September is flying by and soon we will be trading in the lawn mower for a rake and then a snow shovel. Get your garage ready for the car and get your seasonal items stored away for the winter ahead.
There is no reason you can’t have a functional garage space for all your items, including the car.
Here are four tips to get your garage prepped this fall:
1. Protect the Floor
The garage floor is a standard, bare concrete slab, this can pose a problem for winters in the Midwest. Over time, concrete can develop cracks and pitting from settling and weather. Additionally, concrete is a porous substance that harbors dirt and bacteria as well as stains from fluids. This makes it difficult to clean.
Painting or using a do-it-yourself epoxy coating is one way to “refresh” the concrete, but it is not a long-term solution.
Using a solid polymer system provides superior adhesion, hardness, UV stability and chemical resistance. The best way to get a superior floor surface and protect the concrete is to hire a certified installer to ensure the correct product is used for the surface.
2. Get Organized
The garage tends to be the “dumping ground” for just about everything, seasonal items, tools, holiday décor, etc. This means there is usually no room for the car. Not to mention the time wasted searching for items you need or trying to figure out where to put something for the winter and find it again next spring.
With a good storage system your garage can hold everything it needs to, as well as the car. There are so many storage options including wall storage, cabinets, and overhead storage to get items up and out of the way, which creates even more floor space.
Take full advantage of the garage space with customized and adaptable storage options.
3. Look Up for Inspiration
The space above the car and cabinets, and even above the garage itself, should not be overlooked as useful storage space.
Overhead storage is a great option to store items not used every day. Looking even further up to the attic space creates even more storage opportunities. Installing an easy to use, space saving ladder to access the attic storage converts this wasted space into a functional, easy-to-access area.
However, storing items up and overhead isn’t just an option for holiday décor and seasonal items. With a vehicle lift the car can also be placed above the floor, creating more floor space and even turning a 1-car garage into a 2-car garage or a 2-car garage into a 4-car garage. 
4. Assess Efficiency
While the garage may be used for storage, it is also commonly used as a second entrance to the home, for some it is the main entrance. This means a steady temperature and an area that will not let air in and out is a good idea. The efficiency of the garage can also help with keeping utility bills down, preventing energy transfer into and out of the home.
- Ensure there is proper insulation in the walls and ceiling.
- Install energy efficient windows and doors.
- Replace dried/cracked weather stripping.
- Insulate the garage door (or get an insulated door installed.)
Get Started and Get Ready for Winter
Contact us for help achieving your garage goals. Our garage organization solutions and decorative concrete coating systems are transforming homes throughout Chicago, Northwest Indiana and Southern Wisconsin. Contact us for your free evaluation, tell us what you’re looking to achieve and we’ll custom design and install what you need to get the garage ready for every season in the years to come.
