Five Unique Garage Storage Ideas

Are you tired of the clutter and chaos in your garage, desperately seeking innovative solutions to regain control over the space? Look no further. In this post, we’re sharing some of our favorite creative DIY garage storage ideas. You don’t have to spend a fortune transforming your garage into an organized oasis. The garage experts at Champion Overhead Door present fresh, efficient solutions to help you conquer the clutter and reclaim your garage’s functionality.

Magnetic Tool Strip: Effortless Tool Organization

Tired of hunting for tools in cluttered drawers and boxes? Upgrade your tool storage with a Magnetic Tool Strip. Install a high-quality magnetic strip on your garage wall near your workbench, securely mounting it with screws or brackets. Arrange your metal tools on the strip, customizing their placement for quick access to frequently used ones. The strong magnets keep your tools organized and visible, making it a breeze to find the right tool for any project. This efficient solution simplifies garage organization and saves you valuable time in your DIY endeavors.

Rolling Storage Shelves

Who says that your shelves need to be stationary? Imagine being able to roll your garage storage around with you wherever you happen to need it at the time. You can do that with rolling storage shelves. While there are plenty of retail options, we recommend building your own for a couple of reasons: 1) you can customize them exactly the way you want them and 2) you can save a ton of money.

Build your own rolling storage shelves, courtesy of HGTV.

Overhead Storage: Utilize Your Garage’s Hidden Space with Ease

Do you find your garage floor increasingly cluttered, making navigating difficult? The solution lies above your head. Use the often-neglected overhead space in your garage by installing overhead storage racks. These ingenious racks provide a practical solution for decluttering your garage and creating a more organized environment. If your garage already has rafters, this project becomes even more straightforward. Start by measuring the space between the rafters, then procure plywood sheets or specialized overhead storage units that fit the dimensions. Securely attach the racks to the rafters, ensuring they are level and sturdy. Once installed, these overhead racks can hold bins or crates, perfect for stashing seasonal items, holiday decorations, or infrequently used belongings. This smart storage solution keeps your garage floor clear and provides a safe, efficient, and accessible space for items you don’t need daily, helping you maximize your garage’s vertical storage potential.

Repurpose a Shoe Organizer For Small Items

Repurpose a simple, over-the-door shoe organizer and watch your clutter problems disappear. Whether it’s spray paint cans, gardening tools, or cleaning supplies, the pockets of a shoe organizer are perfect for storing various items efficiently. The best part? These organizers are incredibly easy to install on the wall. Just find a suitable spot in your garage, remove the over-the-door hooks and with a few screws in the grommets, you can have it securely in place. This versatile and cost-effective solution keeps your small items easily accessible, eliminating the hassle of searching for what you need. We like this inexpensive pick from Amazon.

Wooden Crate Shelving: Versatile and Customizable

For a versatile and cost-effective approach to garage storage, consider creating custom shelving units with wooden crates. What we love most about this idea is its adaptability – you can tailor it to your specific needs and the space you have available. Stack wooden crates to build shelves that suit your requirements, whether for sports gear, gardening supplies, or your kid’s outdoor toys. And the customization doesn’t end there – you can paint or stain the crates to match any look you desire. This do-it-yourself project not only keeps your belongings neatly organized but also adds a touch of personal style to your garage, turning it into a functional and aesthetically pleasing space. Whether you prefer a rustic, industrial, or contemporary look, wooden crate shelving offers the flexibility to create the perfect storage solution for your garage!

Conclusion

FDon’t let your garage remain a daunting, disorganized space any longer. With these DIY storage ideas, you can breathe new life into your garage, making it a haven of order and efficiency. Champion Overhead Door supports your journey towards a more organized and functional garage. As you implement these creative solutions, remember that a properly functioning garage door is key to safeguarding your belongings. Contact us today for a free quote! Let’s work together to make your garage the best it can be.

Why Won’t My Garage Door Close?

Common Problems—and How to Fix Them

We’ve all been here before. You leave your house and go to close your garage door, only to find that it just won’t do what it’s supposed to do. While this can be a frustrating part of having a garage, most of the reasons why a garage door won’t close all the way are relatively easy to identify and fix.

