Backyards And Gardens.com » Garages

Should You Buy Cedar Garage Doors?

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Cedar garage doors can be a great way to enhance the exterior beauty of your home. They provide a rich elegance that cannot be matched in a door made from metal, and they offer a distinct look and feel to any home. Before buying cedar garage doors, however, you should give some thought to the pros and cons of using cedar wood for garage doors to make sure that these types of doors are right for your home.

Benefits of Cedar Garage Doors

Looks – By far, the biggest benefit to using cedar garage doors is their beauty. The look of cedar is rich, warm and elegant and can truly make a statement about your home. You can paint or stain cedar garage doors, or you can simply seal them with a clear, natural coat to allow the genuine beauty of the wood to come through. One important note to consider, however, is that if you opt to buy solid cedar garage doors, you should make sure that you select solid pieces of unblemished wood – this can add to the price though.
Custom Features – Since most cedar garage doors are custom made, you can add any types of custom features you want, including windows, grillwork, hardware and more. The downside to this is that custom-made cedar garage doors can be expensive, and if you need a replacement part, it can be hard to find.
Rot Resistance – Although any type of wood garage door will require more upkeep than a metal or composite model, the good news is that cedar is very rot resistant. This means that a cedar wood garage door will hold up well over time to exposure to moisture and insects. It should be noted, however, that ongoing maintenance will be required to keep the cedar in top shape.
Energy Efficiency – Cedar garage doors are relatively energy efficient choices. They naturally provide a level of insulation, although solid wood doors cannot have additional insulation added between the panels.

Drawbacks of Cedar Garage Doors

Durability – Although wood is a strong and durable material, it may not last as long as metal or composite garage doors. This is due to the fact that cedar garage doors can be greatly affected by the weather and may warp, split or crack over time. Cedar will expand and contract due to changes in humidity and temperature. They need to be carefully maintained to avoid damage from moisture and insects. The good news is that cedar is generally more adaptable to exterior conditions and should hold up better over time than other wood choices.
Price – The price of cedar garage doors is not cheap. They will be equivalent to or more expensive than other types of wood doors, such as redwood or oak. Cedar garage doors will cost more than off-the-shelf metal or composite doors. Of course, as with any other type of product, the size, type of construction and features will determine the final cost of the doors. If you like the look of cedar but can’t afford the price or don’t want to handle the maintenance of a solid cedar garage door, then you may want to consider a door that has a cedar veneer attached to a metal or composite door. Custom cedar garage doors, many that will include specialty windows and design, will be expensive but will offer an unparalleled look for your home.
Weather – Humidity, moisture and temperature can make cedar garage doors warp, crack or split. Or they may simply swell enough so that they don’t work properly in their track. A garage door made of cedar is also not designed to hold up well in areas that experience high winds. Consideration should be given to the weather and climate conditions where you live before choosing cedar construction garage doors.
Maintenance – Although you’ll love the look of your new cedar garage doors when they’re installed, you can’t just install them and forget them. Maintenance of cedar garage doors is an ongoing process that is an important part of keeping them looking good and functioning well. If you’re not willing to do the maintenance required, it is best to stick with a door that is not made from wood.

Garage Door Options

Types of Wood – If you like the look of wood garage doors, but aren’t sure if cedar is the right choice for you, you may want to opt for redwood or oak instead. These woods can provide equally attractive and durable garage doors, and each will provide its own distinctive look.
Types of Doors – When it comes to garage doors, there are a number of different options to consider. Tilt up garage doors made of cedar will work better than roll up garage doors, but both styles can accommodate cedar construction. For roll up models, each individual panel should be constructed of a solid piece of wood to prevent seams from showing over time as the wood expands and contracts. You can use automatic garage door openers for cedar garage doors, but just make sure that you get a model with the right horsepower to handle the weight of the door without overwhelming it.

Modern Laundry Sinks and Utility Sinks

Guest — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:37:20 +0000

Laundry sinks, or utility sinks as they are also known, are really important to any home. Having them will not just help you when doing the laundry, but also when bathing your pets, cleaning up from gardening or outdoor work, and doing some spring cleaning. Aside from their practical purposes, more and more people are now becoming concerned about the look of their laundry or utility sinks, even though most are simply placed in a garage or laundry room and not in a location that is more decorative. Some utility sinks are also used as outdoor sinks and people may want a sink that not only meets their functional needs, but also looks good in their outdoor space. Hence, some homeowners have upgraded their standard white laundry tubs to more modern looking ones.

Modern sink designs are really making waves in the market despite the expensive tags that are attached to them. The prices of these sinks typically range from about $200 to $600, depending on the style or design. Compared to standard laundry sinks, which only cost in the neighborhood of $100, these sinks can really be hard on one’s pocket.

So what do these modern sinks have that they cost so much?

