garage floor Archives - 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.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Fall & Winter

October 3, 2017 by Rick Scully

This year, the temperatures and the weather has been a little unpredictable. And, while the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a mild winter in Canada, it still remains to be seen if we’ll see this type of winter.

Either way, it’s always a good idea to get the car prepared to remain reliable regardless of what we experience during the upcoming months. Let’s start by looking at the garage renovation or lack thereof.

Park Your Vehicle Inside the Garage

When preparing your vehicle for winter, one of the top things you can do is ensure that it gets parked inside your garage. Not only are vehicles which are parked inside the garage safer from theft and vandalism but they are protected from the elements.

Vehicles which are parked inside the garage start easier in the morning because it’s always a few degrees warmer inside the garage than outside on a cold winter morning. When the vehicle starts warmer, we keep the components of our vehicles in better working condition. It’s also why we take our time to warm up the vehicle before we start driving the vehicle.

We won’t face frozen door locks. The elements don’t wear down the vehicle’s coating or paint. Stray baseballs from neighbourhood kids playing on the streets don’t find their way to dinging the vehicle in some way and so much more.

However, you may be looking at your garage and wondering how you might be able to accomplish parking one vehicle inside much less two vehicles. Or, you might already be able to park one vehicle inside but not the second vehicle. In this case, it’s important to get a properly designed garage storage system to maximize wall storage and overhead storage options while getting your belongings off the garage floor. Start by de-cluttering so that you can reach your end goal of having the vehicles parked inside where they belong.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter

To ensure your vehicle works every morning this winter, check the battery and the electrical system to ensure your vehicle will start every time. In addition, stock some gas line anti-freeze which assures a free flow of gasoline to the engine which will also ensure your vehicle starts on a very cold wet day.

When it comes to fluids in your car, top up or change out fluids to ensure they provide maximum efficiency whether it’s your transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield anti-freeze or an engine oil change. And, if you park your car outdoors during the day, lubricate your door locks before the cold weather sets in and carry some lock de-icer.

Check your windshield wipers and change them out for heavier duty wiper blades which can handle the heavier slushy precipitation which typically lands on the windshield during fall, winter and early spring.

Ensure the tires are appropriately inflated for the best tire performance and decreased stopping distances during treacherous weather. Of course, it’s best to ensure that the proper tires are on the vehicle for cold weather. Cold temperatures are considered 7°C or below. If you’re unsure of the correct tire pressure to inflate tires, either follow your manufacturer’s recommendations or consider these environmental factors when checking the PSI of the tires.

Ensure You have an Adequate Car Emergency Kit

If you don’t have an emergency kit for your car or the supplies are running low, it never hurts to review your emergency kit to make sure it’s complete and everything is in good working order.

Use this list to complete the inspection of your vehicle’s emergency kit:

A blanket or sleeping bag for warmth if you’re stuck on the road for a few hours
An extra USB cable to keep your cell phone charged
Snow boots, extra warm gloves and a heavy coat for working outside when stuck
Thermal underwear to stay warm longer
Non-perishable food and water for hunger.
Jumper cables to give or receive a battery boost with another car
Carry a first aid kit to look after minor cuts and bruises
A small toolkit and rope for minor jams
Flash light with extra batteries
Flares to signal for help
Candles and matches for a little extra warmth and light
Shovel and extra floor mats to get your car unstuck from a snow pile or mud
A roadside assistance program to help you get going or a tow

A Garage Renovation to Get Your Vehicle Parked in the Garage

At home, the best way to avoid most of the challenges of cold or poor weather is to get the vehicles parked inside the garage. Call a garage renovation specialist to create a garage organization system where your vehicle will have the space to park inside the garage this winter.

Clean Your Garage Floors

July 7, 2017 by Rick Scully

It’s summer. The kids are playing in the yard and it’s a day to enjoy being outdoors. It is finely time to look after one of the renovation projects around the home or garage. One of the maintenance projects is to get rid of the unsightly stains on the garage floor while the children seem to be getting along and entertaining themselves.

Here are some tips to make this unglamorous task simpler and more straightforward.

