garage renovation Archives

Garage Renovation Obstacles

February 14, 2020 by Rick Scully

With any garage renovation project it is fairly common to encounter situations that require a bit of creativity in order to set up the best storage solutions. These situations can be broadly classified into two main categories: those that involve movable objects or materials and those situations when it becomes necessary to work around appliances or other fixtures that are for the most part not readily movable. As you might expect, situations involving movable storage obstacles are fairly straightforward to address. On the other hand, storage obstacles arising from immovable storage solution obstacles need a bit more creativity and planning. However, as you will soon see there are options available for both.

There are a few optimized storage obstacles that show up with any garage renovation project. Each of these must be handled with proper planning and foresight to achieve the optimized storage you desire.

The most frequently encountered storage solution obstacle is the central vacuum. You may have noticed the central vacuum is often left hanging there on the wall taking up a lot of space. Most new home builders mount these central vacuums in the middle of a wall, either the back wall or one of the sidewalls. Also, the central vacuum is typically mounted about half way between the ceiling and the floor. While this position certainly allows you to access the unit for service, it makes storage above and below rather cumbersome.

All of that being said, the central vacuum is actually an appliance that can be relocated relatively easily. The vacuum pipes coming to the central vacuum unit are simply common p.v.c plumbing and the electric is typically a standard outlet plug. Relocating the central vacuum merely means choosing an optimum location, mounting the unit and re-piping the vacuum lines as required. Oftentimes, the best location is found to be mounted in a side corner such that the unit is still accessible but it is mounted a bit higher and out of the way. By relocating your central vacuum, you gain valuable storage space below and of course along the wall where the unit was originally located. For example, if you relocate a central vacuum stuck there in the middle of your sidewall to the back corner, now you have the option to install slatwall, storage racks or other optimized storage solutions in the newly freed up space.

The next most frequently encountered obstacle to optimized storage is the doors and windows. Obviously, in most cases you aren’t going to be moving a door or window. On the other hand, there are practical storage solutions that can be installed to optimize the space.

Start with the door into your garage from inside your home. The most obvious answer is to install an overhead storage rack. An overhead storage rack above your door will add valuable storage space that is useful, yet still out of the way. At the same time, you want to be aware of the fact that there is an optimum way to install an overhead storage platform and there is a sub-optimum way.

The very best solution is to install an over the door storage platform using hardware hung from the ceiling. However, sometimes eager do-it-yourselfers will instead install this overhead platform and support it with vertical posts. While this is okay and does give you the overhead storage, the vertical posts can be an eyesore, not to mention getting in the way of other things you want to have in the garage.

One other scenario to consider is when the door is located in the middle of the wall. In this case, more often than not a customized solution could be the best choice. For example, you could install a combination of overhead platforms, shelving or platforms on one side and slatwall on the other side. Of course each garage design is unique so many who chose to renovate their garages end up selecting a custom solution.

Although windows are not really that common in most garages, customers with garage windows often are looking to optimize the space around the window. The one big issue is often the location of the window. In other words, if the window is in the middle of a sidewall versus being located towards one side or the other will determine the type of renovation options available. One typical storage solution option is the installation of an overhead platform with a slatwall installation to the sides and beneath the window. This option maximizes the utility of the space around the window while still allowing the full functionality of the window itself.

A minor situation that sometimes shows up in garage renovation projects is the location of the fresh water hose bibb. The hose bibb may be installed in a location that means stretching an attached hose along the garage floor and outside. Some renovation customers may choose to have this hose bibb relocated further along the wall to a more convenient location.

Alternatively, to save the trouble and expense of relocating the garage water supply, a more optimized hose reel and storage fixture can be installed. The hose reel can be conveniently mounted on the wall to allow easy access and storage.

One final situation that might be a factor is the automatic garage door opener. The garage door opener operates off of the normal household electrical outlets. Unfortunately, there is rarely an outlet mounted in the ceiling in a convenient location for the opener. Consequently, many homeowners end up draping an extension cord across the top of the garage and down a wall.

Of course, this is not the best solution and is definitely not recommended. Keep in mind that an extension cord is only designed for temporary use; it is not supposed to be used as a permanent electrical supply. The solution is to bring in a electrician to mount an outlet close by the garage door opener. Absent wanting to install another outlet, the other option is to more permanently affix the extension cord with cable clamps or similar hardware.

Conclusion: as you can see from the above, each and every garage renovation project presents its own challenges and surprises. However, with some simple planning along with a discussion of the best storage solutions for your situation you can have a garage that works for you.

