cabinets Archives - Garage Tailors

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?

Protection where Garage Walls meet Garage Floors

April 2, 2013 by Rick Scully

Achieving a really finished look that makes the garage an extension of the rest of your home means thinking about the interior design just as you would any other room. Instead of thinking about the wall, floor or organization as their own projects, think of the wall treatment as part of a whole design especially where the wall meets the floor.

Polyaspartic Coated Wall Base & Floor

treating cement block garage walls & cement garage floors - before

BEFORE – right garage wall

AFTER – left garage wall

You can design the space simply by finishing the floors, adding some slatwall, baskets, racks, and hooks. Or you can transform your garage into a room that your family will enjoy using by designing a stunning space with cabinets, a workbench, or even a second level. Whichever route you choose, an important consideration will be where your floor meets the wall. You wouldn’t think of laying carpet or hardwood in your house and not finishing it with a baseboard. The same is true for the garage. And depending on the type of flooring and walls you have, baseboards provide protection from dust, dirt and water seeping behind the drywall or slatwall.

When you’re choosing a baseboard, look first to what is on the walls and the floors. Wall protection is essential in garages where the drywall goes right down to the floor. Water can seep into the drywall at the bottom of the wall and cause crumbling over time.

If your garage floor is PVC tiling, you can use 6-inch vinyl baseboards. The baseboard is glued to the wall and will protect against any water that may seep into the drywall, or under the tiles and create mildew.

Polyaspartic flooring is always a great choice for any garage, but especially those with drywall that extends down to the floor. You can go with the standard 6-inch vinyl baseboard, or we can create a baseboard from 3/4″ plywood and then apply the polyaspartic flooring and continue it up over the wood to create a neat and unified baseboard.

Drywall higher up can also be damaged from, spray from hoses, moisture from damp weather, or water dripping from skis, toboggans and tools. A wainscoting treatment protects against this and looks great too.

Punched Aluminum Wainscoting
Where Garage Wall meets Garage Floor

punched aluminum wainscotting - wall covering meets polyaspartic coated floor

Punched aluminum wainscoting provides a modern industrial look that also provides great protection for the drywall. It can be used with any type of flooring. The walls are protected and the wall/floor joint is caulked to prevent any water seepage. Car enthusiasts love it because they can wash the car or spray down the aluminum and floors after using the garage as a workshop without fear of water damage to the garage or home. It also protects walls from damage when the car doors swing open inside the garage.

Now, most garage floors are not level but sloped to allow water run off in the correct direction. Another advantage of using a wainscoting is the top can be leveled to the eye rather than follow the slope of the floor.

When using an epoxy flooring, it’s best to install a simple vinyl baseboard. The product is too thin and will run if you try and apply it to a baseboard or a wall. It’s another reason why we recommend using polyaspartic flooring. For the small cost premium, it gives you so many advantages.

The big decisions are important when designing your garage, but it’s the small details, such as baseboards and wainscoting, that really complete the look.

CTECH Cabinets

December 4, 2012 by Rick Scully

For car aficionados and collectors or individuals with a keen interest in design, the garage is a place that goes beyond simple storage and protection. It’s a refuge. It’s also a place of distinction. That’s why Garage Tailors Garage offers the finest quality cabinets available for our garage transformations and renovations. And to satisfy all tastes and budgets, we carry the high-quality systems made by Hercke, Onex and CTECH.

Motion Latch - CTECH garage drawers — Click Image to View Enlargement

Over the past few months I’ve outlined the various features of the very adaptable family-owned, lockable Hercke storage system and multi-colour, options of the Onex line. But for pure, sleek, high tech design, my favourite choice is CTECH.

The light-weight high-quality aluminum system was launched in 1995 by professional drag racer, Jim Greenheck, as an extension of his racecar trailer systems. As a result, CTECH has some very cool, space age features like the patented MotionLatch™ drawer and door systems that open with the wave of a hand and automatically latch when shut.

The system also comes with a standard leak resistant GasketLoc™ countertop that allows for expansion and contraction without warping. Counters are also injection molded with no sharp edges for a clean, safe finish. These innovations, enduring durability and high style make CTECH the chosen system of motorsport and racing teams as well as connoisseurs of industrial design.

One of the best things about CTECH designs, and the reason why Garage Tailors Garage offers it to clients, is that these features, which were originally engineered for pit carts, racing facilities and trailer cabinets, translate beautifully to create one-of-a-kind garages.

The aluminum cabinets are powder coated and available in nine standard colours – red, yellow, green, blue, orange, midnight blue – as well as white, grey, and black, with custom colours available upon request. This means they can be coordinated with your interior house designs offering continuity between the garage and the mudroom or adjacent laundry room.

CTECH cabinet systems are totally customizable to suit your needs and space requirements while also being available in an array of standard configurations. Doors can be adapted to open in either direction and overhead cabinet doors swing open vertically for easy access.

