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.

Are Your Prepared for Disaster?

September 20, 2016 by Rick Scully

No one likes to consider the possibility of a disaster, be it natural or manmade. However, the reality is that such disasters do occur. In the event of a catastrophe, it could take first responders up to 72 hours to reach you. Would you be prepared to fend for yourself for at least that long?

Disaster preparedness can vastly improve the outcome for you and your family if the unthinkable were to occur. Let’s review a few simple steps recommended by Public Safety Canada to prepare you to hold out until assistance arrives.

Be Aware of Risks Related to Your Region

Whether you live in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada, there are certain risks inherent to your area, particularly at certain times of the year. Tornados, blizzards, flooding, severe storms and power outages are among the various risks for which you may need to prepare. Understanding which risks are most probable for your community will help you prepare for the likeliest disaster and be more prepared for any calamity.

Visit GetPrepared.ca to review a full list of disasters. Get the statistics on each type of disaster and find out which regions are most likely to be affected by it. Learn what to do before, during and after, in the event that particular disaster strikes your community.

Create a Plan of Action Should Disaster Strike

How would you escape your bedroom if fire barred you from opening the door? If you’re on a higher floor, how would you safely exit the window? If you’re separated from your children, would they know what to do? Perhaps you’ve given thought to these questions. That’s an excellent first step. However, it’s important to clearly communicate an emergency evacuation plan to every member of your family. Even small children should know what to do in the event of a fire.

When an emergency happens, we don’t always think clearly. Having your plan outlined in writing and accessible to every member of the family can be invaluable during times of distress. Keep printed and digital copies of your emergency plan in various locations, including a central location everyone knows.

Your plan of action should outline rendezvous points outside your home in case of an event like a fire. A rendezvous point outside of your community is also essential to prepare for an incident which forces you to evacuate the neighbourhood. Practice the plan with young children so they commit it to memory. This will help them to calmly execute the plan, in case they get separated from you.

Create an Emergency Kit

Whether a disaster forces you to hunker down in your home or garage for several days or forces you to evacuate your home and community, you’ll need to have a stash of supplies on hand. Store three days’ worth of non-perishable food items like canned or dried goods. Include at least two litres of water per family member during that three-day period. Large water jugs are an easy way to ensure there is enough water for everyone—including pets—if you are stuck in your home. However, if you must leave your home, smaller bottles are easier to transport. In addition to food and water, be sure to keep an emergency supply of medications.

Your emergency kit should be a portable grab and go bag. If you have a large family, it would be difficult to store enough supplies for everyone in a single, easily portable duffle bag. Instead, create a separate backpack for each family member that is tailored to their specific needs and that each member can easily transport.

A variety of additional items should be in the emergency kit, including a small amount of cash, a battery-operated flashlight and radio, a manual can opener and first aid supplies. Though not every creature comfort will fit in your grab and go bag, a variety of other items like toiletries should be stocked near your emergency kits. Garage shelving or garage cabinets are a great place to store your kits and additional emergency supplies.

For more info on how to prepare your family for a natural disaster, visit GetPrepared.ca. To learn more about how to maximize the storage capacity of your garage to better accommodate a stash of emergency supplies, visit Garage TailorsGarage.com.

Make Room in Your Garage to Embrace Our Growing Bicycling Culture

June 21, 2016 by Rick Scully

Recreational and utilitarian bicycling is experiencing a resurgence in cities across North America, including Toronto. The growing interest in cycling has prompted events like Bike Month—a month-long celebration of cycling in Greater Toronto and Hamilton that kicked off on May 30^th.

Cities worldwide are being forced to re-examine their infrastructure. Biking enthusiasts and motorists are demanding more bike lanes in their communities and on main thoroughfares, prompting Toronto to develop a 10-year plan to expand its cycling network.

Why has cycling become so popular? Because cycling offers numerous health and environmental benefits.

Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is a fun physical activity that offers countless health benefits. Yet, it is easily-accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.

Most of us learned to ride a bike as children. Once learned, it’s a skill you never forget. This makes cycling ideal for children and adults. Based on the type of bicycle and the course chosen, cycling can be relaxed and easy or high-energy and intense—making it suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced riders.

Cycling engages all the major muscle groups, while putting very little strain on joints and muscles. The heart and lungs also get a good workout, improving cardiovascular health. Continued cycling increases stamina and strength. In just a few hours a week, this low-impact cardiovascular exercise can improve health, lower stress levels and reduce feelings of anxiety. Regular cycling can also serve a vital role in an overall weight loss or healthy weight maintenance regimen.