Finishing Touches for Your Garage Project, Part 1

January 30, 2020 by Rick Scully

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

T8 LED tube light

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

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

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

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

How to Turn Your Garage into a Customized Workshop

June 24, 2019 by Rick Scully

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

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

Determine the floor plan.

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

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

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

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

Let there be light.

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

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

Have a seat.

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

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

Garage Floors to Weather All Seasons

September 19, 2018 by Rick Scully

One of the most valuable aspects of a garage renovation is the garage floor. It’s often overlooked and most people don’t realize what can be done with a garage floor. Some people feel that the basic cement floor is the only option for the garage. And, they put up with the grease stains from an oil drip from the vehicle or the dust that gets pulled up onto everything we store in the garage.

In fact, there are a few garage floor options. Some options are more desirable than others. Depending on your goals, you’ll find that some stand out for you more than other options.

Garage Flooring Options

The polyaspartic garage floor coatings offer the longest lasting results. It has UV protection with great overall aesthetics over the lifetime of the coating. And, there is a wide variety of colour options with colour chips adding some luster to the garage which in the past, has often been one of the less inspired rooms of the house.

Some people think of painting the garage floor which is quick and easy but it won’t last more than a few years. Some of the more industrial coatings such as epoxy or polyaspartic floor coatings have been known to last 30 years in a residential garage although they are both deemed to last a life time. When it comes to the polyaspartic floor coatings, they have some advantages over epoxy coatings.

Garage floor tiles are also an option for many people who are looking for a sporty garage floor design. They are easy to install even in the middle of winter and they will make your garage floor easier to clean and maintain.

Garage Floor Coatings: Polyaspartic vs Epoxy

While both are similar, there are some definite features of polyaspartic that we find more appealing. Firstly, the polyaspartic looks great for longer since it has UV protection built into the coating. So, unlike epoxy which will fade over time, your polyaspartic floor coating will look great without yellowing even after many years of heavy traffic through your garage. We add colour flakes to give the colours some vibrancy and improved grip to the floor coating. The multi-colour floor colours also hide small bits of dirt that may appear between floor cleanings.

In addition, the polyaspartic has low to no volatile organics or VOC’s so it is much safer for everyone while it is being applied to the cement floor base. And, the best thing is that polyaspartic coating cures quickly so you can put everything back into the garage the next day. With polyaspartic floor coating, the completion of a garage renovation can be completed quickly or the vehicles can be returned to the garage at night. With an epoxy floor coating, it will take approximately 72 hours for it to cure.

Cement Dust in the Garage

If you’re considering a garage floor coating, then you may have reviewed some of these benefits already to getting a garage floor coating applied.

One benefit is that a garage floor coating will keep cement dust from getting onto all the items stored in the garage. We all use the garage to store things. Cement dust makes everything in our garage look aged and may even impact the functioning of some tools or bikes. And, it leaves us with a lot of extra cleaning before we might be able to use anything again once we’ve decided to store it in the garage.

Keeping the Garage Floor Clean

The basic cement floor is very difficult to keep clean. Cement will absorb any liquids or oils that come in contact with it. So, when our vehicles have an oil leak, we end up with a grease stain that takes some work to remove. Cement floors cannot just be swept or mopped. It takes a few more steps than maintaining the floors in other rooms of our home.

Since cement will absorb moisture, it can cause damage to the cement floor. A higher level of moisture in the cement will also means the bonds that strengthen the cement will remain weaker and be less permanent than cement which has dried and cured properly and remains within the correct range for moisture content. This is what causes our cement floors to crack and potentially, become unsightly.

Keep the Moisture Out of the Garage Floor

Getting a professionally completed garage floor coating typically starts with assuring the cement floors of the garage are not retaining too much moisture. It is critical to a successful flooring project. So, if there is too much moisture, then reducing the moisture content of the cement floor is the first step. Without this first step, any garage floor coating applied will never last long enough to get the great return on investment that polyaspartic floor coating or other coatings offer.

Preventing Garage Floor Damage

As noted before, excessive moisture in the cement floor of the garage may cause cracks in the cement. Over several seasons, the water that gets absorbed may cause spalling of the cement. Spalling is when the water penetrates the cement floor from above and causes the top layers to lift or flake off.

The road salt that gets tracked into the garage from our vehicles or family members walking through the garage to get into the house causes water to stay on our cement floors longer. This gives any snow and water left on the floor even more time to get absorbed into the cement. Once within the pores of the cement structure, the water freezes and expands the cement.