Clear the Debris & Dust

One of the easiest ways to clear small debris from the garage is to use the leaf blower. As long as this is being done regularly, the leaf blower is a great way to clear dust and debris to the outside. If there’s too much dust around, the leaf blower may not be the best option.

The leaf blower works particularly well if you have a polyaspartic garage floor or floor tiles including the Ribtrax type tiles. The debris should be blown from rear to front. With the Ribtrax, it’s the same. With many channels below the tiles, debris and dust will flow forward and out the front edge when the leaf blower is used.

When bare cement is exposed or the garage floor has not been cleared of dust and debris regularly, there may be a lot of unwanted cement dust and general debris flying through the air. A lot of the dust will end up on bikes, toys and other storage items. A better alternative would be to use the shop vac or a dust broom and pan.

The leaf blower makes the job easy and quick. There’s no need to move heavy objects out of the way because the blower will dislodge hidden dirt, dust and small objects from behind large items in the garage. Use a lower setting to start on the leaf blower.

Take some precautions when using the leaf blower. Use a dust mask to protect your lungs. Leaf blowers are powerful enough to lift small debris such as nuts, washers and nails. It can also lift and peel loose areas of a painted garage floor. All of these objects can become painful projectiles. Move vehicles safely out of the way and assure your family is safely spending time elsewhere in the yard or house.

Getting Rid of Oil Stains

If you have a polyaspartic coated garage floor, oil spilled won’t soak into the polyaspartic floor. Instead, it will sit on top of the floor coating. While polyaspartic floor coatings are highly chemical resistant, look after the floor by cleaning up spills immediately. Remove oil spills soon after they happen to prevent it from being spread all over the garage or dragged into the house by younger family members walking through the garage.

To clean an oil stain, start by using an absorbent material to soak up the oil. Some good absorbent materials include cat litter, saw dust, baking powder and diatomaceous earth. Cover the entire oil stain completely and leave it there for 24 hours so the oil has a chance to absorb fully.

Once the oil is absorbed into one of these materials, it’s easy to scoop up the absorbent material along with the oil soaked into it. Dispose of them safely at a drop off depot for household hazardous waste.

Finally, a little dish soap and hot water to wash the area where the oil was sitting will eliminate any remaining film. Dry the area with disposable paper towels and your polyaspartic garage floor should be back to its original condition.

With garage floor tiles, you can just replace specific tiles or use a similar process to clean the tile. The quality of the cleaning results will depend on the floor tile.

The Ribtrax floor tiles will allow you to remove a single tile or multiple tiles to clean a stain in the concrete floor below. If you have exposed concrete where the oil spill occurred, start with the steps above. When using the soap with water, leave it in place for up to an hour. Then, use an absorbent material to soak up the soapy spot and oil mixture. A paste can also be made from the soap and water mixture plus absorbent material. Leave the paste in place until dry. Always remove and dispose of the paste at a drop-off depot. If the stain is older or deep, you may have to repeat this process a few times to draw out all of the oil from the concrete.

There are also a variety of non-toxic commercial cleaners such as Simply Green or Oil Eaters which people have found to provide success. Check manufacturer’s instructions for applicable surfaces and steps to using these products.

Maintenance and General Cleaning of the Garage Floor Surface

Polyaspartic floors are the easiest to clean. A general cleaning of the surface of the typical polyaspartic garage floor is easy to do with a string mop and a bucket of water with any of a wide variety of floor cleaning products such as vinegar, a couple of drops of dish soap, a wide variety of green cleaners and non-toxic commercial cleaners. This can also be done with garage floor tiles as well. You can also wipe dry any remaining water so the cleaning can be done most months of the year.

With a concrete floor, you may need a long handled scrub brush to remove and lift other types of stains along with a stronger soapy mixture. Finally, hose down the garage floor with garden hose. And, you’ll want to make sure you do this on a warm day to give the cement time to dry. In the GTA, this means cement floors need to be cleaned in the few summer months available.