Laundry utility sinks have indeed evolved with the times. They are now made from other fine materials such as porcelain, stone and glass. There are also products available that are made from stainless steel, giving the sink a satin-like look. Most laundry utility sinks on the market also offer a stain- and scratch-resistant exterior, so you are assured that the classy look will last long. The surfaces of these sinks are also non-porous so you need not worry about dripping water stains while cleaning. If you are looking to use your utility sink outdoors, however, you will have to give some thought to the type of material you choose to make sure it will stand up well to the elements of the weather (for example, using stone or stainless steel will work well, but you would not want to use a glass sink outdoors).

Some utility sinks have not just improved in terms of looks, but also in terms of usefulness. There are now laundry sinks that have built-in storage spaces. The shelves and drawers are made with firm wood legs and sheeted with medium-density fiberboard (MDF) to prevent warping. There are also utility sink kits that come complete with shelving and storage made from a plastic composite material, giving you a ready made outdoor sink station right out of the box. And, many brands of laundry and utility sinks are also available in different colors, so you can choose the color that best suits your taste or the surrounding decor.

Other features that make this line of modern laundry sinks more expensive are features like built-in soap dishes, washboards and drain boards. Some even have stylish faucets included in the package. Not every homeowner will need to spend the extra money on one of these newer styles of laundry sinks, and most will probably be fine with a basic cheap laundry or utility sink, but if you are placing the sink in a location that it will be very visible, you may want to consider spending a bit more to have your sink looking attractive, rather than being an eyesore. After all, once you’ve installed a laundry or utility sink, you will have many, many years of use from it. This means that any additional expense you lay out up front will bring you added rewards for years to come, and may be worth the extra initial investment.

Installing Steel Carport Kits

Guest — Tue, 04 May 2010 13:32:18 +0000

In our modern current economic climate, making any significant purchases requires a lot of forethought and consideration. As a result, many are trying to find ways to reduce their costs for various home-related projects, not the least of which includes housing their vehicles. A unit like a carport is a less expensive option than building a complete garage if vehicular storage space is what is needed. One of the most economical ways in which people have been able to build this type of storage for their vehicles is with the use of prefabricated carport kits.

Carport kits can be purchased in a variety of different materials, but steel is one of the most popular options. One of the main benefits of using steel carport kits is the fact that you can even save money if you have to hire someone to build you a more substantial model than the portable carports available on the market. This is due to the fact that even if you do have to get some sort of contractor or tradesmen to assemble your carport for you, you’ll still save money as opposed to having the unit delivered to you already assembled, which is extremely costly, or having a contractor build a custom carport for you from scratch.

Another benefit of steel carport kits is that if you do know enough about how to assemble a carport and don’t need to hire a professional, having a kit to put together is much easier than having to start with a set of carport plans, buying all the materials on your own, and then figuring out how to assemble it all. And getting a steel carport kit is an economical choice because you’ll save not only on labor costs, but on your shipment costs as well, since the kits come shipped flat packed and don’t cost nearly as much to ship as assembled structures would cost (in fact, to get a fully assembled carport, you’d have to have it delivered from a local company and couldn’t just have it shipped through the mail, making your delivery costs higher and your options as to where to buy it from more limited).

Going with steel for your carport is a wise decision, due to its strength and durability. But, make sure that if you do go with this particular kind of alloy, that you go with galvanized steel. The reason for this is because galvanized steel tends to be much more weather resistant and resilient against the elements. This is because the coating which essentially makes galvanized steel what it is, is designed to be durable and weather proof so as to extend the life of your steel carport. That means that a galvanized steel carport is less likely to rust, corrode, or deteriorate over time.

Always remember to make sure that you get detailed specifications about the carport kit you are considering buying before making any purchase. Make sure that the size you order will fit the space that you have and that the other dimensions will fit your needs. You should also make sure to check with your local town or city ahead of time to ensure that you have the proper permits and adhere to any zoning restrictions prior to to installing your carport kit outside of your residence or business.

Steel carport kits are a relatively easy way to construct a solid, durable, and weather resistant protective structure for vehicle storage that will be more economical than many other options. Whether you decide to build the carport yourself using the kit, or you still hire a professional to build the carport for you, using a carport kit can save you money, time, and lots of headaches.

Portable Garage Shelter Buying Guide

Guest — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 06:09:23 +0000

If you are the owner of a car, van, truck, RV, speedboat or other vehicle, and are looking for some way to protect your vehicle from the vagaries of the weather, then you will probably be looking for a shelter of some kind to offer the protection you need. A look around the place where you live should give you an idea about what you should be looking for. If you take a drive through any neighborhood, you can probably find a number of different types of temporary shelters that have been put up by people for the primary purpose of storing their extra vehicles. Although these infrastructures may vary slightly in looks, they are each commonly known as a portable garage shelter.

One may well wonder what is that special about this type of structure. The answer to this is simple. Portable garage shelters are relatively inexpensive and can be assembled easily, in comparison to more permanent garage structures. When you compare portable garage shelters to the alternative, you will probably realize that this type of protection is the best option for your vehicle protection.

These structures are also fairly lightweight and can be moved from one place to another without any difficulty, if needed. Portable garages can also be used for multiple purposes, in addition to storage of cars or other vehicles, such as storing lawn and garden equipment, other items, and more. However, there are a couple of things you should look for before you buy a portable garage shelter.

