cars

Tips to Consider When Expanding Your Home for Your Car Collection

Posted on by Linda Curry

Expanding your home to accommodate a growing car collection is a dream come true for many automotive enthusiasts. Whether you’re a vintage car collector like Alex Manos, a sports car aficionado, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of automobiles, creating a dedicated space for your vehicles can enhance both their protection and display. In this guide, we’ll explore key tips to consider when expanding your home for your car collection, from planning and design to practical considerations and maintenance.

Assess Your Collection and Needs

storage

Before embarking on the expansion of your home for your car collection, take stock of your vehicles and assess your needs. Consider the number of cars you own, their sizes, and any special requirements they may have. Determine whether you need additional parking spaces, storage for spare parts, a workshop area for maintenance, or a showroom for display. Understanding the scope of your collection and your goals for the expansion will help guide the design and layout of your new space.

Plan for Proper Storage and Maintenance

Invest in quality garage cabinets, shelving units, and tool storage to keep your workspace organized and efficient. Consider installing a car lift for easier access to the underside of vehicles and maximize vertical space for storage. Ensure adequate lighting, ventilation, and climate control to create a comfortable and functional environment for working on your cars.

Consider Security and Safety Measures

Protecting your car collection is paramount when expanding your home for this purpose. Install a reliable security system to safeguard your vehicles against theft and vandalism. Consider reinforcing doors and windows, adding security gates, and investing in smart technology for remote monitoring and access control. Implement safety measures such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency exits to ensure a secure environment for both your cars and yourself.

Design a Functional and Aesthetic Space

garage

When constructing an enlarged home for your automobile collection, strike a balance between usefulness and aesthetics to create a room that is both practical and visually appealing. Choose flooring materials that are long-lasting, easy to maintain, and suit the design of your vehicles. Personalize the room and highlight your love of vehicles by using design elements such as personalized signs, antique posters, and automotive memorabilia. Pay attention to things like lighting fixtures, paint colors, and décor that can improve the mood of your garage.

Budget Wisely and Seek Professional Help

Expanding your home for your car collection can be a significant investment, making it essential to budget wisely and plan accordingly. Research costs for materials, labor, permits, and any additional services you may require. Consider hiring a known contractor or designer with experience in building or renovating garages to ensure that the project meets your expectations and local building codes. Consult with experts in construction, architecture, or interior design to optimize the layout and functionality of your expanded space.

By assessing your collection and needs, planning for storage and maintenance, designing a functional and aesthetic space, considering security and safety measures, and budgeting wisely, you can create a garage that not only houses your cars but also celebrates the art and culture of automotive enthusiasts. With careful thought and attention to detail, your expanded home will become the ultimate destination for your prized car collection.…

garage basement

Repairing Cracks and Stains on Epoxy Floors

Posted on by Judith McLean

Repairing epoxy floors that are damaged is not too difficult. You should know on what were the materials used in building your garage floor because some materials may not be compatible with the original materials by not blending or sticking well.

Preparing the floor for repair and using the same type of materials used on the floor is the first step, and if you forget these steps, you may encounter possible problems in the future. Potential issues are having to re-coat the entire floor again or grinding the whole epoxy off the entire garage floor. If one is interested in doing repairs on their garage floor, follow these tips on how to finish a garage floor.

Epoxy Floors

Repairing Your Garage Floor

Before doing repairs on your epoxy floor, contact first the professional installer that did the floor previously to fix the job. They have the tools, compatible materials, and experience to deal with the problem. If the floor damage is minor, chances are, their warranty will probably cover it.

Cleaning

Use a stiff brush with a degreaser or cleaner to scrub the floor thoroughly, then use a garden hose to wash off the dirt thoroughly and ensure to air dry the floor completely. You can use a fan or blower to speed up the drying process.

Fixing Chips, Cracks, Stained and Faded Areas

car garageChips or holes with cracks: Use a 4-inch diameter machine grinder to cut inside the hole or crack about 3/8-inches deep and 1/4-inches wide. The cut sides of the hole should be straight, not slanting towards the surface. Clean the cut hole with a wet sponge and ensure to remove all the water.

Fill the hole with an acrylic cement compound. Smoothen the surface with a disposable putty knife or trowel and use a damp sponge to pat the area smooth. Spray the area down with a little water to get the patch smooth. This will prevent the need to grind the spot smooth after it cures. Let the patch cure based on the time provided by the product manual.

Focusing on Stained or Faded Areas

If your garage floor has been coated by a good-quality UV resistant sealer, you should not have any problems with stains or yellowing on your garage floor. If not, check for areas on your epoxy floor that have stained and faded areas. Start by marking the whole area on the boundary of the floor stains, grind these areas using your machine grinder to remove the stained areas. Clean the grinded areas with a damp sponge and air dry the floor. Lastly, apply a new coat of epoxy on the surface and smoothen the surface and place warning signs and barricades for other family members to see. Make sure to cure the floor before using the floor thoroughly.…