Cleaning Ribtrax Garage Floor Tiles

This video shows how easy it is to clean Ribtrax garage floor tiles:

The main advantage of the Ribtrax floor tile is that the tile surface is easy to clean with a degreaser spray and a mopping of the surface. Maintain the tile surface regularly so kids and other family members are not dragging all sorts of oils and chemicals into the house. When weather permits, remove the debris and dust below to keep the entire system clean.

Make Garage Floor Maintenance Easier

To maintain your garage floor more easily, look after oil stains soon after they occur for improved success and thorough stain removal. It will make general cleaning of the floor easier.

Of course, the concrete floor is the most difficult part of the floor to clean and maintain. It is also more difficult to remove oil stains from concrete than some of these other materials. To reduce the maintenance work, consider garage floor tiles or polyaspartic floor coatings to keep the cleaning task easy and free from concrete dust. If you’re interested in renovating your garage this summer, the garage floor is a great project to consider. If you’re looking to upgrade your garage floor, contact our garage renovation specialists for a complimentary in-home consultation today.

Prepare Your Garage for a Snowy Winter

January 12, 2017 by Rick Scully

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

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

Organize for Winter

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

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

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

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

Prevent Ice and Snow from Collecting in Gutters and Downspouts

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

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

Protect Your Car from the Snowy Winter

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

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

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

Ready for Winter Snow & Cold?

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

Freedom From Clutter: The Fall Clean Up

September 15, 2015 by Rick Scully

There is something almost instinctual about autumn, compelling us to clear clutter, repair damaged items, and discard what we no longer need. In short, we seem to share the desire to organize before the winter arrives.

Perhaps you are welcoming a parent or in-law to live with you, or moving your student out to the dorm. Maybe there is a home office in your dreams. Regardless of the impetus, fall is the time for storing our things to make room for growth. Our garage is the receptacle of things we want to save but without some organization, it becomes unbearable. De-cluttering first to make room for a new garage interior design can be the answer. If you’re aiming to make room for the cars and get everything off the garage floor, these tips should help you on your way.

Where to Start

This is usually the hardest part for most people. You look around and think it is too overwhelming. We have all been there. The car has been relegated to the driveway, while all the stuff that you moved out to make room for that in-law unit or the desk abandoned by your college bound student, has found a new perch in the middle of your garage.

Now it is time to allow the car to reclaim a spot where the overflow has been. Take a deep breath and clear out everything you do not want or need any longer. “Clear to where?” you ask. You might be surprised at how simple it is to put your old stuff to good use. Remember, someone else really needs what you no longer need.

Depending upon what you find, there are several outlets to consider. The Canadian Diabetes Association will pick-up clothes, including footwear, bedding, toys, and any small household items, including computers. The phone number is 1-800-505-5525.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore will accept windows, doors, working large appliances, toilets, vanity units, lighting fixtures, and more materials left over from home renovation projects. In fact, did you know they will sometimes arrange to have someone to dismantle / remove units that are to be donated? They offer that free service. ReStores also accept non-upholstered furniture, such as dining tables, desks, or dressers. You can even get a tax break, as the proceeds go directly to helping needy families secure homes.

Many charitable organizations will be happy to accept your lightly used items, as long as they are in good, usable condition. There are agencies that help so many worthwhile causes. The top three in the Greater Toronto Area are Value Village, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army, all of which work toward the betterment of our local communities. Most will not accept stained mattresses, broken items, or worn out clothing. Donations should be usable. If you would not use it, do not donate it.

Now what?

You probably are beginning to find a bit more breathing room by now. Look at the items that are left. If they are broken or dilapidated throw them in the trash. By now most of us understand the basics of recycling, but if you have questions about whether it’s possible to recycle certain products and where you can drop them off, you can check with the City of Toronto.

Eventually we all come to the corner or cabinet that has been housing left over paint, thinner, pesticides, motor oil, or other hazardous substances that cannot be thrown away in the conventional fashion. Thanks to Project Orange Drop, you can locate places to safely dispose of these substances, and still protect the environment. This agency accepts used batteries, pressurized cylinders, oil filters and the items listed before.

Now that you have not only decluttered your garage but supported the community and helped others to help themselves, it’s time to organize what’s left.

