating the work area into separate sections.

Position your workbench along a wall that has a convenient electrical outlet. Be sure to leave plenty of room to comfortably move around in front of the workbench. With a smaller garage, you may want to look into buying a smaller workbench, because if it’s too big it can overwhelm the space.

You also need to decide where you want to keep your tools. Some people prefer a tool chest with wheels so it can be moved to wherever they need it. Others choose to install cabinets over the workbench for easy access to what they need.

Next, create an area for any other equipment you have, such as a jigsaw or table saw. There also needs to be space for large garbage cans, a wet/dry vac, and a wood storage rack, if you’re planning to work with wood. Make it your goal to arrange a workshop that has everything you need, including adequate breathing room.

Let there be light.

Your workshop should have plenty of light so you can work there any time of the day or night. If you install cabinets over your workbench, you can install lighting underneath them. This helps when working on repair projects that require you to see the smallest screws and springs inside an appliance.

Some people opt for battery-powered LED lights that can easily be attached to the bottom of a cabinet.

Have a seat.

Select a stool that is made of solid material and make sure to measure how high the workbench is, so it is neither too low or too high. You preferably want a stool that permits you to sit comfortably for long periods of time. Look for a stool that has an adjustable height mechanism, some padding and maybe even a backrest so you can lean back when you need to

We can help you create a place that inspires you to be ready for your next exciting project! We love working to create spaces that are as unique as our clients, so contact us today at 416.616.8735 or visit our website to schedule a free in-home consultation. While on our site, be sure to check out our transformations page.

Get Your Car into the Garage for Winter in Three Easy Steps

January 28, 2014 by Rick Scully

If you’re like many homeowners, your garage may be more of a dumping ground for seasonal items, outdoor equipment and gardening tools and less of a haven for your vehicles. Whether you’re looking for a do-it-yourself option or a quick fix to tide you over until you can get a permanent garage organization solution, you can make space for your car this winter in three easy steps.

Step One: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

We form an attachment to our things. Even things we haven’t used in years. This makes it difficult for us to face the ugly truth. Most overstuffed garages are harboring…junk. It’s a word we don’t like to use in reference to our own things. However, when stuff we aren’t using takes up valuable space in our garage, that’s exactly what it’s become.

Go through your garage and pull out anything you haven’t used in the past year. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do I need this item?
What is the likelihood I’ll use it again?
Why am I holding onto this item?
Would it be of more benefit to someone else?
Is it broken? If so, is it worth fixing? How likely is it that I’ll fix it (or get it fixed)?
Does it fit my current lifestyle?
Is holding onto this item more important than parking my car in the garage?

If your answers reveal that the item is sucking up valuable garage space, let it go. That includes those just-in-case items like old paint. After a year in your garage, especially through the winter, the paint is no longer good. Make note of the color, then chuck the can. Be sure to properly dispose of paint and any other household chemicals.

Of course, just because you can’t use your old items, doesn’t mean someone else can’t. If you have bicycles or other sports equipment that your children have outgrown, consider donating them to a local charity. Sometimes knowing that your things will be loved and appreciated by someone else makes it easier to let go of them.

Step Two: Group Similar Items

Once you’ve eliminated any items you don’t use, it’s time to do a little organizing. Start by going through your remaining things and grouping like items. Put all of the gardening tools and equipment in one part of the garage. Carve out another section for outdoor gear like camping or skiing equipment. Put the children’s sleds and other winter toys where they can easily access them.

Grouping similar items will give you further opportunity to purge. You’ll likely discover unnecessary duplicates and outdated items. These, too, can be tossed, gifted or donated.

Step Three: Arrange Items Along Perimeter

Once you’ve eliminated anything you don’t need, it’s time to carve out enough space in the garage for your vehicle. Arrange your remaining items along the perimeter of your garage. This includes bicycles and other bulky items like your lawn mower or snow blower.

While you’re organizing items along the perimeter of your garage, consider which items you’ll need to keep accessible during the winter. Make sure you’ll be able to quickly retrieve your snow blower, shovel, salt, window washer fluid and winter sports equipment like skis, ice skates and snowboards.

Create additional space by stacking or nesting similar items along the perimeter of your garage. For instance, nesting a set of flowerpots or stacking storage crates will reduce the amount of floor space they consume. With just a few hours of work, a space for your vehicle will begin to emerge.