As Westerners, we spend hours seated at desks, on the couch in front of the television and in our cars while commuting. A sedentary lifestyle puts increased strain on joints and muscles employed while sitting, causes unused muscles to shorten and encourages stiffness in underused joints. Utilitarian bicycle riding—for transportation—converts the sedentary commute to local shops or work into active transportation which promotes good health. Utilitarian cycling also benefits the health of the environment.

Environmental Benefits of Cycling

Nearly 30% of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions stem from the transportation of people and goods. Therefore, reducing transportation emissions has become a key part of Canada’s goal to diminish greenhouse emissions by 30% by 2030. Active transportation—walking and cycling—can help us get closer to that goal.

Motor vehicles are a major contributor to smog—an unhealthy mixture of air pollutants and other particles which can be irritating to the lungs and aggravate various health issues, like asthma. When we opt for active transportation like cycling, as opposed to starting up our vehicles, we help reduce smog and greenhouse gas emissions.

There is a growing push for walkable communities as a strategy for reducing the burden placed on our environment. Walkable communities offer the perfect setting for recreational and active transportation biking.

Perhaps you’re ready to embrace Canada’s rapidly expanding cycling culture, but an overflowing garage poses a serious bicycle storage dilemma. Fortunately, there are a variety of smart, sleek garage storage options for your bicycles and cycling equipment.

bike storage solutions - bicycle wall rack storage

Bike and Cycling Equipment Garage Storage Options

For many homeowners, storing the family bicycles in the garage becomes an either/or situation. Either the bikes get stored in the garage or the vehicles do. When improperly stored, bicycles stored in the garage can scratch or dent vehicles or be accidentally run over. The bike might also be damaged if it falls over.

Serious bicycling enthusiasts make a substantial investment for bicycles and cycling equipment. Investing in a workable garage bicycle storage option will protect your investment in your bicycle, your vehicle and your garage. With a wide variety of creative garage bicycle storage options available, it is easy to find the one that fits your needs and budget.

Schoolyard style bike racks are easily placed near the back garage wall, allowing bicycles to be parked in a neat, orderly fashion. This style of rack is easily put in place. However, it has a large footprint, so it is often favored by those who use all or part of the garage for bike storage during summer months.
Horizontal wall bike storage relies on a wall organizational system—sturdy, durable panels that work with complementary hooks, shelves and baskets to store a range of items. Bikes are stored flat against the wall from hooks placed at the desired height. This makes it relatively easy for each family member to remove his or her own bike.
Vertical wall storage also works in tandem with a wall organizational system, but bikes are stored vertically. The bikes protrude further from the wall. However, more bicycles can be stored in the same space. Many find this storage option aesthetically pleasing. However, it can be more difficult for small children or those with limited arm strength to hang and retrieve bikes from the wall.
Overhead bike pulley systems come in both manual and motorized varieties. This storage option makes use of wasted, overhead space and reclaims valuable floor space. Depending on the placement of the rack, vehicles may need to be moved to store and retrieve bikes.
Baskets, hooks and shelves can be hung at various points along the wall organization system panels to store bicycle helmets, water bottles and other equipment.

bike storage solutions - bicycle storage ceiling lift

For a more in-depth look at each style and tips on selecting the right storage option for you, review Reclaim Your Garage with Creative Bike Storage Solutions.

Are you ready to embrace the Canadian cycling culture? Learn the cycling laws and safety rules, check out an ongoing list of Ontario cycling events, then discover the top cycling paths in the Greater Toronto area. If you’re in the market for a new bicycle, save the date for the Toronto International Bicycle Show’s Fall Blowout Sale on October 15^th.

Contact Garage Tailors Garage to find the garage bicycle storage option that’s right for you.

Create a Gardening Command Centre in Your Garage

May 19, 2016 by Rick Scully

Temperatures are rising and spring flowers are in bloom. During the approaching Victoria Day weekend, garden centres will be overflowing with Ontarians preparing for the planting season. Many of your neighbors will likely use the long weekend to plant flower and vegetable gardens.

Perhaps you enjoy gardening, but break into a cold sweat at the thought of sifting through the chaotic contents of your garage to locate gardening tools. A hectic schedule—brimming with work and family obligations—makes it challenging to find time to do the things you love. A disorganized garage steals valuable time that could better be used to pursue activities you enjoy like gardening.

Don’t allow garage clutter to sideline your dream of lounging in your personal garden paradise this summer. Instead, create an organized garden command centre in your garage that will prepare you for a successful growing season.

Organize Your Garage for Gardening

The right tools can make any job easier. Make the best use of your time by creating a space where all of your gardening tools are organized and easily accessible. A wall organization system makes it easy to store gardening implements and supplies.