Pitted cement floors occur mainly due to old age but it could also occur due to a poor cement mix. It leaves an unsightly pock like texture to the floor and may occur over a large area of the garage floor. These can be repaired but you might want to weigh out the benefits of the time and effort or expenses spent to repair a cement floor vs. some of the other floor coating options.

Garage Floors Allow the Family to Enjoy the Garage All Year

A garage floor coating can now elevate the garage to become more like other rooms in the house. It can add to the aesthetics of a garage making it a much more pleasant place to store all our valuable tools, golf clubs and household supplies. In addition, it makes cleaning a garage floor much easier. If you’re considering a garage renovation, remember to consider adding a garage floor coating or garage tiles.

How to Run a Successful Garage Sale

September 5, 2018 by Rick Scully

Are you thinking of getting rid of all the clutter of things in your garage? Maybe, you’re thinking that you’d finally like to park both your vehicles in the garage this winter. You’re thinking of re-organizing your garage storage items so you’ve taken the first steps to declutter.

Now, you have a pile of stuff which is ready for a garage sale. Next you’re thinking how to get everything sold by the end of the garage sale day. So, it’s time to figure out how to make the garage sale as successful as possible. It’s time to get the whole family involved and get everyone connected with the process. Not only is it a great learning experience for young ones to gain some business experience but they’ll be more involved in the process of letting go of things.

Let’s take a look at some key things to discuss as a family for how to make your garage sale or yard sale a success.

Team Up with Your Neighbours

One of the best ways to increase the success of your garage sale is to do it as a street sale by involving as many neighbours as possible. When you’re attracting people to a street with multiple garage sales, there will be a lot more attraction for the bargain hunters to come out and do some hunting when they know that they can view several lots worth of garage sale items.

Also, it’s a great way to build up some community spirit on your street while getting to know your neighbours better. In addition, pooling resources makes the work of preparing for the garage sale a little easier overall.

Also, invite family and friends of the family to participate so there are plenty of people to service bargain hunters with a purchase or making change for them. Let younger family members run a small lemonade stand and bake sale for hungry bargain hunters. Enhance the atmosphere with music which will boost the mood of everyone there looking around for a deal. Having a few extra people around means that someone can look after the music if there is a rush of people.

Plan Your Garage Sale Date with a Rain Date

It’s best to have a rain date so if things go sideways on the planned garage sale date, then everyone is already agreed on the rain date and it’s a no brainer to run it on the rain date. It can also be part of the advertising.

Start the garage sale earlier so that people can attend the sale without interrupting the rest of their day. A garage sale that runs 8:00am until 1:00pm will do better than one that starts in the afternoon. Be prepared for avid garage sale shoppers to arrive earlier than the hours set for the garage sale. Also, if you choose a summer morning, then it will be cooler and more comfortable in the morning. Comfortable temperatures are important to people attending and buying more. For the best temperatures, it is best to hold a garage sale in late spring and early fall. So, late September is a great time to hold a garage sale as much as late April or early May.

Saturday morning is the better day for the garage sale. People seem to enjoy starting their weekend with a fun bargain hunting excursion on a Saturday morning while leaving Sunday to catch up and complete all those things they intended to complete over the weekend. Also, this allows people to make Sunday the rain date.

Advertise Your Garage Sale

One common suggestion is to call it a “yard” sale as opposed to a garage sale. It’s been said that people feel that a yard sale sounds a little more upscale than a garage sale. This may help more in some neighbourhoods than others.

For local neighbourhood signs, use large 3 foot square cardboard signs with very large easy to read letters so people driving along in vehicles can quickly read and follow your signs. There should be about 20 – 30 signs attracting drivers from all directions towards your street.

In addition, use social media to promote your garage sale. People will drive a short distance to attend your garage sale, especially if the sale is organized and includes multiple households all on the same street for a greater bargain hunting experience for the shopper. Some of the social media sites you can use include:

Start advertising early so there is time for people to plan to attend your yard sale.

Organize for a Successful Garage Sale

Place price tags on everything so there is a starting price for everything. Bargain hunters enjoy the interaction with other people when purchasing something. These buyers also enjoy the haggling process so be prepared.

Arrange sale items into groups of items or by price range on different tables where you have many smaller items. Label everything and make it easy for people to walk around and view everything just like any retail space. Display things in a fun way and to frame things so they are more appealing.

Have some chairs for people to sit and rest including a chair for yourself. Your chair should face the road and allow you to stand up and greet any visitors to your yard or driveway.

