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Garage Remodeling
In the past few years, remodeling the garage
to make it a cleaner, more organized and
attractive space has become one of the hottest
trends in home improvement. Too many garages
are currently an unorganized dumping area
for anything that does not seem to fit anywhere
else. Some are so full of stuff that the
car no longer fits in it. Recently, however,
new products have been introduced that can
vastly improve the storage capabilities of
most garages. These can be installed by a
contractor (some of whom are now specializing
in remodeled garages), or by a handy homeowner.
Products include cabinets made especially
for garages, all kinds of storage systems,
and special new flooring that is easy to
clean and that can hide damaged floors.
If you are thinking of remodeling
your garage,
consider the following:
- Since this space is open to the outside,
garage storage cabinets should be weather resistant and durable,
able to resist damage from moisture and the
occasional bump and scrape. Cabinets with
doors will present a neater appearance than
open shelving. By mounting the cabinets several
inches above the floor, you will make it
easier to sweep or hose down the garage floor
when cleaning, and the contents will be protected
if there is ever a flood.
- It is no longer necessary to use nails or
simple pegboard if you want to hang things
on the garage wall. Attractive wire grid
or slotted panel systems can hold all sorts
of items, regardless of shape or size. These
systems are easy to readjust or relocate
within the garage. Wire grids usually hang
from clips that are bolted or screwed to
the wall. Frequently made from steel coated
with epoxy, they are extremely durable. A
wide variety of hooks, shelves and baskets
that can be attached to them makes for very
versatile storage. Slotted panel systems
(which have a stronger wall connection than
the grids) are usually made from plastic.
A recently introduced, more expensive version
is constructed from steel. These panels are
screwed to the wall, and they use hooks and
brackets capable of hanging almost anything.
- Bikes can be hung from hooks secured to the
wall or ceiling of the garage. Motorcycles,
lawn mowers and ATVs can be placed on manual lifts that store them on the walls above car height.
There is even a special power lift that will allow you to stack one car on
top of another.
- New hanging storage platforms make it easier
than ever to use the space above the garage
doors. These can be bolted to the rafters
to store all kinds of things not frequently
needed. They come in a variety of sizes from
2 feet by 4 feet up to 4 feet by 8 feet.
Larger platforms can hold more than 300 pounds.
- There are three types of flooring made to
conceal the concrete garage floor. PVC flooring comes in colorful tiles that are easy to
install and can conceal cracks in the floor.
Heavy duty vinyl mats that are resistant
to chemicals and petroleum products will
cover the entire floor. Snap-in borders keep
the mats in place. Epoxy floors are the most durable, but also the most
expensive.
When purchasing some of these garage storage
products, be aware that some warranties are
not valid unless they are installed by a
contractor licensed by the manufacturer. |
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