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AS APPEARED IN PRESTIGE MAGAZINE

When crafted with care and detail, a garage surpasses its conventional role of simple storage to be a collector’s haven—a place to entertain, luxuriate, and more.

By Marlene Ridgway

Long before the pandemic, homeowners were unleashing their creativity upon their garages, transforming them into epicenters of luxury and style to expand living space. With the flair of a seasoned architect and some fresh ideas, your garage becomes more than the ultimate display case for your vintage or modern cars— it morphs into a jaw-dropping spectacle, an enviable entertainer’s dreamscape, or even a lavish home office. Picture turntables offering panoramic 360-degree views of your prized automobiles, opulent wine displays, captivating art installations, and more, pushing high-end home garages into a league of their own.

FANTASTIC FEATURES

The turntable has become a favorite attribute among car collectors and auto enthusiasts. “It’s not just practical for maneuvering cars, but it also transforms the garage into a showroom, giving each car its moment in the spotlight,” says Michael Vincent, CEO and president at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Portugal Property. A rotating platform alone can elevate your car collection while adding the right lighting and decor, such as framed instruments, vintage signs, and other relished items, will complete the overall look. Vincent adds that the turntables and luxury garages, “cater to car enthusiasts who see their collection as an art form. It’s a functional space that doubles as a personal gallery.”

Wine displays have also become an element that homeowners value in elevated garages. Sommi Custom Wine Cellars, a company based in Portland, Oregon, specializes in converting garage space and more into wine storage that is not only functional but also aesthetically turns heads. These displays are a bold statement with elegant designs, especially against the backdrop of luxury sports cars and other collections.

MAKING THE MOST OF GARAGE SPACE

More luxury living space to enjoy is always a sought-after element. It’s no surprise to find that multifunctional garages in high-end real estate are becoming more popular. Everything from lavish lounge/bar areas and game rooms to sophisticated studies and luxe libraries have a place among car collections.

In fact, the whole premise of Garage Deluxe, a company dedicated to creating luxury spaces for unforgettable automobiles, is to offer much more than storage. “It is all about the enjoyment of your car collection by combining it with leisure spaces, for example, a home office, gymnasium, a sunken seating area with a cinema screen, a bar area, et cetera,” says Jonathan Clark, the founder of Garage Deluxe, which is under the parent company Jonathan Clark Architects—an award-winning RIBA Chartered Practice. “This way you can view and appreciate your cars on a daily basis whether privately or with friends and colleagues.”

The often larger space and high ceilings in the garage make prominently displaying art and other collections a simple feat. The look and feel of an art gallery becomes possible in the vast rooms, and the cars often serve as the artful centerpiece of the show.

GARAGES ON ANOTHER LEVEL

Chad Haas refers to himself as the ‘Chief Gearhead’ at his company, VAULT, which prides itself on crafting functional—as well as breathtaking—luxury garages. With more than 20 years of experience, Haas makes note of a new trend that’s becoming more common among serious car collectors. “With restrictions on lot sizes and limits on garage dimensions, it’s getting tougher to make room for car collections at home. This is why car condos are becoming more popular,” Haas says when asked about what’s trending in the world of garages. “People need that extra space for their collections, and an area where they can also work or entertain.”

Clients who don’t have the space or run into restrictions when expanding are choosing to build garages on land that’s separate from their homes. Haas adds, “These structures may look like warehouses from the outside, but inside, they are impressively furnished,” often with the finest luxury car collections.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH VAULT FOUNDER CHAD HAAS CONTINUED

Question #1: What is your favorite part of designing luxury garages?

“What I enjoy most about designing and furnishing garages is connecting with my clients. Witnessing their awe at the project’s completion is incredibly rewarding, especially when they see possibilities they never imagined. Conceiving unique designs from my imagination and having my work appreciated brings me the greatest joy.”

Question #2: What are some of the challenges when it comes to designing garages?

“Each project presents its own unique challenges. The most common obstacle I encounter is the need to rework existing structures due to inadequate planning during the initial design and construction phases. Often, I find elements like plumbing, electrical components, and appliances placed haphazardly, without consideration for their impact on the space’s functionality. My role is to streamline and simplify the design, creating a timeless, beautiful, and efficient space that makes the best use of every inch.”

Question #3: Is there a particular project that you’ve worked on that stands out?

“One project that stands out involved a client who was unsatisfied with the ideas proposed for his dream home by his architect and interior designer. He felt frustrated by the generic ideas and off-the-shelf products suggested by other professionals and needed someone who specialized in garages, so he found me online and brought me on board. After we finished the project, he called me, emotional and deeply grateful for the uniquely personalized garage I’d designed for him, which included themes that reminded him of his father, his son, and his journey as an entrepreneur. He told me it was his favorite room in the entire house, which, given the grandeur of his residence, was an enormous compliment. It was a heartfelt moment I’ll never forget.”

Question #4: What are some unexpected ways to utilize a garage that some customers might not think of?

“With restrictions on lot sizes and limits on garage dimensions, fitting car collections into average-sized garages can be challenging, which is the why car condos are gaining popularity—they provide extra space for collections and areas for work or entertaining. I’ve been engaged by developers to contribute to their design and by individual condo owners to furnish them.

Some clients are also choosing to build garages on land separate from their homes. These structures may look like warehouses from the outside, but inside, they are impressively furnished.”