If the thought of spending hours cleaning your garage is unappealing, take a moment to consider what you’ll gain by parking your vehicle in the garage. You won’t have to clean a mountain of snow off your windshield before work. It won’t take as long to warm your car in the morning. By saving time each morning, you won’t be rushed during your commute, making travel safer. Not a bad trade-off for a few hours of work on a Saturday.

Taking these steps will allow you to make room in your garage for your vehicle during winter. Come spring, you may be ready for a more permanent solution for your garage organizational needs.

Baseboards in the Garage, Did You Know?

October 22, 2013 by Rick Scully

In this informative article we will cover garage baseboards:

The function of garage baseboards.
Materials baseboards come in.
Baseboard installation facts you will want to consider.
Our garage renovation services.
FAQ on baseboard costs and needs.

Are you considering a garage makeover? How about an idea that both serves an important function and provides an aesthetic touch?

Garage baseboards are the ideal solution to protect your walls and floor and they help pull together the look of your interior garage design.

Want To Know More About Our Garage Flooring Products?

What Are Garage Baseboards?

A baseboard runs along the base of an interior wall. It covers the joint between the lowest part of a wall and the floor. You may encounter different terms for this wall covering; everything from skirting board, floor molding, or even a mopboard. In most cases, the baseboard is constructed of wood or a type of vinyl board.

A garage baseboard is no different. In your garage, you will find the baseboard (if there is one installed) at the bottom end of the walls at the floor level. Typically, a baseboard is from 4” to 6” in height and designed to hide the joint as well as protect walls from damage.

What Is The Function Of A Baseboard?

The main function of baseboards is to protect drywall against water damage. The baseboard in your garage is no different. It’s most important function is that of protection and if installed properly, it protects the interior of your garage from all types of foreign invasion.

To understand why this is important, consider how your garage is built. You have a vertical wall sitting on top of a concrete floor. The joint (seam) between the wall and the floor is typically 1/16” to 1/8”. If left unsealed, this joint can become a liability.

For example, no matter how small, insects will consider an unsealed floor joint to be an open invitation to come on in. Also, depending on the exterior structure of your home, an unsealed floor joint could become a source of water getting inside.

Garage Baseboards For Aesthetics

Your garage is just as important as any other space in your house, so why not make it beautiful. Since the typical garage for a new home does not have baseboards installed, a garage renovation project is a perfect time to look at how baseboards will enhance your garage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baseboards And More

What Materials Do Garage Baseboards Come In?

There are a few options to think about when you plan for your new baseboard. Not surprisingly, the first choice you have is material. Do you want to install a wooden baseboard or are you interested in a different material? For example, some enthusiasts will install punched aluminum (often referred to as diamond plate). Others choose to install a wooden baseboard, but request a specific paint color or finish.

The look you want to create is entirely up to you!

Types of Baseboard or Trim used in Garage:

PVC Trim – PVC is a form of plastic that’s used in a hundred different ways, including for plumbing pipes. PVC is a great choice for a garage baseboard because it can last forever. The PVC (polyvinyl chloride) trim is also referred to as cellular PVC. It’s PVC all the way through. Don’t confuse it with high-density rigid polyurethane or PVC-coated products. The trim comes in various thicknesses and widths, but it’s most often sold in common sizes similar to other wood trim products.

Diamond Plate Trim – Diamond plate trim is made of steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. Diamond plates are sometimes referred to as tread plate or checker plate but are always made from a metal stock with a regular pattern of diamonds or lines on one side with the other side being featureless. The diamond texture is great for industrial settings because of its non-skid properties. If you have a lot of foot traffic in your garage this could be the ideal material for your space. Its high polished aluminum look also makes it aesthetically pleasing.

More Baseboard or Trim for Garage

Wall Base Molding: You will typically find wall base molding in places like hospitals, stores, and offices. Also known as cove base, it is often made of rubber or vinyl. While wall base molding is generally found in commercial settings, it can still be a great option for your home garage. It serves as a great protective barrier to the outdoor element that can damage or ruin your garage.

Wood: Wood baseboards are the most popular and should be chosen based on the location of your baseboard. Some woods are better suited for different locations based on moisture content. When choosing a wood baseboard you should know that hardwoods stand up better to dents and scratches, and if you want them painted a specific color you will need to purchase a more expensive wood.

Wood Coated: Polyaspartic coating is when the wood baseboard is coated in the same material as the floor. It is similar to the appearance of granite and just as tough while also providing ample grip to make it skid-free.

