10 Things on Your Garage’s Christmas Wish List

Garages were once solely used for automobile storage, but have since evolved into multi-functional nooks for work and play. However, many are in need of TLC, and have become mere dumping sites for accessories, furniture, garden supplies, and equipment. With the Christmas season upon us, you may be thinking of gifting your garage with a make-over, but are not sure where to begin. That being said, if your garage had a Christmas wish list, it would probably look like this.

1. Operation Clean-Up

Decluttering should be first on your clean-up list. Categorize everything you find as either trash, donate, or keep. If you’re not sure which items to keep, use criteria such as whether the items are older than a year, or whether it’s in working order. Always keep tools that cannot be rented.

You could also rent a dumpster for the trashed items and donate the rest. Or sell the items you’re keeping via classified ads or via a garage sale. Be sure to remove oil spills and mold, and clean the garage walls with a sponge mop and dry with a microfiber one. Don’t forget to mop the floors and dry it with a floor fan too.

2. Paint

If your drywall is unpainted or new, apply some PVA drywall primer, as this seals your wall’s surface. Priming is not necessary if your garage walls are already covered with latex paint. If your walls are painted with oil-based paint, you should first sand the walls, then use a bonding primer before painting.

3. Organization for Maximize Storage

Choose our wall storage systems to organize your tools and equipment. We have a waterproof store-wall, comprising customizable modular panels that can be easily attached to concrete, metal, or drywall. Or select our activity organizers which include grids, baskets, and hooks. We also offer rust-proof platform shelving for overhead garage storage.

4. Customized Garage Cabinets

Add an air of sophistication to your garage with our durable, double-stacked cabinets. It’s designed with thermal-fused melamine, which helps counter those nasty stains and spills. It also has butcher block countertops, which makes for sturdy surfaces, and has ample hanging space, shelves, and drawer trays for storage.

5. A Workbench

A workbench is a staple for a garage that doubles up as a workstation. Keep it simple by installing a plain table with an attached machinist vice attached to the top. You could also build it to accommodate several work-holding mechanisms.

6. New Flooring

Applying an easy-to-clean finish to your garage floor can boost your home’s value, plus it adds aesthetic appeal. Our quality epoxy floor coatings, adds character and value, as it’s highly durable and can handle spills. These coatings are also anti-peel and UV-resistant, so they won’t become dull with time. They also come in a vast array of eye-catching tones.

7. Adequate Insulation

Create a warmer space this Christmas to finish your projects with proper insulation. When insulating, remove your drywall first, fill any cracks, install fibreglass insulation, and then cover with drywall. Don’t forget to insulate your garage door and ceiling too.

8. A Garage Door Upgrade

Bolster curb appeal and your garage interior with a simple garage door upgrade. Give your garage door some love with a coat of fresh paint on the inside and outside. You could also simplify your daily activities with a WIFI-enabled door opener, that can be operated via your smartphone. Or add some aesthetically appealing windows to your garage door to let in more natural light.

9. A Car Lift

If you’re always working on your automobiles and getting dirty, installing a car lift will keep you off the floor. It’s also great if you need parking space for another vehicle, motorbike, or speed boat. Lifts are perfect for winter, as you won’t need to remove ice or snow due to outside parking. 

10. Adequate Lighting

Installing enough motion-sensitive lights can help brighten your garage and boost your home’s value, as it makes your garage safer. Try installing lights with LED bulbs for each automobile space.

 

The Best Fall Garage Maintenance Practices

Fall is here, which means it’s time to start preventative maintenance around the house before winter settles in. No one wants to get caught out doing repairs during the height of winter. By taking care of your fall garage maintenance now, you’ll be all set once the temperatures dip, and potentially avoid major costs down the line.

Get Out the Grease

Even if you don’t live in a severely cold climate, it’s a good idea to lubricate any hinges, springs, and other electric door parts during autumn. Once the mercury drops, metal contracts which means the parts have to work harder to do their job. This can lead to damage over time. Greasing up metal parts also prevents squeaking and grinding – after all, no one likes a noisy garage door!

It’s Time for a Deep Clean

Days may be getting shorter, but while the weather’s still pleasant, you’ll want to make the most of it and give your garage a thorough clean. Sweep the floors, break out the soap, and give your garage floor a good wash. And don’t forget to clean your gutters! Doing so can save you a load of hassle down the line.

It’s also a good time to purge your garage of things you don’t need. Get rid of potential safety hazards. Donate old clothes (wash them first!), toys, kitchen appliances – anything you haven’t used and no longer need. Items that can’t be donated, recycled or sent off to the garbage heap. 

Make Repairs

Now that you’ve cleaned up, you can check for any repairs you might need around your garage. Seal up holes, fill in cracks, and kill off any lurking mold or mildew. Be sure to check the seals on your garage door and caulk any windows to protect your garage from cold, wet weather. Autumn is also a good time to check your garage insulation. Fixing up any poor insulation is a must, particularly if you live in an area that experiences cold winters. This will help keep the contents of your garage safe while reducing drafts, lowering your heating bill, and keeping critters out. 

Get Organized

Once you’ve sorted out what to get rid of, you can start organizing. Since you’re getting your home winter-ready, stash your spring and summer tools until next year, and make your fall and winter gear easily accessible. Dedicate specific areas for supplies, tools, and other stored items, so you readily know where everything is. You’ll be grateful you did down the line. Not only will you not have to rummage through the contents of your garage trying to find things, but you’ll also create more space, which is a real boon when you’ll be parking your car in your garage over winter.

At Carolina Custom Garages, we offer garage flooring as well as state-of-the-art cabinets, wall storage, and more, to help you keep your garage beautifully organized and looking its best.

Have questions? Contact us today to learn how we can help you!

Spring Cleaning: 5 Tips for Cleaning Your Garage

It usually happens gradually. A few things go in because they have nowhere else to go, something gets stowed away for a future project, or a half-finished task gets left as is. The garage is a mess, and now with a little more time at home, you know getting a jumpstart on spring cleaning your garage is for the best. After all, this is one spring cleaning project that tends to take the longest. But, where do you start? Declutter first? Jump in headfirst and pull out everything? 

Read more