Finding the ideal heating solution to keep your garage comfortable and inviting during chilly months can be a rewarding endeavor. Selecting the perfect heating system for your garage entails navigating through a myriad of options, ranging from forced-air (both gas and electric) to in-floor radiant heating (electric and hydronic). With such a diverse array of choices available, the challenge lies in determining which system best meets your specific needs, requirements, and budget.

To assist you with determining what are the optimal garage heating solutions, I will delve into each option with precision. In this article, I will guide you through the diverse array of Radiant In-Floor systems available for installation in your garage and tackle Forced Air options in our next article.

IN-FLOOR RADIANT HEATING

Exploring the Benefits of a Radiant Floor Heating Systems for Your Residential Home Garage

An alluring and efficient option well worth exploring is an in-floor radiant heating system. There are two types of radiant heating:  Hydronic and Electric.

Hydronic (Liquid) RADIANT HEATING – Hydronic radiant heating systems utilize hot water flowing through pipes installed within the floor to distribute heat evenly throughout a space. Here’s how hydronic radiant heat typically works:

• Boiler or Water Heater: A central boiler or water heater heats water to the desired temperature. Typical heat sources for hydronic radiant heating systems include gas- or oil-fired boilers, electrical, wood-fired boilers, solar water heaters, or a hybrid combination of these options. Hydronic systems typically can be more expensive than electric radiant heat due to the need for a boiler or water heater.
• Piping Network: Pipes, usually made of PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) or similar materials, are installed within the floor embedded into the concrete slab.
• Heat Distribution: As hot water circulates through the pipes, it radiates heat upwards, warming the floor surface and the room above it.
• Thermostat Control: The system is controlled by a thermostat, allowing users to regulate the temperature to their comfort level.

ELECTRIC RADIANT HEATING – Electric radiant heating systems utilize electric resistance cables or mats installed beneath the floor surface to generate heat. Here’s how electric radiant heat typically works:

• Heating Elements: Electric cables or mats, typically made of materials like resistance wire or carbon film, are installed beneath the garage floor surface to produce heat.
• Electricity Supply: When electricity flows through these heating elements, they generate heat, warming the floor above them; whereas the hydronic liquid system differs in heating water in a boiler and circulating it through tubing beneath the floor to emit heat.
• Heat Distribution: Like hydronic systems, electric radiant heating radiates heat upwards, providing warmth to the room.
• Thermostat Control: The system is controlled by a thermostat, enabling users to adjust the temperature according to their preferences.

Electric systems tend to have simpler installation processes and may be more suitable for smaller areas or where access to a boiler or gas line is limited. However, liquid systems are often preferred for larger spaces or where energy costs are a concern, as they can be more energy-efficient over time.

Advantages of Radiant Heating

Efficient Heat Distribution – Since heat radiates from the entire floor surface, radiant heating systems provide uniform warmth throughout garage. Unlike conventional forced-air heating systems that rely on blowing heated air through vents, radiant systems evenly distribute heat, eliminating cold spots and ensuring a consistent, cozy temperature throughout the garage.

Quiet Operation – Radiant flooring systems are known for their quiet operation. Unlike noisy blowers and fans associated with forced-air systems, a radiant flooring system operates silently. This is particularly advantageous in a garage setting, where you might want a peaceful atmosphere for working, tinkering on projects, or simply enjoying your hobby without the distraction of a heater blowing in the background.

An Invisible Installation – Radiant systems are practically invisible, as the heating elements are hidden beneath the floor. This enhances the aesthetic appeal of your garage, allowing you to focus on the layout and design of the space without having to work around bulky heaters or vents. This not only maximizes the use of space but also eliminates the need for visible heating equipment, many of which are unsightly, that could interfere with your garage layout or aesthetics.

Energy Efficiency in their Operation – Radiant flooring systems are known for their energy efficiency. Hydronic heating systems, in particular, which takes advantage of water’s excellent heat conductivity (water conducts heat more effectively than air) allows for better retention and even distribution of heat, resulting in lower energy consumption compared to some other heating methods.

Reduced Air Circulation has Benefits – Traditional heating systems can stir up dust and allergens as they blow air through vents. In contrast, radiant heating systems do not rely on air circulation, reducing the potential for dust to be spread around the garage. This can be particularly beneficial if you use your garage as a workshop or storage space for sensitive items, like collector cars.

COST OF RADIANT GARAGE FLOORS

The cost of installing a radiant heating system for garage floors varies based on factors such as location, the size of your garage, installation type (hydronic or electric), floor covering (polished concrete, tile, floor coating or interlocking tiles), and local labor costs. Radiant heating system can potentially entail significant upfront costs due to initial equipment installation and complexities like zone valves and intricate piping and a more involved installation process compared to alternative methods.

Summary of In-Floor Radiant Heating Systems

Radiant flooring systems, whether hydronic or electric, offer unparalleled efficiency and tranquility for spaces like residential garages. Radiant floor heating transforms your garage into an aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and inviting space by prioritizing consistent heat distribution and eliminating allergen circulation from air movement. This system embodies efficient energy utilization, even heat dispersion, and elevated comfort, making it ideal for those seeking optimal warmth and functionality in their garage.

The choice between the two depends on factors such as installation preferences, budget, and energy considerations. Before making a decision, it’s advisable to consult with heating experts who can assess your garage’s specific requirements and guide you toward the best heating solution for your needs.

