Advice

• Garage Floor Coatings Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

  Posted on December 20, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  The garage floors we install are extremely durable and resistant to many common "mess makers" however no garage floor can avoid dust, dirt, and grime build up over time. If you are someone that cleans the garage floor weekly then this may not apply, however we all know that cleaning the garage floor may happen only a couple times a year. We recommend two great products for cleaning your floor for when you do find the time to clean the garage floor: Continue Reading
  

  This post was posted in Uncategorized, Advice, Garage Flooring, Do It Yourself and was tagged with garage floor, Floor maintenance, Cleaning tips, Advice

• Garage Envy Talks About Your Garage Storage (Video)

  Posted on November 23, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  

  Charlotte Today -WCNC-TV (NBC affiliate) – Jaime Dietenhofer, co-owner of Garage Envy was a guest on Charlotte Today aired 11/21/11.  As you can see, speaking to the greater garage story helped position Jaime as a true garage expert and his tips include Chamberlain Garage Door Openers with MyQ Technology.

  
  

  This post was posted in Web Site, Advice, Helpful Tips, Garage Cabinets, Garage Flooring, Cool Car Videos and was tagged with Garage Cabinets, garage, jaime dietenhofer, video, garage experts

• 6 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Garage Cabinets

  Posted on November 2, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  

  1. Will your new Cabinets withstand a harsher Garage Environment? Using heavy duty cabinet material is a must when considering storage units in your garage. Garage cabinets are subject to heavy, wet, and harsh items that can beat up your investment over time. Using thin pressboard material will only result in the homeowner having to reinvest in the garage again and again. To survive, your cabinets must use 1”–1.5” materials, never a lesser grade ¼”, ½”, 5/8” or ¾” material. Continue Reading
  

  This post was posted in Advice, Helpful Tips, Garage Cabinets, Do It Yourself

• How to Start Renovating Your Garage

  Posted on September 6, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  

  Congrats!! You’ve finally decided to tackle that garage!

  I've got to tell you, as a garage designer, I've seen it all! Over the years your garage has become the receptacle for all those empty boxes, half filled cans of paint, holiday decorations, bikes, toys and old tools you just can’t let go of because maybe some day, you’ll do that project you’ve been planning on before the kids came. Wouldn’t it be great to park your car again??

  So where do you start? Her's what I tell all my clients...

  First you need to ask yourself, “What do I want to do in the garage?” Then we figure out what we need to achieve that goal. Continue Reading
  

  This post was posted in Advice, Helpful Tips, Do It Yourself and was tagged with Garage Cabinets, Wallscape, slatwall, flooring, renovation, contractor, how to, garageenvy

• Garage Envy 2.0

  Posted on July 12, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  Recently I wrote an article entitled, “Garage Estimate:  How to Prepare and What to Expect”   Well just when I thought I had it all down, Garage Envy, the garage experts, go and upgrade…again!   Unlike a lot of construction companies, Garage Envy has always been on the cutting edge of technology when it comes to the products they supply to the in-house design/estimate visit.  My clients will testify that having the CAD drawings done in their house at the time of the first visit is not only cool, but extremely helpful! My clients can actually see their renovated garage immediately!  It also gives us an opportunity to make any changes to the design right there! Well now, not only can we have that instant gratification of design and cost on the first visit, but all of our clients will have access to our photo galleries, online store, testimonials, videos of installations and much more right at their fingertips.

  

  Continue Reading
  

  This post was posted in Advice, Garage Cabinets and was tagged with renovation, estimate, design, construction, iPad, technology

• I Need More Garage Storage! But Where to Start?

  Posted on June 28, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  Ok…you’ve decided on the scope of work. You want garage cabinets, flooring, walls and accessories. But which ones? Is there a difference? Of course there is!!

  When choosing what products to install remember that we’re talking about YOUR GARAGE! Super hot in the summer, freezing in the winter, wind blowing leaves and damp when rainy! Then there’s creepy crawlies and tiny furry creatures making your garage their permanent home. Dusty, dirty, cobwebby…you get my point.

  First, before we think about any products, do you need construction services? Is your walls open to the studs? Do you have an actual ceiling or is it just a few 2×4 beams crisscrossed overhead? Do you have enough electrical outlets for your tools? tv? stereo? If you work a lot in the garage you may want to add insulation and drywall. Maybe even create a window. Now of course all these things are not necessary to install cabinets and wall systems, they are attached directly to the studs. But you will need a ceiling if you want to attach drywall or put up ceiling lofts.

  For garage cabinets, consider what you will be using them for. Will you be storing heavy tools, files, paint cans, 5 years of tax receipts? If so, you will need sturdier cabinets then if you were just storing luggage, decorations and art supplies. You may want a workbench, but for crafts or mechanics? And then there is the look of the garage cabinets to consider as well.

  For garage flooring, how often do you park your cars in at night? Does the oil leak? Does it get wet often? Or is it more of a hang out place for you and your kids? Do you have a work area in the garage? Is there already paint on the floor? Is the garage floor cracked or damaged?

  For a garage wall system and accessories, what do you want to store on your garage walls? Bikes, tools, baskets, shelving, hooks, surfboards, car tires, garden tools? Do you want a seamless look or will the peg board or metal grids work for you? Are you walls concrete or wooden studs?

  Follow the links for specific details on the quality of each garage product with info on measurements, brands, materials, cost comparisons, warranties and installation.

  
  

  This post was posted in Advice, Helpful Tips, Garage Cabinets, Garage Flooring, Garage Wall Accessories and was tagged with Garage Cabinets, Garage Flooring, slatwall, wall accessories

• Garage Estimate: What to Expect & How to Prepare

  Posted on June 15, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  Hi, I'm Jenn and I've been designing garages and kitchens for years now.

