Choose The Correct Tools For Installing Garage Storage Systems

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

If you are planning the installation of garage shelving or garage storage cabinets, you will need to have the correct tools available. A portable tool organizer that contains everything needed will make the job go faster. Sometimes I put these in a carry-all 5 gallon bucket or put them in my tool belt so I can wear them around my waste. Even the drill has a holster that holds it on my hip.

Here is what I use:

A common nail hammer with a curved claw – used for general carpentry work
An adjustable blade hacksaw if hanging wire rack shelving
Both an 8 inch and 24 inch level
A 25 foot measuring tape
Several #2 soft lead pencils
A hand held number 2 sized Philips head screwdriver
An 18 volt battery powered drill with adjustable torque settings and 1/2 dozen Philips head tips
A laser level

The above tools can be of any brand that does the job, but here are a couple of tips from experience:

Fiberglass handled Stanley because it is lightweight.

Adjustable hacksaw and a short 8 to 10 inch blade. This shorter blade is easier to tighten which helps keep from breaking the blade.

Both an 8-inch and a 24-inch hand level

25-foot tape measure as it is the most versatile

Several sharp pencils for making the centering marks for the holes

Just about every garage storage system includes assembly hardware, most of which requires a Philips head screwdriver. I use an eight-inch long medium number-two-head-size hand screwdriver along with a lightweight electric drill.

My 18-volt battery-powered electric drill is adjustable providing a variable amount of torque, depending on which type of material I am drilling into.

The laser level mounts to almost any flat surface and is reasonably priced at around $16.00.

If this is a one time effort for you, buying lower cost tools and materials is one suggestion for keeping the self storage costs down. Like most of my garage storage system projects I prefer to use good quality materials for the most frequently used items, like upgraded storage cabinets because they have better doors. Doors get a lot of use, so choose ones with good strong hinges and a heavy door thickness. In contrast, I use less expensive garage storage shelving, like wire storage racks

Whatever garage storage system you choose to install, having the correct tools will make the project easier.

Originally posted 2011-03-09 15:37:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Cheap Storage Solutions Are All Above You

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

If you want cheap storage solutions, just look up. There is a lot of cheap storage space right in front of your eyes. It is found above cabinets, at the tops of closets, and on shelves near the ceiling. A person typically pays for square feet of living space  but what you actually get is cubic feet of living space: so safe storage space is abundant if you just look up..

You don’t have shelves in each room? By simply adding tasteful storage shelving to each room near the ceiling, one provides an out of the way cheap storage solution. Storage shelves can be painted to your taste, and made attractive by buying interesting containers to store your items inside.   Containers like small boxes with a telescoping lid are attractive and interesting when gift wrapped and placed on a shelf. Small decorator boxes that look like treasure chests or jewelry chests can hold quite a bit of “not needed right now” items. Sometimes, old cookie jars are the perfect place for small quantities of odd shaped keepers, like memento jewelry. Often the most affordable storage containers are available at tag, yard, and garage sales.

Whenever I store anything, I go to extremes trying to preserve the items condition. I generously wrap the item in “cushion y” paper towel, and add a small bar of hotel travel soap. I then seal it in a plastic bag. It then goes in a secure storage container. This container can range from a sturdy cardboard box that was retrieved from behind your corner market to the drawers in a hand-me-down dresser being abandoned by a relocating neighbor. Never pass up a chance to take an old dresser or chest of drawers and convert it to a secure storage cabinet. It can be a lot of fun to transform the former drab hand-me-down into a brightly painted locker for some infrequently needed items. One of the advantages of re purposing old dressers, chests of drawers, and even hutches is that they are already up off the floor. This protects against flooding if placed in a basement or in an unattached garage. The free acquisition price also helps reduce self-storage costs.

If your budget for storage includes spending, the best choice is plastic storage containers for sale that stack one on top of the other.  They nest together neatly and when placed in a group together in a storage room they provide a sturdy base for placing lighter weight bags full of bedding or other fabric items on top of the stack.

Originally posted 2011-03-07 16:07:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Garage Storage – Shelving – Ceiling – Overhead

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

Many people rent storage space and don’t realize there is a wiser alternative. If you have a garage, you already have space for which you are paying. Storing your infrequently needed treasures in a well organized garage is not only safe and secure, but it is a wise financial decision.