Panel systems like Slatwall, made of durable PVC and available in a variety of colors, provide a strong, sturdy, storage solution that is both flexible and attractive. The 1×8 foot Slatwall panels create a scalable wall organization system that works in a small space, but can easily be expanded to meet future storage needs.

Slatwall panels work with a variety of complementary accessories like hooks, baskets and shelves. Long-handle tools like rakes, shovels and spades hang from hooks neatly along the wall. Flower pots and watering cans store on shelves. Baskets provide catchall storage for gloves, small tools and more.

Create a Dedicated Work Surface

If you don’t have a potting bench in your yard, installing a dedicated workspace in your garage will make gardening tasks like potting a breeze. A flat work surface can be created by repurposing an old table or dresser or by purchasing a premade workbench from a big box store.

For a sturdy, attractive work surface with additional storage, install a garage storage cabinet complete with a sturdy butcher block worktop. Garage storage cabinets come in a variety of configurations which include doors, drawers, shelves and open-to-floor storage space. Cabinets provide additional, hidden storage. Lockable cabinet doors protect pets and small children from accessing dangerous lawn chemicals.

What if you don’t have adequate space in your garage for a dedicated work station? An experienced garage renovation specialist can design a unique, made-to-measure solution to fit your space. A custom solution can be tucked into a tight space or an oddly configured corner of the garage. When space is at a premium, a foldaway work station provides work space whenever you need it, then tucks away to accommodate vehicle parking.

Create a Plan for Your Garden

Once you’ve created your garden command center, it’s time to turn your attention outdoors. Make the most of Ontario’s short growing season by planning ahead. Consult the Farmer’s Almanac or the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for recommended planting dates.

Carefully plot out your gardening space. What flowers, shrubs and trees will you plant this year? Sketch out a layout for your flowerbeds. Note which areas get full sunlight and which areas are shaded. Before you purchase plants, research online or visit a local garden centre to find out how much daily sunlight your desired plants and flowers require. For instance, flowering annuals like carnations, petunias and marigolds need at least six hours of daily sunlight. However, areas that receive less than six hours of sun are the perfect haven for impatiens, begonias and black-eyed Susans.

Do you plan to have a vegetable garden? A home garden is a fantastic way to keep a supply of fresh, flavourful vegetables on hand during the growing season. Carefully plan out your garden. Which herbs and vegetables does your family eat regularly? Choose plants that thrive in your local area but don’t require more time and space than you have available.

Heed plant and row spacing recommendations. A small tomato or cucumber plant can quickly expand, taking up far more space than you expected. Plant vegetables in suitable areas of the yard. For instance, climbers like cucumbers and beans are ideal for a space along a fence or trellis.

Certain vegetables thrive when planted together. For example, basil and tomato plants are ideal companions. Basil repels mosquitoes, spider mites and aphids; improves pollination by attracting bees; and boosts the health and flavour of tomatoes. On the other hand, fennel and brassicas (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, etc.) inhibit the growth of tomato plants. Consult a companion planting guide for ideas on which plants to situate together.

Creating a beautiful landscape filled with luscious plants; fragrant, colourful flowers; and fresh, delicious herbs and vegetables requires an investment of time and effort. However, carving out space in your garage for a gardening command centre simplifies the process.

A gardening command centre with a dedicated work surface and gardening tools and supplies that are neatly organized will maximize your time and help you achieve beautiful results. Would you prefer to put your time and effort into gardening and leave the work of creating your garden command centre to a professional? Request a consultation with a garage renovation expert.

Using Baskets, Hooks and Shelves to Transform Your Garage

February 23, 2016 by Rick Scully

If garage organization is one of your goals this year, keep two essential principles in mind. Adequate space is required, and each item should have a designated storage space. Taming the clutter in your garage might seem like a monumental task. However, integrating simple elements like baskets, hooks and shelves can increase the available storage space exponentially, providing a designated spot for each item.

Whether you choose to do a full-scale garage renovation or a mini, do-it-yourself one, these tips will transform your garage into an organized storage space.

Eliminate the Unnecessary

A garage consists of three walls and a floor, providing very little storage. With no defined organization system, items are stacked on the garage floor. Eventually, these items take over one of the garage bays. In many cases, the entire garage is consumed as garage becomes a dumping ground for old furniture, broken toys and a host of unused items. The first order of business is to eliminate the unnecessary.

If possible, start by removing everything from your garage. This serves two purposes. First, you can see everything you have stored there. Second, you have a clean slate to work with.

Group similar items, like gardening tools, hardware and sporting goods. Now you can easily identify duplicate items. Sort through everything. Assess whether each item is needed and if the garage is the ideal place to store it. Create piles for items that will be discarded or relocated. Donate old furniture, appliances and clothing and housewares to local charities or to a friend.