[This article was written by Chad Haas, who has accumulated over two decades of experience designing and furnishing luxury garages all over the world. As the founder of VAULT and the only ASID Garage Designer in the world, Haas offers a unique insight into this specialized field.]

Homeowners are increasingly recognizing the value and convenience of having access to a water source in their garage. This trend is gaining popularity as it offers easy access for a range of tasks. These tasks include handwashing, cleaning components, bathing pets, washing vehicles, and even having a bar sink in luxury garages designed for entertainment purposes.

When deciding on optimal plumbing placements within a residential garage, it’s important to take into account the following essential factors for positioning the plumbing. This ensures both convenience and functionality while adhering to building codes:

Proximity of the Water Source to Tasks and Needs

The water source in the garage should be strategically positioned and easily accessible for homeowners, enhancing both convenience and efficiency. Placing plumbing close to areas where tasks like handwashing, parts cleaning, vehicle washing, and entertaining are performed ensures access to water is convenient and efficient.

Consider placing a sink or spigot near a garage exit, main garage door, or entrance. This strategic positioning guarantees effortless access and, if a hose is being used, reduces the requirement for excessive hose length, which could potentially present a tripping hazard.

Proximity to Water Supply Lines

In new construction, placing a water source that is nearest to plumbing lines is generally more practical and cost-effective, as it reduces the need for extensive plumbing installations. In remodeling projects, leveraging the proximity to existing plumbing, you can minimize the effort and expenses associated with plumbing connections.

Height Off the Floor

The placement of a plumbing spigot, such as a hose bib or outdoor faucet, should be determined based on installation requirements, local codes, and practical considerations for the intended use.

Space Availability

When selecting a location for the sink in your garage, prioritize a spot that doesn’t block pathways or disrupt other garage activities. Because corners can provide a challenge for storage due to limited accessibility, utilizing a corner cabinet, which already has space constraints, can be an excellent option for placing a garage sink while effectively concealing the plumbing.

Hot Water Line

You may want to consider plumbing a hot water line to mix the water to a more comfortable temperature should you need warmer water to bathe your dog, wash your hands or clean stubborn stains or parts.

Water Quality

If detailing your automobile is a passion and your water is hard, you may want to consider an in-line water softener and deionizer to remove the minerals from your tap water so you can rinse your car and dry it off without your glass and paint spotting.

If your water source is being used to make ice or as a bar sink it should be clean and safe for human consumption. It is important to test the water quality regularly to ensure that it meets local health and safety standards.

Insulation

In cold climates, it’s important to properly insulate the water source and plumbing to prevent freezing and bursting pipes. This will protect the system and ensure its longevity.

In conclusion, whether you’re giving your dog a bath, washing your hands, cleaning your car or enjoying your garage bar, a well-placed water source simplifies tasks, making your garage an efficient and more enjoyable space.

In the world of luxury car detailing, attention to detail is paramount. Every aspect of the customer experience must exude elegance, precision, and trust. When it comes to storing and organizing their tools and equipment, ESOTERIC, a leading luxury car detailing company, understands the importance of choosing the right storage solution. That’s why ESOTERIC was compelled to partner with VAULT®, a renowned provider of high-quality metal cabinets. In this article, we will explore why ESOTERIC has selected VAULT® to meet their storage needs and how these metal cabinets help create a lasting impression on their esteemed clientele.

As clients entrust their prized possessions to ESOTERIC for meticulous detailing, it was crucial to create an environment that not only reflects the luxury of the vehicles themselves and instilled confidence in their customers. The first impression is often the lasting one, and ESOTERIC’s Founder Todd Cooperider understood the significance of this moment. A clean, organized, and visually appealing workspace plays a pivotal role in establishing ESOTERIC’s reputation as a premium service provider.

“We are a very high-end luxury detailing and protection facility, we have cars shipped into us from all over the country for paint correction polishing, paint protection film, ceramic coating, window tint, customization … because they are looking for the best of the best in the services, in the quality, and in customer experience that they get. The funny thing is they had a customer at one point who said that they were from out of state, and they looked at pictures of the shop and they said even without seeing your work, ‘any place that can have a really clean facility with white cabinets and white floors that Is where I want my car to go to’, explained Cooperider.        

Tailored Solutions for Efficient Organization

Efficiency and organization are crucial for a luxury car detail company like ESOTERIC. VAULT® Founder Chad Haas listened carefully to their requirements to personalize a custom storage solution tailored to their specific needs. With a wide range of cabinet sizes, configurations, and accessories, VAULT®’s optimized their workspace to ensure easy access to tools and supplies, enhancing their operational efficiency and streamlining their workflow. This level of organization not only saves time but also showcases ESOTERIC’s professionalism to clients.

Seeking Out Uncompromising Quality and Durability

When it came to storage cabinets, ESOTERIC sought out a partner who shared their commitment to quality and durability. VAULT® stood out as the ideal choice for the impeccable reputation they built for crafting metal cabinets of exceptional craftsmanship. Utilizing the finest materials and manufacturing techniques to handcraft cabinets that are built to last a lifetime of use, ESORTERIC’s founder could rest assured that his investment in VAULT® metal cabinets would withstand the test of time and deliver reliable performance, even in a demanding environment. 

