‘garage’ Tagged Posts

Garage Floors And The Proper Covering Alternatives

Garage floors harbor dirt, mud and any kind of stain you can think of. Not only do you drive right over them, but a garage is home to the dirtiest t...

 

Garage floors harbor dirt, mud and any kind of stain you can think of. Not only do you drive right over them, but a garage is home to the dirtiest things you own, like lawn equipment, chemicals, oil and gas cans. The floor is constantly subjected to heavy vehicles and leaks which shorten its life.

Believe it or not, most people would rather not have to deal with their concrete garage floor. Due to the cold and dangerous nature of concrete, it makes sense that people would want to cover it up. You can even inject a bit of style into your garage with the help of garage floor mats and covers. With the help of a garage floor mat, your garage floor can stay nice for much longer, and your kids will be safe from harm.

For the most part, garage floor covers are made of mats that will guard the concrete. You can also use them to protect the floor from pain peeling or scratches. Due to the plethora of designs you can invest in, there’s certainly something that you’ll like. Also, you can find it easy to clean and replace, since there are no adhesives sticking it to the garage floor.

There are other pluses to mats include being waterproof, durable, and preventing the growth of mildew and mold. Most covers are non-slip, which is important in what can be a precarious area. Similar to carpet, the cushioning acts as a sound barrier and makes the garage friendlier. With a garage floor that is protected and cushioned, you can use the garage for many other things besides just parking the car.

Once you’re able to show your significant other how much a garage floor cover can help you, they’ll be sure to agree. Just get it anyway, and watch the look on her face as she sees that you have protected her children from harm, while at the same time made the garage look pristine.

If you are interested in learning about some garage painting ideas, please visit go to my website Garage Flooring Ideas.

Need Storage Space? Consider A Metal Building

 

It might be time to consider adding a metal building to your property. Metal buildings can be purchased as pre-fabricated buildings and can be delivered to your property or they can be purchased as metal kits and assembled on site. Either way is fast and easy. These buildings are constructed to last for decades and there is a building to suit every budget. You can feel secure in knowing that were belongings are safe and sheltered.

Once you have decided to build a metal building you should carefully consider the size of the building. Tour choice of size will be virtually unlimited. These buildings potentially range from 4 foot by 4 foot garden shed to an enormous airplane hangar sized building. The proper size for your building will depend on the purpose of the building. What do you intend to store in the building? Once you have figured out what the building will be used for then you can choose a size.

By and large the most common metal building is the typical backyard garden shed. This type of metal building is generally made from aluminum or some other type of painted metal. These sheds tend to less than 100 square feet and fit neatly into a corner of your backyard or at the side of your house. When looking at metal garden sheds, particularly second hand sheds, make sure the metal is either non-corrosive or well painted.

If you have a lot of space you might want to build a larger metal building. Large rounded roof metal buildings are becoming more and more popular. These building range from 16 to 50 feet wide and can come in unlimited lengths. These buildings are extremely durable. They can handle enormous snow load if necessary but are actually built so that snow will easily slide off the building.

The larger metal buildings can serve many purposes. They make excellent storage facilities for items such as RVs and boat. They can also be used as out buildings for such purposes are a wood working shop. These buildings are intended to be wired for electricity and, although they can be difficult to insulate, a wood stove is a great heating option.

Metal buildings are a wise choice for people that are seeking extra secure and sheltered space. The buildings are cheap and extremely durable. If you need to add storage space to your home or business you should serious consider adding a metal building.

Keep reading on http://metal–buildings.blogspot.com to find out more about building metal buildings.

Choosing Between Garage Coverings

 

There are many different types of garage floors to choose from out there, and lots of different reasons why one might choose one over another. We’ll take a look at some of the most popular choices, and their advantages and disadvantages. After all, the only person that is really qualified to make a decision regarding garage floors is the owner of the garage!

