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The Value of a Custom Solution for your Garage Transformation

December 20, 2011 by Rick Scully

folding work bench - 1 car garage
Custom Folding Workbench for a 1 Car Garage

 

Once you’ve made the decision to transform your garage so it better suits your needs, you’re faced with a choice:  Do it yourself or bring in a professional?

There are advantages to doing it yourself.  You have the satisfaction of a job well done (if you’ve avoided the pitfalls I spoke about in an earlier blog post), and it will likely be cheaper because you’re not paying for labour.

However, when you’re installing an ‘out of the box’ system, you end up with something generic, but it’s unlikely they’ll fit perfectly.  You’ll probably end up with some wasted space. We come in and build to the measurements of your garage, using the space from wall to wall.

Everybody has different wants and needs, whether it’s storage, garage size, lighting requirements or aesthetics.  A professional may be able to come up with options that you’re not aware of.

For instance, several weeks ago I visited a client who had a one car garage that was too simply not wide enough to accommodate a car, but it was high and deep.  I asked him if he had things he’d like to put in a garage.  He told me he had Christmas decorations taking up space in the basement.  We talked about building a shelf along the back wall for storage, which doubled the storage space available.

He’d hadn’t considered anything other than floor space.  I find that overhead storage is the most commonly overlooked area.  The space is ideal for storing things you don’t need more than once a year such as holiday decorations or snow tires.

For some clients, the way the garage looks is as important as the job it does, whether it’s keeping boxes and tires out of sight or incorporating more high-end finishes.

The flooring is where customization can really shine.  Your floor can be anything from standard grey tiles to something with a granite look.  I come prepared with 6 to 8 samples of what’s available, but if a customer doesn’t like those, they can select colours from the Sherman Williams colour palate for a completely custom job.  No one else offers that.

We look for the right eyeline, so what we install fits in with the rest of the garage.  For instance, when we choose a spot  to install slatwall and hooks, we may keep it level to a door.  We also incorporate existing features such as light switches.  It’s a finishing detail that makes the job more professional.

For your shelving, we can give it either a rough or finished look.

Lighting is also a consideration.  You may be using your garage for more than just parking after the transformation, but a bare bulb may not be enough light. We can install pot lights under a platform or in front of cabinets.  We can even position small spotlights if you’ve got sports cars you’d like to feature.

Every customer we see and every garage we visit is unique.  Garage Tailors Garage tailors the storage solution to maximize the space available, leaving you with a superior product and a garage that meets your specific needs.

Filed Under: Custom Garage Storage Solutions Tagged With: 'out of the box' system, advantages, aesthetics, cheaper, floor space, flooring, garage size, granite look, high-end finishes, hooks, Lighting, lighting requirements, Garage Tailors Garage tailors, one-car garage, overhead storage, overlooked area, professional, shelf, shelving, Sherman Williams colour palate, slatwall, storage

Five Common Mistakes DIYers Make when Renovating their Garage

December 6, 2011 by Rick Scully

As Canadians, we’re a culture that places emphasis on value, and nobody wants to spend money they don’t have to.  Unfortunately, sometimes we cut corners and do something ourselves when it would make more sense to hire a professional.

There are risks when undertaking a construction project of any magnitude and a garage renovation is no different.  There are many things to take into consideration including space planning, materials, aesthetics and, depending on the level of the renovation, building codes.

To ensure you get the results you want, you need to do some research beforehand.  Using the wrong materials can result in not just substandard results but increased costs when the job has to be redone!

 

Here are the most common DIY mistakes I see:

one


Using Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) slat wall

Many people purchase MDF slatwall because it’s available at retail stores and at first glance, it looks like what the professionals use.  Don’t be fooled, though.  MDF is not nearly as strong as professional grade slatwall and it’s susceptible to moisture, which means that not long after it’s installed, things are going to start falling off the wall.

Commercial grade slatwall is made of thermoplastic, so it’s stronger, waterproof and mildew proof.  You can find this slatwall, but it’s a little trickier to install.  If your garage is drywalled, you have to make sure you’re screwing it into a stud.  If your garage is concrete, it can be difficult and messy to attach it directly and if you’re using a tapcon screw, you can warp the slatwall.

 

two
Garage Door Openers hooked up to an extension cord

One thing I see over and over are extension cords snaked along the top of a garage for the garage door opener.  According to Ontario Building Code, your garage door opener has to be plugged directly into an outlet – and not an extension cord.  Newer homes may have an existing ceiling outlet, but if you are in an older home, call in an electrician.

 

three
Improperly preparing the floor for paint

washing garage floorThere are special paints available for garage floors, designed to withstand heavy use.  However, it’s not enough to simply wash the floor – it has to be grinded for the paint to adhere, similar to sanding a piece of furniture that you’re painting.  If the surface isn’t prepared properly, the paint will peel off in no time.

 

four
Undersupported overhead shelving

The typical DIY overhead shelving I see isn’t properly supported.  People may build a wall-to-wall shelf and use a floor support that not only blocks room for one of the cars, but isn’t enough support, resulting in a sagging shelf.  Another issue is using plywood that’s not thick enough – it needs to be at least ¾ inch.

If space is an issue, the shelf can be supported from above.  We have used airplane wire to hang shelves, which is just as strong as a ground support.

 

five
Not taking advantage of all the space available

People often forget about the space overhead.  Either they don’t see it or they see it and don’t want to do it.  The space that people often miss is above the garage door.  This space is valuable because it’s out of the way. As long as there’s enough clearance, you can store things you don’t want to see.

 

If you’ve chosen to undertake your own renovation, make sure to do your research.  If you think you want to use a professional, please give us a call at 647-346-8735 for a free estimate.

Filed Under: Organizing Tips Tagged With: 647-346-8735, a professional, above the garage door, aesthetics, airplane wire, building codes, Canadians, Commercial grade slatwall, DIY mistakes, Garage Door Openers, garage floors, level of the renovation, materials, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), Ontario Building Code, slatwall, space planning, special paints, thermoplastic, typical DIY overhead shelving, Undersupported overhead shelving

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Garage Tailors INC.
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Mississauga, Ontario
L5L 5S6

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