Is the interior of your garage looking a little dingy? Has your garage become the dumping ground for seasonal decorations and other miscellaneous items, and now the storage situation has gotten out of control? Does the concrete floor need some TLC? Do the windows and garage door need replaced? Then maybe it’s time to consider revamping your garage.
Considerations Beforehand
Before revamping the interior of your garage, consider the function of the room. For most of us, the garage is more than just a place to park the car(s). The garage can also serve as a laundry room, workshop, man cave, toolshed, and storage room. The more purposes that your garage serves, the more reasons you have to revamp the interior.
If your garage walls are not insulated, getting them insulated should be the first item on your to-do list – especially if your garage is attached to the house. The insulation will help regulate the temperature in the garage. It will help keep the room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Not only will this make you more comfortable while you are working in the garage, it will also help protect the items in the garage from any damage that could be caused by extreme temperatures. Also, insulation also helps with noise reduction, and as protection against carbon monoxide.
Finishing the walls and the ceiling will also improve the appearance of your garage. And adding additional lighting will help brighten up the room. Replacing the windows with insulated, energy-efficient windows can also help with regulating the temperature inside the garage.
If you have the space for it, adding a loft above the garage is an option worth considering. The loft could also be used for additional storage. Contrarily, you could finish the loft with insulation and drywall, and turn it into a rec room, bedroom, man cave, office, or even an apartment.
Revamping Your Garage Door
One way to revamp your garage is by replacing the garage door. It is a renovation that will affect both the interior and the exterior of the garage. You don’t want a beat-up, dented garage door bringing down your home’s exterior appearance. Also, if your current garage door is not insulated, your garage is not able to maintain a regulated temperature.
Garage doors are available in various sizes, styles, and materials. Concurrently, it should be easy to find a garage door that fits your door size, your home’s appearance, and your personal taste. The most popular materials for garage doors are metal (either steel or aluminum) or wood. Garage doors are also available in plastic, vinyl, wood composite, fiberglass, and tempered glass. Styles of garage doors include classical, traditional, craftsman, modern, rustic, and mission.
There are four types of garage doors:
Sectional Garage Door
The most common type of garage door is the sectional door. This type of door features horizontal sections that are held together by hinges. The sectional door rolls up and down on steel tracks. Also, the door can be opened manually or with a motorized garage door opener. Sectional garage doors are available with or without windows.
Swing-Out Garage Door
Two doors are attached to the sides of the garage entry way with hinges. The doors then swing out. Consequently, this type of door is more common in milder regions that don’t get much snow.
Sliding Garage Door
Similar to barn doors, the sliding garage doors hang from a track above the opening. The doors then roll to the side to allow passage. Sliding garage doors are available in either single doors or bi-parting doors (two doors that slide open in opposite directions). Bypassing doors are also available. These doors hang on separate tracks and they pass each other on different planes. Sliding doors are the least weather-tight type of garage door.
Bifold Garage Doors
Bifold garage doors are the same thing as bifold closet doors. Pairs of vertical door sections are hinged together, and they fold back against each other when opened. These doors aren’t as common in areas that get a lot of snow.
You can learn more about garage door options here.
Revamping Your Garage Floor
The garage floor is most likely the hardest working and most abused surface in your house. After all, you drive a vehicle that weighs a few thousand pounds onto it on a regular basis. The garage floor is also subject to oil and chemical spills/drips, extreme temperature fluctuations, and whatever dirt and debris that gets brought into the garage on the tires or the undercarriage of the car.
Garage floors are typically made up of a concrete slab. Concrete is a tough material, and – as long as it is poured and cured properly – can hold up to serious abuse for a long period of time. The problem with concrete is that is it porous, dusty, and unattractive. The concrete slab could also crack or crumble under all of the abuse.
There are two ways to improve the look of your garage floor – you can either coat it or cover it. Coatings are applied to the concrete slab, and coverings go on top of the slab. Markedly, coatings will seal and protect the concrete. Also, coatings will hide any cracks, stains, or blemishes to the concrete.
