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Recent Blog Posts
Sheds to Showrooms: The Evolution of the Garage
Since the invention of the automobile, garages have slowly evolved from humble, barn-like storage areas into what many people believe to be the most important room in the home. How did we get to this point? Well, it's funny you should ask that because the evolution of the garage is exactly what we will be discussing in this blog. We will be taking a look at the early days of the garage, the development of the garage, and the modern garage and all of its amenities. Follow along as we take you on a trip back in time and examine the development of garages through the years.
The Early Days
In the earliest days of cars, garages were not much of a priority for homeowners. Horse drawn carriages were popular and only the wealthiest individuals had the means to own a car. Even so, cars were more of a luxury item than anything else and, as a result, the storage of cars was in a very primitive stage. In many cases, cars were stored in any available sheds or barns that had enough room to accommodate them and nobody spent recreational time in those areas. While you could say that the concept of "the garage" was born, these were very basic times.
How to Set Up a Swap Meet in Your Garage
While they are a fairly common sight in suburban neighborhoods, organizing a swap meet in your garage can be a bit of a challenge for beginners who… well … uhm... okay, fine. Setting up your garage for a swap meet is a pretty easy task. Nevertheless, there are some things that can go wrong and you are bound to make a few mistakes if you go into your swap meet completely blind. Fortunately, those in need of advice have come to the right place. Featured below is our list of the most important parts of every swap meet:
Advertising
Since a swap meet is different than a garage sale, the most important aspect of your planning process is going to be advertising. It is important to make it clear to your audience that you are holding a swap meet, not a garage sale, and that they will be expected to bring items which they are willing to swap. The internet (especially social media) provides a good place to advertise, with local groups serving as your ideal targets. Frequently posting about your swap meet will raise the awareness of your upcoming event and also allow for a place in which people can ask you questions if they are interested in attending.
Garage Decorating Guide
At first glance, decorating your garage seems to be a fairly simple task. Pin up some signs, add a few chairs, and just like that, mission accomplished. However, the decoration process is much more nuanced than you may have been led to believe and a well-decorated garage is not easy to achieve. That being said, if you want to design a garage that stands out from the rest, you have come to the right place. Follow our advice in this garage decorating guide and you will become the envy of your neighborhood in no time.
Wall Signs. A popular way to give your garage character is by hanging up a wide variety of signs on the walls. These signs can be inspired by any number of factors, such as the type of car you drive, your favorite sports teams, or even your preferred brand of beer or liquor. There are not many rules when it comes to what should and should not be used to decorate the walls of your garage and simply put, the key to laying out the design on any wall is to find the signs that best portray your personality to everybody who enters your garage.
Summer Safety Checklist for Your Garage
Summer weather represents a perfect opportunity to get outdoors. If you are like many homeowners, the summertime means that you will be spending an increased amount of time in your garage. While you may believe that you have gone to all necessary lengths to ensure that your garage is as risk-free as it can be, there could be safety hazards in the garage. It is likely that your garage is where you store a wide variety of potentially hazardous items, and it is important to address any situations which present a risk to those who enter the area. Featured below are tips that you can use to keep yourself safe as you spend the summer months in your favorite workspace.
Store tools in secure locations
While it may seem obvious, it is important to make sure that all of your tools are stored in a secure location in your garage and out of the reach of children. An easy way to do this is by placing them in a storage unit with a lock on it that keeps them off of the floor and out of harm's way.
Top Five Ways to Keep Your Garage Cool
Whether you are planning on completing your latest project or just trying to sit back and relax, keeping the inside of your garage cool can prove to be a challenge during the hot summer months. Listed below are our top five ways to keep your garage cool when the weather turns hot.
1. Insulate your garage. Unlike the other walls in your home, your garage door was not designed with climate control in mind. No amount of air conditioning will cool your garage if the door exposes it to the outside heat. Whether you use form, wood, or tape, a well-insulated garage door will cool your garage and cut your energy bill.
2. Install an air conditioning unit. Ranging from $150 to more than $500, window and/or wall-mounted air conditioning units are a reasonable way to cool your garage. Whether you have one professionally installed or you choose to do it yourself, an AC unit will surely cool you off while you tackle your latest project.
The Best Paint to Use for Your Garage
If you spend a lot of time in your garage, the environment you create in that space is important. One key decision you will have to make when decorating your garage is what kind of paint is best for you to use on the walls. There are many different types of paint that you can use on the walls of your garage. Some are more specialized, while others are just simply used for design purposes.