Using Epoxy Paint For Garage Floors

Epoxy Garage Floor Paint is the most commonly used flooring in garages. It is considered permanent. However epoxy garage floor coating can bee fully removed by stripping after it has been applied. It has a professional look that is both shiny and durable. This option is the most cost efficient if you are physically able to do the work of laying the epoxy garage floor coating yourself. If you will need to hire someone to apply the epoxy garage floor paint for you then another covering might be a cheaper choice! The labor hours needed for this install far out numbers other options.

Garage Floor Tile

The only similarity in paint and garage floor tiles is a somewhat close end product, otherwise the differences are vast. Both require you to get down on your hands and knees for installation, but breaks of a few hours to a few weeks can be taken in the installation of garage floor tiles. There is always the possibility of slight fading, but otherwise the results would be the same. The ability to take time off in the installation process makes it worth the choice over paint to many. Assuming you can find matching color and design, broken or damaged tiles can easily be swapped rather than replace or redo the entire garage flooring. The selections available are wider and more varied in tiles. Paint remains a cheaper option than tile.

Total Garage Floor Coverings

By far the easiest and fastest way to cover an entire floor, garage floor mats are simply cut to fit then laid out. It’s that simple. If a garage floor mat becomes badly damaged, it can be yanked out and thrown away or recycled with very little drama besides moving whatever shelves or tables happen to be sitting on it. This is probably not the best option, though, if you plan to use your garage mainly for parking cars, as the some mats are susceptible to bending and bunching underneath car tires. Garage floor mats tend to be more expensive than either tiles or paint.

Using Compartment Mats For Garage Floors

Usually called a compartment mat, these are generally only used in one spot, and mostly for temporary purposes. They can certainly take more permanent use, but they’re not the most cost effective as you would have to buy a lot of the mats, one at a time, if you wanted to use them throughout. These are, however, great temporary solutions since you can just yank them outside if they need to be cleaned. They’re also the fastest to install by far as they can be snapped or stacked together, and will generally make a seal, depending on the manufacturer. However, if the goal is to cover the entire floor, it would be best to use just about any other option.

Check outSweet Garage Floor for more information on garage floor coverings.

Why Garage Floor Paint?

 

One option you may want to consider with your garage is garage floor paint. With garage floor paint, you can put a nice, shiny coat on your garage floor which will make it easier to clean as well as more attractive. This is a good option if you have a garage floor that’s already been coated with something that has either worn off or is undesirable. Most garage floor paints can be used on top of other paints or sealants, as long as they are clean and free of any contaminants. Since garage floor paint is typically pretty thick, there’s no need to match colors or anything like that.

How Long Does It Take?

Including preparation, many garage floor paint kits can take as little as three hours to apply. This is comparable to other garage floor solutions, like tile or mats, yet is quite a bit more permanent. Also, this estimate is for a normal garage. If your garage is quite large, then expect the process to take longer, of course.

Testing Your Concrete Garage Floor

Before laying your garage floor paint, the concrete must be prepared as per the paint manufacturers direction. This applies even if your garage floor is brand new and has never had so much as a bicycle parked on it. The cement still has to be prepared if the garage floor paint is going to adhere to it as it should and provide you with a long life and beautiful finish.

The 30 Day Wait

New concrete is susceptible to a slightly different set of conditions. You can usually tell it’s new if it’s unusually dark for concrete, such as a slate gray color, even if you can’t still carve your initials in it. If your concrete is at this stage, you will have to wait before preparing it for painting. Most paint manufacturers will tell you to wait at least thirty days, but different instructions may vary, so be sure to check the directions that come with your kit. If you’re unsure as to when the garage floor was laid, you’ll probably want to speak with the contractor, or wait at least thirty days from the first time you personally laid eyes on the completed floor. As it will have to be prepped and cleaned regardless of condition, it’s okay to go ahead and use the garage for storage, be it cars or boxes. Consider your own likeliness to move all that stuff back out, though, before you trap yourself in a hole of procrastination and never get the job done.

Garage Floor Paint: The Best Option?

As you can see, garage floor paint, while a comprehensive garage flooring option, can be quite the task to lay out. That’s not to say it’s not worth it. There’s a reason people use the stuff. Garage floor paint, when done correctly, turns out looking great.

Suzy likes to write articles about her garage floor coating and garage floor coatings.