Assembling Your Garage Storage System

As you consider your options, you might want to consult a garage renovation specialist, who can help you determine long term needs, as well the immediate ones.

Your in-law may become your nanny or aging and in need of more care so moving in with your family may become one of the options. Realistically, you will probably re-arrange furniture and other items. Your empty nest may be revisited by your college grads in search of entering the full-time work force. You will want to be certain that your treasures are as safe as the day you stored them. You may want to reconfigure the storage on the walls from season to season.

Keep these things in mind as you work towards your renovating your garage space and storage. With the clutter gone, it’s time to store your things safely and securely while still get your car(s) into the garage.

Find Space for Hard-to-Store Items

October 7, 2014 by Rick Scully

In nearly every garage there are items that pose a serious storage challenge. Winter tires, luggage carriers, leftover siding, lawn mowers, snow blowers, truck caps, motorcycles and other bulky items command a huge chunk of the already limited real estate in a garage. This makes such items particularly difficult to store.

Sports enthusiasts often have additional difficult-to-store items on hand. Paddle boards, kayaks and canoes and sports equipment carriers, like Thules, create additional storage dilemmas.

Many homeowners simply store bulky items on the garage floor perimeter. Eventually over-sized items can take over the garage, leaving one or more vehicles outside during cold, Canadian winters. However, with a bit of forethought, large, unwieldy items can be stored inside the garage while still leaving room to park vehicles.

Specialized Solutions

In response to homeowners’ desires for simple and efficient ways to organize their garages, there is a growing market of specialty items for this express purpose. Below are a few specialized storage solutions designed to store over-sized or bulky items.

Tire racks

Specialized storage racks come in a variety of configurations, allowing tires to be stored vertically or horizontally, on a wall or overhead. To determine which tire rack is right for your space, first create an overall plan for your garage organization. Then choose the best space to install the tire rack. Tires should be stored horizontally, unless they are being stored in a rack that can store them vertically, while keeping them suspended to avoid flat spots.

A set of tires can easily weigh eighty to one hundred pounds. Therefore, installing the rack securely is critically important. If not properly installed, your garage walls and ceiling can sustain unsightly damage. Make sure that the rack is installed by someone who understands how to safely install a shelf capable of bearing heavy loads.

Lawn mower racks or lifts

Both riding and push mowers take up substantial space in a garage, making it difficult to park vehicles inside. Worse, vehicles often get scratched when the door is opened, or while the lawn mower is being removed from or returned to the garage.

Specialty racks allow lawn mowers to be stored off the ground, so that additional items can be stored underneath. This type of rack works best for a push mower. Upper body strength is required, since the mower must be manually lifted onto the rack. On the other hand, a motorized lift will cost more and should be professionally installed. However, lifting and lowering the mower will be as easy as pushing a button.

Motorcycle lifts

Motorcycles can also damage vehicles if squeezed into limited garage space. During the cold winter months, a motorcycle stored inside the garage may take up space needed for the snow blower, or to park a second vehicle. A professionally-installed motorcycle lift can safely store the bike off the ground, reserving premium garage floor space.

Kayak and Paddle Board racks

Kayaks and paddle boards provide a fun way to spend a hot day at the beach. Finding a place to store these seasonal items in your garage can be anything but fun. Boards and kayaks propped against the wall or around the floor perimeter can easily be scratched or toppled, posing a tripping hazard. However, specialized kayak and paddle board racks provide safe, attractive storage for these items.

Kayaks can be stored in overhead or wall-mounted racks which can hold one or more units. Wall racks typically come in two styles: padded metal bars or straps which hold boards in place. Freestanding racks that hold multiple kayaks are also available.

Stand up paddle board racks also come in several styles. Wall-mounted racks are made of steel and have a heavy padding to protect boards. Depending on the size and style chosen, a metal wall-mounted rack can accommodate from one to four paddle boards. Another option is a wall-mounted rack that uses heavy straps to hold one or more paddle boards in place. Lastly, simple overhead rack systems are also available to store one or more paddle boards.