“Looking closely at your product, (VAULT®) cabinets were built in such a way that we knew that they were going to be around for a long time and take on a lot of use and abuse while also providing us with that high-end luxury look that we were going for. We have had them in our facility here for just about 11-12 years now and they are holding up fantastic. We have had zero issues with them throughout this whole time despite the fact that we have 25 or so employees working in here using each and every one of them (cabinets) every single day. VAULT® has been fantastic for us, for sure” said Cooperider.

For luxury car detail companies like ESOTERIC, the choice of storage solutions goes beyond mere functionality. VAULT® metal cabinets have proven to be the ideal choice for ESOTERIC’s storage needs, combining durability, efficiency, and aesthetics. By selecting VAULT®, ESOTERIC not only ensures the efficient and safe storage of their tools but also creates an impressive environment that instills trust and confidence in their discerning clientele. Using VAULT® metal cabinets, ESOTERIC maintains the highest standard of excellence in the luxury car detailing industry.

Visit ESOTERIC online at esotericdetail.com and on Instagram or Facebook.

Windows are becoming increasingly popular in garage design. They provide a pleasant source of ambient light and, if they open, a source for fresh air and ventilation. Windows can take advantage of a great view outdoors and connect the interior space with the outside providing a sense of openness in a way that can make the garage appear and feel larger than its actual size. Having a window over a work area can create a more pleasant and more interesting working environment. And if there is enough natural light coming into a garage, you may not even need to turn on the lights to grab what you need (speaking as someone who has accidentally left the lights on in his garage on more than a few occasions).

For architects designing a garage and the builders who build them, the location of windows, their size and orientation should be taken into consideration so that they do not limit the homeowners’ choices of what they may want to do. Depending on which direction the garage faces, you can still enjoy the daylight and views that a window brings if you are selective about where you locate them.

HEIGHT OF WINDOW FROM THE FLOOR

The height of a window off the floor is one of the most important considerations so they do not limit how that area of the garage may be used.  All too frequently we run into challenges from windows that are specified too close to the floor, which can prevent cabinets from being used on that wall.

In a home, windows are traditionally set above the common height of 3 Feet (36”) measured from the floor to the bottom of the window trim to allow the placement of furniture under the sill and not block the window. Yet, we have encountered windows in garages that are placed below the standard height, which then creates an obstacle for the homeowner to place cabinets, storage racks, appliances, or other items that are more frequently being placed inside a garage.

If you place a window and its trim above countertop height, it will not block anything you may want to place in that area of the garage. Window trim can range from ¾” thickness to 3-1/2” or more, which should be accounted for in their placement measured from the floor to the bottom of the trim.

The safe zone that architects and builders should adhere to when designing and placing windows is to set them at least 36” and taller, as measured from the floor to the bottom of the window trim, and taking into account the window trim so that it is not set so closely to the countertop that it looks scrunched. Some homeowners may also want to set their countertops higher than the industry standard height than exist in kitchens, so it is not uncommon for countertop heights in garages to be set at a height of 38” or taller overall.  

WINDOW ORIENTATION

Sun windows can fill the garage with bright, ambient light, just be aware of the potential for overheating in summer or incoming ultraviolet light causing fading to the paint on automobiles. If you are concerned about excessive heat or faded furnishings, making accommodations for blinds or a window film to block out the heat from the sun can help enhance the comfort of your garage.

WINDOW LOCATION

If you are concerned about privacy or security, the placement of a window in a location where it is not directly seen by prying eyes or at a height off the ground that a person could not climb through with the use of a ladder, will reduce the vulnerability of your garage to break-ins and theft. The size and shape of a window can also reduce break-ins if an average person cannot reasonably fit through them.

If you desire natural light, but you are concerned that outsiders will be able to look inside your garage, a simple solution of using privacy glass (like frosted glass) or installation of a film over the windows, as is commonly used in bathrooms, will ensure your privacy.

NUMBER OF WINDOWS

Keep in mind that the more windows that are placed in a garage the less wall space will be available for storage. However, if you have tall ceilings, placing windows near the ceiling can introduce ambient light and not conflict with anything you may want to do on the walls.

WINDOWS IN GARAGE DOORS

Another way to introduce natural light into a garage is specifying windows in your garage doors. In addition to increasing the curb appeal of your home by making the garage door more stylish, you will gain beautiful ambient light. In my home, I designed both wood carriage doors using seedy glass, which is an elegant and beautiful way to allow natural light to bathe my garages while retaining privacy. Even small lites, like on the carriage doors I designed for a garage remodel (see pictures below) allows just natural light to filter into the garage while also maintaining the privacy that was important to my client.

Hope you enjoyed reading this article and it helps you plan a better garage for your home.

Chad Haas

Founder & Chief Gearhead
VAULT

“Cabinets look amazing. Seriously amazing!!! Attention to detail is over the top. Truly works of art. Your packing alone rivals Apple.”

Sometimes our customers just say it best. We recently received this glowing testimonial from a project in Colorado Springs –  and rather than summarize it we figured we’d just share Dr. Christopher Jones’ kind words in its entirety. We collaborated with Prismatic Powders on this job to match our Professional Series Garage Cabinets to Christopher’s Porsches.

I have been an automobile, and Porsche enthusiast ever since I was a young boy. The first time that I saw a 930 Turbo I was in awe. The sexy lines, massive wing and the muscular rear end got my blood flowing. I could only dream of being able to drive such a car one day. After years of school and working hard, I attained my dream and have been fortunate enough to be able to own a few of these engineering marvels.