No matter what type of baseboard material you decide on, our team at Garage Tailors Garage has the experience and knowledge to help you make the best choice for your garage renovation.

For A Free In-Home Consultation CLICK HERE.

Factors to Consider

There are a few factors you will want to keep in mind.

Slope Effect

You will notice that your floor has a slight slope. This slope is required by the building codes used when your home is built. The slope angles toward the exterior of your garage for proper drainage.

However, a sloping floor means we need to consider the floor slope when applying a new baseboard.

Floor Covering

One option you want to keep in mind is continuing the floor covering up to the baseboard. The polyaspartic coating we use here at Garage Tailors Garage can be applied directly to your new baseboard.

With this option, you are left with a seamless finish from your garage floor up to the top of the baseboard.

Slope or Square?

One more choice you have with your new baseboard is how you want the baseboard to look along the floor. In other words, do you want the baseboard to follow the slope of the floor exactly?

Or, would you prefer it to keep it square and level so that your eye doesn’t notice the natural slope of a garage floor?

Baseboard Height

Some people choose to have their baseboard extended further up the interior wall to meet the slatwall. While others choose to install punched aluminum wainscoting which reaches waist height. The advantage of a custom height, especially with the choice of diamond plate is that your interior walls are much better protected from interior damage from errant tools or toys.

Can You Wash Your Car Inside The Garage?

Yes! If you enjoy washing your vehicles inside the garage, a waist-high punched aluminum wainscoting will protect drywall from getting wet.

Contact Us Today And Get Beautiful Floor Boards In Your Garage.

Our Services – Who We Are

At Garage Tailors Garage, we transform garages from a neglected space in the house to one of the most useful and used spaces in your home. We take the time to truly understand what each homeowner needs for their garage to function properly. We know that every garage is unique, and so is each garage owner.

Whether a sports enthusiast, an avid gardener, an exotic car enthusiast or someone who simply wants to get the junk out and the car into the garage, we can organize and transform the garage into a fully functional room in your home.

We are personally involved with each project from start to finish, guaranteeing a professional job done to his exacting standards, on time and budget.

CLICK HERE

Extreme Garage Makeover – Check out this great example which is similar to our work and how we can turn your garage into a beautiful and functional space!

FAQ:

What type of baseboard is waterproof?

PVC, Diamond Plate, and wall base molding are all waterproof. The only type that is not waterproof is wood.

Does my garage really need a baseboard?

Yes! Your garage is most susceptible to the elements. Things like insects and water can easily seep in and do damage to your walls and other items stored in your garage. Baseboards are the best way to protect your space.

How much do baseboards cost?

The cost of baseboards will generally vary depending on the material you choose and the size of your space. You will also need to take into consideration installation and any treatment that will need to be done to your baseboard material. Contact us at Garage Tailors Garage and we can help answer any cost questions.

How much is a disorganized garage really costing you?

October 8, 2013 by Rick Scully

Are you a Have or a Have Not?

As you have probably noticed, it’s that time again. Yes, the days are getting shorter, the kids are back in school and it’s time to set up your garage for the winter season. In our many years of helping people organize their garages, we have identified two distinct types of homeowners in our area, the haves and the have nots.

1 car garage parks bmw plus 7 high end bicycles, portable workshop and all tools — HAVE: 1 Car Garage – parks 1 BMW, 7 high performance road bicycles, flip down workbench, all garden tools & seasonal tire storage

In this case, we are talking about homeowners who have taken steps to setup and organize their garages for easy seasonal transitions. These homeowners greet the seasonal change with open arms. They know that seasonal garage setup is not a chore at all, but a simple task that can be completed in a fairly short amount of time.

On the other hand, there is the other group of homeowners, those who have not organized their garages. As you might guess, these homeowners warily glance around the inside of their garage. They desperately try to figure out how long it will take to gather up all that clutter, move all that stuff around, store all the summer tools, toys and more away and bring out the winter gear. Sometimes, these garages are so disorganized that homeowners actually consider taking almost everything outside and then bringing the stuff back inside in the order they need. Unfortunately, if they are honest with themselves, they know this will most likely never happen. The end result is chaos or worse.

