Home improvement projects for your garage should include sealing the floor with a good quality sealant. Since most floors are concrete they will absorb stains and become unsightly. Moisture can get into the concrete through cracks that form and this will weaken the floor. A sealer will create a more finished looking floor while helping it withstand water and other things that can stain and weaken the floor. Sealants come in many forms and each one has very specific instructions on preparation, application, use, and disposal so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions first.

Applying a concrete sealer is not difficult. Most anyone can do it. We’ve included some tips on ways to make the job even easier.

1. Only seal the floor after you ensure it is thoroughly and completely dry. Don’t seal water in!

2. You’ll need to apply sealer around the edges of the floor with a paintbrush to ensure it is thoroughly coated and to avoid getting sealant on the walls and wood. Purchasing a good quality brush is advisable. The job will go quicker and the end product will be better quality too.

3. The majority of the floor can be sealed with a paint roller or a hand-held sprayer. If you don’t have a sprayer, you can probably rent one from a local home improvement or hardware store.

4. Sealants are chemicals so it’s important to protect yourself. Open any windows and doors to allow air to circulate. Wear safety goggles and a dust mask while working with the sealant. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands.

5. Sealing your floor should start with a very clean surface. Remove everything from the floor and temporarily store it somewhere else while applying the sealant and allowing it to dry. Make sure items are stored securely where they won’t be exposed to rain or other elements that could damage them since you don’t want to put them back in the garage until the floor is completely dry.

6. Clean the floor thoroughly. You can sweep the area and a good shop vacuum is a great way to get dust and tiny particles off the surface. Use a scrub brush on stubborn areas and to remove stains as much as possible. You can purchase stain remover at your local hardware or home improvement store to make the job easier. Phosphate-free cleaners are recommended. If there are rough spots or edges, scrape them away with a chisel or shop tool.

7. If there are cracks, be sure to patch them and allow them to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

8. Cover the walls and cabinets to protect them from splatters or spray from the sealant. Drop cloths or plastic sheets are good choices for wall covering.

9. Paint the edges of the floor around the wall first using your paintbrush. Once this is done, spraying or using a paint roller will go much faster.

Once your floor is thoroughly sealed, it’s important to allow it to completely dry. The manufacturer will recommend how long the sealant takes to dry, but use good common sense and check the floor before replacing items. Don’t get in a big hurry to move back in the garage until it’s dry or you will damage and weaken the sealant before it has a chance to do its job. The harder the sealant dries before you walk on it or replace items, the more likely it is to be effective and last for years to come.

Once your floor is sealed, you can consider painting it a bright color for even more fun. This will make it more inviting and you’ll enjoy spending time on hobbies, crafts, and other projects in the improved surroundings. Be sure to check with your local paint, hardware, or home improvement store to learn more about paint products that are suitable for garage floors.

A sealed garage floor is much safer and more aesthetically pleasing than raw, bare concrete. It is also the best way to keep water from seeping into cracks and damaging your garage floor. An added advantage is that sealing usually helps keep dust to a minimum since the surface is no longer a porous magnet for dust and dirt.

This is a do-it-yourself project that will have tremendous benefits. Before you replace everything in your garage, take a look around and find ways to organize things as you replace them. You’ll soon have a garage that has become a “roomâ€

Undertaking a home improvement project to rid your garage of unwanted pests can be simple, quick, and inexpensive. There are many new convenient ways to rid your space of pests without a lot of the hassle and frustration. Today, it’s easier to find all-natural, environmentally friendly safe alternatives than ever before. Many people are squeamish at the idea of eliminating pests due to the inhumane thoughts that accompany the task. But there are many humane solutions for ridding your garage of pests.

If you have a problem with rodents in your garage, then you may want to consider a mouse trap that requires no bait or poisons. It is safer for the environment and can be used in extremely small areas, out of sight. These traps are made of galvanized steel and they have a hinged lid, making it easy to empty them. You can purchase pellets to lure rodents into the crates.