Once you are left with only the essential items to be stored, decide where each group of similar items would best be stored in your garage. Now it’s time to use vertical space to create task-related zones for each group.

Use Vertical Space

Vehicles consume most of the limited floor space. Few garages are designed to tap into the wealth of vertical space. Maximize storage space storing items on the walls and overhead.

Shelving units from local box stores can provide additional storage space. However, these units tend to take up considerable floor space. This is problematic for storage on side walls, where space is already limited. A sleeker option is a wall organization system.

Slotted wall panels are attractive, waterproof and mold and mildew-resistant. Available in a variety of colours, the 1 x 8 foot panels are super strong, engineered to meet heavy-duty industry standards. They are attached to wall studs for additional strength. Slatwall panels are sturdy enough to hang bicycles and other heavy items.

Hang one or two panels or an entire wall of them to create the base for your vertical organization system. Then use the vast array of corresponding accessories to maximize storage.

Accessorize Your Walls

The real beauty of slatwall lies in the countless corresponding accessories designed to meet a wide range of storage needs. Wall organization system accessories include baskets, bins, nets, hooks and shelving. These receptacles provide a tidy place to store items like gardening supplies, household chemicals, hardware and more.

Is sports equipment littering your garage? Sport-specific specialty hooks and racks are perfect for avid sporting enthusiasts. Magnetic strips and specialty racks can corral an assortment of tools.

Wall organization systems are highly-configurable. The corresponding accessories are quickly and easily interchangeable. This creates a system flexible enough to meet your family’s changing storage needs from one season to the next and throughout the years.

Go Above and Beyond

Storing items in baskets and on hooks and shelves is ideal for frequently used items. To find the best place to store lightweight, seasonal items, just look up. Overhead shelves and platforms convert wasted space into a convenient place to store stackable plastic bins.

Overhead storage racks should be installed by a garage renovation expert, or someone who understands how to safely install loadbearing overhead shelves. Prefabricated steel shelving, like Strong Racks, provides strong, sturdy overhead storage that is easily accessible with a step ladder. For something tailored to your unique space, hire a garage renovation expert to build a made-to-measure overhead storage shelf that will allow you to maximize the space configuration in your garage.

An overhead shelf can provide additional storage near the back of the garage or above the garage door. Do you have a high ceiling in your garage? Turn the wasted space into a storage treasure trove with a custom built mezzanine.

Like the idea of overhead storage, but don’t relish the thought of trudging up and down a step ladder with bulky holiday decorations? Hydraulic overhead lifts provide push-button access to overhead storage. Hydraulics lifts come in a wide range of options. They provide raised storage for everything from seasonal items to lawn mowers, bicycles, motorcycles and cars.

Whether you’re ready for some do-it-yourself garage organization or a full-scale professional garage renovation, a local garage renovation expert can help you use baskets, hook and shelves to transform your garage into a neat, organized space.

Enjoy Outdoor Winter Activities in Toronto

January 19, 2016 by Rick Scully

When you live in a region known for long, cold winters, you can either hide out inside until the snow melts or learn to love all that the great outdoors has to offer during winter in Toronto. Whether you’re the adventurous type or prefer to be a spectator to the winter fun, Toronto has something to offer.

Perhaps you dread winter sports because kids and pets track snow, salt and grime onto floors and carpeting. Avoid the mess in the house by making your garage the launch pad for all winter activities. Maximize winter fun by first making sure everyone stays safe.

Colonel Sam Smith Park Ice Trail & Skating — Skaters at Colonel Sam Smith Park Ice Trail.

Attend to Safety First

While there are lots of fun things to do in the Greater Toronto Area during winter, it’s important to put safety first. That means wearing proper gear like helmets, mouth guards, and knee and elbow pads during sports like hockey or snowboarding. However, keeping yourself and others safe during snowy, icy winter weather begins by making sure the driveway and sidewalks outside of your home and garage are properly maintained.

Per Toronto Municipal Code 719-2, property owners have twelve hours after the snowfall, rain or hail ends to remove snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding their property. If the removal of snow or ice leaves the surface slippery, the property owner must put down sand, salt or ashes to cover the surface. Failing to comply with this code could lead to fines or slip-and-fall lawsuits, so stay vigilant about preventing ice and snow from building on sidewalks, driveways and around your garage.

Storing Winter Equipment and Gear

Create a zone in your garage where winter weather supplies and equipment are kept. The snow blower will likely fit best along a back wall, so it won’t interfere with parking your vehicles in the garage. However, shovels, salt and ashes should be stored near the garage door for convenient access.