To capture wasted garage space, step back 20 to 25 feet and look at the space and think long term. Assess the potential storage place, look above, beside, and in front of the parking area; make a simple pencil sketch, then make a plan.

Making a plan starts with measuring. A typical 2-car garage measures 20 feet wide by 20 feet deep, has 8-foot high walls, and has a 16-foot wide overhead door. Parked cars require about 14 feet of length and 14 feet of width total for parking and driver ingress/egress. Using one entire wall from floor to ceiling on one side of the garage provides about 320 cubic feet of storage (20 feet long by 8 feet high by 2 feet deep from the wall). That amount of space will store well over 100 average sized totes measuring 22 inches deep by 15 inches wide by 12 inches tall. If you select hinged top containers, they can be stacked one on top of another, eliminating the need for permanent garage shelving. The rear wall of the garage can accommodate approximately 250 of these type totes stacked from floor to ceiling. Installing bicycle hanger hooks

bicycle hook

Bike Hook

from the beams above the hood of the car provides garage overhead storage for four full sized bikes. Installing the same kind of hanger/hook in between the joists up by the peak of the rafters provides garage ceiling storage for hanging large plastic ornaments popular at Halloween and Christmas.

A couple of helpful notes: If the space is unfinished, you may want to insulate the walls and cover several areas with 4 by 8 foot pegboard as a simple start to wall storage (use peg board hooks for hanging frequently needed hand tools, hoses, extension cords, etc.). To prevent the possibility of flood damage, keep bottom shelves or stacked totes at least 4 inches from the floor.

Originally posted 2011-04-30 09:10:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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How To Know If Your Attic Needs More Insulation?

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

This is what the experts say: If you have some insulation already but can see your attic joist, you need more insulation. The rule of thumb to reduce the monthly utility bill is to have a minimum of R-30 or 9½ inches of insulation. You will want to add “un-faced” insulation. This kind comes without any attached paper or foil covering on either side. You will typically be installing “batts”. They are pre-cut lengths of fiber glass insulation that do not have a vapor barrier. When installing new insulation over old insulation make certain that the only vapor barrier is between the ceiling of the floor below and the first layer of fiber glass. Do not place two vapor barriers so as to avoid moisture being trapped between layers. Trapped moisture negates the added “R” value of the added material.

If you do not have any insulation then 9-1/2 inches thick of an R-30 with a foil or kraft paper is what needs to be installed. This foil or paper acts as a vapor barrier.

Here is a procedure and a common formula for calculating the amount of insulation needed in an attic.
Start by measuring the distance between the joist, so you know whether to buy for 15” – 16” or 23”- 24” joists. Measure the overall length and width and multiply one measurement by the other.
Example: 25 foot wide by 30 foot long or 25 times 30 equals 750 square feet of attic area. Each roll of insulation has a label stating the number of square feet contained in that roll. Divide this number into the total number of square feet required to determine the total number of rolls required.

Originally posted 2011-05-05 18:44:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Tool Checklist For Installing Insulation

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

Here is a list of the basic tools needed to install insulation:

1.) Tape Measure

2.) Utility Knife

3.) Stapler and Staples

4.) Hammer

5.) Metal Yardstick

6.) Small Box Fan

7.) Work Light

8.) Safety Glasses, Gloves, Breathing Masks

9.) Protective Clothing

10.) Three Pronged, Long Handled Garden Cultivator

11.) 2 Foot by 4 Foot Plywood 5/8 Inch or Heavier

12.)  Caulking and Caulking Gun

 

Originally posted 2011-04-10 07:32:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Storage Shed Plans Include Insulation

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

When selecting shed plans for building home self-storage, a wise decision is to choose one that includes insulation of the storage place.

An insulated storage area offers secure storage as well as a possible multipurpose use area.  Things like lawn mowers and garden tools do not need  insulated sheds, but items that can absorb moisture will benefit from a warm and dry environment. Insulated storage areas protect and minimize damage caused by seasonal weather change.  As an example, golf equipment. leather baseball gloves, and protective padding are usually stored outside but always ends up smelling musty. An insulated space and properly packaging the stored items in plastic bags, then placing them in storage boxes prevents the absorption, and the items remain unaffected.  Including a dryer sheet in the bag, box, or inside the item itself keeps away musty odors.

Insulating the ceiling and walls is also less costly if done during initial construction. Most of the savings is in the time it takes to finish the project, doing it now, as compared to removing everything from the shed and gathering the necessary tools later. Building materials continue to rise in price, so insulating sooner rather than later saves by buying it at today’s money.