One of the first things you should look for in portable garages is a galvanized frame. Buying one that is lighter will probably prove to be less expensive, however some strength of the frame will be lost and it won’t be as sturdy. A galvanized frame will also last you longer than any other lighter material, so although it may cost a bit more initially, you will ultimately get your money’s worth because of the extra life you will get out of the structure.

Next, make sure that you have a good quality cover for the garage shelter you have purchased. A heavier cover will ensure that the shelter is sturdier and will last longer than a portable garage shelter made of lighter material. Yes, you may probably end up spending a little extra for the heavy material, but again you can remain satisfied that you will not have to look around for another shelter for some time to come. This may not be the case if you opt for an inexpensive lightweight cover.

Portable garage shelters are a great way to add some extra garage or vehicle storage space to your home, without the hefty price tag of building a more permanent structure. You can get portable garages in a wide variety of sizes, to house any size vehicle you need and with varying levels of quality in the frame and garage canopy material. Portable garage shelter prices will vary based on these factors, but it is best to not sacrifice quality for price in a structure such as this that will have to withstand a lot of wear and tear due to constant exposure from the weather. By spending a bit more up front, you can rest assured that you will not have to replace the structure as quickly, so in the long run it will be a cost effective decision.

Looking For More Garage Space? Why Not Try A Prefabricated Garage?

Guest — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:43:05 +0000

If you feel the need for more garage space to allow you to enjoy a hobby or for additional vehicular storage, but can’t afford to employ a builder to construct a custom designed garage, or an architect to design it, then why not look at buying a prefab garage? You can buy one in kit format directly from the manufacturer and then build it on your land at your leisure. If you have any sort of DIY skills then you will have no problems at all following the instructions that come with the product, or if you do not like building your own products then a professional can be brought in to give you a helping hand.

Prefabricated garage kits can be ordered in just about any size or shape of garage that you want and come with a whole plethora of options and features depending on what your needs are. If you are the type to get involved in your own construction projects, then these kits are no more than a weekend job if you can find a friend to help. There is no machinery needed to help with the lifting and all the sections are easily managed with two people and can even be lifted by a single man if you cannot find a friend to help (depending on the size of the garage). Included in the kit are all the materials you will need to construct your prefabricated garage, but you will need to buy the basic tools separately.

When it comes to the size of the garage, the only thing that matters is your budget, your needs and of course your available space. With that being said, the larger the unit, the more expensive it will be. Size is not the only feature to affect prefabricated garage prices though, as all additional features will cost more. For example, if you wish to have more windows or doors, then these will cost extra, but in turn will make your prefabricated building more unique looking. This ability to customize is a great benefit since, fundamentally, you can get exactly what you want.

There are many different styles of prefabricated garages to choose from, and you can find one to fit perfectly with the style of your home, street or whole neighborhood. Siding panels come in a range of materials such as different metals, woods or vinyls, and come in a vast array of color schemes. Different roofing materials and styles are also available for that custom look. If you want an added bit of luxury, you can get different options such as electric opening doors, garage heaters, or just about anything else you would require in any type of garage.

So, if you are looking for a way to acquire more garage space without the hefty cost of building a custom garage, then it is worth looking into buying a prefabricated garage and either building it yourself or hiring someone to build it for you. Prefab garages can save you lots of money over custom built garages, even if you hire a professional to construct them for you, and since there are so many options to choose from, your prefabricated garage can provide just about all of the benefits of custom.

3 Major Components That Affect Garage Door Prices

Guest — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:31:18 +0000

It doesn’t happen very often, but if you own your home long enough, you’re going to need to replace your garage doors eventually. It doesn’t matter how well you maintain your garage door (cleaning and oiling all of the parts), eventually all mechanical parts wear down. I know, it sucks, but hopefully you’ll only have to replace your garage doors once, so don’t put off maintenance once you replace it so that the new garage door you buy will last a long, long time.

Before you get too far into the process of looking for new garage doors, you’re going to want to arm yourself with some general knowledge about residential garage door prices. Now, each door will vary slightly, but there are some general price ranges you can expect to find based on the size, materials, and structure of the garage door. Being armed with this general knowledge will enable you to get the garage door that is right for you and your budget. You won’t have to worry about getting ripped off or buying a garage door that isn’t right for you.

Size

This is the fundamental determinant of what type of garage door you’ll be able to buy. Why? Because you need the right size to fit your actual garage opening. If you don’t get the right size, it doesn’t matter what type of deal you get on the garage door because it won’t fit!

But, the good thing is that most garage doors come in a general size, 16′x8′, so you have a wide range of options to choose from. Once you know the size of your garage door opening, you’ll be able to narrow your search and cut down on your shopping time.

Materials

The material used to construct the door is another major factor that can drastically affect the price of garage doors. If you’re looking for a basic, no frills garage door, there is a wide range of non-insulated metal doors to choose from.

If you’re looking for something on the higher end that is more dent resistant, you’ll be able to find a large selection of insulated steel doors to choose from. These doors look great with pretty much any architectural style used for your home. Plus, if you want it to match the color scheme of your home, you also have the option of painting it.

