December 08, 2005
Garage Bike Storage
If you're like a lot of other homeowners, your garage is packed full of more than just cars. The trend in storage these days is to get things off the ground. One example is this overhead garage storage system we talked about last month. Fine and dandy for boxes, but what about bikes? Offered by A Trendy Home, this ceiling bike lift allows you to hook your bicycle up to cables, hoist it up, and lock it into place. The unit can work with ceilings as high as 14 feet, and it is designed to hold up to 50 pounds. With bicycles stored out of the way on the ceiling, there's more room for other clutter important garage items on the floor. The price for the bike storage system is $69.99.
http://www.atrendyhome.com
November 12, 2005
Overhead Garage Storage System
If you're one of those people with more things shoved in the garage than you have room for, the next logical step is to cover the ceiling with additional storage. (Oh sure, you could have a garage sale and get rid of some of that clutter, but you never know when that pair of inline skates your kid wore eight years ago will come in handy.) The Gardener's Supply Company offers an overhead garage storage system for just under $100 ($95 if you buy more than one). The units are designed to hold up to 250 pounds and 32 cubic feet.
Garage Ceiling Storage
July 17, 2005
Racor Garage Storage System
Running out of room to store stuff in the garage? The ProStor PHL-1R HeavyLift Garage Storage System from Racor is designed to store things overhead, making use of otherwise wasted space. It comes as a kit that you put together. The platform gets secured to the ceiling with metal beams, then a hand crank raises and lowers it for easy access.
http://www.racorinc.com/
July 08, 2005
Wood "Carriage" Garage Doors
Looking for garage doors that make a statement (besides ahh, don't look at me, I'm ugly)? Wood garage doors can add class and curb appeal to the outside of your house. Carriage style doors are popular and reminiscent of horse-drawn carriage days (don't worry, you can open today's models with a garage door opener). The Biltmore Estate For Your Home Carriage House Collection from Amarr has six designs with Western Red Cedar overlays that are made to resist cracking, twisting, and warping.
http://www.amarr.com/
June 27, 2005
Garage Tile Flooring
Looking for garage flooring ideas? Want something a little more interesting than concrete? How about interlocking garage floor tiles? They come in multiple colors, are made from durable polypropylene, and are easy for the homeowner to install (you just use a rubber mallet to snap the tiles together). Typical sizes are one and two foot blocks.
http://www.gladiatorgw.com
June 01, 2005
Garage Refrigerator/Freezer Gets Overhaul: Meet the Freezerator
Concerned about keeping a freezer or refrigerator in the garage? In some climates, subzero temperatures can be a problem. But the Whirlpool Freezerator (part of the Gladiator Garageworks collection) takes the worry out of durability issues. The Freezerator has both refrigerator and freezer sections (although throwing a switch can turn the whole thing into a freezer) with the smaller top section designated the fridge part. It has a built-in heater to keep your beverages from freezing during the winter while keeping them cool in the warmer months.
The outside of the Freezerator has a durable garage-style design as well. Rubber casters make it easy to swivel or move, and the graphite tread-plate doors say this isn't some sissy kitchen model.
http://www.gladiatorgw.com/
May 30, 2005
Garages Getting Face Lifts
The garage used to be purely utilitarian, a place for storing the car, the lawn mower, tools, and things no longer wanted in the house. It had a look to match, often with unfinished walls and exposed wiring, not to mention that one lonely light bulb hanging down in the middle (you know the one... it's a pain to reach the chain to turn it on because its right over the car). A recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called "Garage evolves beyond lawn mower storage, becomes bonus room" takes a look at today's garage trends. Since three car garages are becoming standard (but most of us don't put three vehicles in them), there's more room available and people are making use of it. Oh, garages are still used for storage, but more people are converting some of that space into bonus rooms with better flooring, built-in shelves, and cabinets. If you've got some extra room in the garage and have been wondering what to do with it, take a look at the article.
April 09, 2005
Luxury Garage Doors
I know what you're thinking; what's luxurious about garage doors? Well, with today's two and three car garages, garage doors take up a significant portion of the front of the house. Their bland utilitarian features can slant the overall aesthetic of the house from impressive to blah. Did you know that non-generic garage doors can increase the resale value of your home?
Today's garage door trends are to incorporate the doors into the design of the house. You don't need to go so far as to order custom garage doors; many manufacturers are recognizing the homeowner's desire for better looking doors and offering more appealing styles. One example is carriage-style garage doors. They look like they open up like old-fashioned doors in carriage houses, but in fact slide up overhead, just like normal garage doors.
For ideas that might work for your home, check out these residential garage door manufacturers:
Clopay Wood and Metal Garage Doors
Summit Custom Wood Garage Doors
Designer Garage Doors