Prepare to make change for people. And, if you anticipate people using larger bills, it’s possible to get a counterfeit detector from Staples or Walmart to scan any bills which you suspect.

The Apres Yard Sale

Work with neighbours to keep it fun and lively while having enough hands to look after all the small things which will make the day memorable and a success. Anything that’s left over at the end of the day, you can either post online as a classified ad, donate to a charity or drop off with a local Value Village or other second hand shop.

A yard sale helps everyone declutter leaving only the stuff we actually use regularly. It’s a healthy start before any garage renovation project. Now that you’ve run a garage sale to look after the discard pile, it’s time to look at how to manage and organize the garage to store the things that needs a place in the garage so people can access and use it.

In our next blog, we’ll review how to use the space in the garage to store the remaining items so they remain safe but also easily accessible while leaving space for the vehicles to park inside the garage.

Racks for All the Family Adventures

August 22, 2018 by Rick Scully

When taking the family to the cottage, to go exploring various parts of the country or to go on a camping trip, it often requires more space than we might have in the SUV or mini-van. To add more cargo space to our vehicles or bring our favourite toys to enjoy the outdoors, many of us might use vehicle racks and hitch mounted carriers.

Some of the typical vehicle add-ons include a roof rack with add on carriers or racks or hitch mounted carriers and racks. There are a wide variety of options to deck out vehicles with the space to carry our favourite toys to our favourite spots around the country. Being able to enjoy the outdoors and the serenity that these remote locations afford us while staying active together is the main motivation of many families to leverage vehicle rack systems.

Throughout the summer and even winter months, we’ll want to haul out these carriers and racks with us to our weekend adventures and then, store them away during the week. Finding a way to minimize the work of storing and mounting the rack systems to our vehicles helps us get away on short notice while keeping our garage storage system organized.

Combining Garage Storage Racks with Vehicle Racks

A great way to do this is to match up garage storage racks and slatwall organization systems with your vehicle’s racks and mountings systems. Matching them up and installing them in the appropriate places within the garage means we can make use these vehicle racks with more ease. If we plan it out, we can set it up so that we don’t need to be especially tall or overly strong to move these bulky carriers or return outdoor toys to where they should be stored.

Just because our weekends are packed with high energy activities doesn’t mean that putting things away needs to be just as challenging. A good garage renovation will provide a system where mounting these vehicle carriers will flow easily from the garage storage area to the vehicle itself.

Overhead Lift Racks for Bicycles and Other Sports Equipment

From a vehicle rack, bikes can be mounted easily onto hydraulic bike racks which can be lifted up and out of the way. While there are many types of bicycle racks including wall mount, floor mount or ceiling mount, the lift racks may be the best suited to work with vehicle racks or mounts.

Firstly, they can be placed to be located at the rear of the vehicle so it’s easy to transfer the bikes between the vehicle rack and the overhead lift racks for bikes, golf clubs, snowboads and other sports equipment. Next, if you have a hydraulic overhead lift, after you’ve loaded a few bikes and a couple of sets of golf clubs, it takes the mere push of a button to get the rack to lift up into the overhead storage space of the garage.

Canoe and Kayak Racks

For canoes and kayaks, they are often mounted on the vehicle with a J-rack or other roof rack system. With an overhead sling and pulley system in the garage which is positioned directly over the roof of the vehicle, the kayaks and canoes can be stored in the overhead space. By attaching the sling around each kayak or canoe and releasing the vehicle rack mechanisms, the kayaks can be lifted directly up into the rafters of the garage until it’s time to retrieve them for the next adventure on our favourite rivers, lakes or oceans.

Cargo Carriers for Roof or Hitch Racks

For cargo carriers located either on the roof of a vehicle or off the rear hitch of the vehicle, overhead systems similar to the bike or kayak storage lift systems make putting things away so much easier after a long trip. With slings and a hydraulic lift system, these carriers can be lifted up and away. Whether you intend to store them empty or pre-packed with some standard camping or adventure gear, the overhead cargo carrier storage makes it so much easier to prepare for the next driving trip.

Enjoying All Seasons with Storage Racks

Turning the garage into a storage system to ease the packing and unpacking of the vehicle racks means we can reduce the strain of moving larger awkwardly shaped carriers and outdoor toys. A little bit of planning and a garage renovation will make it easy to move items from the vehicle to its storage location in the garage and back again.

If you need assistance to create this handy system, a complimentary in-home consultation is available to guide you through a process to outfit your garage storage systems to your lifestyle.