Specialized paints
There are certain types of paint that serve a specific purpose. For example, a semi-gloss paint helps prevent dirt particles from showing and makes it easier to wipe down the walls without showing any damage. If you wish to keep your garage clean, you may want to choose a washable paint so that you do not have to worry about overall wear when you wash the walls of your garage.
Anti-mold paint
Before purchasing anti-mold paint, ask yourself if you can paint over mold if you use mold resistant paint. Although it is ultimately up to you, it is not recommended to paint over mold, even if it is with anti-mold paint. That specific type of paint will resist the development of mold if applied to a mold-free surface, but it will not fully eliminate mold already on the surface. Painting over existing mold can actually make it more difficult to see when that mold begins to grow and spread. As long as you apply this paint first before the mold is forming, you should be in the clear. Zinsser is one brand that produces a type of anti-mold paint. The paint is a mold killing primer that can be used to eliminate mold, mildew, moss, fungi, and odor-causing bacteria.
5 Organizational Techniques for Garage Equipment
As the seasons change, the way that you organize your garage may change as well. When the weather becomes warmer in the summertime, you might choose to pack away your winter gear and switch it for outdoor equipment such as bikes, sprinklers, and gardening tools. You will want to organize this equipment in your garage so you can find materials easily. There are a few key steps to take when it comes to executing organizational techniques for your garage equipment:
Before you begin, take everything out
Look at your garage when it is empty. Looking at a bare garage is like an artist staring at their blank canvas before they begin painting their masterpiece. By emptying your garage, you can decide which areas of your garage are best to designate for certain storage space. Once you have a clear idea of how you wish to set up your space, you can begin the next steps of organizing.
Make the most of the space you have
This is a particularly important step to keep in mind if you own a car or multiple cars because they may take up a good amount of space-leaving less room for other storage items. Purchasing vertical shelving units and making the most of your vertical space can go a long way when it comes time to condensing storage space in your garage.
How to Eliminate Garage Damage Caused by Humidity
A drastic change in climate can take a toll on the interior of your garage. It is common for moisture, caused by rain or humidity, to get trapped within the walls of your garage and cause damage. This should not be taken lightly, and if it is ignored, the excess moisture in your garage can become worse over time. However, there are a few steps you can take in order to eliminate garage damage caused by rain and humidity.
Monitor the temperature inside your garage space
This is a simple way to control the level of condensation that builds up in your garage over time. Using a garage heater during the cooler months of the year will help keep the temperature balanced, which means it will be less humid in your garage. Install an air conditioning unit in your garage to help evaporate any excess moisture. An alternative to an AC unit is a dehumidifier. It is important to remember to empty out any water that the dehumidifier collects-as it will best function that way.
Security Tips That Can Keep Your Garage Safe
It is important to keep your garage in mind when you are installing a home security system. Before you finalize your decision on which locks to buy or what type of motion detectors to place on your lawn, make sure to review these tips that can keep your garage safe and secure from thieves and animals.
Install a security system
One of the most common ways that people choose to protect themselves is by implementing a security system in their garage. If someone were to try to break into your garage, the system will be set off and an alarm will alert emergency services. There are many different types of security systems, so it may be beneficial to do some research before purchasing one for your home.
Seal all windows
If your garage has windows, keep them covered with blinds or curtains so that no one can see in. The more exposed that your garage is, the more likely it is that someone will look inside and steal your property.
Avoid These Garage Cleaning Mistakes
While you may be aware of the correct steps to take when it comes to cleaning your garage, the mistakes that you should avoid may not be as clear. There are a number of steps to stay away from when you are thinking about cleaning your garage.
Clean without a plan in place
In order to successfully execute the process of cleaning your garage, it is important to come up with a few ideas of how you wish to go about it. This can make the steps that follow less stressful and easier to complete. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to add more time and confusion to the overall organization process. If you do not first take the time to put a plan in place, you may feel overwhelmed and end up rushing your cleanup.
Dress in nice clothes or uncomfortable shoes
Chances are that you are going to get a little dirty when it comes time to clean your garage. With that being said, it would be wise not to wear nice dress clothes because dirt and dust can potentially get all over your outfit. Instead, it might be a good idea to wear an older T-shirt and a comfortable pair of gym shoes, so that you are able to move around more effectively.
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