Finished walls and ceilings means permanent storage fixtures can be installed in their finished location. Storage shelving, tool organizers, and storage racks all speed up provide a storage place for the items awaiting their new home.

Without knowing in advance all the individual items that will be stored, or all the eventual uses this type of storage can provide, insulating at the point of construction opens a wider range of options for secure self-storage. Long term options include a finished insulated space which later can be used as an outdoor playhouse, a hobby room, or even a workshop.

Originally posted 2011-04-09 09:24:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Garage Shelving As Part of Garage Storage Systems

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

Depending on whether you have a wood frame or cement block style garage will determine what type of garage shelving you should install.

A wooden frame garage with finished walls and a cement floor almost demand the use of wall mounted shelves, and overheads  offering a complete storage solution.  To maximize the amount of affordable storage, select a brand like Closet Maid from a national home improvement chain. It is a complete garage storage system whose components work well with a cement floor for the free standing garage storage cabinets and wooden framed walls for mounting the same brand wall units.

Planning for flexibility at the beginning pays dividends as your needs change. Choose the kind of shelving that hangs from a wall mounted track, which allows for quick installation, and is both strong and adjustable.  This kind of shelving is commonly made of wire with a heavy white epoxy paint coating.  This wire style garage racking provides ventilation, a desirable feature if using corrugated storage boxes.  In just a few minutes these shelves can be disassembled and remounted to change the configuration of the space for different sized cartons or containers without added cost.

A cement block garage is best suited to the kind of metal shelving units that sit on the floor and do not mount to the walls.  These kind of shelves are termed bolt-less shelving.  They are very similar in design to storage racks used in large warehouses, but on a smaller scale.  They come in units sized to provide about a 6 foot height to the top shelf for easy access self storage. The shelf brackets and uprights fit together with interlocking tabs, inserted into each other and then secured using a rubber mallet.  The way to make this choice one of the cheap storage solutions is to choose a size that maximizes the amount of space it provides, possibly 2 feet deep by 4 feet wide by 6 feet high. The  shelving requires use of cut sheets of wood.   As an example, the wooden shelving is available in 4 by 8-foot sheets that can be cut down to zero waste sizes.  Depending upon the depth (front to back measurement) you need and the weight of items stored, the common sizes of storage shelving in this type of product are 12 inches deep, 16 inches deep, and 24 inches deep. widths all by 48 inches long.  This maximizes the number of shelf boards that They can all be cut evenly from a standard 48 inch by 96 inch sheet with no waste.  Choose particleboard for lower weight needs and plywood for heavier weights requirements.  The advantage to this type of shelving is that it is adjustable in 2 inch increments and the bottom shelf can be off the floor at a 4 inch to 6 inch height to provide ventilation

Originally posted 2011-03-10 11:50:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Instantly Access Items In Self Storage

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

You are getting ready to build a storage room at home or maybe install a garage storage system. Keeping the amount of overall work to minimum is easy if you plan ahead. Sooner or later something in storage is going to be needed.

Here is a helpful hint to make accessing your needed items later on. When packing up the container it is very helpful to make a list of what is being put inside.

Number the sheet and put the same number on the outside of any sized envelope which is later to be taped on the storage boxes. I list everything out on a letter size sheet of paper and scan it into my computer for later use. When the box is filled and completed, I fold up the paper list and place it inside an unsealed envelope with the number written in marker on the outside. I then tape the envelope to the outside of the package with box tape. If I need to look for something, I just open the envelope and read the list rather than rummaging through each of the storage boxes.

If you are at the very start of your project consider using totes with clear see through sides. The refinement to your storage systems can also include using a small round Avery brand dot label with different colors designating different types of items. As storage containers are put away I draw a map of approximately where each numbered container is kept.

I go one step further and even computerize the list using my scanned copies as the information source. Once this is done, the search gets easier if you perform a “word” search on your computerized list for the item you are looking for. You will know what container number to locate.

These extra steps easily saves time and a lot of packing and repacking when retrieving anything from self storage.

Originally posted 2011-04-30 09:15:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Cheap Storage Solutions – Climate Controlled Storage

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

If you are looking for cheap storage solutions, your home’s basement and garage are two of the most affordable storage locations. More importantly, you are already paying for this space and using it instead of an off site location saves between $600 and $3000 dollars per year.