Making Outdoor Play Easy for the Kids

June 21, 2018 by Rick Scully

Now that summer is here, the kids will be home all day. Of course, they’ll want to be outside with all the warm sunny days ahead. Getting on their bikes, scooters, skateboards and other toys to get to the local park or their friend’s house is the typical response to enjoy a play day or play date with a friend. From the bikes and skateboards to the soccer balls, basketballs, water toys as well as strollers and other toys for the younger children, the garage soon becomes home base to everything the kids need to enjoy the outdoors.

For the active family, the garage renovation would provide garage storage solutions incorporating ways for the garage to be used by the entire family for a fun filled summer. This also includes the big kids in the family with places to access golf clubs, tennis racquets, mountain bikes and kayaks. Whatever your lifestyle, making it easy to access your outdoor sports equipment or toys is just as important as keeping them out of the reach of younger children.

Overhead Hydraulic Racks

With some of the bulkier outdoor equipment such as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and mountain bikes, you’ll want them handy and easy to mount and dismount from a Thule or Yakima rack system for your vehicle. The overhead hydraulic racks or lifts are ideal for transferring these pieces of equipment to or from your vehicle with a minimal of effort. By positioning the racks at the right spot within the garage, equipment can be lowered directly onto the vehicle’s rack while it is parked in the garage.

Reduce the awkward movements and stress on your back or body needed to mount the cargo box and other gear within the confines of the garage space. Plan out garage storage systems that facilitate the packing and unpacking process of the vehicle.

Garage Cabinet Storage Systems

Now, for things such as an expensive set of golf clubs, you might opt to have lockable garage cabinets. They will safely and securely store more expensive items which cannot afford to be knocked about by the kids, their bicycles or other toys as they move about the garage accessing or putting away their summertime toys throughout the summer..

Slatwall Organization Systems

The slatwall organization systems are so durable, versatile and modular, not only are they great for garden tools and lawn mowers, but they can also be used for a variety of kids toys. For younger children, mount hooks at lower levels so they can mount their own scooters, skateboards, bats, racquets, clubs and bikes off the ground and out of the way of the vehicles which will be parking inside the garage at the end of the day.

Also, there are some great basket systems where all the basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, baseball gloves and other toys can just be tossed into mesh net or wire net basket. By evaluating the kids’ favourite activities and the space available in the garage, the right combination of hooks and baskets will make any slatwall space an effective storage area for everything your kids will want to do throughout the summer.

Bicycle Rack Storage Systems

Bicycle usage is back on the rise again these days for everyone in the family. Kids love riding their bikes to visit friends or to go on a neighbourhood adventure with friends. When all the neighbourhood kids ride back to your house for a lunch break, they just ride up, jump off and run inside to satisfy their hungry bellies after a fun filled morning of activity. Give kids a place to park their bikes. This helps them learn how to put things away in the proper place.

Overhead racks, slatwall hooks and other storage systems are great for the overnight storage of bikes. For summer, a floor rack where kids can park their bike means they leave their bikes standing. They can avoid having bikes strewn all over the garage floor. This keeps it easy to maintain the organization of the garage and prevents damage by vehicles driving into the garage . It also gives the kids a reasonable way of being able to put things away in the proper place within the garage.

Plan a Garage Storage System

When the lifestyle of the whole family is considered, we are able to design the right combination of storage options so that the space can be optimized and utilized fully. The garage spaces can accommodate both off-season storage and easy access to summertime toys and gear which are used regularly. When you need the entire garage space to work well for everyone, consider a garage design that allows the family to leverage the space for maximum enjoyment of the warm sunny summer days ahead.

Storing Outdoor or Camping Gear in Overhead Areas of the Garage

June 7, 2018 by Rick Scully

With the kids nearly out of school and the great weather all around us, we can’t help but think of getting away. Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city for the quieter and more peaceful surroundings of being near nature is one of many people’s favourite summer activities. We may have grown up camping during our childhood or we may just enjoy connecting with the outdoors and nature. Either way, summer is definitely the season to spend more of our time outdoors.

Many of us enjoy the summer on or in the water. We bring our kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddle boards to the cottage or campground. Or, we may even want to make sure that we maximize our time outdoors while getting more exercise when we’re on vacation. We may want the whole family to cycle to the general store, the beach or around the campground while we’re away. So, we’ll want to haul the bikes on a rack at the rear of our vehicle or SUV.