Garage Floor Coverings

 

In new construction garages, garage floor coverings are all the rave. Although one might think of paint as the most obvious solution, there are many garage floor covering options available for consideration. When you are making the decision about the look and feel you want for your floor, pause to reflect on the reasons paint may be out shined by a garage floor covering. In this article we will discuss a variety of garage floor coverings available to you outside the standard painted floor.

Garage Floor Coverings Means Simple Installation

There are mats available in sizes for both the entire garage or for smaller contained areas. The mats that are used in specific areas of the garage are called garage compartment mats since they do only cover one actual compartment. The garage floor mats, rather they cover the entire floor or just one or a few compartments, are easy to install compared to tile or paint. For the entire garage floor one would simply cut the mats down to the proper size. Although compartment mats cannot usually be cut, they come in a variety of sizes and can be snapped together to form a liquid proof seal or even stacked upon each other. If one had the inclination to cover the entire garage floor with the compartment mats it could be done, but at a cost considerably higher than the approximately $100 for a paint kit. Keep in mind also that the compartment mats move easily, regardless of many manufacturers claims to the contrary, and car tires cause them to bunch and bend.

Garage Floor Coverings Are More Easily Replaced

Replacements of coverings are also a lot simpler. With and epoxy garage floor coating, replacement could include sanding down to the concrete when you have stains or other damages. Replacing a garage floor mat is as easy as throwing it in the trash or even recycling it; however this can prove to be an expensive route. Manufacturers for both mats and paint kits claim they are stain proof and can not be easily damaged as a means to justify their costs. Depending on availability of colors, if your tiles are not to faded, or if you kept extras of the original lot, tiles are easily replaced.

Garage Floor Coverings Are Pleasantly Squishy

In comparison to a bare concrete garage floor, epoxy paint is probably a lot nicer to walk around on, which is what they advertise. However, compared to garage floor coverings that are made of thick rubber, epoxy will probably feel like concrete. This also applies if you are laying or sitting down to work on a car. The ideal solution would be a comfy mat on top of a painted floor but, again, money is often the limiting factor.

Garage Floor Coverings Are Less Expensive…Sort Of

Without doubt epoxy paint is a very cheap route. If you are feeling up to the task of a labor intensive job and your lower back can survive it, epoxy paint is the way to go. If, however, you have to pay someone to do this for you consider that the benefits of the mat will be worth the extra cost in the end, especially with no installation costs involved

Check out Gabriel’s sweet garage floor for more information on garage floor coverings.

categories: floor,garage,diy,automotive,house,home,improvement,project,maintenance,fixing,shopping guide,product review

Before Cleaning For Garage Floor Paint

 

If you have read up on garage floor paint at all, you will know that one thing remains very consistent between the different directions of the various garage floor coatings. The floor has to be extremely clean. Different manufacturers’ and experts’ opinions vary on if you can paint over existing paint by just cleaning it, or if it needs to be stripped down to the concrete. The purpose of this article is to help you decide if it’s time to clean the garage floor for your epoxy garage floor coating. Cleaning unnecessarily is not harmful, but it is not particularly necessary. As always, be sure to check your garage floor epoxy kit’s directions for any additional steps.

Do You Have A New Concrete Garage Floor?

There are a few things you should ask yourself before you begin. Is the concrete garage floor new? If so, you will need to wait to do anything at all. New concrete garage floors should be allowed to cure for at least thirty days before any cleaning or applying of epoxy garage floor paint.

What’s The Weather Gonna Be, Ollie?

Is it gonna rain!? If so, humidity is going to increase, and this gives epoxy garage floor paint big problems when it comes to drying properly. If it mists a bit on hour 23, will all be lost? Doubtful, but why chance it if there is already rain in the forecast? It is best to check.

Too Cold Or Too Hot?

What is the temperature? This can be the real limiter in some areas. It is suggested that you do not apply epoxy garage floor paint if the temperature is going to be over 90 degrees, or below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Getting close to the upper limit is okay, but getting close to the lower is not. This is because if the air temperature is 55 degrees, you can bet the temperature of the concrete garage flooring is considerably lower, which will cause problems. Try not to push the envelope too much. This is a lot of work you will be doing, so you are going to be pretty upset if it does not come out correctly.