You can also install a rodent glue trap which includes non-toxic adhesive traps. They are perfect for garages. Once rodents are trapped in the glue, it’s impossible for them to escape. These traps come in various sizes depending on the extent of your problem.

Some homeowners have problems with birds. Rather than having to remove them from your garage, it’s better to keep them out to begin with. Visual pest bird deterrents are your best option. They come in colors that are well-known to nature’s predators as “warning colorsâ€

5. Once your walls and ceiling are insulated, you may think you’re done. But wait! What about the doors? Garage doors can be insulated too if you have one of the newer models. Some garage doors include space for insulation panels that can be inserted. If you bought a home from a builder, it’s likely they didn’t go to the expense or trouble to insulate the doors. Check with your garage door manufacturer to find out if insulation is an option.

6. Automatic garage doors or other entry doors to the garage can be a major source of cold air and water. Make sure they are properly sealed. If not, purchase seals to install around the doors and under the bottom for a tight closure. You can replace the seals on automatic garage doors if the current one is worn. It’s a small expense for a big difference in climate control for your garage.

7. Many garages also have windows and windows are notorious for allowing cold air and water to infiltrate your garage. Check windows for cracks and make sure they close completely. Replace seals and window locks if necessary to keep them tightly shut. Repair any damaged wood or other surfaces around the windows to keep them better insulated. You can also increase the insulation factor of windows by installing blinds, shutters, or insulated curtains to keep the heat and cold out.

Insulating your garage is one important way to help keep the temperature at a comfortable level. Once you are able to better control the temperature of your garage, you will likely find other valuable uses for the space. A home improvement project that takes advantage of existing space is smart and economical.

Examine your garage today and make sure it is as well insulated as possible. Then let your imagination for possibilities run wild.

Take advantage of the space in your garage to become a more environmentally conscious citizen. If you have children, this is also a great way to teach them healthy habits about caring for the environment. Turning your garage into a “green spaceâ€

A simple home improvement project that will help you organize and plan better is the creation of a potting bench in your garage. Most garages have enough room for the installation of a potting bench that enables you to organize pots, plants, tools, and other gardening implements easily within reach. These benches also provide the perfect spot for potting and repotting your plants to prepare them for their outdoor life.

A potting bench is the perfect spot for any type of gardening job or other preparation. It’s also a good place to store hand tools, flower pots, seeds, and potting soil. Everything can be easily stored at your fingertips. Keeping your potting bench in your garage also makes it possible to work during rainy weather too. Your supplies and materials are protected from the weather’s elements and you have a good place to work, rain or shine.

For this do-it-yourself project, you’ll want to start with a good work surface that is about 40 inches high. The higher bench allows you to work while standing without putting pressure on your lower back. A higher stool can be used for seating when needed. You can purchase a ready-made potting bench or you can make your own. Either way, the bench should be made of high-quality materials with a deep work area. The bench doesn’t have to be elaborate or fancy, so building your own is a good option. If you build it, consider including a raised edge around the top to catch dirt and mess that may spill out of pots. This makes it easier to clean-up later.

Make sure your potting bench has shelves underneath for storage of items. You can build stationery shelving or shelves that can be moved to different heights. Either way, be sure that there is one shelf for taller pots or bags of potting soil and smaller ones for small gardening tools and other items. Drawers are nice but not necessary since you can use buckets and pots to hold gardening implements easily.

Attach various types of hooks underneath and around the edge of your potting bench. This will help you keep your bench and your garage organized. You can store your gloves, apron, hat, and other things on these hooks. They are also good for hanging gardening and shop tools for easy storage and retrieval.

Garage walls are the perfect place for pegboard. Take advantage of the space above your potting bench in the garage to add a pegboard where you can attach hooks for expanded storage.

Lighting is also important so make sure your garage has adequate lighting. You can simply add a shop light or a fluorescent lamp in the work area. Light will make it more appealing to work in your garden space.