The Thule or Yakima racks, hitches and cargo boxes make it all possible for us to carry sleeping bags, tents, kayaks, bikes and much more for the summer adventure but when it’s time for the family to return home, where will we store it all? Well, we have some garage storage solutions that make it easy and convenient not only to store the gear but also make it easy to pack up our vehicles for the adventures that await us this summer.

Of course, overhead storage solutions is the best way to get the most out of our garage space. This allows us to keep things out of the way until we are ready to use them or access them frequently. Let’s discuss some of the garage storage options. Or, you can get a complimentary in-home consultation for a garage renovation to discuss how to use the space overhead to maximize your garage for your family lifestyle.

Hydraulic Overhead Storage Lifts

Not only are the hydraulic lifts an easy way to whisk bulky items upwards and out of sight, they are also easy on people who want unload or retrieve those bulky items safely from their location up high. Most families use these hydraulic storage lifts to store bulky items such as Thule cargo boxes, bikes, kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards and golf clubs into the empty overhead spaces. So, whether you’re over 6 feet tall and the strongest member of your household or you’re 8 years old and trying to retrieve your bike to get to school, the hydraulic lift can be operated by just about every family member regardless of the their size, strength or stature.

An option to the hydraulic overhead storage lift is the manually operated lift which can be installed safely and securely to hold a few hundred pounds of bikes, sporting gear or cargo boxes. Any of the lifts can be positioned to lower to an exact spot in the garage for handy retrieval or mounting. For instance, many of our lifts for Thule racks and cargo boxes are positioned so that when lowered, they will sit directly over the vehicle’s rack system. From there, just strap the cargo box securely to the roof of the SUV, minivan or other vehicle and it is ready to load with the family’s toys and sports gear.

Made-to-Measure Overhead Storage Platforms

One of the most versatile of the overhead storage mediums is the custom made-to-measure overhead platforms which are secured to the ceiling with airline cables making them capable of supporting several hundred pounds of items per square foot of space. Undermount pot lights add visibility for a workspace just below or to the overall brightness of the garage. The whole platform can be finished and painted to match the colours of the garage.

They can run along the sides and back wall of the garage so that it optimizes the overhead storage space. The platforms are designed just deep enough so that most adults can reach to the back of the platform and retrieve any item stored along the back edge against the wall.

Using overhead storage to store items which are not in season or used rarely is the ideal way to leverage this type of storage medium. Some examples of storage items include seasonal items such as tires which are swapped twice a year or holiday decorations which are used once a year. When it comes to sports equipment, snowboards are accessed frequently throughout winter but then, it becomes wakeboards in summer. Tools such as snow shovels and salt in winter which are required weekly or daily are then swapped out for rakes and lawn mowers which are necessities to maintain our yard or garden in summer.

Overhead Storage Racks

Overhead storage racks are typically stainless steel with a mesh platform so that items stored on it can be seen from underneath as well as all four sides in many cases. Again, they do need to be mounted to the ceiling securely but once this is done, they can carry anywhere from a few to several hundred pounds worth of your belongings. Because they can be accessed from all four sides, the rack can have a larger dimension but not too large that people can’t reach the centre of the rack for the item that gets tossed there.

A lot of people use these racks for things such as tents, sleeping bags and other items which require a bit more storage space while also needing some air circulation. Both the racks as well as the platforms may require a step ladder for people to retrieve or store the items. Now, if the garage is quite tall then there are some additional custom built solutions which are also easier to use.

Overhead Storage Mezzanine

The storage mezzanine comes with a glass railing so that it is easy to see the items being stored above and prevents things from being knocked off the mezzanine. Built-in stairs or a pull-down loft ladder which lower to the garage floor and tuck away flush with the mezzanine floor make access to the mezzanine convenient. The stairs are weighted so that they only require a small effort to pull down or push back up into place.

Because family members are meant to walk up onto the mezzanine, it is sturdy enough to carry people as well as a wide variety of belongings. Some of the access options include the elevator style electric stairs or ladders or in one case, an auto lift was used to port the homeowners to the mezzanine level to retrieve stored items. Each mezzanine is made-to-measure with options to suit the homeowners and their families.

Plan a Garage Renovation

If you are in need of some extra storage space, all that we need to do is look upwards for the answer. To plan a garage renovation, start with a complimentary in-home consultation to understand the full range of possibilities that would suit your garage and your family’s lifestyle.

Ten Perennial Flowers for the Garden: Part 2 of 2

May 22, 2018 by Rick Scully

In the last blog, we discussed the first five of ten perennial plants to refresh the yard with colour. Of course, many of the hardy perennial plants can help when the landscape may include slopes or even somewhat difficult growing conditions which require hardier plants. Many of the flowering perennials are easy to grow and maintain, allowing us to balance the time we spend with our family in a variety of activities throughout the summer months and the time we’d like to spend in the garden.

