September 9, 2016

5 Simple Steps to Taking Your Garage Back!

Some steps for regaining control of your garage

If you’re like most people, there comes a time when you peer into the depths of your garage and realize that it’s gotten totally out of control. You may have stuck things there with good intentions, but in reality you’ll never use them again. Or, you may simply have allowed the clutter and disorganization to get out of hand.

Then winter sneaks up on you, and suddenly you realize it would be very nice if you could actually park in the garage. You can make this a reality! It will simply take a little time and effort, and a few well-planned steps.

Step 1 - Clean it up!

Choose a nice day to do this part, as you will need to move things out of the garage and into the driveway. Make separate areas for the following categories:

  • Things you’re going to throw out
  • Things that can be recycled
  • Items that can be donated or given to friends and family
  • Things you can sell in a garage sale
  • Things you actually need – and will use in the coming months

This is the hardest step because it can be difficult to let go of things. Try to be as ruthless as you can, and be honest with yourself about what items you’re actually going to put to good use.

Step 2 - Finishing and insulating

Once everything unnecessary is cleared out, it’s the perfect time to add insulation. This way you’re doubling your usage of the space – you can use it as a hobby or work room, or even a playroom for the little ones. You can install a vapor barrier plus drywall for around $1300. It will cost you roughly twice that amount if you plan to hire someone for the job.

As far as finishing the interior of the garage, you can choose from just a coat of high quality paint over the drywall, or you could go with some PVC siding installed along the bottom four feet or so in order to protect the walls from moisture damage or splashing.

Step 3 - Create a plan

Measure out your garage and plot the desired layout onto graph paper (much like an architectural blueprint). Start by sketching in items that will be fixtures – like a workbench, power outlets, appliances, etc. You could do this on a computer using design software if that’s your forte. Don’t forget to measure the wall area on the sides of the garage door so that you can assess these spaces for possible shelving.

You’ll also want to note the floor-to-ceiling measurements. Any extra vertical space, such as a few feet between the garage door and the ceiling, can be utilized for storage. Just don’t forget to account for the amount of space the door needs to actually open and close.

Next, designate space for any items you want to put inside the space, such as:

  • A workbench or table
  • An extra fridge or freezer
  • Tools for each season
  • Sports equipment
  • Bicycles

Take into consideration any area of the room where you might need power outlets or extra lighting. If you plan to give the floor a fresh coat of paint, write that into your plan as well (don’t forget primer if the floor is made of raw concrete).

Step 4 - Prioritize

After you’ve planned out your garage overhaul, decide which items on the list need to take priority, and allocate your budget based upon the things highest on that list. Take into account whether you’ll need to hire a professional, such as an electrician, and get some estimates so that your budget is realistic.

Also take into consideration the cost of materials – do you want metal or wood shelving? Plastic storage cabinets or something more durable? Get as detailed as possible – right down to the choice of wall paint, as these little things can add up quickly.

If you have trouble visualizing your ideas and how you can make them all work together, simply go to Google, enter “garage storage organization ideas” and go to images. This will provide you with real-life visuals of layouts that could satisfy your wants and needs.

STEP 5 - The garage door and opener

Depending upon the extent of your garage overhaul project, you may very well want to upgrade your door and its opener, particularly if this redesign will lead to you actually using the space to park your car. You’ll likely be best off with a weatherproof, insulated garage door. The options are virtually limitless these days, and making this change will certainly cause you to be more likely to want to spend time out there on your projects.

If you need guidance or garage door service, place a request for a service call online or contact us at 1-866-436-6777. We can advise you, based upon the architectural style of your house, your personal preferences, and your budget, of the best options available to you.

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