Take advantage of the space you have in your garage and create a potting bench where you can work year-round. It’s the perfect spot to prepare your plants for their new life on the outside. This is a great home improvement project that will benefit your home both inside and out.

Screens.

Keeping bugs out with a garage door screen has become more popular in many areas where bugs, flies, mosquitoes, and other pests invade the space. Not only do they keep bugs out of your garage, they help keep them out of your entire house too. Installing a simple screen door on your garage door can create a pleasant work space that allows fresh air, sunlight, and the great outdoors to come in with you – without the frustration of bugs.

Tackling a home improvement project to install a garage door screen is fairly simple. Most hardware or home improvement stores can help you locate screen door options available for garages. They come in various sizes and many are custom designed. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of demand for screens since many people don’t even know they exist. This means they can be a little expensive but well worth the investment.

Some stores have custom ordered screen options and they offer hand-sewn screens to fit the door opening. You can also create your own screens, much like screening in a patio or deck. If you’re handy with tools and you’re looking for a worthwhile do-it-yourself project, this one may be worth investigating further. Your goal is to create a screen door that fits snugly in the garage door opening but that does not interfere with the garage door itself. It doesn’t have to be elaborate and sophisticated – just functional. Portable screen doors can be stored overhead in your garage or slid against the side walls when not in use.

If you decide to purchase your screen, you will likely find more flexible and affordable options that save you lots of time and frustration. Garage Screen Doors is a company that specializes in garage screens. They start as low as $89 and they are easy to install. They are installed using hook and loop materials and no special tools are needed. These pre-made screens include a zipper for easy entry and exit while the screen is in place. They don’t interfere with the function of your regular garage door either. Screens can be cut to fit custom sized openings and they also come in a variety of standard sizes. Step by step instructions make this do-it-yourself installation quick and easy.

Before you discount the value of working in your garage because of the unwanted bugs that come to visit, investigate a home improvement project that includes garage screen doors and make more use of your space. These screens will help you spend many hours in your garage without annoying flies, mosquitoes, and other pests.

New Life with Painted Garage Floors

Painting a garage floor is a good way to bring new life and vitality to this often overlooked space. There are special paints designed specifically for garage floors. There are choices between water or oil based paints and they come in a variety of colors. The biggest task in painting your garage floor is properly preparing the floor ahead of time.

A floor that is properly prepared helps ensure that the paint will adhere to the floor and you will have a professional looking floor. Do-it-yourself garage floor painting takes a little time and effort in preparation but it will lead to success in the end. Before you pull out the paint and rollers, prepare the surface and save yourself a lot of headaches and hard work.

Tips to prepare the surface include:

1. Make sure your floor is suitable for painting. Check the concrete for moisture and remove any moisture that exists.

2. Use a high-quality floor cleaner and degreaser. This product is essential to help remove oil spills, chemicals brought in from highways, and other dirt that finds its way into your garage. Follow the instructions closely when cleaning the floor. Scrape any rough patches and remove as much dirt, dust, and grime as possible.

3. To further ensure your floor surface is prepared for paint, use a concrete etcher and rust remover. This is especially important if you have rust stains. Follow the instructions very carefully since this product contains some potentially harmful ingredients if it gets on your skin or in your eyes. One of the most important steps in this process is to thoroughly rinse and clean the surface and remove all signs and residue from the etcher.

4. Repair any cracks and clean dust after cleaning.

5. Allow the floor to thoroughly dry before attempting to paint. A clean, dry floor is the best way to ensure the paint adheres to the surface and turns out looking great.

Choosing the paint is your next step. You can choose from water or oil-based paints, although keep in mind that oil-based paint may peel more easily. Epoxy paint is a good option as are Polyurethane and Latex paints. The type of paint you choose is a personal preference and you can learn more about various types of paint by visiting your local paint store or home improvement center. The most important thing about painting your garage floor is properly preparing the floor and ensuring it is completely dry before you begin.