Next came Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Cameron’s father’s garage. The glass on both sides allowing you to see through it was completely off the hook. For years, I dreamt of building “my garage/man cave”. The design would certainly have the glass on both sides allowing you to see the cars, and an awesome view out the back. After many years, this dream was finally materializing. I wanted it to have a real cool factor. As I started to work on the interior design, I did an incredible amount of research on everything from wall coverings, cases for my model car collection, floor coverings and cabinets. At first I did not think of the cabinets as a center piece, but still wanted them to be cool.

After looking at countless cabinets and cabinet companies online, I stumbled across VAULT^®. These cabinets were beautiful! I looked through the gallery on VAULT^®’s website a hundred times and decided this is what my garage needed. The first time I called VAULT^® I got the owner, Chad Haas, on the line. We spoke for over an hour about his cabinets and what makes them unique. His enthusiasm and understanding of what makes a garage special was obvious. We hung up the phone and I emailed him a few photos of my Porsches and what I was planning for cabinets. The color choice was slate gray. I thought it would look clean and sharp. Chad saw the pictures of my cars and immediately said that we have to make the cabinets a custom blue to match my cars (Mexico Blue and Riviera Blue). At first I wasn’t sure about this choice. I thought that it may be too much. Thankfully, I listened and the color turned out to be beautiful!

When I first learned the price of these cabinets, I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive. There are quite a few cheaper options out there, but after seeing the quality of engineering, materials and paint, there is no doubt that they are worth every penny. Granted you may save 25% by going with a cheaper option, but you will not get VAULT^® garage cabinets! I have cabinets in my other garage that were made from melamine. These cabinets are functional, attractive and custom made. However, even after just a few years, the hinges are starting to fail. Most importantly, they are “just cabinets”.

Then came the design stage. I wanted a specific setup for my hangout area that would incorporate a stereo cabinet and a sub zero fridge. Chad and his team went to work designing two custom cabinets to match my requested set up. I didn’t know this at the time, but they have never made a cabinet with an incorporated subzero beverage fridge. When they reached out to subzero, subzero told them that no one has ever re-faced one of their fridges with a metal front. VAULT^® saw this as a challenge. They ordered the fridge of my choice and went to work designing a custom cabinet. We went back and forth a half dozen times with engineering drawings until they got what I wanted. They engineered everything from vented rear cabinet walls to accommodate the heat of the audio equipment, to a specifically located cut out to match my wall outlets. There were some challenges along the way, but after several iterations, they nailed it.

When it was time to ship my garage cabinets, they packaged them into bomb proof crates to protect them on their journey. Chad communicated with me the whole time and called me immediately after delivery to make sure that everything went smoothly. VAULT^® provided detailed instructions on how to unpack and set up the cabinets. While this did require a fair amount of work, the instructions were spot on and made it a smooth process.

The cabinets exceeded my expectations in every way. When I started this process, the cabinets were not a primary concern or center piece of my garage. Now, I could not imagine my garage without the VAULT^® cabinets.  They MAKE the garage special! I look at them as a piece of art to be admired. The color is stunning! The construction is exacting!

Thank you Chad and The VAULT^® Team for helping make my dream garage A Dream!

Christopher Jones, MD

Few surfaces look better on a garage floor than porcelain.  Nothing compares to the timeless beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance as porcelain, which is why it has become a major trend for residential garages and a must-have for homeowners.

When properly installed, a porcelain tiled floor is practically indestructible.  Able to withstand extreme weight loads, tile is unaffected by the weight of vehicles, making it a perfectly suitable surface for the garage. 

The major cause of damage to tiled garage floors are a result of movement stresses and water penetration, which can cause cracking of the tile or grout.  In extreme examples, which are rare, delamination of the tiled surface can occur.

One way to ensure that your finished tile floor will last a lifetime is through its proper installation.  Tile has been successfully installed for thousands of years and preventing your tiled floor from this type of damage starts before the first tile is installed, beginning with an underlayment that is installed between your tile and the concrete subfloor to prevent stresses from being transferred directly to the tile and causing cracking or delamination of your tiled surface.  These underlayment membranes work by allowing the tile and subfloor to move independently from each other, effectively neutralizing the movement stresses between the substrate and the tile, thus eliminating the major cause of cracking and delaminating of the tiled surface.

Another distinguishing feature of these membranes is the creation of free space, or channels, on the underside of the matting, that creates an escape route for excess moisture and vapor that could otherwise cause damage to the tile layer above and preventing mold and mildew from building up.  Tiled floors that are installed using these types of membranes are reliable, durable, and engineered to last the lifetime of the home.  A wise investment indeed.

One such membrane that we have used and highly recommend is made by Schluter Systems under the brand name DITRA.  This membrane was specifically engineered to prevent cracking, delamination, and moisture damage and enjoy the lasting benefits and beauty of your new tiled floor over any even and load bearing substrate.   Made of waterproof polyethylene, it prevents moisture penetration, which is particularly important in today’s residential homes where most garage floors are either damp or have moisture issues

To learn more about DITRA underlayment membrane, watch this video:

Visit our garage flooring page to learn more about the perfect porcelain tile for your garage and we will guide your through the thousands of choices of porcelain tile options so that you can get exactly what you want.

One of the questions frequently posed to me as the founder of VAULT^® is, “What Makes a Great Garage?” Garages are often an afterthought in home design, so I am always excited by the chance to respond to this particular question.