A slatwall organization system, like slatwall, with its corresponding shelves, hooks and baskets, is ideal for storing winter weather items near the garage door. Garage storage cabinets offer another excellent option for storage.

A good wall organization system will allow you to easily configure hooks, baskets and shelves to accommodate your storage needs during the changing seasons. Hockey sticks, pucks, ice skates and other winter sports equipment can be accommodated during winter. Larger items, like skis, snowboards, sleds and toboggans can be stored using specialty hooks and shelves or on larger, made-to-measure shelving or platforms. When spring arrives, the wall organization system can be reconfigured to store summer sporting goods.

Toronto Outdoor Winter Activities

Now that you’re prepared for winter fun with the family, let’s look at a few fun outdoor winter activities:

Ice skating: Enjoy free ice skating at Harbourfront Centre’s scenic Natrel Rink, set on the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Skating is free and rental skates and helmets are available. New to ice skating? Child and adult skating lessons are available. Turn the fun up a notch with another free event, DJ Skate Nights on Saturday nights through February 20^th.
Tobogganing: Ready to head down the slopes? Grab your sled (makeshift or store-bought) and head for one of the various toboggan hills located in neighbourhoods all over the Greater Toronto Area. See the downtown skyline from Riverdale Park East or check out Christie Pits Park where the hills come in different sizes to accommodate daredevils and more reserved sled enthusiasts.
Snowshoeing on Toronto Islands: Who says the beach is only a summertime destination? Enjoy the peace and quiet of the Toronto Islands without the busy summer crowds. Snowshoe or cross-country ski, then build a snowman with the kids.
Icefest on February 21 – 22: Head over to Bloor-Yorkville for the 2016 Icefest. This year’s theme is Frozen in Time. See magnificent ice sculptures inspired by Ancient Egypt and check out live ice carving competitions.
Bonus: Winterlicious on January 29 – Feb 11, 2016: This isn’t an outdoor event, but after all that ice skating and tobogganing, you’ll work up an appetite. Winterlicious offers a great opportunity to sample some of Toronto’s finest cuisine without breaking the bank. Try prix fixe, 3-course meals at more than 200 restaurants all over the city or take a cooking class during this yummy winter event.

Regardless of which Toronto outdoor winter activity you and your family enjoy, your garage can serve as the perfect launch and landing pad for your adventures. An organized garage with a wall organization system, cabinets or bins for specific sports or individual family members makes it easy to store and retrieve everyone’s gear. When you return home, you can clean toys, skis and sleds so they’ll be ready for the next adventure.

If your garage can’t accommodate all of your winter adventures, discover how a few renovations can make winter safe for you and your neighbours while making it easy to enjoy all the fun of the season. With a little help from Garage Tailors Garage, planning and renovation during the spring and summer months can improve the layout and function of even the smallest of garages.

Five Reasons You Wish You’d Tackled Those Garage Renovation Projects Last Year

January 7, 2016 by Rick Scully

It’s a New Year, but if you’re still dealing with the same old problems with your garage, you’re probably wishing you’d tackled a few of those garage renovation projects last year. Before this year flies by as quickly as the last, here are five reasons to get a jumpstart on those projects now.

#1: You Can’t Get Your Car in the Garage

You have a shiny, new vehicle with all the toys. Unfortunately, there’s no room for your car or truck in the garage. The limited space in your garage is overrun with bicycles, sporting goods, broken furniture, lawn equipment, gardening tools and seasonal items.

Every morning you get up half an hour earlier and trudge out in the frigid temperatures to clean ice and snow off your vehicle. If you don’t, you’re forced to choose between rushing to work in dangerous winter driving conditions and arriving late to work.

Solution: You know it’s time to clean up your garage’s act, but you’re not quite sure where to begin. Consider making the big garage cleanup a fun family project. Store items neatly around the perimeter of the garage. Install a slatwall organization system with corresponding hooks, shelves and baskets to maximize vertical storage space. By freeing up floor space, you can park inside the garage and pamper your new vehicle or extend the life of an older one.

#2: You Can’t Find Anything in Your Garage

Your family has dubbed your garage the Bermuda Triangle because anything you store there seems to disappear. Finding your golf clubs and tennis rackets or the children’s hockey sticks and softball equipment is a chore. You own duplicate ratchet sets and gardening tools because it was easier to buy new ones than spend an entire afternoon hunting down the old ones.

Solution: Remove everything from your garage and create dedicated task zones. Group automotive supplies, garden supplies, tools and other similar items. Maximize storage in each zone with the corresponding baskets, hooks and shelves of a good wall organization system. Toss broken items and sell or giveaway duplicates. Everything will be easier to find, so you’ll spend less time on garage scavenger hunts during frosty winter weather.

