Tap to Read ➤

Building a Quality Garage

Finnegan Pierson
When you are remodeling your garage, you have a unique opportunity to transform it into the space of your dreams. All gearheads need a place to call their own, but before you go nuts with things like car lifts and toys, make it practical and well-made first.

Finish Him!

What sets a nice garage apart from a wow garage is the interior.  Anyone can toss together four ramshackle plyboards together and call it a garage, but when you take the time to do it well then it shows.

Walls

A finished garage not only looks better, but it's also more energy-efficient. It's not so difficult to complete the interior walls: Fill with insulation, Lay sheetrock and mud the seams, Paint.

Electricity

When you've got tools to charge and gadgets to plug in (not to mention needing light to see) installing power to your garage is a no-brainer. Unless you're a licensed electrician, it's best to leave wiring to a professional. There are codes and permits that are needed to ensure a job is done safely. Be safe and smart before deciding to do any work yourself.

Heating

You know what it's like to be so focused on a project that you lose track of the time. Nighttime and bad weather don't stop you when a project needs to get done, so make it easier on yourself by installing some form of heat. Frozen hands are no good on a wrench, so check out how much it would cost for a forced air heater to keep you warm while you work.

A Place For Everything

It's a universal truth that tinkering is a hobby that requires a lot of stuff. When you're upgrading your garage, don't forget to make room for all of your tools and other goodies. You likely already have a toolbox or two, but think about built-ins for the garage itself.

Shelves

A set of sturdily built shelves can last for a long time. Check out plans online to find inspiration for your space. Even if you don't have very much real estate on the floor, you can at least build vertically.

Workbenches

A place to mount your vice and use heavy power tools like table saws is a necessity in any garage. If you don't want to spend the extra money buying a top-of-the-line workbench from Brand Name Tool Company, make your own. Wood works just fine, but if you need a tabletop that can withstand a good beating, check out the best materials for that very purpose.

Drawers and Cabinets

A cluttered space is difficult to work in. Hide the tools and items you're not currently using in clever nooks and crannies. You can build your own cabinets if you're handy with a saw, but you can also check out places like the Salvation Army to buy gently used cabinetry. Look for pieces that have attached drawers for smaller things like screws and bolts

Walk All Over You

The flooring of your garage is going to be as important as any other element, especially if you will be driving cars in and out of it. Make it safe and functional, but also able to withstand excess weight and repel liquids. You've probably seen an epoxy garage floor more than once in your lifetime.This is a super popular choice because it ticks all the boxes
Gadgets and gizmos are all well and good, but when you're building a garage then you need to ensure that it's well-built and will last you for a long time. Complete your space so that it's comfortable first, then add on all the extras you want.