A great garage actually has very little to do with how much money someone invests into its construction. Nor is it achieved by making over-the-top statements with extravagant automobiles or opulent furnishings meant to impress one’s visitors.

In my opinion, a great garage is one that evokes an emotion the moment you walk into the space. If your design can be meaningful enough to evoke feeling, then your space will be memorable. And if your garage can create a memorable experience in a way that maintains architectural harmony with the rest of the home, in a way that does not replicate things that you’re seeing everybody else do, in a way that is unique but not so brash that it is tacky, in a way that is simply timeless… well you’re going to have a truly great garage.

Here are a few key design elements that will draw someone into your garage and make them want to stay for a while.

1. A Great Garage Is Timeless, Not Trendy

Timeless design does not pull its inspiration from what is “trending.” In a time when everything changes so quickly, what might be hip today can go out of vogue in the blink of an eye. Therefore, when designing your garage you should avoid the impulse to do something trendy. Committing to a trend will lock you into a design that is temporary and that will need to be updated, perhaps time and time again. A timeless design, on the other hand, will remain impressive for years to come.

The “hot trend” in garage design I probably see most often is the liberal use of tread plate – that textured, shiny pattern that started popping up in garages, gyms, workshops, and pickup trucks a decade ago. Tread plate might be widespread, but that doesn’t mean it will last. And even right now, despite its popularity, overuse of this feature can leave the wrong kind of impression. I’ve consulted in many spaces with prominent tread plate, and the effect I’m left with is generally the same: a cold, unexciting, uninspired feeling. Simply put, it is almost always the wrong kind of memorable.

Another way people chase trends is by going out or their way to incorporate the year’s “hot colors.” In 2018, the Pantone Color Institute named vivid purple its “Color of the Year.” But does that mean you should rush to the paint store before all the purple is sold out? Before you do, take a minute to recall some other hot color trends and what became of them. Bright pink was the most popular color for bathroom fixtures in the Atomic Age, with millions of post-war households scrapping their Victorian fixtures for this ill-advised palette. And remember when Avocado-colored tile, toilets, and baths were all the rage in the 1960s and 1970s? By the 1980s those fixtures and colors were branded as outdated symbols of an ugly, bygone era.

So unless you’re planning on redoing your space on a yearly basis, you’re better off working with classic colors that will last when hot trends come and go. Bottom line, a classic style is one that can endure the test of time. This is why at VAULT^® we strive to achieve a design aesthetic that is timeless and elegant – because good designs last forever.

2. A Great Garage Is Original

Avoid a cookie-cutter approach that will make your garage look like everyone else’s. It’s good practice to scan the Internet, books, and magazines to get inspiration for what others are doing, but don’t get caught up in trying to replicate something commonplace. That’s just boring. What makes a design successful is originality, when it incorporates elements that no one has seen in another garage. Being original and doing something that no one has done before are what make a garage stand out.

Case in point, sixteen years ago when I renovated my own garage, I envisioned a space that was highly functional, yet was not bland or boring. A space that would trigger a WOW, an emotional reaction so strong that clients would remember it.

My instincts were telling me that black elephant hide walls would make for a suitable backdrop for our Ferrari yellow cabinets, and that this combination would make my garage exciting. When I first started painting the blank walls to this dark black I thought I might have made a huge mistake. But I trusted my instincts. Once the cabinets went in there was this wonderful contrast of bright yellow against the dark background that just made everything in the space pop.

Going with a really bright and aggressive color choice like I did was a really bold decision.  As was the use of beadboard on the ceiling, base and crown molding, and the use of horizontal slatwalls on the walls, which were done to create visual intrigue.

Because no one had ever designed that style of garage before, it paid off in a big way. When people saw it, it evoked a response and resonated with them. It was unforgettable. As a result, I have one of the most published garages on the West Coast, featured on television and numerous print publications. By making my garage distinctive it stood out from the rest, and that made the garage instantly memorable. Sixteen years later, the staying power of my original design choices still evokes the same WOW response from my visitors.

In short, stand apart from the crowd and make your garage memorable. This might sound like a daunting task, but really it may be as simple as avoiding trends, following your instincts, and/or making a bold design choice. But remember, too, that it’s not just about bold choices, but the right bold choices. Be careful not to let them overwhelm the overall feel or look of the design. Timeless design aims for simplicity, beauty, and elegance, but also harmony – its aspects working together, not in opposition. That’s the blueprint for remaining relevant for years to come.

3. A Great Garage Reflects Its Owner’s Personality

Simply put, you want your friends and family to walk into your space and instantly feel like it is YOUR garage, an extension of what makes you unique and singular. It’s all about expressing your personality in a way that clicks with your guests, immediately. They simply get it. Not only are they wowed, but they identify the space as having your design fingerprint, and yours alone.

There are, of course, many ways to go about threading your personality into your space. You might, for example, incorporate themes of brands you’re interested in, such as a particular car manufacturer.

If you have a passion for, say, Harley Davidsons, then expressing that in a way that is subtle but dramatic can be very powerful. But subtlety is the key. If you love Harleys, black and orange will be a great color choice, and maybe some signage could also be incorporated. But if everything is Harley Davidson orange-and-black it could easily become a little bit overpowering, so much so that it’s really no longer yours – it becomes all about the brand, leaving little to no room for YOU in there. So you have to be careful and strike a good balance in order to incorporate a concept tastefully.