Is The Floor Ready To Be Cleaned?

If you have any of the above issues then, no, you are not ready to clean. Not that cleaning is ever a bad thing, but there is no point since you will have to do it again whenever the problem goes away. Grease and oil stains sweat, humidity creeps in, and dust settles, and that is not including whatever falls of your car. Odds are, the floor is not clean at all 72 hours after you have cleaned it. If it all looks good, though, it is time to clean your garage floors!

Looking for more information onGarage Floor Paint? Check out Florence’s Garage Floorwebsite!

categories: floor,garage,diy,repair,cracks,construction,automotive,house,home,improvement,project,maintenance

You Can’t Have A Nice Garage Without A Finished Floor

 

Men like their garages and often times their wives let them have free run of them. While the wife gets many of the rooms inside the house, the garage is the mans place with which to do anything they like.

If you are one of these guys, you might be considering some garage floor ideas because if you can personalize the floor, it can really take your garage up to the next level. I have seen garages where the favorite sports team logo is painted over the entire garage floor and the whole garage is a shrine to that sports team.

The best garage flooring ideas depend on what you want to accomplish. Some people just want to make their garages look better by putting down a cover on the cement floor. They want it more for looks than anything else because it can give the garage a more “finished” look. These people are usually looking for some type of mat that will cover all or part of the garage.

Your easiest choices are mats and you can decide to cover the whole floor or just part of it. Mats can be made out of rubber, plastic, or other materials and they can be made into custom shapes and sizes. If you dont want mats, you might choose to seal your floor as a way of protecting it. Sealing your garage floor is a great way of protecting it from all the dirt and water that is brought in and it makes the floor look better as well.

Whether you choose mats or a sealant, you will notice a big difference in the quality of your garage with regards to the floor. Now you will be able to walk around in your socks or bare feet and not get the feeling you are walking outside. A nice finished floor is a great way to add value to your garage and most people never even think about doing it. Finishing the floor is a must if you want to turn your garage into anything other than just a place for parking cars.

If you want to learn about some garage floor pads ideas, please visit my website Garage Ideas.

categories: maintenance,diy,construction,garage,floors,flooring,storage,cars

A Prefab Garage Is A Good Alternative To A Conventional Garage

 

The very first thing that you should do when considering a prefab Garage, is to check your local zoning laws. Some towns and cities have strict rules about how these prefabs may be installed, if at all. This will save you a great deal of time, money, and aggravation.

You will need to consider what size garage you are looking for. The best way to figure this out, think about what you will use the garage for. If your garage be used to store a small amount of business inventory, and a few pieces of equipment, you may decide on a smaller garage. On the other hand, if you are looking for a garage that will store several vehicles, you will certainly want something larger.

What type of door you want, and what type of windows you would like, if any, is something that should be decided as soon as you have chosen your size. You’ll also want to know how many windows you would like, as well as the style and size.

Do you prefer a garage which is made of treated limber, and resembles a barn? Maybe you want vinyl siding, or one that is made out of steel. There are many, many prefab garages available to suit just about any need.

Many garages these days include a loft. This is a great option, which gives the opportunity for extra storage space. For a garage that is to be electrified, this is frequently used as a quiet, private office location.

It is important to remember that the size of your garage, as well as any upgrades, will indicate the final cost. Be sure to know in advance, how much you are willing to spend. This will ensure that you will get the garage that you want, without spending more than you can afford.

Do not forget to include any shipping costs in your final total the cost of your garage. Be sure to inquire as to how much these fees will be.

Do it yourself, prefab garages are quite popular. These come with everything included to complete the entire project yourself.

The cost of having a contractor come to your home, and build an conventional garage can be quite prohibitive. Choosing a prefab garage is an excellent alternative, which is sure to be appreciated.

Get more information before you get a Prefab Garage or decide between the many options of Prefabricated Garages. A bit of information can save a lot of money and aggravation. Visit us today at www.prefabgarage.us

Where in the World is that Perfect Tool Chest?

