TLC Garage Works Blog

Garage Organization Tips to Improve the Safety of your Garage

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:25:38 +0000

Chances are that your garage is cluttered. But don’t worry; most garages are a mess. The good news is that a well-organized garage is actually not as hard to accomplish as you may think! The secret: TLC Garage Works, Inc.

Step #1: Sort everything into piles – one pile to keep, one pile to donate, and one pile to throw away. And remember, the more you get rid of, the less you have to deal with later!

Step #2: Be smart. For starters, do not store anything on the floor. This will not only make sweeping and cleaning easier, but it will also protect your possessions in the event of flooding. So instead of storing items on the floor, utilize vertical storage. And remember to follow one simple rule: The less often a category of stuff is used, the higher up it goes.

If need be, have additional storage spaces installed.

Step #3: Call TLC Garage Works, Inc. We can provide you what you need. Whether it is a complete garage makeover, a garage remodel, a new garage floor, better garage storage organization, new garage cabinets or garage shelving, TLC Garage Works, Inc has the right organization solutions for you.

Garage Cabinets: Adding cabinets to the garage will provide much needed storage and allow you to put things away.
Garage Shelving: If you have items that you use a lot, but that you need stored out of the way, garage shelves may be the perfect solution.
Garage Wall Panels: Have tools and other items that are awkward to store? Why not hang them on the wall? TLC’s wall panels and wall hooks make that possible!
Garage Bins: These are perfect for storing anything from sports equipment to tools.

If you have any questions about organizing your garage or would like further consultation, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

TLC Garage has reputable services, tips and expertise for any garage-related problem. Why not consider a complete garage makeover? We can do it for you. In addition to garage organization tips, we’ll organize your garage – from clean-up, taking your ‘junk’ away, installing slat-wall, new storage systems, and leaving it sparkling…and you’ll be glad you did!

We serve Maryland: Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Prince Georges County, Montgomery County, Howard County, Carroll County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, Talbot County, and Queen Anne’s County, as well as the Washington DC area.

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

A Structured Garage is a Safe Garage: Garage Organization Tips

Organizing your garage? Remember to ask these 5 questions

TLCgarage — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:38:22 +0000

In general, cleaning up any area can be quite a hassle–especially a garage. Homes tend to be more organized since many tend to have closets, shelves, and an array of other storage areas. When it comes to organizing your garage, remember to ask these 5 questions.

Top 5 Questions

1.) What are you using your garage for? Garages serve multiple uses. Whether it’s to park your garage, use as a workspace or as a storage facility; it’s important to remember what your garage’s prime use is. With that said, it’s doubly important to have this space clean, organized and DE-cluttered. Before you organize your space, you need to know what your garage is solely used for.

2.) Where do I start? It all depends on the current condition of your space. Depending on how clean or cluttered it is, you will need to sort items into ‘keep’, ‘donate’ or ‘trash’. Later on, you will need to jettison your last two piles–asap. Lastly, try to find out how you will store any or all items into your ‘keep’ stash.

3.) How long will it take to organize the garage? Well, it all depends on the severity of your garage. Your garage could be clean within a couple of hours to a few days, depending on the amount of clutter that has been built up over the years. Remember not to fret but to focus your efforts into creating a garage organizational system that upholds grouping and labeling items.

If the clutter seems insurmountable, remember that all tasks can be fixed, inch by inch. Take your time and don’t give up. Provide an incentive for yourself in case you feel that this task is too daunting.

4.)What garage cabinet options do I have? If your garage is a hapless mess, than it can be deduced you many not have many garage cabinets. Fear not, TLC Garage Works has a cornucopia of garage cabinets in hundreds of widths, styles and configurations.

Look for either a powder coated wood and metal type of cabinet since these two types are sturdy, reliable and durable.

A medley of corner, stretchable and 12″ depth cabinets could easily organize your garage and add a flare of style to your space. Please remember that a great manufacturer will offer a lifetime warranty.

5.) What sort of budget will I need for a garage storage system? As with most projects, cost is always a factor. Depending on the quality you want, you will need to figure out your garage’s purpose, organize your area and contact TLC Garage Works for professional assistance pertaining to pricing, final design and any advice you may need with your garage.

Why a TLC Garage make over is right for you

If you have any questions about organizing your garage or would like further consultation, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

TLC Garage Works, Inc has the right organization solutions for you!