Here are three of the top culprits for a garage door that just won’t close.

1. Something is blocking the garage door.

Sometimes the solution when a garage door won’t close all the way is right in front of your eyes—literally. If there is something in the path of the garage door—large or small—it is simply not going to shut. Before worrying yourself over bigger problems, conduct a quick check to make sure that there aren’t any objects or debris preventing the door from fully closing. This is always the best case scenario, as the solution is as easy as removing whatever happens to be in the way.

2. The photo eye is out of alignment.

The photo eye, commonly known as the garage door safety sensor, is the next likely culprit when a garage door won’t close all the way. The purpose of the photo eye is to detect anything that might be in the way of a closing garage door—from an object to a person. Although this safety measure is incredibly important and has helped save many lives, it can be frustrating when it comes out of alignment and causes problems.

The first course of action is to inspect the photo eye visually for dirt and debris. Sometimes a dirty photo eye won’t function properly, and it just needs a quick and gentle cleaning. If that doesn’t do the trick, check the alignment of the eyes to make sure they are even. If you find that they aren’t, use a level to adjust them to equal heights.

3. The garage door limit settings are off.

Most garage door openers have a setting that indicates how far the garage door must travel in order to close. If this isn’t set properly during installation, or if it gradually drifts from the original setting, then the garage door won’t stay closed. Essentially what happens is that the door will hit the ground before the opener thinks it is supposed to, triggering it to assume that it has struck something in its path. The door will then immediately reverse as a safety measure.

The good news is that the garage door limit settings can be adjusted, however the location and procedure vary from one model to the next, so figuring it out can be a little tricky.

If you’ve checked for all these problems and you still find that your garage door won’t stay closed, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals. Here at Champion Overhead Door, we’ve encountered all the reasons why a garage door won’t close all the way in our many years of servicing residential and commercial customers. We’ll come out and diagnose the problem, then do whatever it takes to fix it so that you can enjoy a properly functioning garage door again in no time.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Beach Gear Storage Solutions for Your Garage

With the end of the summer right around the corner, it’s almost time to start putting away your beach and lake gear until next season. If you have a garage at your home, this is a perfect opportunity to utilize some of that unused space — particularly on the walls and overhead. Here are some of our favorite beach gear storage solutions.

StoreYourBoard Beach Gear Storage Rack

This adjustable, wall-mounted beach gear storage rack holds everything from folding chairs and umbrellas to surfboards and fishing rods so that you can store bigger and smaller items all in one place. Made of heavy-duty steel, it mounts directly to the wall for incredible durability. Although it holds almost all the beach or lake gear you might have, it’s designed to be compact so that you can save space in your garage. And the rubber-padded wall brackets hold all your gear in place so that you don’t have to worry about it sliding off and becoming damaged.

The Lineup Freestanding Surfboard Rack

Surfers with multiple boards to store during the off-season will love this freestanding floor display rack. Not only is it extremely durable, but the aesthetic is artistic and beautiful, so it’s perfect for showing off your boards. Made from 100% Baltic Birch, it’s easy to assemble simply by snapping pieces of it together — no screws or hardware required. There’s even thick padding on the bottoms and sides to protect your surfboards while they are in storage.

Hi-Port 2 Overhead Surfboard and Paddle Board Storage Rack

Sometimes the simplest way to store large items like surfboards and paddle boards in your garage is to put them up overhead, and this ceiling rack from StoreYourBoard does exactly that. The solid steel base is designed to support up to 150 pounds, so you can store multiple boards up there without a problem. The support arms are long enough to fit and support even the widest paddle boards. The 3-point adjustability features allow you to minimize the space used to only what you need.

How to Choose the Best Garage Door Opener System

If you’re in the market for a new garage door opener, one of the main considerations you’ll have to make is what type of system to choose. Are you looking for something basic and reliable? Is noise a concern? Do you need to lift a heavy door? These are a few of the common questions that can help people decide on the best garage door opener for their particular situation.

In today’s post, we’ll review the three main types of garage door opener systems and examine the pros and cons of each.