There are also wooden garage doors you can choose from to complement your home. There are a large variety of wooden doors with beautiful stains and finishes and these can really add not only functionality, but beauty to your home.

Structure

The last major component for pricing is the structure of your garage door. To be specific, this has to do with whether it is insulated or not, which will make a rather substantial difference in prices of garage doors.

A quick overview on garage door insulation – you have to sheets of metal (or wood) with a foam layer in between both sheets. This enables your garage to maintain the temperature of the garage well and keep the cold or hot air from the outdoors from affecting the temperature inside. Insulated garage doors increase in price based on the quality and thickness of the foam used for insulation. The thicker and higher quality of foam that is used, the more expensive the door will generally be.

You always have the option to go with a non-insulated garage door, but I would strongly suggest you stick with an insulated door if you use your garage as a livable space, because it will maintain interior temperatures much better.

And that’s about it. You now know the three major components that will affect the price of a garage door. Remember, even if you opt to get an expensive garage door, you still have to take care of it and maintain it properly. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself back at your hardware store spending anywhere from $400 – $800 to replace your “new” garage door a lot sooner than planned.

How To Pick A Carport

Guest — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 04:10:38 +0000

An inexpensive option for limiting your car’s exposure to the outdoor elements is to have a carport installed. This can be one of the most cost and space effective garage ideas.

Carports are structures that stand freely from your home, but are often installed along one of its sides. You can choose, however, between attached carports and standalone carports, depending on the space you have and where you want to situate the structure. Carports are available in different shapes, sizes and materials to best fit your needs. So, if you have something large such as a boat or recreational vehicle, a carport will do the job for it as well.

The materials used for building your carport directly affect its cost and durability. The least expensive options on the market are made of polyethylene and polyester. These are a nice lightweight option that would be easy to take down and reassemble if you ever move, or want to take them with you on the road, which makes them very portable. Polyethylene and polyester will not do well in areas that sustain regular snow or ice, however. If you are looking for basic protection from rain, sun and wind, though, this option will work quite well.

Aluminum would be your next carport option. Aluminum would not be prone to the cracking that polyethylene and polyester carports are subject to in snow or icy weather. Some aluminum carports are still easily disassembled if you ever need to transport them, so they can still be fairly portable options. Over time, aluminum will rust if you are in a damp environment, so consider this when you are choosing a carport type.

Steel or metal carports are your most durable and most expensive options. The metals that they are composed of are rust resistant so their appearance will remain appealing over time. Steel and metal carports are also designed for permanent placement, although they would still function well if moved and reassembled. They are not, however, portable carports in the sense that you can easily and repeatedly assemble and disassemble the structures.

Just like with a garage, carports can be built to house multiple cars. As mentioned above, they come in different lengths and heights and could house boats, buses or trucks.

Don’t let the word “carport” fool you, though. Manufactures today offer many variations and add-ons. You can have your carport custom built, just like a custom garage. The frames can be free standing and open or they can have walls attached to them. Your carport can even be completely enclosed and sealed if you choose with garage doors. You can also have a canopy attached to your carport frame to host outdoor barbeques or provide a shaded place to sit outdoors. You can have alarm systems, outdoor wireless security cameras, or solar panels installed as well.

So, if you’re looking for protection for your car without a garage price tag, carports may be the perfect solution for you!

You can shop for carports here.

Every Garage Needs A Floor Jack

Guest — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:23:05 +0000

Everyone should have at least one automotive floor jack in their garage. Even if you don’t work on cars very often, sooner or later it’ll come in handy. For example, you might need to change a tire or even swap on a set of winter tires, and it’s much easier to do with a real jack than a cheap jack that comes with most cars. It’s important to figure out what features you need though, before you head out to buy one.

There are a couple things to look for when buying a jack, especially if it’s the only jack you’ll be buying. One big thing to look at is quality. Of course, you want to get as high quality a jack as possible for your money. Another is jack height. The jack points on cars are a lot lower than you’d expect and a lot of jacks can’t fit under lower or smaller cars. They do make jacks that are specifically designed to have a lower entry point when the jack is completely lowered and you should try to find a model with this design, if possible.

One of the biggest concerns is whether the jack can hold the weight of the car. Check how much your car weighs and compare that to the recommend load on the jack. The jack should be able to hold 1.5 times the car’s weight for it to be safe. The last thing you need is a trip to the hospital with a smashed hand or worse because of a car repair accident.

Knowing what you want and finding it are two different things. Luckily, present day technology makes comparing automotive floor jacks much easier than 15 years ago. With places like Amazon, you can quickly see what hundreds of people think about any given jack with just the click of a button. You can see the automotive jacks with the highest review and also which ones tend to break after a short period of time. Once you’ve found the one that fits you best, you can head around to a lot of the online automotive parts stores and compare prices, or you can just buy your automotive floor jack on Amazon, since their prices are usually competitive with other online retailers. Prices will most likely vary a bit and with some searching you should be able to find a great deal. Keep an eye out for coupon codes to help save an extra 10% if possible.