Overhead pulley systems

Canoes, truck caps and other heavy items which must be lowered onto a vehicle are good candidates for an overhead pulley system. Such a system allows users to lift and lower heavy items with minimal effort. To ensure that your system operates safely and will not damage your ceiling, have your unit professionally installed.

Customized Solutions

Despite the growing market to accommodate specialty storage, there isn’t always a ready-to-buy solution available at your local home improvement or sporting goods store. Additionally, on-the-shelf storage solutions may not be practical for the layout of your garage. In such instances, customized storage solutions are required.

Custom-built, overhead platforms

A custom-built overhead platform or mezzanine provides the perfect place to store items used infrequently without sacrificing floor space. Store-purchased units don’t always accommodate your unique space or fit your specific needs. However, a custom-built, overhead storage platform offers greater possibilities and more flexibility. A garage renovation specialist will work with you to create a solution that meets your exact needs.

Custom-built slings

There are a variety of pulley systems and slings on the market. Finding one that can safely accommodate your space and lifestyle can be a bit more challenging. A garage renovation expert who is experienced at building custom solutions can design a sling that meets your storage and use needs.

Foam-covered, heavy-duty chains can be used to create a simple, effective sling suitable for lifting and lowering items like canoes, sports equipment storage containers and truck caps.

Finding space in the garage for those hard-to-store items can present a challenge. Storing items around the perimeter of the garage floor eats up valuable space and makes it difficult to park vehicles inside. There are a variety of specialized and custom-built storage solutions for bulky items. Consult with a garage renovation expert to determine how to best integrate such solutions into your space.

Five Ways to Maximize Garage Storage

May 27, 2014 by Rick Scully

There are a few basic steps that will help you create a neat, organized garage. Last time we discussed the first step, creating related zones in your garage. We discovered why it makes sense to create separate zones for auto accessories, household supplies, garden tools, garbage and recycling bins, tools and workstations and sporting equipment. Now let’s discuss how to keep the items in each zone neat and organized by using a variety of tools and accessories designed just for this purpose.

Slatwall – The Key to Getting Everything Off of Your Garage Floor

Maybe you’ve never heard of slatwall, but you’ve probably seen it in your local retail store. It wasn’t the item being sold. However, it was likely used as the base for the baskets and hooks that held merchandise. Slatwall (also called slotwall and slat board) isn’t limited to use by retailers anymore. It is frequently used in garages as a hanging system that enables homeowners to get everything off of the garage floor.

Slatwall comes in panels which are installed on the walls of the garage. The grooves in the slatwall hold hooks, baskets and other organizational products and give the homeowner the freedom to easily move these items as needed.

Your local big-box store might sell a basic slatwall system. However, slatwall sold there is typically composed of MDF. It doesn’t have the durability and weight-bearing capacity of sturdier, PVC-based slatwall available to professional garage renovation specialists and other contractors.

Getting professional-grade slatwall installed provides the base for organization in each zone of your garage.

Baskets and Hooks

Once professional-grade slatwall panels are installed on your garage walls, corresponding baskets and hooks can be inserted into the grooves. These baskets and hooks will provide wall storage for everything ranging from garden tools and sports equipment to snow shovels and bicycles.

Just think of all of the possibilities!

Rather than the garage being a dumping ground for everyone’s in-line skates or softball equipment, each item can be hung neatly in its designated spot. You won’t spend half an hour searching for your snow brush when the first snow of winter hits unexpectedly. Instead, you can walk right over to the automotive zone in your garage and take the snow brush of its hook.

Best of all, since the hooks and baskets can be easily moved, you can adjust the configuration to better accommodate the items you’re storing at various times of the year.

Shelving

Slatwall can also accommodate shelving. Like the corresponding baskets and hooks, the shelving used with slatwall can also be relocated at any time. This provides endless possibilities for storage on your garage walls.

Shelving can be particularly useful when it comes to storing window washing fluid, automotive fluids, household chemicals or flower pots. Create shelves high on the wall to store items that should be kept out of the reach of pets and children. Create low shelves for items that should be easily accessible to children.