#3: You Prefer to Store Your Belongings Out of Sight

Not everyone wants their items on display. You might prefer the clean, sleek look of hidden storage. Or perhaps you need to keep toxic household and automotive chemicals out of the reach of curious hands and paws.

Solution: Modular or custom garage cabinets provide safe, lockable storage space fitted perfectly to the length of the wall of the garage. Want to keep your items out of sight? Garage cabinets provide hidden storage. They can even be configured to hide plumbing or a central vacuum cleaner. Perhaps you only need to secure a few items, like valuable automotive tools or toxic household cleaners and antifreeze. A combination of open and closed garage storage is a perfect solution.

#4: Seasonal Items Have Taken Over Your Garage

Your approach to the holidays is go big or go home. But the other eleven months of the year you find yourself sharing space in the garage with Old St. Nick, Rudolph and a 20-foot tall inflatable snow man. Then there’s the seasonal sports equipment—kayaks, pool floats and winter sleds—to contend with, leaving little or no room for your vehicles.

Solution: Overhead storage racks transform dead space into viable storage for seasonal and oversized items. Strong metal storage racks or sturdy, made-to-measure wooden shelves take advantage of ceiling height and create additional space for items seldom used, like holiday decorations and seasonal sporting goods. Most overhead storage racks can be easily accessed with a step ladder. However, for ultimate accessibility, motorized overhead storage provides push-button access.

#5: Your Garage Floor is Cracked and Stained

Grease, oil, rust and a host of mystery stains mar the look of your garage floor. Even when it’s clean, it doesn’t quite look it. If your garage is older, there may be some chipping and cracking that occurred during settling of the concrete floor. You’ve scrubbed the floor repeatedly with minimal results.

Solution: Polyaspartic flooring improves the look of your garage floor. Applied in a single day, this flooring system is vastly superior to paint and comes with a 10-year warranty. Polyaspartic flooring is textured. It has a multidimensional look similar to granite and is available in a host of attractive colors, like Chocolate, Mountain Road, Moonlight and Sandy Beach. The texture provides added grip, reducing the hazard of slipping during rainy and snowy weather.

If parking in your garage or finding essential tools has become a struggle or you don’t like the look or layout of your garage, there are a number of garage renovation solutions. Slatwall, cabinets or overhead platforms can deliver the form and function you want in your garage. Don’t get caught in the same position next year. Pull out your to-do list and contact a garage renovation specialist by early spring to plan your garage renovation project.

Stock Your Garage with Emergency Supplies

October 29, 2015 by Rick Scully

Whether this winter is mild or as snowy and cold as our past two winters, we’re bound to get walloped by a few snow storms. Ontarians are no strangers to cold, blustery winters. While these conditions are routine, they aren’t innocuous. Winter storms have the potential to be deadly. Last time we discussed how to prepare your vehicle and garage for the winter. Now let’s review the supplies every garage should have stocked in case of a severe weather event.

Stocking your garage with emergency supplies may seem overly cautious. However, Canadians fall victim to weather events, directly or indirectly, every year. Advanced preparation will increase your odds of staying safe during treacherous winter weather events.

Power and communication lines are susceptible to outage during ice storms or heavy snowfall. In most instances, power is restored within a few hours. In more serious cases, you may be forced to go without power or communication for days. If the temperature dips dangerously low, how will you stay warm for several days? Would you have enough food and clean water on hand until services are restored? By taking action now, you’ll be ready to weather the storm.

Three things to do right now that may save your life later

The key to surviving severe weather events is preparation. So be ready to act when dangerous weather is headed your way.

Sign up to have weather alerts sent to your mobile phone. Be among the first to learn of impending bad weather so you can take action quickly.
Create an emergency preparedness action plan. When an emergency strikes, it’s natural to panic. Develop an emergency action plan while you are calm and clearheaded. Review the plan with your entire family. Everyone should know what to do if a weather-related disaster strikes.
Build an emergency survival kit. Gather the items you’ll need if a disaster strikes. Store them in your garage or somewhere accessible to everyone in your home.

Items to include in your emergency kit

What should you include in your emergency kit? Here are several items that merit a spot:

Enough non-perishable food to last your family three days
A manual can opener
At least 12 litres of water per family member
First aid kit
Flashlights and extra batteries
Candles and matches
Battery-powered or crank radio
Hand sanitizer
Moist towelettes
Whistle to attract help
Ziploc plastic bags
Garbage bags

The items above can be packed in a backpack, duffle bag or portable container, in case you need to evacuate your home. The emergency kit can be stored on a garage shelf or platform or in a garage cabinet. When organizing or renovating your garage, include a space to store disaster supplies.