Back right 1 car central toronto garage — HAVE NOT: 1 Car Garage – cluttered, no storage, unable to park family vehicle, lacks organization

Then, once the first cold snap hits for these homeowners, it’s a mad dash to move the piles from here to there and everywhere in between to make room for the car. Oh, and should the home be equipped with a 2 car garage, too often, there is so much clutter piled up that just one car can be safely squeezed into the remaining space.

The point is simple and easy to understand: an organized garage will save a lot of headaches throughout the year, but especially so when it’s time to adjust for the season change. Look, if you plan on just shoving your stuff into various piles around the garage that’s your choice. Yet, you might want to consider what a disorganized garage is really costing you.

Of course, it’s obvious that a disorganized garage costs you extra time throughout the year. Do you ever find yourself hunting all over your garage for a particular garden tool? Do you ever move stuff aside to get to more stuff behind the first pile? Have you ever sent one of your kids out to the garage to fetch a garden tool and they can’t find it? Then, you head into the garage and it takes you a bit of time to find it yourself. You can see that you could end up spending a lot more time than necessary; if only your garage was better organized, you would save yourself a lot of headache.

Another way a cluttered garage is costing you comes right out of your wallet. Our storage solution team members regularly surprise homeowners when they point out that the homeowner has two or more of the same item such as weed whackers, garden hoses or rakes, one of which was buried deep in a pile of clutter years ago. Or, in a more painful hit to your wallet, what about the car door that bangs into a wheelbarrow or other item in the garage simply because the garage is over stuffed with clutter. Whether a small dent or ding, the damage is unsightly and will most likely need repair.

A third way that a cluttered garage can end up costing also concerns your vehicle. Think of it this way. Think about what happens if a garage is so cluttered that one or both vehicles (for a 2-car garage) can’t comfortably fit inside during the winter. A vehicle that’s worth more than everything in the garage combined has to sit outside and endure the brutal winter; but your garden tools, the lawnmower, the bikes, etc get to rest comfortably indoors. Of course, when you look at it that way, it’s immediately obvious there has to be a better way.

Actually, it’s about this time of year the storage solution team here at Garage Tailors Garage starts to field anxious calls from worried homeowners. Remember, your garage is not just a dumping ground for what doesn’t belong in the house. Your garage is there for your vehicles plus your other belongings. With the right organization system in place, your car and your bikes, sports equipment, garden tools and more can comfortably occupy the same space.

Can you and your garage pass the squeeze test?

September 24, 2013 by Rick Scully

Is your garage causing you stress?

As the season changes, many people find themselves faced with an unappetizing item on their plate, namely the garage and what could have been. During the warm summer months the very best of intentions were always there. Yet, somehow the task of organizing, of making sense of all that stuff in the garage never seemed to make it to the top of the to-do list. This chore kept getting put off to the next weekend, the next available Friday afternoon. Finally now we find the season change is upon us, and the garage is no better than it was at the start of the season. The summer ended so much faster than anyone planned on. Now you may very well feel like you have a monster on your hands.

To help you come to terms with this, your friendly team here at Garage Tailors Garage put together a 7 point self-evaluation garage organization quiz. You can use this quiz to help you figure out where you are and what your best options are at this point. Relax, no one is going to grade this quiz so this is for your eyes only. This is just a fun way for you to find out how much you can or cannot squeeze into your garage and whether you experience what we affectionately call Seasonal Garage Anxiety Disorder.

1. Do you feel your blood pressure rising if you pause to consider your garage, the things that need to be moved in, the things that need to be moved out, the things that need to be shuffled around to prepare for the upcoming season?

2. Are you embarrassed to open up your garage door in front of your neighbors for the mess that’s readily visible to anyone that takes a peek inside?

3. If your garage door happens to be open and a friend stops by to chat, do you find yourself apologizing for the mess?

4. Does your car fit in your garage? Seriously, if you have a one car garage, will one car fit in there at the same time as all your stuff you have strewn about? Or, if you have a two car garage, can you comfortably park both cars inside without moving some of your stuff to one corner or the other? Also, whether it’s a one car or a two car garage, if the car(s) are parked in the garage, can you safely get to your car without stumbling over piles of your stuff?

5. Do truly know where your stuff is? If you suddenly need a pair of shears to trim the bushes out front, can you locate them without hunting all over the garage?

6. Do you actually know how much stuff you really have? You may be surprised to learn that during organization storage solution installations the team here at Garage Tailors Garage often surprises homeowners. These homeowners are shocked and amazed to learn there are duplicate or even triplicate tools such as snow shovels, rakes and the like strewn all over the garage.

