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Garage Flooring

Behind the flakes: What’s in your garage floor coating?

When homeowners look at a beautifully finished garage floor, it’s easy to focus on the sleek appearance: the shine, the color, the texture. But have you ever wondered what’s actually beneath the surface? Decorative garage floor coatings do more than make your space look great. They play a critical role in protection, safety, and long-term durability. In this first installment of our “Science behind the shine” series, we’re digging into the flakes: what they are, why they matter, and how they affect the performance of your garage floor. What are decorative flakes in a garage floor coating? Also called vinyl chips or color flakes, these small, multi-colored particles are broadcast into the coating system while it’s still wet, embedding into the base coat and locking into the top layer. They're not just for looks, though they definitely deliver on style. Flakes serve a functional purpose too, improving slip resistance, hiding imperfections, and enhancing durability. What are they made of? The most common types of flakes are composed of: Vinyl: Lightweight and flexible, often used in residential garages. Mica: A natural mineral that adds shimmer and depth. Metallic blends: For ultra-modern finishes and industrial spaces. These materials are UV-stable, chemically resistant, and designed to withstand everything from hot tire pickup to seasonal temperature changes. Want to see the difference for yourself? Explore our garage flooring options for side-by-side comparisons. How do flakes affect the longevity of your floor? Flakes do more than just bond visually with the space; they enhance coating performance: Adds slip resistance for safety, especially when wet Strengthens the coating by adding texture and depth Reduces visible wear and tear, including dust, dirt, and scratches. When paired with a polyaspartic premium coat (known for its flexibility and chemical resistance), flakes help extend the life of your floor far beyond a basic DIY paint job or one-coat system. Can you choose your own flake color and blend? Yes, and you should. Customization is one of the major advantages of a professional system. From classic blends to bold combinations, flakes are an easy way to match your floor to your garage’s overall design. For a design-focused approach, explore our Designer Series, where color, texture, and performance come together in curated floor and cabinet combinations. Are all flake floors created equal? Not at all. Here’s what separates a premium decorative flake system from a cheap alternative: Feature Premium system Budget coating Full flake broadcast Yes (wall-to-wall coverage) Often sparse or patchy Base coat chemistry Polyaspartic (Floortex) Epoxy paint UV resistance High (no yellowing over time) Low Slip resistance Built in with topcoat + flake texture Often slippery Professional prep (grinding, leveling) Yes Rarely Learn more about why garage renovation starts with the floor and why skipping proper prep is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes. What questions should you ask before choosing a floor coating? Is the coating system 100% polyaspartic or epoxy? Is it a full broadcast flake system? What prep work is included? Will the floor resist hot tire pickup, salt, and oil stains? Can I customize the flake colors? If you’re not getting straight answers or a clearly defined process, it might be time to talk to a true professional, like Garage Living. Final thought: It’s not just decoration. Decorative flakes combine function, durability, and design, helping your garage stand up to daily wear while looking showroom-ready. So next time you admire the shimmer beneath your feet, remember: there’s a whole science behind that shine. Talk to a Garage Floor expert Have questions about flakes, coatings, or the right floor system for your garage? Talk to a Garage Living Expert today and get personalized recommendations for your space. About the author: Felix is the Content Lead at Garage Living. With over 18 years of experience in e-marketing, web design, and content strategy, Felix blends digital expertise with a passion for storytelling that informs, connects, and inspires. Whether he’s crafting blog content or shaping how customers engage with the brand online, he believes the right words can make any message stand out. Outside the screen, he’s a Barça fan, moviegoer, and avid trekker who brings curiosity and energy to every project.

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GARAGE CABINETRY

Which Custom Cabinetry Is Right for Your Garage?

One of the things you love most about your garage is the opportunity to find safe, alternative storage for the items that don’t need to be kept inside your home. But if you don’t keep up with the storage, it’s also very easy for your space to resemble a permanent garage sale. Keeping your garage organized is easy with the many options Garage Living offers. For the walls, slatwall panels with hanging accessories helps you organize a lot the clutter. What about for the rest of your things that aren’t ideal for hanging? And how can you utilize your storage to also give your garage a little more style? Custom garage cabinetry is the solution if you value the following four things: 1. Design flexibility Modular and custom cabinetry allows you to fit the cabinetry to your space, not the other way around. Build the perfect cabinetry system based on your room, needs, and budget. 2. Durability If they’re going to live in the garage, your cabinets need to be durable. Custom cabinetry delivers on this front. Aluminum or steel custom cabinets are especially popular with garage owners who want the functionality of traditional cabinets and the sustainability provided by these heavier-grade materials. 3. Functionality Garage Living’s line of cabinets can be chosen to fit your functionality needs. If you want lockable tool drawers and large sports equipment lockers, we can accommodate your needs. If you’re looking to set up a garage workspace that will get heavy use, one of our heavier-duty cabinet lines like the GL Rally model can be tailored for your garage space. Our cabinets offer full extension glides and all components are powder coated and feature welded steel construction with magnetic door latches. 4. Sleek appearance If you want to update your garage’s appearance with a modern, stylish aesthetic, custom cabinets offer the kind of professional look your garage deserves. Outfit your garage with high-quality cabinetry and you’ll enjoy the refined look and functionality they provide for years! To learn more about the custom cabinet options that Garage Living has available, schedule a free design consultation with us or visit your local Garage Living showroom.

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CAR LIFTS

How Do I Know If a Car Lift Is Right for My Garage?

Whether you’re looking to increase the storage space in your garage or store a summer vehicle during those long winter days, a car lift provides a great way to reimagine your garage space. To determine if installing a car lift is right for you, here are answers to some common car lift questions. How much space do I need? A car lift will optimize any space, so don’t fret if you’re concerned that your garage is too small. The car lift itself will fit into one bay space and it is optimal to have 11-12 feet clearance height. Garage Living can also modify how your garage doors open to accommodate a car lift. The door is modified by extending the garage door tracks to the ceiling and replacing the ceiling-mounted motor with a side-mounted jack shaft operator. How much weight can a car lift hold? The 8,000 lbs. standard car lift supports sedans, small vehicles, and sports cars, while the 8,000 lbs. long car lift also supports mid-size SUVs and pickup trucks. The 9000 lbs. standard car lift is the perfect choice for large SUVs and pickup trucks. How does Garage Living install the car lift? The process generally takes half a day. Our team of 2-4 installers will arrive on-site to install the lift. The car lift does not have to be anchored to function effectively, but it can be anchored if you prefer. Once the lift is installed, we’ll test it to make sure everything is working correctly and safely. It runs on a 110v outlet, raises electrically, and lowers hydraulically. After the car lift is installed, our team will teach you how to use the lift, make sure you feel comfortable with it, and answer any of your questions. Is a car lift safe? Lifts installed by Garage Living use locking pins in each post with a secondary locking mechanism. Unlike many other car lift installers, all Garage Living installers are ANSI certified to ensure customer safety. Where can I learn more? Our team can help you determine if a car lift is the right solution for your space. A team member at your local Garage Living location can tell you over the phone whether or not your garage can fit a car lift. We’ll only need to know a few measurements of your space to give you an answer. If your garage can fit a car lift and you’re looking to move forward with adding one or having any other garage upgrades done, schedule a free design consultation with us.

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COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN CONSULTATION

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