These following items won’t fit in your kit, but should also be stashed away safely in your garage in case of emergency:

Seasoned wood (where applicable), ethanol gel or heating fuel
Shovel or snow removal equipment
Rock salt (or an environmentally-friendly option) and sand
Pliers or a wrench to turn off utilities

Be sure to also grab these items if a weather event hits:

Warm clothing and blankets
Medications for people and pets
Contacts/eye glasses / hearing aids
Personal hygiene items
Baby supplies
Pet supplies
Important documents (passport, insurance policies, birth certificates, etc.)
Cell phones and chargers
Cash
Contact list

Hopefully, you’ll never need to use your emergency supplies. To ensure all of the items are good when an emergency does occur, check the kit periodically. Rotate food, water and batteries, as needed, so they are fresh and ready to go when you need them.

Always heed warnings broadcast on television and radio by the Alert Ready Emergency Alert System. Such warnings are issued by emergency management officials and Environment Canada to help you take immediate action to protect your family when severe weather strikes.

In the event that ice or snow knocks out heating, it may be tempting to burn fuel inside of your home or garage. Don’t! It’s extremely dangerous and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and death. It’s fine to store your grill or propane tank in the garage, but move them outdoors when you’re ready to cook.

Regardless of what this winter has in store, be prepared if you encounter severe weather. Sign up for text message weather alerts. Create an emergency preparedness plan and review it with every member of the family. Prepare an emergency survival kit and store it in your garage or someplace accessible to everyone. For more resources on building your survival kit, see the Ontario Ministry of Safety and Correctional Services.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter

October 28, 2015 by Rick Scully

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a cold and snowy winter here in Toronto. Yet, meteorologists are expecting a mild winter in Southern Canada courtesy of the worst El Niño we’ve seen in half a century. Either way, the first snow of the season has already hit. Perhaps this first blast of wintry weather caught you off guard. If so, now’s the time to prepare your vehicle and your garage for the winter ahead.

Make Room in the Garage

During warmer months it’s common to park in the driveway to make room for bicycles and other sports equipment that tends to take over the garage. However, to maximize the life of your car and minimize your morning prep time, park your vehicle inside the garage whenever possible. Faced with a sea of bicycles, skateboards and soccer balls, it may seem impossible to safely squeeze your vehicle into the garage. However, it can be a lot easier than you think.

First, sort through your things and edit anything you don’t need. Be brutal. That means ditching old tires, broken furniture and toys the kids have outgrown. If the item is still usable, donate it to a deserving charity or gift it to a friend. Rotate seasonal items.
Group similar items. Find anything you need in a flash by storing related items into specific zones. Create an area near the garage door to store winter weather items, like salt and snow shovels. Set up a zone for automotive fluids and supplies. Store fluids on shelves or in a garage cabinet, away from kids and pets. Place winter sports gear in a dedicated zone children can easily access. Eliminate any unnecessary duplicates discovered while sorting.
Arrange items along the garage perimeter. A wall organization system with movable shelves, baskets and hooks will maximize the items you can store along your garage perimeter.

Once you’ve created space, park your vehicles inside the garage to protect them from the harsh winter weather. Now it’s time to prepare your vehicle for the heavy snow and bitter cold that lies ahead.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Weather Hazards

The contradictory predictions about what to expect this winter require cautious drivers to prepare for whatever lies ahead. Take a few simple steps now to prepare your vehicle for frigid temperatures and snowy conditions.

Stock up on automotive supplies like antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and wiper blades.
Store additional supplies in your trunk, including all three items listed above. Keep kitty litter or gravel on hand to create traction if you get stuck and a shovel to dig yourself out.
Get all-weather tires. Unlike all-season tires, all-weather tires carry the severe service emblem. An aggressive tread enables all-weather tires to bite snow and divert water and slush, so they handle better during perilous winter conditions. Another option is to get snow tires. Store the alternate set of tires on a tire rack to retain limited garage floor space.
Keep vehicles running in top shape. Don’t skimp on oil changes and other maintenance. Thinner oil performs best during colder temperatures, but check your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer suggests. Top off fluids, including windshield washer fluid and antifreeze.
Keep the gas tank full. Don’t wait until your needle hits E. Fill your tank at the halfway mark so you’ll be ready if forced to sit in traffic for hours during a storm.
Use an engine block heater when parking outside in brutally cold temperatures. By keeping the engine warm, the block heater prevents damage to engine components that can occur when heating the engine in extremely cold weather. Your car will also heat up faster.

