Category: News

Epoxy Flooring | Benefits & Recommendations from a Pro

Epoxy Flooring | Encore Garage SWFL

Your garage is prone to wear and tear more than any other area in your home. In order to preserve that space for years to come, we, the experts at Encore Garage of Southwest Florida, recommend utilizing our services to install our revolutionary epoxy flooring.

Our system of installation is a multi-layer process that offers long-lasting durability and day-to-day performance. In addition to enhancing the overall appearance of your garage’s concrete floor, our flake floor coatings are durable and installed with ease. Here are four additional key benefits.

We’ve done the research

Over the years, we’ve done our research, tested a wide variety of alternatives to epoxy flooring and ultimately found that nothing beats the core strength of an industrial epoxy base combined with the flexibility of a Polyaspartic topcoat. Other companies promise their customers a one-day installation. While this “in and out” method allows for quick installation, it will not stand up to the tests of time, especially in Southwest Florida.

A two-day installation method with the highest quality products allows each layer to properly bond and cure. Encore Garage of Southwest Florida is able to offer a lifetime warranty on our flooring because of the extra steps we take to do the job right. You can read and view our day one and two steps here.

Epoxy Flooring | Encore Garage SWFL

The finished product will look great for years to come

Our finished product has a non-porous finish with no crevices to trap dirt and grime. With a smooth, easy-to-clean finish, your garage floor will look great for years to come with little maintenance other than regular sweeping and the occasional rinse with a hose.

The flooring is also highly stain-resistant. If you own a vehicle with high-performance tires, these will not have a negative impact on your flooring. Our system is also UV resistant and will not yellow overtime, ideal for garages in Southwest Florida. 

You can read the full list of benefits to finishing your garage with our epoxy flooring here.

We use the highest quality tools to get the job done right

In addition to our trusted process, we use the highest quality tools to make sure the job is done right every time. For example, we use mechanical grinders with diamond tooling to prepare the surface for the epoxy. This is the only way to ensure proper bonding of our system to the concrete. This process is far superior to an acid or solvent “wash” method that is often used by other members of the industry.

You have lots of eye-catching options

At Encore Garage of Southwest Florida, we offer a wide variety of eye-popping flooring options to complete your home. Our extensive range of standard and custom flake blends allows you to select a color combination based on your personal preferences.

As the experts in garage flooring to Southwest Florida for nearly two decades, working with our company promises you the highest quality epoxy flooring for your garage, highly trained technicians that guarantee the integrity of the Encore system and a lifetime warranty against lifting, chipping or peeling on every residential floor we install.

Encore Garage of Southwest Florida has been providing the highest quality garage storage and garage flooring options to the area since 2005. For more information and a free consultation, visit encoregarageswfl.com or contact us by calling (239) 949-5584.

Five Garage Organization Tips | Encore Garage

Garage Cabinet Solutions | Encore Garage SWFL

In these days of social distancing and “safer at home” mandates, you may have more time than ever to finally tackle that home project you’ve been putting off for years. If that project extends to the garage, here are five helpful tips for you to get the job done quickly and efficiently. 

1) Make time 

Depending on the scope of your project, plan for a full day, an entire weekend or perhaps even a week to accomplish this task. If you make time to get the job done right, you’re ensuring no corners are cut in the process and you’ll end up with an organized garage you’re proud of. 

Garage Cabinet Solutions | Encore Garage SWFL

2) Make a plan 

Making a plan will help you and your team (if you are lucky enough to have helpers) stay on task to complete your garage organization project. Be sure to assign jobs like cleaning as well sorting, packing and stacking during this process. 

3) Create three piles

Ask any professional organizer and they will tell you that the first step in a successful garage re-organization project is to take everything out of the garage and sort it into three piles: keep, donate or throw away. 

4) Take inventory 

Once you’ve determined what you’re going to keep, take inventory of it all. You should also be thinking about how frequently you use these items. The more often you use an item, the easier it should be to access once you’re done organizing and putting everything away.

5) Enlist the help of a trusted professional 

While it’s true that there’s nothing like a newly organized garage to give you a sense of pride and accomplishment, your garage might need a little extra help in terms of its organization systems. Plastic shelves prone to cracking in hot Florida weather, or unstable wire shelving can make even the best-organized garages seem well, unorganized.

This is where a trusted professional offering complete garage storage systems comes into play.  Encore Garage has been providing custom garage storage solutions to Southwest Florida since 2005, and specializes in garage cabinets and organizers, perfect for tackling your garage organization project. They are leaders in their field, having transformed thousands of garages into beautiful, clean and efficient spaces. For more information on the many custom garage storage options available, visit Encore Garage or call (239) 949-5584.