Overhead Storage Solutions

One area frequently overlooked for garage storage is the space overhead. However, with a bit of imagination and essential expertise, the overhead space in your garage can safely store household items that aren’t frequently accessed, like seasonal tires, holiday decorations or roof racks used for carrying luggage or sporting equipment. Bicycles, kayaks, leftover wood or siding and other large, bulky items can also be stored overhead with the right custom solutions.

Overhead storage solutions can be tricky to handle on your own. A variety of factors must be considered: height, clearance and weight-bearing capacity, to name a few. If you aren’t completely confident about designing and installing heavy overhead storage solutions, contract a professional garage renovation specialist to handle a job of this magnitude instead.

Custom-built Storage Solutions

You can purchase any number of pre-built storage cabinets, workbenches and overhead shelves for your garage at your local big-box store. However, you’re limited to the sizes and configurations that they have available. If you have unique challenges in your garage, like curved walls or odd spaces, you might find it difficult to incorporate pre-made storage cabinets into your space. However, a garage renovation specialist can assess your space and custom-build cabinetry and workbenches to perfectly fit your lifestyle as well as the unique spaces of your garage.

An organized, functional garage is only a few steps away. Start by creating related storage zones. Then, give everything a specified place within its zone. And finally, be sure to return items to their designated spaces after each use.

Want the gorgeous garage, but don’t quite have the time to make it happen? Contact a professional garage renovation specialist to explore the possibilities.

7 Reasons You Need to Organize Your Garage

December 3, 2013 by Rick Scully

Everyone is familiar with the chaos and clutter found in a typical home garage. Sadly, too many people accept a cluttered garage as normal and simply put up with it. Have you ever stopped to consider how life-changing an organized garage could be?

A good place to understand the benefits of organizing your garage is with a clear definition of organize. Organize means to transform chaos into order. Literally, organize can be defined as the process of turning a messy, chaotic or unordered space into a structured coherent layout, often with specific grouping arrangements. You will see that there are 7 reasons you want to consider in organizing your garage.

1. Safety of Your Family

The primary reason to organize your garage is the safety of you and your family. Especially for families with children, an organized garage keeps dangerous tools and chemicals safely out of harm’s way. Additionally, by using carefully planned storage solutions you won’t risk the hazard of random objects falling upon you or your kids.

2. Cleanliness

A second reason to properly organize your garage is cleanliness. Cleanliness shows up in two ways. First, an organized garage is more visually appealing because it just looks cleaner overall. One issued related to cleanliness you need to be aware of concerns bare concrete floors. An unfinished concrete floor is prone to releasing concrete dust, especially as vehicles and heavy equipment like lawn mowers are moved in and out of the garage. This concrete dust can be especially bothersome to those who are prone to allergies. Note that concrete dust is not so much of an issue if there is a floor covering product installed. Secondly, an organized garage is easier to keep clean.

3. Protect Your Vehicle

Not surprisingly, the third reason to organize your garage is protection. By freeing up the clutter in your garage, you can store your vehicles, your sporting equipment and other valuables safely inside the garage where they belong. Look at it this way, is it better to store a couple hundred dollars worth of various clutter in and around your garage floor or are you better off parking that $45,000 car inside where its protected from the weather, from vandals or even theft?

4. Have More Quality Time

You will not be surprised to learn that the fourth reason for organizing your garage is your own time. There are only twenty four hours available each day. How much of that time do you want to spend scrounging around looking for stuff in your garage? It is so easy to discount a few minutes here and a few minutes there. However, if you ever took a moment and added up all of that extra time you spend desperately searching for something in your garage or worse added up the time you spend going to the store and getting something that you later learn you already owned, you would probably be shocked and dismayed.

5. Peace of Mind

Along the same theme, a fifth reason for organizing your garage is your own peace of mind. You may have heard about or read studies that suggest that clutter creates a low level stress every time you see it. Consciously or not, each and every time you walk through your cluttered garage you experience a mild level of stress. You know having an uncluttered space is more appealing yet a quick glance at most garages is enough to cause many people to give up in frustration. The task just looks too overwhelming to even consider. Of course, the best solution is to go ahead and make a decision to organize that garage space. The amazing fact is that once your garage space is organized you may well find yourself organizing other spaces in and around your home.

