2008 California Closet Co. Inc.
After updating the kitchen, improving the outdoor spaces, and giving the master suite a makeover, what’s left for the ambitious homeowner? “The garage is the last frontier of reorganization,” says Sherry Sansing, president of the California Closets’ branch in Baltimore, “when you look in most people’s garages you see Christmas decorations, clothing, sports equipment, everything except the car.” Although her company specializes in de-cluttering closets, Sansing also helps out in the garage.
“In the organization business, garages have become a growth industry,” she says.In any reorganization project, the first step is usually the most challenging for the homeowner. “They are calling me because they have so much stuff they can’t find anything,” says Dave McClintic, president of PremierGarage of Maryland. While Sansing’s organization will help homeowners cull through the belongings, McClintic likes to start after the clean out is complete. “There are a lot of people who would like us to do that part of it but there are several companies we refer people to,” he says.
If you want to put off the stressful task of deciding what stays and what goes, McClintic also works with companies that specialize in temporary storage solutions.
Once you’ve tackled the clean-out phase, either by yourself or with help from the pros, the real fun of a garage makeover can begin. “We typically coat and seal the garage floor to keep dust from coming off the concrete,” says McClintic. A coat and seal job from McClintic, which includes preparing the existing concrete, can cost close to $2,000, depending on the size of your space.
Open and closed storage allows for easy access to frequently used tools. 2008 California Closet Co. Inc.
Intrepid do-it-yourselfers also have the option of using any of several commercially available garage floor sealants. One innovative new product, UCoat It, comes with a lifetime-limited warranty against peeling or lifting when properly applied. The product promises a commercial grade epoxy finish without the fumes and expense of regular epoxy coatings. UCoat It is water-based, so there’s no fumes or odors, and cleanup is easy. The paint dries in 24 hours and an average two-car garage can be completed in an afternoon.
Once your new floor is in place it’s time to think about storage. All the big companies offer garage-grade cabinetry, which is usually made from melamine and built to hold heavy objects. You can choose between open shelving or cabinets with doors to hide what’s inside. Just like the kitchen, cabinetry comes in a wide variety of colors and styles in either standard or custom sizes.
The other option for storage is installing a TekPanel system. GarageTek covers the walls with TekPanel, a horizontally grooved panel that gives the room a clean, fresh and finished look. All the storage components are modular and clip directly into the wall panel. “It’s a very flexible system that can be easily rearranged on the fly, moving storage to the left, right, up and down,” says Peter Belman, Manager of GarageTek of Greater Washington DC. Both the TekPanel and the storage components are made of recycled materials and are also recyclable.
“Much of the content in residential garages is potentially dangerous—especially to kids and pets—whether it be sharp tools or possibly toxic chemicals. One of the things we try to do is store these objects behind closed doors, organized neatly and safely out of harm’s way,” says Belman.
“At a minimum we want to get things off the floor and onto the walls and ceiling. Floor space in the garage is at a premium.”
GarageTek offers a total garage makeover with wall, ceiling and flooring solutions.
Some of the firms use computer-aided design (CAD) software to figure out which cabinets will go where, how much stuff they will hold, and what it will look like when it’s finished. “We measure all the floor, walls, and ceiling heights, then we can change the different styles of cabinets on the computer,” says McClintic.
While floors and storage represent the basic components of garage reorganization, there are always people who go beyond the essentials. “Work bench areas are very popular with people who like to tinker,” says Sansing, “and storage for sports equipment is a big thing, especially when there are children in the house.”
“We’ve turned some garages into play rooms complete with pool tables, refrigerators, and La-Z-Boy recliners,” says McClintic. You might think the husbands lead the charge of cleaning out the garage but all the experts agree that the wives typically play major roles.
The length of a garage makeover project (not counting the clean-out time) is usually about four to five days but if your space requires custom cabinets, you should tack on a couple more weeks. When it comes to costs, like anything else, it varies. According to our sources, a single professionally organized wall may only cost $1,000 and complete two-car garage projects can range from $3,000 to $4,000 to $20,000 for higher levels of customization.
But, for those willing to invest in a garage makeover, the results are well worth the money. Many garage experts point to one thing when asked about the best part of their job. “After a garage project, I’ve had clients call me up and say ‘guess where my car is?’ It’s like they never thought it could happen,” says Sansing.
“I really enjoy working with people who are struggling to find the answers, because I have the solution to their pain,” says McClintic. So grab a big trashcan, head out to the garage and let the healing begin.
Scott Sowers is a regular contributor to ChesapeakeHome.
Contacts:
California Closets: calclosets.com or 410-247-8088
GarageTek: garagetek.com or 240-268-1150
PremierGarage of Maryland: premiergarage.com or 888-542-1221
UCoat It: ucoatit.com or 800-ucoat-it