So whether you have high performance cars that deserve a home with the same level of sleek engineering, fantasize about owning the track like Paul Tracy or simply want to invest in the best-looking, highest quality storage systems on the market, CTECH can make your racecar and design dreams a reality every time you step into your ideal garage.

If you’re interested in a garage renovation, I’d be happy to visit and discuss various design ideas and give you an estimate. Customized CTECH cabinet orders require about six weeks lead time and once they’ve been delivered, our Garage Tailors Garage renovation can be completed in as few as two days.

Simple and Secure Tire Storage

November 20, 2012 by Rick Scully

If you’re like most people, you might be pretending that despite the raked leaves, frosty mornings and occasional dusting of snow, winter is still far away. Or maybe you’re thinking that given last year’s virtually nonexistent winter and lack of snow, we’re in for the same this year. Either way, it’s hard to imagine getting excited about the task of hauling out the snow tires and heading to the garage for a changeover. But if your tires are stored properly and easy to access, this seemingly fraught task is simple.

At Garage Tailors Garage, our garage renovations are designed to maximize storage and organize your belongings efficiently. Tires require a designated space for safe storage. Many of our clients opt for wall tire racks, which can accommodate tires with or without rims. These racks are mounted securely to the wall and ensure that the tires don’t touch the floor putting unnecessary pressure on the rubber. This configuration is especially practical for people with physical limitations who are unable to lift heavier objects or for people who simply would rather not. Depending on what other items you want to store and the size of your garage, cabinets are another close-to-the-floor option that also keeps tires out-of-sight for a sleeker look. These cabinets must be at least 48 inches deep and 30 inches high to fit most tires.

For tires without rims, we often suggest overhead storage solutions that also include room for storing heavy-duty floor mats and other out-of-season belongings. One of our more common installations involves suspending steel racks from the ceiling. This system is both strong and secure while also being easily accessed by a stepladder when you need take care of the seasonal tire changeover. It’s also a good option for people with one or two sets of tires. Platforms can support more weight so I often suggest them for clients with multiple vehicles, sets of tires and other automotive accessories.

Of course for people with very large garages and a penchant for high-tech storage solutions, we recommend hydraulic lifts. These sit flat against the wall and lift the tires but since you can’t store items underneath, you’ll need space to accommodate the snow blower, bicycles, garden equipment and any other things that live in the garage.

Proper tire storage is easy and doesn’t require a lot of space or expense, just a bit of planning so you can transition effortlessly from season to season. Make your life easier with a Garage Tailors Garage transformation. That way you’ll always know where to find everything when you need it, and in winter you’ll even be able to park your cars in the garage where they belong and save time clearing snow off windshields in the morning.

To ensure minimal disruption, our renovations can be completed in as few as two days. I’d be happy to come over to discuss options and give you an estimate.

Onex Cabinets

November 6, 2012 by Rick Scully

Any home renovation, no matter how big or small, requires a myriad of decisions. A great way to ease your mind is to hire a professional with specialized expertise. At Garage Tailors Garage, we’re experts in garage renovations that provide efficient organization, innovative storage and also look terrific. One of the main components of a successful garage transformation is the cabinetry so to that end, we only use products and suppliers with a great track record.

Last month, I talked about the family-owned Hercke cabinets and garage organization systems and next month, I’ll be discussing Ctech, a very sleek, high-tech system popular with high-performance car aficionados. The focus this time is Onex™, a sturdy, mid-range system constructed from steel that’s completely customizable and the ideal garage storage system for design conscious homeowners.

One of the most appealing features of Onex High Performance Steel cabinets is the expansive range of colours. The company offers 21 different colours that are easily coordinated with your car, mudroom or to complement the wall paint and floor. The Onex catalogue boasts 50 different cabinet options that can be configured in a wide range of ways to maximize the space and storage capacity in any garage. This includes base and wall cabinets, tall floor cabinets, tables and suspended cabinets.

Constructed from cold-rolled steel, the components have a barrier coating against moisture and corrosion, an ideal feature given the swings in the Canadian climate and our extremely cold winters and humid summers. Additionally, the customized colour coatings are produced on a thermosetting powder-coating system, a high temperature process, which irreversible cures polymers ensuring a high-quality finish with excellent scratch and chemical resistance. This finish is an important feature given the sometimes rough and tumble uses of your garage and means that the cabinets will look great for a very long time.

Another notable feature of Onex components is their consistency. The company is registered under the Switzerland-based ISO standard (International Organization for Standardization). ISO is a quality management system that measures the ongoing performance of products.

When we take on a garage transformation, we like to work from the outside in and blend the look so that it’s an extension of the house. Some clients like a serene, unified look and choose paint colours that blend and disappear. Other clients want something that really stands out and are more drawn to bold, vibrant colours. With the wide selection of colour options and configurations offered for Onex High Performance Steel Cabinets, it’s easy to create the customized garage storage system that suits your specific needs, tastes and style. Fully adaptable and flexible for any surface, the steel cabinets also have optional locks so you can safely secure dangerous chemicals or valuable tools and equipment.