Coatings
There are three types of coatings for concrete slabs:
Concrete Paint
Concrete paint is a latex or oil based paint that is specially made to go over concrete. It is basically a tougher version of wall paint. Paint is easy to apply and repair, but it will show the most wear and tear.
Concrete Sealer
Concrete sealer is a clear or tinted urethane or acrylic/latex sealer that goes over the concrete. The sealer is tougher than paint, and it protects against water and other liquids. If you want your floor to look more attractive than just a sealed slab, you can stain the concrete before sealing it. The stain will color the concrete, or it can create a marbled appearance that mimics natural stone. The stain does not protect the concrete, which is why it must then be sealed.
Epoxy
Epoxy is a topical, resin coating that creates a thick, hard surface. It is the toughest floor coating available. It is very durable, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture and chemicals. The only downfall of epoxy is that it can be slippery when wet. Besides this, epoxy is available in solid colors and in a blend of color flakes.
You can learn more about epoxy here.
Coverings
Garage floor coverings are available in two different types.
Garage Floor Tiles – Garage floor tiles are available in both flexible and rigid tiles. The rigid tiles are more durable, and can hold up under heavy loads. The flexible tiles are more comfortable to stand on. Additionally, the tiles are very easy to install, and, if one gets damaged, the tiles are easy to replace. The tiles are available in a variety of colors and styles, and you can get creative designing your garage floor. At the same time, floor tiles can get expensive depending on the quantity and the quality.
Garage Floor Mats – Rubber or vinyl garage floor mats are extremely easy to install – just lay down the roll and then unroll it. Furthermore, the mats are available in various colors and simple designs (ex: dots and diamonds). The mats are easy to clean, and typically are not that expensive. You can learn more about garage floor mats here.
You can learn more about garage floor coverings here.
Storage and Space Saving Ideas
If your garage is the main storage area for your house, or if it is unorganized and overrun with paraphernalia, there are numerous ways to clean things up and get organized. The first thing to do it get rid of the junk. Either throw it out, donate it, or sell it. If you don’t need it, don’t keep it. Once you’ve pared down the items, it’s time to get organized. A this time, take a look around the garage, and take note of any wall or ceiling/head space that could be used.
There are multiple ways to get organized or create storage areas depending on your needs:
Cabinets
Depending on the size of your garage, you can add base and/or wall cabinets in the garage. Cabinets that go from the floor to ceiling are also an option. Depending on your preference, the cabinets can be wood, plastic, or metal. The cabinets will add storage areas where the contents will be kept out of sight. The base cabinets will form a countertop/workbench. Moreover, you don’t even need to purchase expensive cabinets – you can recycle your kitchen cabinets or get used cabinets from a furniture consignment shop.
You can learn more about garage cabinets here.
Shelves
You can either purchase a shelving unit or you can mount shelf brackets on the garage walls. Either way, shelves get materials off the floor and organized.
Pegboards and Magnetic Panels
By using metal hooks, pegboards can be a great way to keep tools organized. Concurrently, the tools will be much easier to access than in a toolbox. By the same token for magnetic panels; just hang the tools from the hooks or stick them to the panels.
Slatwall/Slat Board
Slatwall is a wall covering typically used to display merchandise in stores. Horizontal grooves on the slatwall makes it easy to hang up hooks and brackets for shelves. Additionally, the hooks and brackets can be moved around as needed.
Ceiling Storage
Racks, tracks, or hooks can be hung from the ceiling to store everything from bikes to kayaks or boxes to ladders. Before installation, make sure that the ceiling storage does not interfere with the garage door and does not block doorways.
Holders for Large Tools
Holders for large tools such as shovels and rakes can help keep thing organized and out of the way. The holders can be wall-mounted, or the tools can be collected in a barrel or trash can.
Fold-Down Workbench
Installing a fold-down workbench is a great space saving idea. When not in use, the workbench can be folded up so that it is not in the way.
Building a New Garage:
If revamping your old garage isn’t an option or if you are looking for more space, give us a call at Shakespeare Home Improvement Co. and we can put together a free estimate for a new garage.
You can see photos of garage additions that we’ve built here.