7. How much time would you reckon you spend moving piles of stuff around to get to the tools or materials you are looking for at the moment?

Well, there are your 7 questions. There is no real score per se, just a self assessment to help you figure out where you are. As you might imagine, knowing where you are is the first step to moving forward and making a better choice. So, take a look back at your answers. Your answers are a big clue for the next step, which as you might have already guessed is better organization.

Of course, you are already aware of the value of a proper storage and organization solution since you’ve made it this far and to the end of the quiz. Now, one last thing, look back to your answers and ask yourself one final question: Is now the time to take some action and get organized?

Garage Flooring, The Rest of the Story

August 27, 2013 by Rick Scully

With our most recent post, the crucial steps to properly preparing the floor for the application of a new finish was thoroughly discussed. Now that the existing garage floor has been properly prepared, the actual finishing process can begin. At this point, it is time to get into high gear and ensure best practices are followed to install the best floor finish possible.

Before we begin, here is a quick note about your choices of materials and why professional garage designers Garage Tailors Garage recommends using polyaspartic coatings. As you probably know, there are two other popularly recommended materials for garage floors: paints and epoxy based coatings. The challenge with both of these choices is twofold. For one thing, both paint and epoxy only coat the top most layer of your concrete. Whether you open the pores or not, paints and epoxy based materials essentially sit on the top of your floor. Alternatively, water soluble materials such as polyaspartic coatings actually penetrate deep down into the concrete pores. Of course, now you can see yet another reason that opening the pores in the preparation phase is such a crucial step.

A second issue with paints or epoxy materials is that they are not so forgiving when your concrete floor moves. You see, whether its apparent or not, your garage floor is subject to thermal expansion and contraction. The term thermal expansion and contraction means how your concrete actually swells up and expands in the heat. In cool weather, the opposite effect occurs; your concrete floor actually shrinks or contracts. Oftentimes, it is these expansion and contraction cycles that tend to lead to cracking and peeling from painted or epoxy coated floors. Alternatively, polyaspartic coatings are significantly more forgiving. Polyaspartic coatings tend to move with your floor instead of breaking apart.

Now it’s time to get back to work. At this point, the professional installation team applies the first application of your new polyaspartic coating. One thing to note here is that polyaspartic coatings actually dry extremely fast. Don’t be surprised if you see the installation teams pick up the pace a bit to complete the next steps before the drying process completes. They know they have to be deliberate and focused as they work to apply the first coating. Once this first coat is applied, the installation team brings out the color flakes you have chosen. Remember, you have an incredible array of colors to choose from, we’ll help you with a choice that matches your garage and home exterior. Just make sure you’ll be happy with your choice for a while. You will see the installation team applying the color flakes as the base coat is curing. Applying the color flakes at this stage allows the flakes to become firmly and permanently embedded. At first, it will look like your floor is covered with these color flakes. That’s okay, though, it’s all part of a professional installation.

Next up, the floor needs to be cleaned up. You will see the installation team fetching their brooms and scrapers. Once the polyaspartic coating with the color flakes has dried, the team works to clean up any loose flakes. First, you see the team take a broom to sweep up any excess. Next the team carefully goes over your floor to scrape off any rough edges going both ways, that is up and own. Now, your floor is vacuumed to remove any remaining flakes or other debris on the floor so that your floor is ready for the remaining steps in this process.

Now you are in the home stretch, where a specialized sealant is applied as the last stage in your floor refinishing project. This sealant is carefully and methodically rolled onto all sections of your garage floor. You will be pleased to learn this sealant serves as a final lockdown for your new floor finish. Think of it as a protective shield. At this point in your floor refinishing project, a specialized sealant is applied as a top coating. This sealant is “rolled” on to your floor and serves as a final lockdown for your new floor finish. It serves as a protective shield. The sealant includes an Ultraviolet (UV) ray inhibitor which protects the floor from fading in the bright summer sun. This sealant is allowed to thoroughly dry. You will see the installation team conduct a final walk through to make sure the new floor finish is complete and ready for your enjoyment.

Now that the project is complete here is a little bit more about your new floor finish. The polyaspartic floor is good for the lifetime of your garage floor. Unlike some of the other garage floor refinish options that must be redone every 3 to 5 years, you can count on your new polyaspartic floor finish for the lifetime of your garage floor.