With a little up front organizing and planning, garden tool storage as well as composting bin storage can be worked into the garage. The slatwall organization system of storage offers options for tools, lawn mowers and supplies for the gardener who needs easy access to both the front and back yard gardens and who wants to avoid taking up valuable landscape with a garden shed. A garage renovation makes it possible to offer convenient access to gardening tools and supplies. Of course, one of the most important steps in gardening is planning or choosing perennials based on the garden’s access to sun and the qualities of the soil. Here are the last five of the ten perennial flower choices that we would like to review.

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

The sunny and sweet Shasta daisy is a classic perennial. The blooms on these daisies are larger and more robust than the wild roadside daisies. These flowers have white petals and deep yellow florets and they will blossom every year in late spring or early summer until early fall. They are 2 to 3 feet tall and grow in clumps which are 1 to 2 feet in width.

They love full sun and good soil with proper drainage so use your compost to enrich the garden bed for these flowers every year. And, after the first killing frost of the fall, cut back the stems to 1 to 2 inches for best results in the following season.

Phlox

These star shaped flowers grow in clusters creating great ground cover. The creeping phlox in particular enjoys shade and would work well around and under shrubs as ground cover. They are easy to grow and maintain like many of the perennials. It’s easiest to grow phlox from a cutting than from a seed.

Plant them in spring in moist compost rich soil. Different phlox want a variety of conditions. Border phlox like Carolina phlox, Meadow phlox, and Garden phlox want moist, well-drained soil as well as full to partial sun. Low, mounding phlox like Sand phlox and Chattahoochee don’t mind average to sandy soil which is well-drained with full sun. Woodland species like Blue phlox and Creeping phlox need moist, humus-rich or in other words, mature nutrient rich compost with full to partial sun.

Purple Coneflower

The purple coneflower is Echinacea and it is as sturdy as it is beautiful. The flowers have purple leaves and a cone at the centre where the seeds of the flower are found. The seeds in the cone attract both birds and butterflies to the garden. The flowers bloom in mid-summer and they are so hardy that they fare well in heat while being rather drought resistant.

They also repel deer so if you’ve got a vegetable garden nearby, it’s a handy flower to have around to keep your garden free of wildlife wandering through the vegetables and munching their way through a season of your hard work.

There are a variety of purple coneflower colours. The Robert Bloom has dark orange centers with bright crimson flower petals. The Tennessee coneflower has greenish-pink centers with dark mauve flower petals. The Finale White has creamy white flower heads with greenish-brown centers.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentr)

The bleeding heart flower appears in early spring as heart shaped pink and white flowers or just white flowers all strung along the arched stem of the plant. The foliage is a beautiful bluish green. The bleeding heart needs a cool shady spot in the garden with moist nutrient rich compost soil which drains well. They do well being planted in the spring or fall.

The heat of summer will cause the bleeding heart to wither away but there’s no need to cut away the dying foliage as the plant is taking this time to store away food reserves for the following year’s new growth of the flowers. Over time, the clump of bleeding heart flowers can become overwhelming and they can be separated with part of the clump planted elsewhere in the garden.

The bleeding heart plant grows from 1.5 to 4 feet tall.

Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

The cranesbill or hardy geranium is beautiful and easy to grow perennial with violet-blue petals typically. They are resistant to pests and disease and do well in a variety areas in a garden. The growing conditions include soil which is moist, well-drained and nutrient rich so top up your garden with compost each spring to keep the ground well suited to these plants. Some do well in full sun areas and they also do well in partial sun conditions as well.

And, the gardener’s reward is a perennial which produces a long bloom from spring until late fall. These flowers come in a variety of colours including purple, blue, white, and pink. The flowers have 5 petals which are from ½ to 1½ inch wide with the typical colour being violet-blue petals of a Rozanne variety. The geranium is often confused with the flowers called pelargoniums at the local garden centres. The pelargoniums are a ball shaped bundle of flowers and the garden centres often market these as geraniums. However, the pelargoniums are annuals and are not the hardy geraniums which are perennials.

Spring Garden Tool & Supply Storage

If you feel unprepared to store the variety of supplies and tools for your garden, consider a garage renovation to maximize your landscaping space while organizing your garage and yard space. Then, you can enjoy looking after an easy to maintain perennial garden. A complimentary in-home consultation with one of our garage renovation specialists can help you. Whether you need to care for perennials or you have other lifestyle activities which may end up using storage space in the garage, call on Garage Tailors Garage to help you plan and design the garage space.