  Here's some advice I have given my clients before I go to visit their homes. I hope this is helpful!

  Ok, you’ve figured out what you want to do with your garage and decided to hire a garage renovation company.

  You’ve done the research and checked out:

  • Better Business Bureau (Rates Businesses from an A+ to F)
  • Angie’s List (Personal reviews by homeowners in your area)
    
  • Contractor’s State License Board
  • Make sure company is licensed, bonded and insured and avoid a world of headaches later! Protect yourself!

  Now you’ve called a few companies and set your appointment for a FREE ESTIMATE.

  Here's a few things you can do in preparation:

  • The more the designer can see in your garage, the less chance for redesign or mistakes during installation. So clear out what you can or expect possible changes in design and/or pricing once production starts.

  • Make sure there's room to walk and properly measure the areas you want to create more storage.

  • Have an idea what you want the end result to be. (Don't be afraid to be specific!!)
    • I need garage cabinets for suitcases, tools, cleaning supplies and camping gear
    • I want ceiling storage for old files, holiday decorations
    • More electrical outlets for electric tools and a 2nd refrigerator
    • I want to make the garage a play area for my kids
    • I want to create cabinet storage and park both cars in the garage.
    • I need a workbench to do my arts and crafts and fold laundry
    • I need to hang my surfboards

  • Have a reasonable idea of what your budget is and add 10% cushion just in case. Your designer should be able to help you design within your budget.

  • Best to make sure all homeowners have a clear idea of what is needed!

  • For best results, all decision makers should be present during the appointment so all questions can be answered at once.

  Here are some things you should expect during your design session:

  • The company should confirm your appointment the day before
  • Your designer should arrive promptly or call if late or lost
  • The Design Session takes up to an hour depending on how many questions you have.
  • A professional designer should ask you what you want and what you need in order to create an appropriate design. You're a team!
  • Ask them as many questions as you like. They ought to be knowledgeable on product, installation process, company, pricing, timing and competition.
  • If they're really good, they'll offer up that info whether you ask or not!
  • You should see samples of all the products.
  • A design and an estimate are often available during the appointment. Don’t panic! But don’t be surprised if they ask for the sale that day!
  • And if not the same day make sure you find out when it will be delivered to you and see if they're good on their word!
  • These are all good indications of whether the company is trustworthy or not!

  When making your decision consider the following 3 questions:

  1. Do you trust the designer / company?
  2. Do you like the product and design that you've worked out?
  3. Is it affordable?

  Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

  Good Luck!

  Let me know how it goes! :)

  
  

  This post was posted in Advice, Helpful Tips and was tagged with free garage estimate, cabinet estimate, garage designer

• Hooks, Racks n' Baskets

  Posted on June 7, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  All things considered, some of the best ways to organize any garage is with a simple, easily installed slatwall system. It beautifies the garage with a "finished" look, and can add a bit of color to the garage walls without painting (for instance, Garage Envy's Wallscape offers a variety of colors such as Deluxe White, Fog Grey and Hardrock Maple). The result is a great looking slatwall system! Via the unique but universal tongue-and-groove design, you'll find that storing items in your garage can be neat and practical! Continue Reading
  

  This post was posted in Advice, Helpful Tips, Garage Wall Accessories, Do It Yourself and was tagged with garage remodel, garage renovation, Wallscape, slatwall, garage storage, garage organization, Garage Wall Accessories, garage acessories

• How to Find the Best Garage Cabinets

  Posted on May 22, 2011 by Wong Car Garage

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  How to Find the Best Garage Cabinets

  - Heavy duty to carry tools, tiles, paint cans

  - Enclosed box with full back

  - Easy to clean

  - Low formaldehyde content

  - Bear moisture and extreme temps

  - Fully adjustable shelving

  - European hinges and glides

Cabinet Construction

• Heavy duty core board or MDF (moderate density fiberboard) Avoid the cheap pressboard found in pre-made cabinets.

• ¾” sides and a full ¾” back to prevent warping. (Cabinets are mounted through the back, into the studs.)

• 1” thick shelving with full adjustability

• Keep cabinet widths below 48” (4 feet) in order to avoid bowing (even with 1” shelves) Most garage companies will push the 48’ wides because they don’t have to cut them down or customize them.

• Thermafused melamine coating (internal and external) easy to wipe clean

• Available in White, Grey, Maple, Metallic and Customized Colors

• European hinges and drawer glides (most hardware is made in China where quality control is almost non-existent, but cheap)

• Workbench countertops (Maple butcher block or stainless steel) Only use plastic laminate tops if you don’t use workbench for heavy duty work to save money)

• 
• Common cabinet widths (outside measurements) 24”, 30”, 36”, 48”

• Common cabinet depths (outside measurements) 17”, 24” and sometimes 30” Anything more shallow doesn’t allow much internal storage. Anything deeper is not safe to attach to walls due to the weight.

• Common cabinet heights (outside measurements) 24”, 30” 36”, 60”, 72”, 84” Anything higher makes installation more difficult and possibly dangerous. But you can stack cabinets to get more height.

• Your garage specialist should also be able to create closets as well.

Cabinet Pricing

• At most home supply stores, cabinets are priced per units ranging from $75 up to $500 per depending on garage cabinet length, depth, height, finish and drawers. This DOES NOT include labor or tax!!

• DIY online cabinets vary by price and quality. Find a detailed description of materials and see how difficult the installation will be. Sometimes with shipping and handling, you’re better off going to Home Depot or even hiring a garage specialist.

• Garage specialists and Closet system companies price their cabinets per linear foot. This is the measurement across the front of the cabs. Double the measurement if the cabs’ height is greater than 36”. This price should include labor, materials, warranties and tax but ask your designer. Price Range: $90-170 per linear foot.