How a Garage Door Seal Benefits Your Home

Guest — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:29:20 +0000

The benefits of having a proper garage door seal on your home or business property are considerable. The potential for damage from intrusion by everything from the weather to varmints is real if your garage door is not properly sealed. Unfortunately, compared with all the other areas of a property’s interior, the garage quite often is the most overlooked. However, consider the inventory of things that can go wrong if your garage door seal is not properly cared for and you’ll see why it is well worth investing the time to ensure your door is sealed properly.

The first might seem cosmetic. Leaves and dirt can be pushed under a garage door by winds and rain. A mess is one thing, but a wet garage floor can make for slippery and dangerous conditions, and can cause moisture and rust damage to tools and other valuable items. Even worse, poor garage door seal conditions can result in larger cracks or gaps that can allow in pests, snakes and rodents – which no property owner wants to deal with in any inside setting.

Then there is the matter of hot air leaking out, and cold air getting in. In this day and age of thinking green and protecting the environment, and also of being cognizant of monthly utility bills, it is imperative to know whether a garage door seal is working or not and whether your garage is well insulated. Garage door seals are an important part of your total DIY garage door insulation plan. The weather will force garage doors to contract and expand, and hot, cold, humid and dry conditions wreak havoc on the sealing systems around garage doors. None last forever.

Check a garage door seal during daytime hours, by turning the lights off while inside to see if you can see light seeping in around the edges of the door. Quite often, the culprit is damaged or cracked weatherstripping at the bottom of the door, which can be replaced. Supplementing the seal with a threshold on the concrete helps, too.

Today there are professionals available to assist you in properly sealing your garage door, or you can do it yourself and turn to garage door seal repair or replacement products. Many of these products utilize very strong adhesives that secure to the garage door quickly and provide protection from the elements, pests and critters outside. The benefits to be gained from a proper garage door seal are real, and offer any property owner a great peace of mind that their belongings are protected.

You can buy garage door seal products here.

Wooden Garage Doors Create an Elegant and Inviting Entry

Guest — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:50:50 +0000

Wooden garage doors add an elegance and beauty to a home. They express that the homeowner not only has excellent taste, but also appreciates quality workmanship. Wooden garage doors come in many different styles with a variety of wood trims to match the exterior features of any home. They are versatile in that they can look contemporary, modern, or antique depending on the homeowner’s taste and style.

A garage door made of wood creates an inviting entrance to any home. The style is quite popular and appealing as it changes the look of a house from ordinary to extraordinary. Wood garage doors are handcrafted and custom made to meet the approval of the homeowner. They are available in various styles of wood including cedar, mahogany, or teak and can be designed to match the trim of the house and front entryway. Adding accessories such as wood trim creates a unique look that ensures originality. These doors can be built to meet various sized garage openings and are custom built to fit any height or width.

A very popular style is the carriage house style which gives a home an antique look that is unique and creates a charm of a past time. A carriage house style symbolizes the elegance of an old world design, but with modern amenities. A carriage house style wooden door is a wonderful accent to a modern or a historical home. For an even more antique look, the doors can be made of reclaimed wood or can be designed to look more modern depending on the taste and style of the homeowner.

Accents such as hardware accessories and window designs create a unique and individual look that complements the home. Window designs can be custom made to match the windows that are already on the home, creating a look that appeals to the owner’s aesthetics. Hardware can also be designed to match other details on the home, or can create an entirely new look.

A garage door made of wood operates just like a standard garage door. It comes in an assortment of styles such as the standard roll up, a sliding door, tri-fold, or swing. Deciding which type of style to choose depends greatly on space and personal taste. A wooden garage door adds a unique and tasteful design to any home and is custom made to fit any style, any home, and any budget.

Get Organized With Garden Tool Racks

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:15:33 +0000

Are you tired of the piles of garden tools that are strewn around your garage, shed or garden building? Do you find it hard to find what you need when you’re doing some gardening? Then get a few garden tool racks (or even just one!) to organize your tools and you’ll always know where your tools are at a moment’s notice.

Garden tool racks are a great way to keep your tools organized so that you know where everything is and so that your tools stay in good condition. There are many types of garden tool storage racks that you can choose from – some can be hung on the wall of a garage or shed with hooks to hang tools of varying sizes, some can be stood on a table and have spaces to keep different types and sizes of tools, some are cabinets with drawers and shelves, and some are standalone racks with a variety of different areas for storing different types of tools. Some garden tool racks are even portable so you can carry your tools in an organized fashion with you as you move around your yard completing gardening tasks. The type of garden tool rack you choose will depend in part on what type of tools you are looking to store and what type of space you have to store them in.

Garden tool wall racks are a great way to store larger tools, such as shovels, rakes, hoes and spades. The racks have a set of pegs, clips or hooks that can be used to line up your long handled tools on the wall, so they are not left on the ground for someone to trip over. Some of these racks will also have a shelf overhead so you can store other types of tools or gardening supplies that would not be easily stored by hanging them.