Garage Flooring, The Untold Story

August 13, 2013 by Rick Scully

Nowadays many homeowners who want to refinish their garage floors start with online searches or queries with the neighborhood big-box store. Oftentimes, these inspired homeowners walk out with a do-it-yourself recipe that is sadly lacking a few key ingredients. Much like leaving out a key ingredient such as yeast when you want to bake a loaf of bread, it’s the missing ingredients that can make or break the success of your garage floor refinishing project.

The Facts about Proper Garage Floor Refinishing

You have undoubtedly heard the wisdom from the old days about how it’s all about the preparation. That is especially true with your garage floor. The initial preparation steps are essential to properly finishing your garage floor.

First of all, before any real action starts, the garage floor must be tested for moisture content. Some of those D-I-Y recipes often fail to mention how important is to determine how much water there is in your concrete floor. The professional installation team here at Garage Tailors Garage begins each and every floor refinishing project by conducting a moisture test at various sample points around your floor. You see, without the appropriate strategies to prevent water seeping up into your new floor finish, any existing moisture may well propagate through the concrete and lead to pop ups, peeling or even cracking. Knowing how much moisture is already there tells the installation team how best to proceed when your new floor coating is applied.

Now that the moisture content has been checked and recorded, the real preparation work begins. This phase of the project is referred to by the professionals as “opening up the pores”. For now, here’s what you need to know about this process. You might have seen or heard some recommendations to use muriatic acid to clean or open up the pores in your concrete floor. This is a lousy idea for a couple of reasons. As you know, muriatic acid is a hazard. You do not want to be using this chemical in an enclosed space, or certainly, not without the proper breathing attire, hand and eye protection, that sort of thing. But more importantly, muriatic acid does not actually perform well on older concrete to clean or open up the pores. Muriatic acid reacts with existing organics in or on your floor to bind them or lock them into the cement. Organics are substances such as oils, greases, plant matterand so on. When organic compounds are bound in place, instead of being chemically removed, it does not allow concrete pores from being opened up for a long lasting floor application.

Professional garage floor preparation is best accomplished by an abrasive grinding process which removes the top 1/16 of an inch from the top of your floor. Understand this grinding process is not even possible without the proper equipment. The commercial grinder used by professionals is equipped with a large circular carbide blade which removes the uppermost layer of the existing floor. Additionally, these industrial grinders are equipped with a continuously running vacuum which captures any resulting concrete dust. You will see the installation team wheel this monster tool into your garage and then carefully grind the entire floor.

The newly exposed concrete is now ready for the next phase of the project. At this point, the installation team does an exceedingly careful inspection of your garage floor. They look for and carefully identify and mark any cracks, voids, pitting, etc. These areas are then carefully repaired one by one with hydraulic cement, a common concrete material found at the big box stores. This patching material is a fast-curing concrete repair material. This repair material is allowed to dry, which takes less than an hour.

At this point, your preparation steps are just about complete. The installation team carefully sweeps up any loose material, smoothes out any rough repair material and ensures the entire surface is ready for the next step. After removing all the loose material, the team works on the moisture barrier. In this case, the moisture barrier is a solution that is carefully and methodically applied to the entire surface of your floor. This highly specialized sealant material penetrates through the freshly opened pores of the concrete to bind the sealant and create that essential water barrier that prevents floor coatings from lifting. Once it is dry, this sealant protects your floor and your new floor covering from moisture intrusion.

Does all of the above sound like a lot? Well, for a homeowner or a weekend D-I-Y ‘er, it might be, but for the professional installation team here at Garage Tailors Garage, it’s all in a day’s work.

Next: Once the floor is prepared, how is the new floor coating applied?

Professional Storage Solutions – Slatwall Organization Systems

June 18, 2013 by Rick Scully

Choosing the right storage products is essential to ensuring your possessions are kept neatly and safely. This is where the quality of the products you choose really matters. The last thing you want is to risk damage to your car or your family from tools or storage containers that might fall off improperly secured hooks or unstable shelving.

The first thing to look at when choosing garage storage is a way to hang things on the wall. As I’ve mentioned before, the secret to an organized garage is having a place to hang everything and get it off the floor. But not all wall storage is created equal. There are degrees of quality and unfortunately you just aren’t going to find top quality at a big-box do-it-yourself store.