Or, your space might reflect the passion you have for a hobby, whether it’s biking, surfing, or fishing. The same rules apply for incorporating a brand, though. You want to make sure you’re featuring elements that convey that passion, but not in a way that’s overpowering. One example that comes to mind is a garage I designed for a client who is an avid deep-sea fisherman. His rods and reels were beautiful to look at, so we didn’t want to hide them behind cabinet doors. At the same time, we wanted to avoid a cluttered feel by piling them all up together. Ultimately, we took advantage of his tall garage ceilings and used rod holders – like you find on the stern of fishing boats – to feature the rods in a really compelling way that conveyed, to any visitor, his passion for fishing.

This concept, of course, could apply to featuring a bicycles, skateboards, surfboards, etc. Or perhaps you have a couple specific antiques or pieces of art or musical instruments that really reflect who you are. The key is to create focal points with these featured items that work in harmony with the rest of the space. Not dominating, not cluttering, but tying everything together in a way that truly defines this space as your own.

4. A Great Garage Maintains Architectural Harmony with the Rest of the Home

You don’t want to have a particular style of home and then go in a completely different direction in your garage – with color choices, with architectural details, with furnishings, etc. This is especially true if the garage is attached to the home. You want to be able to walk from your garage into your home, or vise versa, without feeling like you’ve entered a foreign space. In short, you want a seamless transition between these spaces.

You also want to avoid a style clash when the home is viewed from the street. If you’ve got a Victorian home but the garage is very modern, then it’s going to impact the overall harmony and cohesion of the structure when your garage doors are open. And, of course, the garage doors themselves might even be contributing to the clash when they’re closed. Maintaining architectural harmony with the home could involve something as simple as choosing a floor that has the same color palette as what you are using on your driveway, such as pavers, or maybe the stone on your home on the exterior facade of the home. Or it could be selecting colors for the walls that are similar to what you’re using inside.

Here’s a brief case study to illustrate. A few years ago, I had the privilege of working in a home in Littleton, Colorado, that had won National Home Builders Association Home of the Year. The problem was that the garage just didn’t fit with the rest of the home. In short, there was no harmony. The homeowner spoke of the exact issue I just described above: he said that when you walk from the kitchen entryway door into the garage it felt like a foreign space, like it didn’t belong there, like it wasn’t an extension of the home. This client wanted to treat the garage like another room of the home, not like a separate and disconnected space.

So we created this really warm environment of hand-stuccoed walls and false-beamed ceilings built with lovely, rustic wood from a renovated warehouse. We even replaced the garage doors, which were very expensive but just weren’t befitting of a home of this stature. This was a very elegant home, yet the garage doors were nothing special, almost like an afterthought. In contrast, the carriage-style garage doors that we replaced them with are amazingly beautiful, with mahogany wood and hand wrought iron hardware – very elegant garage doors that were custom-built to match the client’s design aesthetic while reflecting the style of the rest of the home.

The result of our efforts was a sea change from the original space: from cold to warm, from boring to exciting, from disconnect to harmony. When you walk into the garage today it’s welcoming and elegant and feels like it’s an extension of the home. It’s another room in the house, not some separate, foreign space for storing vehicles.

Contact VAULT^® With All Your Garage Design Needs

When I’m working with a client on a garage design project, I don’t impose my design aesthetic upon that client. Quite the contrary, I work with each individual to unearth his or her passions, interests, and personal preferences and style. This includes everything from understanding the kinds of surfaces that intrigue them to zeroing in on their preferred color palettes to identifying the brands they admire. As a designer, I take everything into consideration in order to create something for a client that is special and truly unique.

For over a decade VAULT^® has been designing America’s finest garages, combining layout, lighting, flooring, doors, and furnishings into custom-built spaces that leave our clients (and their neighbors) in awe. We’re experts at creating memorable garages that reflect your personality and the style of your home as a whole. In short, we’re experts at designing great garages.

Schedule your free garage design consultation today and take
the first step to a great garage.

Our client in Southampton, New York, is thrilled with his custom garage remodel. We hand-selected the matte finish on his Professional Series garage cabinets to match the elegant porcelain floor tiles that were also a part of VAULT^®‘s custom garage design.

The Cabinets: VAULT^® Professional Series Metal Garage Cabinets

The client’s VAULT^® Professional Series armoires, cabinets, and workchests were custom-built and to his exact specifications that includes a powder coat finish that is equally durable as it is beautiful.  Catering to the most discriminating of clients, our flagship line is instantly recognizable and distinctive in their impeccably styled, high performance design.  Eye-catching in their classy design and substantial in their construction, they’re unlike any other metal cabinet or tool chest you will encounter. 

The Pro Series is indeed a sexy, beautiful cabinet.  But it’s also incredibly strong and versatile, and a must for any active garage.  “The cabinets look AWESOME and are of great quality,” our client said. “Every bit as impressive as I thought they’d be.”

A signature design feature of the Pro Series cabinets are the exposed exterior frames.  With its indestructible 11-gauge vertical frame members and 16-gauge horizontal framing, no other metal cabinet in the world has a stronger foundation.  Weighing in at a whopping 300lbs apiece, these four-drawer toolchest cabinets are a fortress of strength that contributes to the Pro Series distinctive look. 