Another type of garden tool organizer is one that has a series of different shelves, hooks, pegs and pockets that can be set at various locations along a backing board that is hung on a wall or propped up against a table. This type of storage rack is very versatile because it allows you to store all of your garden tools and supplies in a way that is most convenient for you based on the types of tools you have and which set-up most effectively houses all of the tools. Some of these systems are modular, so you can keep adding on as your garden tool storage needs increase over time.

There are also garden tool organizing racks that can be draped around a large pail or bucket to house your smaller gardening tools so that they stay organized while you tote them around the garden with you. These organizers are usually more like pouches than racks, with a variety of different openings and loops in which you can slip your tools to hold them securely. This is a great way to keep your tools organized on the go.

Garden tool racks can range from a very basic and small strip that is hung on the wall with a few pegs to hold long-handled tools to an elaborate system that includes shelves, pegs, hooks, clips, and more so that every garden tool you own can be stored in one place. Which type of rack you choose will depend on what you want to store and where you will locate the rack. Your budget will also be a factor in your purchasing decision.

You can buy garden tool racks at many home improvement stores, garden centers, tool centers or online retailers. If you search for garden tool racks online, you are sure to find a wide variety of choices and usually also some better prices than you would in most retail stores. Shopping online is a great way to compare prices of garden tool racks and to compare features as well so you find just what you’re looking for at the best possible price.

Buy garden tool racks here.

Convert That Ugly Garage Floor

Guest — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:37:21 +0000

Believe it or not, one of the big selling points of a house is the garage, particularly if one of the buyers likes cars. And nothing turns off a car loving buyer like an ugly garage floor. You know what I mean – a big oil stain or two, a crack running across the garage, and maybe a divot or hole where something was dropped. Someone who is a car aficionado does not want to work in this type of environment. The good news is that there is an easy and inexpensive way to treat the garage floor so it looks as nice as the rest of the house.

If you are interested in a durable garage floor coating, then you will want to apply a good quality epoxy. Epoxy will protect the floor from further abuse and, at the same time, will fill in the minor irregularities that have happened to the surface. Once the epoxy floor coating has cured, it is almost indestructible.

An epoxy is very easy to apply during a weekend home handyperson binge. First, all the dirt and oil needs to be removed from the surface. You can do this with a good detergent and then a degreaser, followed by another scrubbing with the detergent. Next, you use a weak muriatic acid solution to etch the surface for better adhesion. Then it is just a matter of mixing the resin and hardener together and rolling it out on the floor.

If you so desire, you can add a base color to the epoxy and/or you can sprinkle paint chips on the surface after it has been rolled out. Also, before it cures you should add a non-slip compound, as the epoxy can get very slick when wet without it. Sea sand works but is not recommended because of the salt that is usually present.

So, if you are looking for a weekend project that can do wonders for the saleability of your home, then apply an epoxy coating today to your garage floor. You can also find out about other garage floor coating options to enhance your garage floor at the Garage Floor Coating Tips blog.

Buy garage floor coating products here.

Choosing Affordable Open Carports, Covers, and Awnings

Guest — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:52:17 +0000

Carports have gained popularity for the excellent protection that they offer to vehicles from sun, storm and rain. A carport can be easily fabricated at an affordable price from materials like wood, aluminum and steel. They work in a similar fashion to porch awnings, providing overhead protection without fully enclosing all sides of the space.

The use of a carport is the most intelligent and economical way of protecting a vehicle, especially by people who do not have adequate storage space. Carports come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit different kinds of needs.

Installation of a shelter is an easy and hassle free job. Nevertheless, the protection that it offers is by no means less then that offered by a well built garage. An expensive vehicle stranded on the drive could give sleepless nights to four wheeler obsessed owners invariably, but a well built shelter can offer an immediate, tailor made solution.

Carports, covers, and awnings are intended for vehicle shelter and offer ample protection from most weather conditions. You will, however, need to contact your local municipality if you make any changes or additions to your property. There are two broad categories of carports, including open and enclosed shelters, but the open version offers the easiest installation as well as the lowest overall cost.

Open carports come without side panels and doors, offering protection to the top of the car alone, whereas enclosed shelters have doors and side panels involving a little more complexity in installation. Theses structures come in separate pieces that will need to be assembled much like a jigsaw puzzle by following an easy and straightforward instruction manual.

If you are not confident with installing the shelter yourself, you also have the option to hire a company or crew to handle the entire process for you. The price of installation would be added on to the price of the shelter if you choose to hire the installation services of the company where you plan to buy the shelter.

Carports are portable and cheap contraptions with great versatility that cover almost any type of car from unpredictable outdoor conditions.

Buy carports, covers or awnings here.

Outside Lighting Offers Ambiance And Security

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:48:13 +0000

Homes need lighting both inside and out. Outside lighting not only adds ambience and beauty to a home’s exterior décor, but it is an important feature for safety and security reasons as well. Outside house lighting ensures that visitors can see their way along paths and up and down stairs, highlights interesting elements in garden décor such as a tree or flowerbed, and deters intruders because a well lit home is one in which would-be intruders are more visible.