Understanding the choices is the key to controlling your self-storage costs. A basic no frills storage unit is $50 to $150 per month for security self-storage which equals $600 to $1800 per year. Climate controlled self-storage is more expensive with a typical 10 by 10 foot space starting at $1800 annually and up to $3000 a year for a two car garage 20 foot by 20 foot sized unit. If you use these numbers as your budget, both your basement and garage can be improved to provide easy access self-storage lowering your overall long term storage costs.

The best first choice for climate-controlled storage is the basement. Already being heated and cooled, the basement offers protection from outdoor weather extremes plus it is nearby for access on a moments notice. It also provides safe and secure self-storage by eliminating the fear of someone forcing entry through an adjoining unit and rummaging through your possessions. A basement storage room can include home storage cabinets, and storage racks, or wall storage using storage shelving and storage boxes. Whether built in place using $200 worth of lumber, or complete modular storage systems available as kits from home improvement stores, the cost to add permanent storage at home is cheaper than a storage place off site.

Garage storage offers the second best solution for budgeted storage. Depending on what garage design you have, what items you will store and how often you will access the storage determines what garage storage system you should choose. Even though the garage may not provide “climate controlled storage units”, a few coats of epoxy paint on the floor and the use of prefabricated garage storage systems can add a classy upgrade to the storage space that is otherwise wasted if used strictly to park cars. If you want a quick solution, steel cabinets with keyed handles provide secure storage. If you just want safe storage, metal shelving units are inexpensive, easy to assemble and the bottom shelf is high enough off the garage floor to provide air movement so even cardboard boxes, the cheapest storage containers for sale, will protect what is inside the container. A better solution is a garage organizer,

Garage Organizer

Basic Tool Organizer

one that includes overhead garage storage, garage storage cabinets, garage racking, garage shelving, tool organizer and a garage workbench all of which can be installed for far less than the one year rental expense for the same amount of space. This one time expense also creates convenient usable space to help de-clutter and organize the entire home. If your garage is attached, one of the more useful garage storage ideas and toy storage solutions is to build a simple toy box with a lift top just to one side of the door to the house. This is one example of the many garage cabinets that can be dual purpose; it doubles as a toy box in the summer and a great place to sit to remove wet or dirty shoes or boots the rest of the year.

Overall, these basement and garage solutions present the best money saving storage ideas. Consider your choices first and then spend a little time and money to save a lot over the long term.

Originally posted 2011-04-30 09:24:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Two Cheap Storage Shelving Designs

Posted on June 8, 2011 by plastpro

 

Here are two different cheap storage solutions costing well under $100 that can be made by the do it your selfer (DIY). They both involve the use of 2” by 4”s for the uprights, the difference between
the two styles being the method of shelving support. Although the uprights are also fastened to the wall, the floor does the weight bearing. When considering the type of shelving to be used for wall storage systems, the most important question to answer is “how much weight will the shelves be holding?” The lighter the weight, the more it is possible to suspend it only from a wall. However, if one were to analyze the method used to fasten the brackets, it is obvious the weight bearing comes down to the size of the screw head used to hold the wall brackets…something to consider if storing heavy valuables that could be damaged if the screw head
fatigues and fails. For lightweight storage on a floor, the cheapest solution is the metal-shelving units available as a kit for around 20 to 30 US dollars. The reason they are so cheap is because they do not hold much weight nor provide a permanent installation. The more weight the shelves are capable of supporting, the more the cost goes up. Shelving that is mounted on the floor and fastened to a wall is the most durable and should be considered as both the wall storage and cheap storage solution of choice.

The first type of shelving support is provided by holes drilled at 6-inch intervals and inserted with ¾ inch dowels or re-purposed mop handles. The holes can really be drilled at any distance one from the other as long as they all line up when inserting the dowel rods. This a copy of a page from a book entitled The Backyard Builder 1985, Rodale Press (used with permission).

The second type of shelving support is dado cuts into the 2” by 4”. Both shelf designs include top and bottom cross members for aligning the uprights and together them together.
This picture is from the book by Black and Decker entitled Garages 2009 www.creativpub.com (Used with Permission).

Both of the above books are available on Amazon from their publishers.

Dowel Rod Shelf Support

 

Dado Cut Shelf Support

Originally posted 2011-06-20 20:40:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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