Ten Perennial Flowers for the Garden: Part 1 of 2

May 8, 2018 by Rick Scully

Now that it is spring, we’re all itching to spend time outdoors and of course, one of the best places to spend time at this time of year is in our own yards. At this time of year, we’re all desperate for some colour. If your garden doesn’t automatically have flowers peeking out of the ground starting in spring, this is the year to consider perennial flowers.

So, swap out the winter tools at the front of your garage located on the hooks of your slatwall organization system and replace them with the typical garden tools such as hoes, spades, hand trowel, wheelbarrow, lawnmower and more. Yes, even the heavy lawnmower will sit safely on your StoreWALL slatwall organization camlock hooks.

Next, let’s consider the perennial flower options for your garden.

Peonies

These gorgeous blooms are perennial flowers which are very popular and long lasting. In fact, these flowers will return annually for up to over 100 years. You can create a colourful and beautiful garden with some peonies in it.

Find a full sun area with well-drained soil for these flowers next to other flowers and away from trees or bushes. While these flowers are hardy, they tend to thrive best when the seed is planted in the fall during the months of late September and October. In the spring, it’s important to prepare the soil and mark out a spot for these flowers. If your soil is heavy or sandy, now is the time to mix in a generous amount of compost to prepare the soil for adequate drainage.

Typical peony colours include white, pink, rose and red so start planning the pairing or combination of flower colours in the garden bed.

Irises

The delicate and divine look of irises make them a desired flower among gardeners. The beautiful look of irises fool people into underestimating the hardy, reliable and easy to grow nature of these flowers.

What makes these flowers so distinctive is their petal formation with lower petals called “falls” and upper petals which typically stand upwards called “standards”. There are also bearded irises which have fuzzy hairs at the top of the falls and beardless irises without the fuzzy hairs. These flowers are so attractive they will bring butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.

For the popular bearded iris bulb, the best time of the year to plant them here in Canada is late July and August so that these flowers have time to grow strong enough roots to weather the winter months. The typical iris colours include: purple, blue, red, peach, yellow, orange, rose, black and white including some with both purple and white colours in the same flower.

Hydrangeas

The hydrangea shrubs offer the most beautiful flowers of any shrub. With one of the largest flower heads, this classic floral adds traditional charm to any garden. And, the amazing array of flower colours include clear blues, vibrant pinks, frosty whites, lavender, and rose which can all appear on the same bush at the same time.

Because hydrangeas can survive in a variety of soil conditions, the flower colours can also be changed on the same bush depending on the pH achieved in the soil for each shrub. In general, blue flowers will blossom well in acidic soil while pinks or reds typically blossom well in alkaline or neutral soil. These shrubs always appreciate extra compost for proper drainage. And, they can be planted in either spring or fall.

Dahlias

These tuberous root perennial flowers grow from 12 inches up to 6 feet tall with blooms ranging from 2 inch lollipop size to a whopping 10 inch dinner plate blossom. They tend to do better in cooler North American climates. They thrive best in sunny and well-drained soils so use plenty of compost for harder or sandy soil areas.

They remain in bloom until the first frost so dahlias keep the garden in bloom for months and well into late fall. In the fall, the tubers need to be dug up, washed off and stored on newspaper or in well ventilated storage such as milk crates. The storage location needs to be a cool place such as the basement or the back of the garage. Otherwise, you can treat the dahlias like annuals by purchasing tubers each spring.

Daylilies

Daylilies earned their name from their one day blossom of each flower. Over several weeks, a clump of daylilies will blossom 200 – 400 times leaving the clump looking fabulous for this period of time. While the best time to plant day lilies is early spring or early fall, these flowers are so hardy they can even be transplanted in summer but they may not bloom that season.

To help the blossoms do better, add compost to your sandy or solid soils to improve the ground and water drainage. However, if necessary, the daylily is drought resistant and will grow on the side of hill and other difficult to cultivate areas.

Originally from Asia, the many hybrids which have developed over the years have led to numerous colours combinations which are too many to name with only pure white and pure blue missing from the range of colours possible.

Spring Gardening

If you’re looking for ways to manage your gardening tools and supplies, consider a garage renovation including compost bins either in the garage or backyard areas to recycle organic wastes while beautifying the landscape of your home. In the upcoming blog, we’ll continue to discuss the remaining 5 perennials that you might want to consider for your home and garden.