Florida Home Storage Challenges & Solutions

Garage Cabinet Solutions | Encore Garage SWFL

There’s nearly an endless number of things to love about living in Florida. While the homes are built soundly to protect against hurricanes and they’re perfect for the gorgeous weather with in-ground pools rounding out nearly every home, Florida’s limestone base does not permit Florida homes to have basements. Additionally, many Florida homes do not have functional attics due to high temperatures throughout the year. This lack of storage poses challenges for Florida homeowners, especially during times of crisis where homeowners need to stock up on food, toiletries and other nonperishables.  

If you’re a Florida homeowner and find yourself facing this exact problem, we’ve got a couple of solutions for you and recommendations for how you can optimize your space. 

Garage Cabinet Solutions | Encore Garage SWFL

Garage Cabinetry

Because Florida homes lack basements and attics are not suited for additional storage, a fantastic way to optimize the space you do have is by adding custom cabinetry to your garage. If you’re looking for a company with the expertise to accomplish the task, look no further than Encore Garage. This Southwest Florida based storage-solution company has 15 years of experience turning outside garage space into clean functional storage. They’re the experts in making the best use of the existing footprint, creating storage solutions that best suit your needs. Whether you’re planning to store extra dry goods and cleaning supplies or heavier items like cases of water, their cabinetry line was chosen for its premium quality and specific attributes that can stand up to the heat and humidity Florida brings.

Garage Organizer Solutions | Encore Garage SWFL

Stand Alone Organization Systems

Slatwall Panels and Grids are often the perfect way to create extra storage space when there simply just isn’t enough room for cabinets. Because they come in a wide range of colors and can be cut to fit any space, they can be an extremely helpful addition for homeowners that need to work around other fixtures such as garage refrigerators or water heaters. They can be cut-to-fit and placed accordingly and hold a variety of shelves, baskets and hooks to keep your things accessible, but still highly organized. Metal wall grids are extremely cost effective and highly functional. The grids, which come in a standard 4ft by 2ft size, can be installed individually or in groups. Hooks, baskets and additional accessories are available to help you organize your items and meet your storage needs. 

To make the best use of the new accessible spaces created by Garage Cabinets and Slatwall, overhead storage units can be installed in most garage ceilings and are the ideal place for items that are needed less frequently. They’re the perfect solution for storing bulky items like Christmas trees, holiday decorations, pool toys, even hurricane shutters. Ceiling rack storage will transform your garage floor space into one that is more usable and accommodating.  

Flexible garage storage is a must for Florida homeowners where basement storage is not an option. Contact Encore Garage to get started today.

Antique Car Care – Beyond Oil Changes

Antique Car Care | Encore Garage SWFL

Veteran classic car collectors know that there’s a lot that goes into keeping your antique vehicle in near perfect condition. If you’re looking for the basics on how to keep your antique beauty running for years, here are five tips. 

Foster a committed oil changing routine

Changing your car’s oil is Car Care 101, and this becomes increasingly important with antique cars. Antique cars differ from more recent models where oil changes take place every few thousand miles or so. Because owners want to keep their antique car around as long as possible, they are driven far less. How often you change the oil should become dependent upon length of time the oil has been in the engine, not the number of miles driven. A committed routine is essential to keep your car running well, a good rule to follow is to change the car’s oil every six months. 

Hand wash only

Automated car washes don’t have an antique car setting. They’re built to get the grime off even the dirtiest vehicles and can do so a little roughly. To preserve the exterior of your antique car, always wash by hand. When washing your car, avoid abrasive materials that can scratch the paint. It’s important to only use soft towels, mitts or sponges that are free of debris to wash the surface of your antique car. 

Antique Car Care | Encore Garage SWFL

Give a proper shine

Your antique car care routine is not complete without giving the vehicle a proper shine. At a minimum, your car should be waxed every six months. Here are three simple steps you should follow to give your car a proper shine: 

  • Make sure the car is dry before waxing
  • Apply wax out of direct sunlight to avoid it drying too quickly
  • Apply the thinnest coat possible over one small area at a time

Give the car a full inspection

Because antique cars aren’t driven as often, some owners forget that inspections need to be performed regularly to ensure the vehicle is running in tip-top shape and is safe to drive. This means checking brake pads, to make sure they’re not worn. You should also be checking other areas of the car for leaks such as brake lines, cylinders, calipers, engine, cooling system, power steering, transmission and drive axle. 

Store the car in a safe place

Storing your car in a safe place out of the elements will prevent it from incurring major damage. It’s also recommended to use a car cover even when storing a vehicle indoors. A cover will prevent additional dust and debris from damaging your vehicle. 

Storing your vehicle in a safe place is a great start, but it’s important to take it a step further to prevent further damage from pests. Fabric softening sheets, lavender moth balls and Irish Spring soap stored throughout the vehicle in its nooks and crannies are helpful in keeping pests like mice and other insects out of your antique car. 

Encore Garage has been enhancing garages throughout Southwest Florida since 2005, and specialize in quality floor coatings, cabinets and organizers. They are leaders in their field, having transformed over 6,000 garages into beautiful, clean and efficient spaces, perfect for storing and working on your antique car. For more information, visit EncoreGarageSWFL.com.