Those 36”-wide foot wide drawer’s (also available in a 4-foot wide configuration) offer a massive amount of storage capacity for the clients hand and power tool storage.  Riding on extreme-duty ball bearing slides our stainless steel drawers will easily accommodate an extreme amount of weight up to 225lbs without any noticeable fatigue in their operation, guaranteeing a lifetime of use without them ever coming out of alignment.

The double-walled doors on these armoire cabinets are welded and flanged for a solid construction.  Weighing in at a hefty 52lbs apiece, that they are solid in their construction and pre-hung to ensure they fit perfectly they close softly on European-style hinges and a shutting mechanism that keeps dirt and dust from getting inside.  Inside each cabinet are shelves of extreme-duty construction so that they are infallible and will last a lifetime of use without failing.  Our ingeniously simple shelf bracket will allow the client to place every shelf exactly where he needs it.

Available exclusively to clients that expect the very best, this made-to-order tool chest and storage cabinet system is legendary for the superb craftsmanship and styling that have distinguished VAULT^® as the most prestigious custom metal cabinet you could own.  You will not find a classier, sexier, more beautifully crafted cabinet in the world.

All of our custom-built metal garage cabinets are handcrafted with pride in the United States of America at our Indianapolis factory, and powder-coated to meet our customers’ needs or match their space or personality.

The Flooring: Custom Garage Flooring by VAULT^®

When it comes to garage flooring, nothing approaches the performance and value of porcelain. Porcelain tile has the sought-after appearance of marbles, granites, and other quarry stones, but its technical attributes are far superior to these materials. Porcelain tile is unmatched in features such as uniformity, shine, strength, low absorption, abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and ease of cleaning. Simply put, there is not a stronger or denser tiled surface, especially one that offers the stunning aesthetics of porcelain.

Porcelain is the garage flooring material of choice at VAULT^®. We are the exclusive importer and distributer of the same best-in-class Italian porcelain tile installed at all Ferrari and Maserati showrooms throughout the world, the same porcelain tiles used by Mercedes, Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi, and Land Rover. Needless to say, this client was thrilled to claim the same kind of unmatched quality and luxury for his home garage.

VAULT^® Custom Garage Design

To learn more About VAULT^® garage cabinets, garage flooring, and garage design services contact us today at (310) 622-4477 to book your free design consult.

We ship our VAULT^® garage cabinets all over the world, where they’re subsequently installed in all kinds of challenging settings. You’ll find our tool chests and armoires and wall cabinets on Alaskan oil rigs, in garages in the arid Middle East, and storing scuba equipment in Turks and Caicos. These cabinets have taken the best of what these harsh environments have to dish out and keep on excelling year after year.

As such, we were delighted – but not necessarily surprised – to hear from a past client in Oregon whose VAULT^® cabinets have out-performed expectations after a decade in an especially harsh setting. John McDonald’s contractor at MCM Construction in Lake Oswego turned him onto VAULT^® cabinets ten years ago when John was remodeling his lakeside boathouse. Not only is this an inherently high-humidity environment, but according to John the cabinets also get quite a bit of collateral splash when he’s hosing down his boat or the boathouse walls. But despite these conditions, John says, ten years later the cabinets still look fresh-out-of-the-crate:

It’s been amazing how well they’ve held up. Honestly, they look brand new. There’s not a mark on them and they don’t rust. I mean, it’s just been incredible.

The Durability Formula: Unrivaled Design + Unrivaled Materials

The pressing question, then, is how do they survive so long and so well? The short part of the answer is that VAULT^® cabinets are easy to clean, so you can use preemptive measures to ward off corrosion. When we spoke to John, he pointed out the ease with which he can wipe down the cabinets after they’ve been splashed. But ease of cleaning is only part of the reason our cabinets persevere and exceed the expectations consumers have built from
their disappointing experiences with other, inferior cabinet lines.

So here’s the longer part of the answer: VAULT^® is the only made-in-the-USA manufacturer of garage cabinetry that only builds using Premium-Grade 304 stainless steel or Galvanized Steel, the highest quality materials available. But these are more than high-strength metals that are easy to clean and resistant to dents – they are also the best raw materials for resisting rust and corrosion. Therefore, they respond exceptionally well in high-humidity or corrosive environments, whether that’s a boathouse, a garage, an offshore rig or a surf shop.

The Choice of Industry Pros and Homeowners Alike

This is just one reason why John’s contractor and countless other architects, builders and designers love VAULT^®, and why John and the other homeowners these pros confidently steer in our direction remain in awe years after initial installation. But we’ll let John tell you himself:

You can’t go wrong with these VAULT^® cabinets. They’re just incredible, they’re beautiful, and they just last. They way they open, the hinges, everything… ten years on it’s all just perfect.

So there you have it. Whether you want to install VAULT^® cabinets in a climate-controlled car museum or a lakeside boathouse open to the elements, the elegance, strength and durability of VAULT^® cabinets will enhance your space and out-perform your expectations, and then some. From Alaska to the Caribbean, from Oregon to Dubai, VAULT^® cabinets meet every challenge they’re presented with – day after day, year after year, decade after decade.

Contact VAULT^® for All Your Garage Design Needs

At VAULT^®, we work with industry pros and homeowners alike to custom-craft unique spaces with our unrivaled products and unsurpassed customer service. Schedule your free consultation today, and start outfitting a garage, barn, workshop or boathouse that will stand the test of time and astonish your neighbors all at once.