6. Save Money

A sixth and perhaps even more motivating reason to organize your garage is to consider how much money you will end up saving. For example, have you ever found yourself heading off to one of those big box stores to pick up a lawn tool only to discover later that you already had one of those tools buried under a pile of debris? Or what about those lawn and garden chemicals that may be scattered around your garage? Have you ever found yourself with more than one container? Have you ever factored in the time and money you spend driving back and forth to end up getting something you already have right there in your garage? Obviously, you wouldn’t have this expense if everything was stored in a logical organized way. So add up the cost of all those duplicate tools and supplies, add in the cost of the gas to go to the store and back and finally add in your time that you spend either scrounging around looking for your stuff or going back and forth to the store and the point is crystal clear; an organized garage is a huge money saver.

7. Gain More Living Space

Finally, the seventh reason you want to organize your garage is that it will free up more space. It is all about making your space work. By properly organizing and structuring your garage storage needs you will end up with more available space. This will allow you to put more stuff in the garage that you may currently have stored in various locations around the home such as your basement. For example, consider a growing family. By optimizing the storage space in the garage, this family could free up enough space in the basement to construct another room. In other words, by taking the simple step of organizing their garage, this growing family actually created more living space.

As you can see organizing your garage has many more benefits than you might have considered. In many cases, setting up an organized garage could be a life changing event.

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.

Garage Flooring – Prepare & Protect

May 7, 2013 by Rick Scully

Spring has arrived and we’re looking at everything in a new light. That includes the garage. Time to pull out the broom and give the floor a much-needed sweep to rid it of the debris collected over the winter. But does that sweep reveal issues that cannot simply be removed with a broom? Bare concrete floors are prone to cracking over time as well as pitting from the effects of our Canadian climate. Cement is a natural dust generator. As often as you sweep, the dust will just keep returning with a vengeance. Maybe it’s time to look at options for garage flooring?

The big box stores carry various floor coatings and some of my clients have been tempted to go with an inexpensive, do-it-yourself option. While many of these coatings are fine, the downfall is the concrete floor must be properly prepared in order for the product to adhere well and last. And unless you have access to a professional floor grinder to smooth out the concrete, you will never achieve a satisfying result. Coatings applied to floors that are not properly prepared are likely to flake and peel.

Moisture is also an issue. If the moisture in your concrete floor exceeds 70%, any floor coating will be prone to peeling. And if you choose a rolled rubber or vinyl flooring, you’re creating an environment under the flooring that traps the moisture and it will be constantly dirty and smelly. The advantage of having a professionally finished garage floor is it is a one-time investment that will last indefinitely.

How to choose flooring that’s right for you

First, take a look at the state of your cement floor. If there is excessive cracking and pitting, the holes will have to be filled before a coating can be applied. In this situation I recommend a pvc tile that will protect the floor while hiding those imperfections.

If you’ve got some minor cracking (most cement floors do), you can choose to go with a coating. My coating of choice is polyaspartic. It’s a little more expensive than epoxy but its more durable and far more versatile. If you’d like one of the baseboard or wainscoting effects we talked about in last month’s blog, polyaspartic is the only way to go.

How we make your garage floor beautiful with polyaspartic coating

First we’ll test the moisture level and, if the moisture level is more than 70 per cent, you will need a water barrier. Then we repair any cracks and grind the floor down to get rid or minor imperfections and open the pores in the cement for proper penetration of the coating. We’ll also apply a moisture seal if necessary to prevent water from coming through the surface of the floor. You can then choose from myriad colour choices to complement the rest of the garage. We can even custom mix colours to match other design features. A base coat is applied and a combination of colour flakes are sprinkled on and left to cure. We then remove the excess flakes, chip off sharp edges, vacuum and apply a top sealer. The whole process can be completed in less than a day. Then all you need to do to maintain it is to clean it with soap and water or hose it down with a power washer a couple of times a year.

If you choose to do just one thing in your garage this season, think about flooring. It’s an easy fix that makes a big impact.