 

There is a great deal of work involved in finding that perfect tool chest, but fear not, we are here to help you. We will help you identify the issues involved, and come up with some ideas on how to resolve them.

1) What is the Size and Mobility? “Bigger is Better”, or so the saying goes. This may work for some things, but not for toolboxes. If you have only a screwdriver, a hammer and a wrench, you certainly don’t need a chest that stands six feet tall. You would only spend precious time and energy figuring out where your tools were, and pushing it around the shop. Get a toolbox that fits your needs…you will be much better off.

2) What is the Size of the Drawers? Tools vary in shape and size, and your toolbox needs to be able to contain them. Some tools, such as rulers and crowbars can be rather long and narrow. Other tools, like jacks, are rather bulky and heavy. The toolbox you settle on needs to be able to house all these tools. Don’t forget the drawer ratings while you are picking out that “box”.

3) Drawer Slides. Drawer slides are those little rails that the chest drawers slide upon. They need to be appropriate for the drawer, or the drawers will not run smoothly. For shallow drawers you will only need two slides. If the drawers are particularly deep, then you will need four. If you want to have smooth action then you need to consider the weight rating of the drawer. Remember, ball bearing slides are the best you can get (but they are not a necessity).

4) Casters. They are a must if you plan on moving that huge toolbox around the shop or garage. They should be of the appropriate size, with 4″ casters being the minimum, and 5″ or 6″ casters being preferred. If they are too small they will catch on any uneven surface, perhaps causing the toolbox to tip over. Two of the four casters should be locking ones so that the toolbox will stay put.

5) What’s It Made From? Is the chest you are considering made from “Stainless Steel” or “Mild Steel”? They are the primary choices.

6) The Warranty. If a company really stands behind their tool chest, then their warranty will reflect this fact. Definitely look for a lifetime warranty a great thing if you can get it.

If you follow these 6 items you will be able to locate that perfect tool chest to house your beloved tools.

Want to find out more about that Great Tool Chest? If so, then visit Gerald Connor’s site on how to choose the best Tool Chest to house your beloved tools.

categories: toolbox,tool chest,tools,garage,gift,present,auto,garage,men,building,wrench,hammer

Your Trucks Rad and Coolant Levels Require Ongoing Attention

 

When most drivers think of their autos cooling system all that comes to mind is their radiator ” the humble rad. The cooling system of your car keeps your autos engine within normal ranges and provides you both comfortable maintenance free driving and heat from their interior car heater during the cold winter time or to defrost their windshield.

Yet your car or trucks rad or cooling system is not 100 % maintenance free. Forget about it and you may well have engine overheating damage, substantial auto engine repairs or worse, and no heat from your heater.

Radiator coolant and coolant levels are seldom on drivers minds till disaster strikes or they are frigid or cannot defrost their windshield while driving. First of all how can you judge coolant level in modern vehicles ” be they cars, trucks or SUVs? With coolant recovery systems, the coolant level is easily checked by observing the liquid level on the coolant recovery bottle. In most autos currently, the radiator cap need not normally be removed. The coolant level should be at the Full Cold mark when the system is cool and at ambient temperature. After the vehicle has been driven sufficiently to obtain normal operating temperatures, the level should be at the Full Hot mark.

Maintenance of proper fluid levels and an adequate amount of antifreeze is everything. You will maintain your engine and transmission within proper temperature ranges. The benefits – less wear and tear on your engine itself , no heat damage or buckling from excessive heat of engines running “hot” as well as the convenience of sufficient heat from your interior heater of your passenger compartment.

Most of the problems we encounter both in life and as auto owners are relatively simple and come down to basics. In this case its a matter of proper ongoing maintenance of your vehicle’s cooling system. If you are unsure of the steps and procedures ask professional help . Your local mechanic , a neighbor or the service department of your local nearby car or truck dealership will be only too obliging to help you out.

Alberta Auto Truck Traders

categories: auto,automotive,car,truck,transportation,auto financing,auto insurance,family,home,women,dealers,garage,credit financing