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Questions-To-Ask-Before-Organizing-The-Garage&id=6992738

Garage Floor Coatings: Maintenance Tips from your Baltimore Garage Experts

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:14 +0000

Garage floor coatings serve several important purposes for your garage. Yes, they will definitely improve the aesthetics of your garage. But more than that, a professionally installed garage floor coating is also incredibly durable, providing an extra layer of protection for your garage floor!

TLC Garage Works Garage Floor Coating Process

Surface Preparation: Did you know that 80% of all premature coating failures can be directly linked to inadequate surface preparation? This is why our professional installers carefully evaluate each and every garage floor or concrete surface before installation. If we find minor cracks, or oil, grease, wax, or paint stains, we’ll repair, prepare, seal and coat the surface with products selected specifically for your unique requirements.
Roughen the Flooring Surface: Coatings adhere better and more reliably to a rough surface. There are two primary ways to roughen the concrete surface: acid etching and mechanical etching. TLC Garage Works will only use mechanical grinding to prepare concrete floor surfaces. That’s just one of the many reasons TLC Garage Works garage floors are the most attractive, durable floors available.
Floor Finishes: There are several different garage floor coatings, including:

Paints & Stains: Concrete paints and stains form a film only on the surface of garage floors, making them easy to scratch. They are also not UV or water resistant, meaning they will fade, chalk, bubble, chip, or wear off.
Epoxy: For the better past 30 years – when professionally applied – there’s been nothing to compare with it.
Polyaspartic Polyurea: At TLC Garage Works we only use industrial strength, flexible, earth friendly, VOC-compliant, and just about bullet-proof, Polyaspartic Polyurea floor finishes that will outlast, out-shine, and out-perform any other coatings on the market today.

Why a TLC Garage Works Garage Floor is the Best One for You…

It’s important to recognize that coating your garage floor isn’t as simple as slapping on a coat or two of the stuff the Big Box Stores will sell you – not if you want an attractive, envy-of-yourneighborhood, long-lasting, durable, low maintenance garage floor, that is.

Our goal at TLC Garage Works is to install a top quality, surprisingly economical floor coating that will provide years of great-looking, stain-resistant service to you and your garage.

You’ll love your new TLC Garage Works garage floor. And while you’re at it… why not consider a complete garage makeover? We can do it for you. in addition to your new floor, we’ll organize your garage – from clean-up, taking your ‘junk’ away, installing slat-wall, new storage systems, and leaving it sparkling…and you’ll be glad you did!

If you have any questions about Garage Flooring Coatings or would like a professionally installed garage floor, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

TLC Garage Works, Inc has the right organization solutions for you!

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Necessities Of Garage Floor Coatings

Polyaspartic Polyurea Garage Floor Finishes :: TLC Garage Works, Inc.

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:31:39 +0000

Your garage is one of the most versatile rooms in your home. For some, the garage is the perfect place to find a little extra storage. For others, the garage acts as a second living room, providing just a little extra living space. And for some homeowners, the garage is…well, a garage.

What we are trying to say is that your garage can be whatever you want it to be!

Because of this, your garage needs a floor coating just as versatile as it is. So whenever you are ready to redo your garage’s flooring, you should consider using polyaspartic polyurea floor coating.

Benefits of Polyaspartic Polyurea Garage Flooring

Quick installation with a fast cure speed
Incredibly durable
Optically clear
Does not yellow, chalk, or fade
Will cure and harden in all weather and temperature applications
Abrasion, chemical, and hot-tire resistance
Reduces moisture vapor transmission (MVT) with its penetration and bonding ability
And much more!

Applying a polyaspartic polyurea garage floor is a three-step process.

Contractors lightly grind the floor not only to free it of laitance but also to flatten curled joints. Cracks and joint repair are made with polyurea or epoxy products before placing the primer coat.
The clear bedcoat and decorative application is applied. This coat is rolled out to a 2-mil thickness using a 3/8-inch nap roller. It should be rolled and then cross-rolled; it will not pull or produce air bubbles.
The final 6-mil clear topcoat is applied giving the topping durability from impact, abrasion, and hot-tire resistance, while adding brilliance to the topping.

