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Remodeling and Space Planning Tips
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April, 2009 |
Greetings!
 April is that contentious in between time when the boundaries of the seasons form indistinct lines; it is that time of year when the hopeful inwardly yearn for gentle ease while the wary leave the snow shovel leaning by the front door. Yet as the harshness of winter steadily yields, the mounting signs of her inevitable release give rise to hope, even to the cynics. The scattered remnants of gritty snow are driven to their final stronghold on northerly hillsides and in the shadowed corners of dooryards. Gelid runoff froths in the eddies of swollen rivers, and mud, caked into the cleats of boot-soles, smears kitchen floors.
In the dooryard the daffodils have broken through the drab earth with swollen green spikes that quietly hint at the inevibility of spring. It is the season when lengthening days inspire longing for the languorous rapture of summer; it is a season filled with promise. But your garage, like a rolling black cloud, threatens to suck all promise from the gathering warmth of the season. It looms like a horrific scene from the Napoleonic Wars, the tragic aftermath of a long winter march-a scene without hope. |
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Visit Us at the
2009 Spring Home Show
Conference Center at Lake Opechee Inn and Spa
Sat. April 25, 9 to 5PM
Sun. April 26, 10 to 5
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 Conquering Garage Clutter
(with gusto)
Snow shovels and skis, roof rakes, gas cans, ski poles and lawn chairs, grill, sleds and you-name-it have woven themselves into a solid mass that chokes every clear pathway. If your car fits in at all, you sidle to the door sliding your feet over the gritty sand and stones that litter every square inch of the floor. A slow dance over drab white crystalline stains that spread to all corners.
If you only knew where to begin...
I'd suggest taking a lesson from the aforementioned Napoleon, who in his insane genius has passed down one bit of wisdom that always proves true-an army marches on it's stomach.
So start by digging the grill and lawn chairs, patio furniture, table and umbrella out of the melee in your garage and get your outdoor deck or patio organized for a cookout. Next, while you're on your way home from picking up all the supplies you'll need to organize your garage, stop by the store and pick up a couple of pounds of ribs and a six-pack of beer.
Ah... don't get ahead of yourself. Put the beer in the fridge until later, you've got work to do. You'll need it for the rib recipe at the end of these organizing tips.
Garage Organizing Basics:
- Getting Started: The best way to get started in my opinion is to move everything out that's in the garage. This provides you with the opportunity to give the floor a clean sweep, sort things out, and purge all of the junk and trash. Sort items into like groups such as: long handled tools like shovels and rakes, hand tools, boating stuff, sports equipment, power tools, gas cans, recycle bins, grills, gardening supplies, bicycles--you get the idea. Think about how you'd like to store each group: on the wall, on a shelf, in a cabinet behind doors. . .try to visualize how it might fit into the available space. Prioritize the use of space based on frequency of use, size and convenience.
- Wall Storage: If you did the math I bet you'd find that you have more surface area on your walls than you do on the floor of you garage. It only makes sense then to use a wall storage system like slatwall or pegboard to get it off the floor and out from under foot where you can see everything and get to it conveniently when you need to use it. I'd recommend StoreWall brand slatwall over pegboard. The accessory choice is broad and it will take the weight of things like bikes, weed whackers, and golf bags a whole lot better.
- Overhead Storage: As with walls, your garage probably has ceiling surface area in abundance. There are many options here like: suspended shelving, boat or bike hoists, lifts to support shelving. You can hoist things off the floor and out of the way with ease. This is a great option for seasonal items like boats and bikes that take up lots of valuable floor space.
- Shelving: I love the way the math of shelving works. Twenty-one feet of shelves, 14 inches wide = 25 square feet of floor space with a footprint that uses only 3 1/2 square feet of area. Further boost the efficiency of shelves by using bins and containers to store small items in bulk-like light bulbs or hardware assortments.Shelves can either be wall-hung or floor-mounted units or simply a board supported by brackets. I prefer shelving units with sides because of their ability to contain and organize things better.
- Cabinets: There are many types and sizes of garage cabinets available including: laminate, plywood, aluminum or plastic. Some are quite beautiful and rugged while others are flimsy with limited weight capacity. There are bench height base cabinets with door and drawer options or tall cabinets with adjustable shelves. If your goal is to keep storage neat and hidden from view this is for you.
- Workbench: Now that you have the rest of the mess
 stored on the walls and ceiling you have plenty of room for that workbench you always wanted in your garage! Use some base cabinets with drawers or doors for tool and supply storage, add a wood plank or laminate worktop and you're there. Another useful addition is a length or two of slatwall installed over the benchtop to store small tools like screwdrivers, etc. right at your fingertips. Oh yeah, the ribs. Braise them ahead of time and they'll be ready to toss on the grill when you're done with your garage organizing project. These are a favorite at our house during cookout season.
Get the Recipe for Bill's Tangy Fruit and Garlic Ribs. |
 More about Replacing
Windows When is it time?
Should you replace your windows or doors? Now is a great time with the energy tax credits being offered, but even so, will the payback be worth the expense? An even more important question is, "Will replacing my windows solve the problem of drafts and heat loss?"
There are two important factors that determine a window's performance: the quality of the window and the quality of the installation. Even the most efficient window will perform poorly if it is not properly installed.
Many homewoners are lured into believing that inserting replacement sashes into existing window jambs will solve the problem of underperforming windows. This may seem like an economical fix for drafty windows, but if the original frame was not properly installed and sealed for water and air infiltration, new replacement sashes can be a waste of money.
The fact is that the performance difference between a single glazed window with a storm window and a double glazed window is not that great. Most energy auditors will tell you that the first thing to do to make your home more energy efficient is to locate and fix the source of drafts. Solutions like insulated draperies and a tube or two of caulk may be a better investment for your home than the significant cost of replacing windows.
The best course to take before spending a large amount of cash on energy upgrades to your home is to begin with a plan of action. This starts with an energy audit that includes a blower door test and infared photos to pinpoint areas of energy loss and waste. An energy audit should also include an assesment of your home's electrical use as well as heating and cooling systems. Once problem areas are identified you can prioritze targets for improvement and establish a budget for a specific plan of action based on the best payback, both in cost and quality of life.
As for replacement windows and doors, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Are windows drafty?
- Are they difficult to operate making ventillation difficult during warm months?
- Are your windows and doors difficult to maintain, eg. glazing putty falling out, cracked panes, or broken air seals on double glazing?
- Is it difficult to see out?
- Are windows dangerous with sashes that may fall and cause injury
- Do they have uninsulated weight pockets?
- Do bedroom windows meet todays code size requirements for egress?
It is a great time to replace doors and windows. You can get a 30% tax credit up to $1500 for qualifying products. One word of caution however, not all energy star windows qualify. To qualify, both a window's U-factor and SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) must be < or = to 0.30.
For more info about tax credits and window performance use these links:
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 Spring Showroom Special
15% OFF all in-stock slatwall and accessories until May 15, 2009!
2 lbs. of free ribs to the first 10 slatwall purchases!
Drop by our showroom at 36 Center Street in Wolfeboro, NH 03894 to view products
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Think you might need new windows? Call Bill to schedule your free window and door consult. Don't forget our other remodeling services including: kitchen and bath, new room addition, master suite additions, built-ins and decks. 603-569-5609 | |
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About Us
Our mission at ClosetPlace is to inspire positive change in our clients' lives through functional design and space planning. We are a locally owned independent company serving New Hampshire and western Maine with no restrictions on the products or resources available for the development of your space. Transform your life! Call today or visit our showroom at 36 Center Street in Wolfeboro, N.H.03894. |
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