Onex can produce a customized storage cabinet solution in about six weeks and Garage Tailors Garage renovations can be completed in as few as two days to ensure minimal disruption. I’d be happy to come over and give you an estimate.

Green your Garage Transformation

January 10, 2012 by Rick Scully

When you’re transforming your garage into the space you’ve always wanted it to be, there can be more to think about than shelving, cabinets and flooring. Think energy efficiency when thinking about ways to make your garage green.

Many houses have rooms directly above the garage, and if the garage ceiling is not properly insulated, the room and the room floor can be cold.

There are other ways you can make your garage more environmentally friendly:

Energy efficient lighting

Often a garage was built with just a single bulb. If you’re planning on doing anything in your garage other than parking your vehicle, this isn’t enough. As part of a Garage Tailors Garage transformation, we install fluorescent lighting as an energy efficient solution which also makes your garage a comfortable place to work and maintain.

Paint

Use BEHR paint with less than fifty VOC (Volatile organic compounds) which also have freeze and thaw capability. And, while an insulated garage is ideal for lower overall home utility costs and more comfortable connecting rooms, if your garage isn’t insulated, this particular paint won’t crack with the weather extremes.

Flooring

The flooring we use are also green, using low VOC while being mold resistant, easy to clean with a long lasting finish.

Garage doors

Many garage doors and windows let the heat out. By instalingl energy efficient doors and windows, your heating costs go down and your garage is a more comfortable room to work in. I refer people to Aurora Overhead Doors, a company that does a great job.

In with the old

If a customer has things that are re-useable, I’ll use them. One customer had a Rubbermaid cabinet he was happy with, so rather than sell him a new one, we incorporated it into his storage plan.

Insulated light switches and outlets:

Use switches with foam gaskets that insulate and help secure the connection between the house and the garage.

Finishing details

Caulk between the walls and the floor. Over time and seasons, the connection can expand and contract, leaving gaps where heat can escape. Caulking improves the insulation factor while providing a pleasant finish to the garage space.

What to Expect When You’re Organizing Your Garage

November 22, 2011 by Rick Scully

In the last several blog entries, we discussed clearing the clutter out of your garage. In today’s blog, you’re going to find out about the process of a garage transformation, getting an estimate and what questions you should be prepared for.

When I’m called in, the decluttering should be nearly complete. Only the stuff you want to keep should be in the garage. When we can see the space we’re working with, it makes planning a whole lot easier.

You may also find that there’s stuff in the house such as seasonal decorations that you’d like to store in the garage as well as boxed items like clothes, or tools that are currently in the basement.

Some people have a good idea of what they want or need, such as shelves for storage, tools they want to hang on the wall, cabinets to keep things out of the way. Most people show me what they want to store and ask for recommendations.

The main questions I need answered are:

What’s your objective?
What do you want the garage to do that it’s not doing today?
How many cars do you want to fit in the garage?

The answers to these questions and the initial visit can last up to an hour. I get a sense of how the client lives and what they are looking for. I try and understand their aesthetic priorities versus their functional needs.

Some people like to be able to see everything at a glance. In this case it could be mostly hooks and shelves. Other people are a little messy, and I understand that. Cabinets are great for hiding messes, as well as keeping things like chemicals out of the reach of small hands, for people who have kids.

Within two days of the visit, I’ll send a detailed drawing, proposal and itemized estimate. It’s not something I can do on the spot as each job is custom, which is one of the benefits of using Garage TailorsGarage.

The transformation can be done in as little as two days, if all we’re doing is getting the garage organized. If we’re drywalling, that will add another two days and flooring will add a day.

Once you’ve had a chance to look over the proposal and estimate, you have a chance to ask any questions you might have, give me additional suggestions and make the decision to move forward and have the garage that you’ve always wanted.

Garage storage system or oversized junk drawer? You choose.

July 6, 2010 by Rick Scully

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have a junk drawer in your kitchen that houses all the twisty ties, rubber bands and other miscellaneous items you can’t find a better home for.

Chances are you also have a junk drawer that houses sports equipment, gardening gear, tools, bicycles, camping equipment and more. Granted, this junk drawer is much larger than the first. It’s big enough to house a car, in fact. Yes, I’m talking about your garage.

While few would consider tossing an expensive piece of jewellery into a messy kitchen drawer, most of us park our second most expensive asset amid total chaos, and dangerous chaos at that. Poorly stored garden rakes, skis, bikes, and more not only put your car at risk of dings and dents; they put your family at risk of injury.

In our next post, we share how custom garage cabinets helped one family bring order to their over-sized junk drawer. If you’re interested in doing the same, check out our products soon because we’ve decided to cover the HST on the first 25 garage makeovers we book following the release of this post!

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