If you have any questions about Polyaspartic Polyurea Garage Flooring or would like a professionally installed garage floor, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

We can provide you what you need. Whether it is a complete garage makeover, a garage remodel, a new garage floor, better garage storage organization, new garage cabinets or garage shelving, TLC Garage Works, Inc has the right organization solutions for you.

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Garage Floor Coatings Pickup Speed

Garage Conversions and TLC Garage Works in Maryland

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:34:18 +0000

Do you want a bigger house without having to move? Do you want a bigger house without paying for an expensive home addition? Do you have a garage?

If you answered yes to all three of the above questions, we at TLC Garage Works have the answer you are looking for – a Garage Conversion. It is an economical way to give yourself the space you need while utilizing an under-appreciated part of the house, your garage.

Benefits of a Garage Conversion

Raise Home Value: Adding an extra living room, bedroom, office, etc. will help raise your property value.
Cost Effective: Converting your garage is far more cost-effective than an expensive home addition. All you need to do is add insulation, level the floor, address the garage door and maybe add heating/cooling.
Speed: Garage conversions are fast. As we just mentioned, almost everything is already in place.
Extra Income: Converting a garage into an extra bedroom to rent out can be a perfect source of additional income.

Instead of just letting your garage collect junk, turn it into something you really want/need.

Garage Conversion Process

The conversion process should begin with an assessment of the garage and its many facets.

What do you do about the garage door? Possible options include installing a patio door or framing a new wall that includes a large window.
Un-insulated and slanted. Those are the two biggest problems surrounding most cement garage floors. You may want to consider leveling the floor and covering it with a more suitable surface.
Garages are not climate controlled. If your garage is connected to your home, you may be able to extend existing ductwork into your new space. If that is not possible, you should look into an independent heating system, gas space heater or woodstove for the winter and a room air conditioner for the summer. Add insulation to walls, floor and ceiling before deciding how to heat and cool the space.
Is your current wiring enough? If you expect to substantially increase electrical usage in the converted space, consider adding at least one new 20-amp circuit.
What is the toughest part of any garage conversion? Plumbing. While getting water supplied to the garage is easy, drainage present a much tougher challenge.

Trust TLC Garage Works

If you have any questions or would like professional storage areas installed, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Garage Conversions – A Wise Investment

Summer’s Coming … Along with Bumps, Scrapes and Stings.

TLCgarage — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:30:37 +0000

First aid kits are a must in our routine daily life as accidents usually happen when people least expect them. Stock first aid kits at home, school, office and also in cars, so that anyone can be equipped to face any circumstance that requires urgent care.

Spring is the perfect time to check the first aid kit and replace any missing supplies. Here’s a checklist no home should be without.

6 Tips for Cleaning your Garage

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:03:49 +0000

Your garage is currently a disaster area, dominated by boxes and other random “junk.” But what can you do? Well, you could clean and organize your garage, giving you that extra storage space you so desperately need.

And don’t worry; cleaning out your garage is easier than you may think. And, besides, we are here to talk you through the process.

Reinforcements: For starters, there is no point in doing all the work yourself. Chances are that you can “buy” the help of some additional helpers (aka friends) with a few pizzas.

Rent a Dumpster: Do not be afraid to get rid of stuff. Rent a dumpster and throw away anything you do not want or need. You will be amazed at how much room this step will free up.

Zones: Establish zones – parking, storage, hobbies, etc. – will help you better organize your garage and make it more functional in the future.

Plastic Bins: Forget about cardboard boxes. They are no waterproof or rodent proof. Instead, store your items in plastic bins. These bins are easily stackable and protect your items from the elements.

Think Vertical: Do not forget to utilize every possible inch of storage space. Wasted space does you absolutely no good!

Trust TLC Garage Works: We can provide you what you need. Whether it is a complete garage makeover, a garage remodel, a new garage floor, better garage storage organization, new garage cabinets or garage shelving, TLC Garage Works, Inc has the right organization solutions for you.

If you have any questions or would like professional storage areas installed, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Peter Walsh’s 6 Pointers for Cleaning Out Your Garage

The Importance of Garage Floor Coverings

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:13:02 +0000

Garage floor coverings are extremely important for several reasons, including aesthetics, safety, protection, cleanliness, and ease of maintenance.

Aesthetics: Do not overlook aesthetics simply because we are talking about your garage. With so many options available to you – in a wide range of styles, designs, and colors – why are you so content with a garage floor that is old, ugly, and damaged?

