Garage Makeover
 
By Lucinda Michell

Courtesy of Gladiator Garage, works by Whirlpool

Nothing says “black hole” better than a disorganized garage packed with stuff. And let’s face it: Northern Virginians have a lot of stuff. But a new trend shows that homeowners are trying to get a grip on organization. Now a multimillion dollar industry, garage design and organizational companies are the fastest growing segment of the home improvement industry. With “how-to” videos and do-it-yourself kits many homeowners go it alone while others need to call in the experts.

Just like kitchen and closet designers, there are local companies that specialize in garage design, from tinkering work spaces to glamorous car showrooms.

The myriad of floor choices will leave your wheels spinning, but according to Justin Krauss, from JNK Products, there are lots of good reasons to add special flooring. “It helps contain water and debris, plus it minimizes the amount of dirt tracked into the house,” Krauss says. “By spending just $1.50 to $3.50 a square foot, it’s an affordable way to convert an unattractive space into a nice work area.”

Easiest to install is a garage floor mat. It keeps stains off the floor, it has a fresh scent and it’s easy to cut and overlap without messy adhesives. Textured mats come in ribbed, coin, diamond or levant patterns.

Snap-in-place floor tiles are also easy to install, provide added cushion and come in a variety of colors. New on the market is Swisstrax Ribtrax, which works well on cracked concrete, and Sportrax which transitions outside for a great play surface. Xfloor boasts, “Xtreme modular flooring with monster performance” because it’s the only tile flooring with a real metal tread surface. RaceDeck is a patented Free-Flow floor that allows dirt and liquids to fall through the surface and keeps the area clean.

A more permanent surface calls for epoxy coatings, like Musclegloss—a solid coating that bonds to concrete and cement floors. Hot tires, oil, grease and other automobile wear-and-tear have little effect on the glossy finish. EpoArmor Flake is a strong three-part system that also holds up to harsh garage conditions. First is a thick layer of flexible epoxy, then a top layer of aliphatic urethane and finally, color flakes. Hey, even tough guys need a little beauty.

Courtesy of Gladiator Garage, works by Whirlpool

The sky’s the limit with storage options. Actually, the ceiling is the limit. A typical garage is 11 feet tall and 18 feet wide, which translates into loads of potential storage space. SafeRack provides overhead shelving suspended from the ceiling. Racks come in seven different sizes for a custom fit and can hold up to 600 pounds. Rubbermaid’s FastTrack Supreme Garage Organization Kit starts with horizontal steel rails that provide 1,750 lbs of support. Accessory hooks, baskets and shelves snap onto the wall mounting rail, creating storage for bikes, tools and more.

Cabinetry comes in many forms from rubber, snap together pieces to contemporary wood finishes. Talk about curb appeal, Potomac Garage Solutions’ unique Gladiator Steel Cabinets will have brakes squealing to a halt for a look. “We don’t believe in plastic or pressed wood cabinets,” explains owner Zeb Pomerance. “We use CPVC material that is fire and slip resistant because safety is a priority. Another bonus —our cabinets are modular units. This flexibility helps families stay organized. As their needs change, the garage can be easily rearranged to fit their life style.”

Sleek and functional accessories include matching steel-front refrigerators, garbage compactors and maple-topped work benches. And if that isn’t enough storage, add a parking lift—a two-car garage can now hold three vehicles.

“We’ve got lots of innovative products that help keep your garage together and make it look great, too,” says Baron Lyhne of Garage Storage Systems. New on the market are the Freedom Rail Cabinets that attach to a special wall panel. This flexible system makes it easy to add more cabinets or accessory trays. The Activity-Lok takes the worry out of heavy items falling off the wall. Made from heavy-duty and weather-proof resin coating, the Duratop Workbench is a favorite because it comes in many sizes and can be moved to where it’s needed most.

First impressions are important, and a broken asphalt driveway is not very welcoming. One of the most cost- effective makeovers for a driveway is stamped concrete.

“At Driveway Impressions we use an asphalt stamping technology called StreetPrint,” explains owner Todd Albin. “This gives the appearance of hand-laid brick, elegant slate or cobblestone. The continuous, flexible pavement surface is resistant to cracking or lifting. And there is no need to remove the original asphalt. We work right on top of the existing surface.”

Carriage House garage doors are another way to add character and charm to a lack-luster entrance. Top window panels add a distinctive look and come in different architectural styles like Victorian cut glass, prairie pane inserts or sunray patterns. Get creative with decorative hardware, barn strap hinges, stable handles or lion head knockers for the finishing touch.

(August 2007)