With spring season just a week away, everyone is abustle with new season cleaning, updates and organization. One area that is often overlooked is the home's garage. A space with so much potential should be fully taken advantage of, and the folks at Charleston Home + Design are here to help motivate you to make it happen.
Prior to any renovations being made, the space must be clean and clear of all beach and sports equipment, home improvement products, tools and other practicalities, as well as junk. After you have achieved the necessary level of cleanliness, move on to updating the interior. Most homes' garages have not had a good paint job in a while, if ever, and even more are in desperate need of new flooring. Tackle the walls first. Sherwin-Williams, founded in 1866, is the largest producer of paints and coating in the U.S., and is among the top producers in the world. With every color you can imagine available, you are sure to find the right shade. If painting is not your area of expertise, or simply not your cup of tea, hire a professional to tackle the project. Two of our Charleston based favorites are 1st Class Painting and Restoration and Koozer Painting. A fresh coat of paint is guaranteed to make an obvious improvement in your garage.
After making some much needed adjustments to the walls, move on to the often neglected floors. Get rid of your garage floor's fluid stains, concrete dusting, and drastically reduce maintenance needs. Industrial grade flooring, such as Carolina Flooring Specialists's multiple component polymer flooring system, will take your worn flooring from dull and overly ordinary to gleaming and extraordinary. With a myriad of options, from traditional neutrals to bright, bold hues, personalizing a garage to specific tastes is simple. There is even the option of including monograms and team logos to spice up the garage's style. Quick, quality installation and incredible durability make this upgrade a no brainer.
The key to keeping your garage in tip top shape with little need for improvements is conserving organization and cleanliness. These are two elements that should not be ignored, but can be difficult to achieve and maintain. Installing a storage system is the recommended route. Lowcountry Monkey Bars Storage is a strong, versatile organization and storage system that is individualized to your family's needs. Creating fully accessible, specific storage for every item in the garage, keeping up with cleaning is as simple as it gets. By installing an organizational system, you will find that the space needed for storage is a third of what was used prior to the garage re-do.
Another upgrade to consider is garage door repairs and renovations, or even updating to a new garage door altogether. Wood garage doors will need to be refinished periodically to protect and repair from the elements, particularly with the Holy City's often harsh weather systems. The door's finish will discolor and fade from the coastal sun rays, wood will crack and sag, moisture and mold will fester, and steel doors will accumulate dents and dings. Worn out garage doors or garage doors installed on new homes will also raise energy bills, as they are often times not well insulated or properly weather proofed. A well insulated, sealed garage door is always a necessity, but is especially important if you have a living space in close quarters to the garage door, maintaining desired temperatures in these adjacent rooms. Charleston's All About Garage Doors focuses on just that: garage door repair and installations, as well as customizations.
Before settling in to your new and improved garage, remember since we are entering spring, summer is right around the corner. Living in the lowcountry has many perks, but the bugs are not one of them. Be sure to cover all bases and protect your living spaces with pest control. These services cover all types of insects and other home intruders, and are a true necessity when living on the coast. Locally owned and operated critter control experts Ledford's Termite & Pest Control and Creature Catchers are simple solutions for your protection and peace of mind. Always remember that a garage is not quite as safe from these pests as the rest of your home, and preventive precautions must be made.
Start planning your garage improvements with the pros, and make that part of your home as enjoyable a living space as it can be. Happy Spring Cleaning!
Posted by Meredith Poston, Social Media Director, Charleston Home + Design.