When it comes to outside lighting, there is a large variety of outside lights to choose from. Outside light types include those that are anchored to doors, walls, and garages, as well as those that are tucked into landscaping and sit along patios, decks and pathways, and hang from porch awnings, among others. There are so many types of outside lighting fixtures that the possibilities are as vast as if you were looking for lighting fixtures for inside your home. In fact, due to the large number of outside lighting styles available, there are more types of outside lights to choose from than there are inside lights.

Here is a rundown of some of the more popular types of outside light options available to homeowners:

Outside wall lighting – Outside wall lights consist of lanterns and sconces that add light near doorways and entryways. They are often found on front or back porches, near decks and patios, and alongside garage doors. Flood lights are another type of outside wall light and they are useful for casting large amounts of light in areas that receive a good deal of traffic, such as driveways and walkways, or places that can benefit from added security.

Outside pole lighting – Outside pole lights consist of a light or set of lights that sit atop a pole which is anchored into the ground. An outside light post or outside light pole is typically found along a walkway, near the edge of a driveway, or in the front of a home to add ambience as well as much-needed light.

Outside deck lighting – Outside deck lights can take on many forms. You can install recessed outside deck lighting into steps, can add outside post lights or deck railing lights along the edges of the deck, and can build outside deck caps to add lighting on the top of the deck. Outside post lighting and deck caps provide ambient light surrounding your deck and add interest to your outdoor space when the sun goes down. Outside step lighting increases the safety of your deck by lighting the way up and down the stairs.

Outside patio lighting – Outside patio lights surround your patio space with light to add interest to the space and brighten it up so you can enjoy your patio even at night. Outside patio lights can take the form of outside brick lights that are built directly into your patio, solar powered outside lights that are placed in the ground around the patio, or even outside pole lights that accent the corner of a patio space.

Outside porch lighting – Since most porches are covered, adding outside lighting to the space gives homeowners the opportunity to enjoy time spent on the porch after the sun goes down and also makes it safer to walk across the porch at night if it leads to an entryway into your home. Outside porch lights can include wall lights or sconces that are placed along the exterior wall of the home or near a doorway, or can include outside overhead lights that are installed in the porch cover or ceiling to shine light down from overhead. Overhead porch lights can be dome shaped lights, outdoor chandeliers, or even outdoor ceiling fans with light fixtures attached.

Outside landscape lighting – Outside landscape lights can add visual interest, depth and beauty to your outdoor landscape. Most outdoor landscape lights consist of low voltage outside lighting or solar outside lights that are strategically placed throughout the landscape design to highlight architectural features of a home, to accentuate an interesting tree or plant, or to light the way along a path or around a fountain, garden pond, or other landscape feature.

Outside garden lighting – Similar to outside landscape lighting, outside garden lighting consists of lights that are placed throughout the garden to add interest and beauty to your garden décor. Outside garden lights can be low voltage lights or solar powered outside lights that are placed throughout flowerbeds, under trees, and alongside other elements in a garden, such as a birdbath or stepping stone walkway.

Solar outside lighting – Solar outside lights are becoming increasingly popular as attention focuses on the importance of preserving natural resources. A solar powered outside light gets its energy naturally from the sun rather than relying on electricity to run. Solar outside light options include patio lights, deck lights, garden lights, landscape lights, and almost any type of outside lighting style. A small solar panel is either attached to the light fixture or sits nearby to collect solar energy by day in order to power the light once the sun goes down or in low light conditions.

Low voltage outside lighting – Low voltage outside lights have long been a popular option with homeowners due to the fact that they not only look good amongst the exterior décor of a home, but are relatively inexpensive and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers with ease. Low voltage outside light kits come with a set of lights and a low voltage power source and can be installed by homeowners because they do not run higher powered electricity through the wires and pose no threat of electric shock.

LED outside lighting – LED outside lights and LED light bulbs can be used in many applications. LED lights are more durable and rugged than traditional incandescent lights or florescent lights and are a great option for outside lighting. They are also a good source of directional lighting which makes them work well for outside walkways, steps, and throughout an exterior landscape. LED outside lighting also typically lasts longer than incandescent outside lighting and is more energy efficient.

Outside accent lighting – Outside accent lights can be placed just about anywhere outside of a home to highlight an interesting feature or create a dramatic effect. Outside accent lights can be solar powered, low voltage, or LED lights, can occur as a single light source or a series of lights, and can be placed just about anywhere that outside lighting is desired.

Outside flood lighting – Outside flood lights are a great way to add large amounts of light to a specific outside area for safety and security reasons. The most common place to install outside flood lighting is near a garage or driveway or in the backyard.

Outside garage lighting – Outside garage lights can include flood lights or wall lights to light up the area around the garage. Since garages are typically a main entrance for many homeowners into their homes, it is important that this area be well lit. Outside garage lights can be set on timers or motion detectors to only turn on at a certain time or when movement is detected in the area. Outside security lights are typically placed near garages to deter criminals from entering a home or car parked in the driveway.

Outside party lighting – Outside party lights can add a festive atmosphere to any party, or can even be used when the party is over. Outside string lights can be hung around a deck, from a patio umbrella, along an outside wall, or even along the bushes. Some outside party lights have novelty themes, such as those geared for a tropical luau or Mexican fiesta.