Choosing quality slatwall storage

It’s difficult to tell the difference on visual inspection, but the slatwall that’s sold in retail stores is not built to the same standards as slatwall used by professional garage firms such as Garage Tailors Garage. Our slatwall is made of heavy-duty PVC, which holds a large amount of weight and stands up to moisture. The typical big-box slatwall is made of MDF, which is a wood fibre product. You can install it and hang your things on it and it will look good and work well for a while, but it won’t hold the weight and can’t withstand the moisture over time so it will eventually start to break down.

Advantages of PVC professional-quality slatwall

Our slatwall comes in 1 ft x 8 ft panels. This makes it much easier to handle as well as more customizable to fit your space. Sometimes you just need a small section of slatwall to store a few tools or to fit into a recess in the garage wall. It also comes in a variety of colours to match with shelving and floors. It also comes with matching trim to create a finished look and protect the exposed ends from nicks. The screws are even colour-coded to make for a more seamless look.

Hooks, shelving and baskets

Once the slatwall is installed you can think about what accessories you need to organize your items. The beauty of slatwall is you can add or change the amount of storage you have over time by adding more panels and adding or changing the shelving and hook options.

You can hang anything with a hole in the handle. That means gardening tools, sports equipment, recycling bins and even something as heavy as a lawn mower. Garage Tailors Garage uses the unique Camlok system. The hooks lock firmly into the slatwall and you don’t have to worry about them falling off. They’re also removable because they don’t screw into the slatwall like the big-box store hooks. This is handy when you’re rearranging your wall hooks to accommodate winter or summer tools and toys. You can easily remove the hook and place it somewhere else. Our shelves use Camlok too, as well as our baskets. Baskets are a great way to store things such as balls, sports equipment, car accessories and even antifreeze and heavy bags of salt.

If you’re planning to stay put in your home for a while and you want a garage renovation that will stand the test of time, consider investing in a quality product. I guarantee it will save you time and money in the future.

What is it that Professional Garage Designers Do?

June 4, 2013 by Rick Scully

If you’ve ever undertaken a large renovation job in your home, such as the kitchen, bathroom or basement, it’s likely you’ve hired a professional to do the job. Usually only the die-hard do-it-yourselfer with a lot of experience will tackle that type of project. But when it comes to the garage, many people think a few tools and a trip to the big-box store to pick up some simple shelving, cabinets and maybe an epoxy floor coating will do. There’s nothing wrong with what they sell there, but the problem is it’s likely not going to stand up to the test of time and use. A professional garage designer has access to the most durable products specifically designed for garages and the equipment, tools and expertise to create an organized garage that will last a lifetime.

What to expect when hiring a garage designer?

Space visualization

During a consultation a professional garage designer will see the potential of the garage. After doing hundreds of garage renovations, I can easily envision what’s possible in a space. Garages are much more than just four walls and a floor. They’re rarely square and a professional will immediately spot areas to maximize storage. Often there are indentations, or areas such as space above the garage door or on the ceiling to create shelves or overhead storage.

Engineering skills

Your garage professional will know about weight/load capacity. Shelving can be custom-designed and built to make the most efficient use of space while supporting a maximum amount of weight and protecting your loved ones and vehicles from damage.

Design skills

Garages can be beautiful too. A garage professional will pay attention to the look of the space just like any interior designer would for a room inside your home. Choosing a combination of colours and finishes for the wall, floor, cabinets and shelves can really enhance the overall look of the space. Also, an experienced professional will be able to offer suggestions to solve any design dilemma.

Tools

If you’ve done DIY projects, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of starting a job and realizing you don’t have the right tool. A garage professional will have tools and equipment needed to complete a quality job. One essential piece of equipment for finishing the floor is a commercial cement floor grinder. In order to achieve a floor coating that will last, the floor needs to be ground down to remove pitting and other imperfections. A floor grinder is an expensive piece of equipment that is usually not available to rent. A nail gun, the right saws and screwdrivers also make for an easier job. Unless you’re doing a lot of construction projects, it’s unlikely you’ll have these types of tools on hand.

Knowledge

There are a lot of things involved in renovating a garage that are not always considered by the average homeowner. Garage professionals know about things such as construction codes, checking moisture levels in concrete before applying a floor coating, and have access to trades such as plumbers and electricians. They can also easily estimate how much space you’ll need to store things. You may look at all your gardening equipment and figure you’ll need a lot of storage room while an expert will know immediately that you’ll only need about six feet of space.

So the choice is up to you. Do you want a temporary solution or do you want to make an investment in your garage that will last?