Safety: You can choose from garage floor paint, garage floor coating, garage floor mat and garage floor tiles. Each option makes it easy to clean your garage floor.

Protection: Cracked and unattractive garage floors will actually decrease the overall value of your home. Garage floor coverings give your garage floor the extra protection it needs to stay clean and looking nice.

Cleanliness/Ease of Maintenance: A garage floor covering can help you avoid dangerous slippery floors while also improving the aesthetics of your garage. It is truly a win-win situation. Garage floor coverings make cleaning your garage so much easier. Instead of heavy scrubbing, a simple sweeping and a light mopping will suffice.

TLC Garage Works can help!

If you have any questions or would like professional storage areas installed, please contact TLC Garage Works by calling 888-742-5852 or click here today!

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Sources:

Garage Floor Covering: Necessary For Homes

4 Great Uses for Neglected Space in Your Home

TLCgarage — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:45:44 +0000

You need more space. Whether it involved a call for more elbow room or the wide open plains, the history of humankind boils down to a bunch of people wanting more room somewhere else.

Now that spring is here, it’s likely that the old homestead is starting to feel a little cramped. Unfortunately, the housing market has pushed your dreams of a rock star mansion a few years into the future.

That can only mean one thing: spruce up the digs. There is plenty of neglected space available right in your own home if you know how to look at it.

Let’s take a look at 4 ways you can start building a budget dream home.

The Mythical ManCave – You know they exist, you may have even seen a room that claims to be a ManCave. But the real ManCave, like Bigfoot, lives only in our dreams (or nightmares). The biggest obstacle to building your own ManCave (or WomanCave or KidCave for that matter) is your own perfectionism. So lighten up, don’t take it so seriously, and start clearing out your basement today. You don’t need electrical engineers, stone masons, and professional mixologists. All you need is an entertainment center, a comfy chair, and a minifridge. A weekend yardsale-ing will take of that.

Work it Out – What does a workout mean to you: free weights and baby oil or headbands and leg warmers? In your own basement, you no longer have to endure ridicule at the Fitness Center to burn off a few calories. This is another way to create a whole new life for yourself with a modest investment. Go online for free or used exercise equipment – statistics show that more people give up working out every year than start in the first place by some strange twist of math. Your first workout: Carting off the piles of dirty laundry.

Garage Band – The number one area of your house that needs some attention is…your car could tell you if it could move an inch. If you are an average American family, you treat your garage like a basement, attic, and tool shed lumped into one. Don’t settle for average. Cleaning the garage sounds difficult. Clear out some space sounds like a breeze. Call a professional if you’re still daunted. Need some motivation? OK, how about your very own recording/vinyl to mp3 listening studio? Put up some acoustical foam and lay down some tracks. Now, how cool is your garage?

Craft Barn – Your garage is also the one place in your house that you can hose down without explaining yourself. The only two additions you will need are racks on the walls and foldaway workbenches. Presto! You now have a room for the felting business you’ve been claiming on your taxes. Or throw the kids in the garage on a rainy day and say, “Go paint something.” Your only problem will be scheduling all the neighbors calling to book the neighborhood craft barn. Now there’s an second income you never considered.

So don’t relocate before you renovate. You deserve to live in the kind of house you would want to see on TV, so go ahead and baby yourself a little. After all, your home is your crib.

Make the Most of the Space Under the Stairs

TLCgarage — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:00:37 +0000

Stairwell walls are often long, unused expanses of storage space just waiting to be discovered. Here are just a few things you can use that space for:

Rarely the focal point of a room, the triangular shape of under-stairs space comes out from the shadows when fitted with display shelves and a small storage cabinet.
An under-stairs cubby has plenty of height and leg room. Add a comfy cushion and window seat-style storage drawers, and you’ve got the perfect hideaway for your literary pursuits.
Storage cubbies near an exterior door sure are handy for a family on the move. Put school packs, shopping bags, and sunglasses right where you can nab them on your way out the door. Everyone gets their own cubby.
Kids love kid-sized spaces. Make a nifty hideaway in an under-stair nook, when the kids grow up, convert the space to storage.
Clear out your under-stairs area, add a writing desk, laptop computer, and rolling filing cabinet, and you’ll add a big functionality to your house.