Archive for the ‘Garage’ Category
Epoxy Coatings for Your Floor
Most of the garage coating systems will comprise of an epoxy or urethane coating product which is bonded to a concrete or a cement floor and it dries to a ceramic-type finish. Most of the epoxies consists of a solitary or two-component liquid emulsion which, when mixed, can be used as a primer, sealant and a protective finish. This lends itself perfectly to use as a garage floor coating.
As house owners are always looking for ways so as to improve their home, garage coatings are gaining more popularity. For artistic as well as for cost benefits garages are being re-purposed as playing areas, offices, workshops and gardening getaways, and so more owners are finishing off their necessary garage floors. Garage coating systems are well intended to resist oil, solvents, mud, water and grease found in a garage. This will make them perfect for alternate uses in sunrooms, laundry rooms, work shops and entryways.
Most of the garage coatings in the market are designed for do it yourself who is finishing their home garages as a weekend project. The subject that comes into play is that most of them don’t have access to the tools essential to set up the surface for the epoxy coating system nor they don’t have access to the professional grade equipment to create a long lasting trouble free installation.
Color choice for epoxy coating system:
If plain old gray do not meet your garage decor necessities, don’t get worry, there are a lot of basic colors and options offered for you. Epoxy coatings could be filled with various color chips or quartz aggregate and provides a speckled or effect of granite. One more popular choice is the usage of acrylic flakes or color fleck which ends up in giving look like terrazzo. Additional finishes includes silver, sheer black or gold and a selection of sparkle finishes and designs could be created to match almost any taste and budget.
These epoxy garage coatings are a useful way not only to beautify your garage, but also to care for the concrete floor against weathering, oil, cracking, chemicals and moisture. Some products are claiming that garage coatings are really stronger than concrete, thus extending the life of your garage floor. Although you could hire a professional to apply a garage coating, you have many products that could order online or purchased at your local home improvement store that are of low odor, self-priming and fast dry, the major disadvantage is the longevity and toughness of a “residential grade” finish.
A professional could coat your garage floor in a couple of days for not more than you could do on your own, while having the correct tools and know how to offer a professional grade finish.
Basic Steps comprise of:
First, the garage floor should be degreased, cleaned and etched, or roughed up. This will allow the epoxy to bond with the concrete. Patching any holes or cracks is the next step. Depending upon the finish you want, you can begin and end with the base coat. If you select a more decorative finish, then color chips may be added, followed with either one or two topcoats. The result is a tough, yet fine-looking finish to your otherwise boring and functional garage floor.
Initial GPS, Where Do You Find Them
Does a GPS unit need a Garmin logo on its back to be considered an efficient device? The answer is of course not. In fact, when it comes to the retail industry, ‘name’ can often just be an excuse to add hundreds maybe even thousands more to a product’s price tag. Many consumers get caught up in the hype simply because through the television, Internet and magazines they’ve had a chance to become more familiar with the brand names. Well, there are plenty of GPS brands that are not as well-known that are still wonderful devices. This article will talk about one of them, the Initial GPS models.
Initial GPSes are some of the most hard-to-find GPS brands in the market. Perhaps this might be due to the fact that Initial Technology, the company making them, is actually a business geared towards making entertainment devices. This seems to show in a couple of Initial GPS devices, but in a good way. These models, the Initial GPS GD-72, (which costs $449.99), the Initial GPS GD-71, (which costs $469.99), and the Initial GPS GM-410, (which costs $229.99), are the only GPS units that actually offer built-in DVD players. The Initial GPS GD-72 and the Initial GPS GD-71 even look like portable DVD players. The Initial GPS GM-410, on the other hand, has an appearance typical to most GPS units.
As far as navigational capabilities, Initial GPSes are no different than any other type of GPS. The above-mentioned Initial GPS GD-72 and Initial GPS GD-71 along with the other non-DVD Initial GPSes, (including the $199.99 GM-350 GPS Receiver and the $379.99 GM-501 GPS Receiver), are pretty much the same when it comes to navigation. Their interface consists of colorized touch screens and Bluetooth technology for hands-free telephone calls. The devices include preloaded U.S. maps and 2 million points of interest. As far as directions, they are voiced, a feature common in many famous brands available on the market.
Initial GPS models offer a unique choice for those looking for more affordable GPS options. Not only are they pretty much standard when it comes to GPS navigation, but many of them even have DVD players. Such a feature allows one to save even more money, since portable DVD players by themselves can be hundreds of dollars. Truly, these types of Initial GPS models can almost be considered an all-in-one device, since they provide both GPS capabilities as well as DVD capabilities. The only challenge one will face if they do want to purchase an Initial GPS is where to buy one. The Initial Technology site doesn’t even offer the products for sale, and of the few sites that do, the more interesting Initial GPS GD-71 and Initial GPS GD-72 models tend to not be in stock. Even the average shopping comparison site seems barren when one tries to search for Initial GPSes. However, you will find that Target stores carry a full line of Initial GPS receivers. Another good source is the Internet and auction sites like eBay. No matter where you find them Initial GPS systems are easy to use and reliable.
Garage Doors-an Overview of Styles, Types, Options, and How to Choose a New Garage Door
There are an abundance of options as far as building materials and designs available in new garage doors, wood and steel being the most commonly installed. Each type of garage door will have options available for the exterior style/color, decorative windows, hardware, insulation, etc. Every garage door manufacturer will tell you theirs is best, and give you tons of reasons why you should agree. Just like any other product or service. That being said, you should keep in mind that the new garage door you are thinking of purchasing is going to be around for a long time. Garage doors usually last anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on usage and maintenance, and can possibly last longer.
Steel garage doors are the most commonly installed types. Their lower costs, maintenance, and a variety of available designs make them the obvious choice for most homeowners. No painting is required, although the doors can be painted, and most manufacturers offer different finish warranties on their garage doors. Styles include, but are not limited to, raised panel designs, flush panels, and various carriage house designs. Most have insulation options, as well. Considering the fact that most garages share an interior wall with the home, insulation inside your garage door can help conserve on heating and cooling costs.
While their not as common as they once were, wooden garage doors are still readily available in most places. They are available in the same standard styles as steel doors, and can be built to suit. Their costs are generally slightly higher than steel doors, and they will need to be painted or stained to prevent water damage. There are still benefits to having a wooden garage door. A standard model wood door can provide a better R-value than a basic non-insulated steel door. Wooden garage doors can also take a little bit more punishment than the steel types-something to consider if you have kids that play near the doors, or work in or around the garage yourself. Wood doors also have insulation options available. The versatility of wooden garage doors is probably their best point. Homeowners wanting custom garage doors for their home typically go with wooden garage doors.
Vinyl garage doors are beginning to make a larger impression on the market. These doors won’t rust, and are more resistant to dings and scratches than the steel doors. Prepare to pay substantially more for these types of garage doors. Many dealers don’t carry any in stock, so a lead time of 2-4 weeks can be expected. They usually look like a steel door as far as exterior styles are concerned. Vinyl garage doors also have similar insulation options as steel garage doors.
Composite garage doors are becoming more mainstream as consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products grows. These garage doors are typically made from recycled wood. They are insulated in most cases. Again, opting for insulation on a garage door can provide a higher R-value. Composite doors can be painted, or even stained.
Our website has links to many of the large garage door manufacturer sites. Some of these sites will have a “door designer” available where you can view different color and style options for their doors. You can usually find other information on warranties or other garage door specs. When you have your new garage door installed be sure to remember to keep the invoice/receipt in a safe place, and make sure you complete any required registrations in order to have a valid warranty.