Also, keep in mind that some paints require adhesive to help the paint bond to the concrete. Check to see if the paint you choose requires adhesive. This can be an important advantage on a garage floor. Always allow adhesive to dry thoroughly before applying paint.

Choose paint in a color that is appealing to you and that complements your home’s colors and aesthetics. With your completed home improvement project and newly painted floor, you’ll enjoy working in your garage space more often and you’ll increase the visual appeal of the garage.

Many people don’t believe that they have room enough in their garages. It’s a good storage place for toys, bikes, tools, garden equipment, coolers, and lots of other things. There is only so much space in the garage. But if you’re creative and look up, you’ll find that you can multiply the space you have and create an organized garage that is more functional and more aesthetically pleasing.

Overhead garage storage rails and racks are a great way to enhance and expand your garage storage space. They are an easy project for the do-it-yourself person who wants to quickly convert chaos into organization. With overhead storage racks, you can even use the garage for your car again. They’re the perfect solution for storing holiday decorations, bikes, seasonal items, and anything else that needs a storage or temporary home.

Garage storage solutions are not only handy, they can improve the value of your home. They definitely make it easier to find what you need.

These overhead garage storage items are easily hung from the ceiling of your garage. The deck or surface of the storage unit is usually made of high quality gauge steel. They come in varying lengths and sizes, depending on your particular needs and the size of your garage. You can purchase racks that have an 800 pound capacity if that’s what you need. They offer as much as 130 cubic feet of storage space per rack or you can purchase smaller racks for 16+ cubic feet of storage space. They come with all of the materials, hardware, and instructions needed for hanging.

Overhead storage units usually hang as far as 45 degrees from the ceiling giving you lots of storage capacity. Heights are adjustable and you can even order custom sizes and angled storage units for angled ceilings and difficult corners, making those areas much more useful. Examples of overhead storage units are Onrax Enduro-Deck systems and MonsterRax. There are many other manufacturers of products and your local home improvement store is a good resource for more information.

Don’t let that unused overhead space in your garage be wasted any longer. Check out the installation of overhead storage racks and rails to increase the storage space available in your garage and organize your chaos. The next time it rains or snows, you will be able to park your car safely in the garage too!

If you find that your garage has become a safety hazard, it’s time to think about organizing the mess. In addition to the garage being a junk collection site, it’s hard to find those shoes and hats when you need them.

Before you decide that your garage is too far out of control, consider a home improvement project that takes very little money and just a little time. You can turn that pile of clutter into an organized collection of things that can be easily sorted, identified, and used.

First, you need to find a space that is convenient to the entrance of the garage for your project. Creating a place to collect items from children will be simple. Once you know how much space you have to work with, you can visit your local home improvement store, Wal-Mart, Target, or similar stores to check out potential storage units.

Wooden ‘cubby boxes’ come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Think about how you plan to use a new cubby organizer and evaluate the options. If your children are always dropping shoes on the floor, then smaller cubbies where they can store shoes when they enter the garage are a good option. If they’re dropping coats and scarves, it’s a good idea to also purchase hooks to install on the walls above the cubbies. Cloth or plastic hanging shoe organizers are perfect to hang on garage walls where scarves and mittens can be stored.

Color coding the cubbies and hooks for the children makes it easier and more fun for them to organize their things. Susie gets a pink cubby and hook, while Jeremy prefers brown. Match the color to the child’s personality and they’re more likely to use the organizing tools.

Check out a larger box or basket that can be kept beside the stairs of the garage or somewhere near the entryway. Use this box as a collection point for soccer balls, toys, and other items that are frequently used. You may need a separate box for children and one for adults to keep toys and other items separate.

Think creatively about the use of your garage and don’t assume everything has to be dumped into one big, messy pile. Find simple, inexpensive organizing units that can be used in convenient locations of the garage. You’ll find that children quickly adapt to this new idea of organization and it can be carried throughout the house in many ways.