Chain Drive Garage Door Opener

Chain drive garage door openers are the most common of the three. A metal chain attached to the motor works to lift the garage door up and down. On top of being affordable, a chain drive garage door opener is also known for being sturdy, reliable and long-lasting, providing ultimate value.

That said, there are drawbacks to chain drive garage door openers. Since all the main parts are made of metal, they tend to be noisier than other types of garage door openers. For this reason, they are best for detached garage doors where you don’t have to worry about being bothered by the noise. It’s important to note that chain drive garage door openers also require regular maintenance to ensure that the chain continues to run smoothly.

Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

If you’re concerned about the noise caused by a garage door, a belt drive garage door opener is the perfect choice. They’re known for being much quieter than chain drive garage door openers, as they use rubber belts to open and close the door. This is the best garage door opener for attached garages, particularly ones that have a bedroom above them or those that are near living spaces like nurseries that need to be kept quiet.

As you might have guessed, you can expect to pay more for the luxury of a quiet garage door. But the good news is that a belt drive garage door opener is strong, durable and built to last. With proper maintenance, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

Screw Drive Garage Door Opener

While chain and belt drive garage door openers have similar functionality that works to pull the garage door up, a screw drive garage door opener uses a threaded metal screw that rotates to lift the door. With fewer moving parts, a screw drive garage door opener is known for its reliability. People also appreciate that this type of opener is quiet and fast.

As for negatives, one downside is that the screw threads can experience wear over time, though it’s easy enough to prevent this from happening by providing proper lubrication. Also, if you have a heavy garage door, this may not be the best choice since the extra weight can cause additional wear to the screw threads.

No matter where you are in the process of choosing a new garage door, the friendly and knowledgeable professionals at Champion Overhead Door are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation!

Garage Door Maintenance: How to Properly Lubricate a Garage Door

Is your garage door squeaking and screeching every time it opens and shuts? That’s a telltale sign that it’s time for some garage door maintenance. In today’s post, we’ll go over the ins and outs of properly lubricating a garage door, and how you can perform this task easily with minimal supplies.

Why Should I Lubricate a Garage Door?

On top of quieting those annoying squeaking noises, lubricating a garage door is an important part of any regular garage door maintenance. The sounds that you’re hearing indicate that the parts of your garage door aren’t moving as smoothly as they should be, which can interfere with the functionality of the whole thing. By keeping up on lubrication and other maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your garage door.

What Kind of Garage Door Lubricant Should I Use?

Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of using an oil lubricant like WD-40. While WD-40 does help equipment run smoothly, it’s actually a cleaning solvent and not a proper lubricant.

We recommend purchasing a garage door lubricant designed specifically for this purpose, which you can find for cheap at most hardware or home improvement stores. They’re easy to apply in a steady stream or spray, and won’t leave a sticky residue all over the place.

You can also use any lithium- or silicone-based spray as a garage door lubricant. We like the aerosol cans with straws for reaching all the nooks and crannies.

What Parts of the Garage Door Should I Lubricate?

You’ll typically want to focus on lubricating three main parts of your garage door:

1. Rollers. The rollers are key because they are what makes the garage door go up and down. If you have nylon wheels, avoid getting lubricant on the nylon itself and instead focus on the bearings. Metal rollers don’t require this level of precision.
2. Springs. The torsion springs help open and shut the garage door, so proper lubrication is important. Use just enough garage door lubricant to help them move better.
3. Hinges.Spray the garage door lubricant at the pivot points, unless you have plastic hinges. Plastic hinges don’t need to be lubricated, and in fact the lubricant can do more harm than good.

It’s important to avoid getting garage door lubricant on the tracks of your garage door, as the grease can attract dirt and dust particles and interfere with the functioning of the door. We recommend simply wiping the tracks with a rag to clean them off.

What if the Garage Door Is Still Making Noise After?

Once you have finished lubricating the different parts of your garage door, you should notice a reduction in noise as the garage door lifts and lowers. If you find that your garage door still doesn’t seem to be functioning properly, it may be time to call in the professionals.

Here at Champion Overhead Door, we provide garage door maintenance services for clients throughout New England. No matter what is going on with your garage door, we’ve seen it all. Contact us today to see how we can help!