Whether we have a cold and snowy winter or a particularly mild one, there are sure to be plenty of days when winter weather will impact your commute. Prep your garage by reducing clutter, organizing the space and arranging items along the perimeter so you can park your vehicles inside. Ready your car for winter by stocking up on winter weather supplies. Store essentials in the trunk of your car. Invest in Ontario winter-worthy tires. Properly maintain vehicles, top off fluids and use a block heater to avoid starting an ice cold engine. Then you’ll be prepared for the winter ahead, regardless of what the weather may bring.

Create Garage Storage Solutions in Time for Winter

September 28, 2015 by Rick Scully

The end of summer is upon us, and soon we will be bolstering for winter. For months, your garage has become a receptacle for sports equipment, camping gear, bikes, and more, leaving your car in the driveway. Before a snowy winter arrives, it is time to organize.

The best way to proceed is to determine your family’s organizational personality, and design storage solutions that will work for everyone. Determining your storage style is easy. Look inside your home, especially the kitchen and the bathrooms. Is everything hidden away in a cabinet or drawer? Or do you prefer to have everything in sight and within easy reach of where you will need it? Remember to consider other members of the household, too.

Young children may have one set of needs, while teens have another. Maybe your four-year-old won’t remember to brush his or her teeth, unless it is all laid out before them. Teens may feel the need for more privacy to store the items they use routinely.

As you set out to reorganize your garage storage system, there are three basic styles to consider. Here is a brief explanation of these styles. Pick the one that works for your family situation.

Open Storage

If you are a highly visual family, you may prefer to have everything on display. Imagine your belongings hanging neatly on a wall or visible on a shelf. You can simply walk in, spot what you are looking for, and then when you are finished, you know exactly where to return the item.

Nowadays, there are some amazing garage storage materials. Did you know you could hang your lawnmower on the wall? New technology has provided systems that accommodate tremendous weights using a simple Camlok^TM hook. Shelves or platforms offer a level storage area, ideal for books, bins or boxes. Make sure bins & boxes are well marked, however.

Garage interior design has become a myriad of choices and options. If you have 14′ ceilings, or more, you can even include a mezzanine to hold seasonal items that aren’t too heavy, like lawn furniture in winter, and holiday decorations in summer.

Open storage can be an efficient and easily maintained solution for your garage. You can get everything off the floor, and leave plenty of room to keep your car safe over winter.

Closed Storage

If the idea of open storage doesn’t appeal to you, closed storage keeps everything out-of-sight and sometimes, out-of-mind. If your idea of a garage renovation includes sleek lines, and a polished aesthetic appeal, cabinets may be the way to go. Your garage storage can go from chaotic to controlled using the proper choice of cabinets, in a layout tht suits your needs.

Closed storage is also extremely flexible, so if your hobby is woodworking, you could have small drawers to hold screws, nails, hinges, all within arm’s reach of your workbench. If you are an auto enthusiast, the drawers may be better placed next to the spot you will be working. The key is to organize your possessions in a way that actually works for you. Cabinets can come with drawers, shelves or countertops, all based on what you need.

Women may want a corner for craft items or sewing projects. Again, these areas can be organized easily with the correct choice of cabinets.

One more benefit of closed storage is that it can be lockable. Some of us store valuables in the garage, or we keep cleaning supplies and oils or windshield washer fluid for our vehicles there. Locked storage keeps children safe and protects your assets.

A word of caution, however, closed storage works great for organized people. If your family can keep a system going, terrific, but some families tend to start out with good intentions, but life has a way of distracting us and we end up creating chaos but behind a closed door. Be realistic when you choose your garage storage options. Can you see yourself opening a cabinet door and releasing a barrage of assorted items cascading over your head? If so, closed storage may not be the answer.

The Best of Both Worlds

Most families will benefit most from a combination of the first two styles. Garage renovation specialists can help you sort out your family’s storage needs based on your family lifestyle. Most of us do one major garage renovation in a lifetime. How are we to know the pros and cons, and anticipate what the future may hold? That’s why professional help, via a free in-home consultation, can be extremely helpful.

Closed storage is ideal for items you will not need frequently. There are even locker style cabinets for sporting equipment off-season. Having a dedicated space for the things you may use a handful of times throughout the year will provide better accessibility and convenience.

Things you use frequently can be stored openly on hooks, shelves, etc. so they are always within easy reach. You can also rearrange open storage as the seasons change. The lawnmower gets stored away and the snow shovel hangs in its’ place.

With some consultation, you can devise a garage storage system that will help your family stay organized, as well as giving your car (or cars) a safe, warm spot indoors this winter. Consider a free in-home consultation to discuss your options.