Christmas outside lighting – Christmas outside lights are those lights that make the holidays bright. They are typically string lights that can be hung from the house and around trees, bushes, and other outdoor structures. Outside Christmas lights can be solar powered, LED or incandescent and solar Christmas lights continue to gain in popularity. They can twinkle, are available in a variety of colors and sizes, and can light up the night during the holiday season. There are other types of holiday outside lighting available as well, if you wish to decorate for other holidays throughout the year such as Halloween or Easter.

When it comes to outside lighting, there are as many types of outside lights available as there are locations to place lights. From wall lights and sconces, to pole lights, deck lights, landscape lighting and more, outside lighting is a feature that not only adds beauty and ambience to your exterior home space, put provides safety and security as well.

Buy outside lighting here.

DIY Concrete Paint Projects

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:08:18 +0000

If you are tired of looking at old, dull concrete floors or walls, then a few coats of concrete paint can be just what is needed to spruce up the space. Most garages have concrete floors and some exterior home features also have areas of concrete that could use a bit of sprucing up. Concrete areas that are easily painted include garages, patios, concrete block walls, concrete surfaces near pool areas, and more. Not only does concrete painting add color and a decorative touch to an otherwise mundane surface, but it also helps to seal and protect the area.

Concrete paint is often used on garage floors to keep the garage looking cleaner and brighter. Painted concrete floors track less dirt, can be made to be non-skid, allow for easy clean up of spills, and freshen up your garage. Learning how to paint concrete floors is not very difficult, but it does take some time and elbow grease to get the job done. Concrete floor paint comes in a variety of colors to suit any decorative tastes and can also come with a variety of additives to make the floor non-slip or non-skid. Concrete wall paint is similar to concrete floor paint, but does not need the extra additives, so it may be a bit less expensive.

In addition to garage floors, exterior concrete paint can be used on any concrete surface found outdoors. Outdoor concrete paint not only freshens up a space but provides a sealer for an exterior concrete surface to protect it from water damage or other permeable substances. Like garage concrete paint, exterior concrete paint can be purchased in a variety of colors and with or without additives. For those that have a concrete patio slab, using concrete patio paint is a great way to keep their outdoor patio looking fresh and well maintained.

If you are interesting in using concrete paints to spruce up your garage, patio, concrete paving blocks, or other concrete surfaces, there are a few steps you need to take to get the job done properly. Here’s a brief rundown of the steps needed when painting concrete floors, walls or other surfaces:

If there are any cracks in the concrete surface to be painted, repair the areas with concrete patch and make sure you let it dry sufficiently before painting.
Make sure that the concrete surface is thoroughly clean prior to painting. If painting a concrete floor, make sure there is no grease, oil or water on the surface.
Check that the concrete surface doesn’t allow moisture penetration. If there is any moisture that comes through the concrete surface, you may need to use a concrete sealer to seal the surface prior to painting. To test this, tape plastic down on the concrete with an airtight seal all the way around and leave it for a day or so. If any condensation forms under the plastic, then you need to first seal the concrete prior to painting.
After sealing the concrete (or if it’s already sealed), then apply a concrete primer and allow to thoroughly dry. It is best to use a concrete paint sealer that is made for use with the concrete paint you are using.
The next step is to apply the concrete paint. This should be applied in a number of thin layers, allowing each coat to dry fully between coats, until full coverage is achieved. Concrete paint can be rolled on, sprayed on, or brushed on.
Once the concrete is completely painted, a concrete paint sealer should be applied to protect the finish and add longevity to your paint job. Apply a coat or two of concrete paint sealer, allowing each coat to thoroughly dry.

Painting a concrete floor or wall is a multi-step process, but one that can be tackled by just about any do-it-yourselfer. You can find a variety of concrete paint colors and concrete paint types in home improvement stores, paint stores and hardware stores. For example, depending on the job you are tackling, you can choose from concrete epoxy paint, concrete paint stain, concrete block paint, concrete spray paint, concrete garage floor paint, waterproof concrete paint, textured concrete paint, and other types as well. There are many types of concrete paint available to tackle many types of concrete painting jobs.

It is important to make sure that you select the proper type of paint for your job to ensure that the paint holds up and is suitable for the location you are using it in. For example, if you are painting an outdoor patio or concrete block retaining wall, you don’t want to use basement concrete paint because it may not contain the waterproofing qualities you need for an exterior space. If you are painting a concrete floor, you want to use concrete floors paint rather than wall paint because it will contain non-slip additives and will be made to withstand the constant wear and tear that a floor has to hold up to in comparison to a wall surface.

A few other points to keep in mind when tackling your own DIY concrete paint project include making sure that you paint your way out of a room if you are painting a floor (or you will paint yourself into a corner), making sure the area is well ventilated at all times, and wearing any required safety equipment, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. so that you will not harm yourself during the painting process. It is also a good idea to keep small children and pets away from any area in which you are using concrete paint, since the fumes, as well as the paint itself, can be dangerous.

Buy concrete paint here.