Hey, I realize most of you are DIY'ers, but have you considered installing any of the GarageTech or Gladiator Garage Works (Whirlpool) systems? I'm curious as to what this demographic thinks of those kinds of products for the garage. I'd really appreciate any feedback you can give me on their products or other products you might like to see for the garage. More & more, the garage is becoming an extension of the house and while there are more companies and product lines trying to service that market, I still think theres a need for a one-stop-shop that's not being fulfilled. Let me know what kind of products would be included in your "ultimate garage" catalog. Who can you think of that comes close to doing it right and what is missing? Anything from tools to cabinets to floor finishes. I'd really appreciate your feeback so feel free to let it flow. THANKS!
I prefer the Gladiator over the other garage products out. I'd take the shelves and work bench to start with....then build up to the entire line they offer. Good product and excellent craftsmanship. And to mention, aesthetically pleasing too.
Location: Mt Juliet, TN Z06 FEST PARTICIPANT I II III IV V VI & VII
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I'm in the process of upgrading my garage also. I've seen the Gladiator Garage works dsplay at the NCM this past summer. I've also reviewed product brochures from each company you mentioned, and prefer the Gladiator products. Main reason is the reputation of Whirlpool appliances, and the diamond plate appearance of their items. Lowe's Home Improvement stores are supposed to carry Gladiator Garage works, so you can check with your local store to see it.
Hope this helps, and please keep us posted on your garage update project.
Zippy
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Zippy
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If I could design a storage system that cost 30% less than either Garageworks or GarageTech but offered similar functionality, what features would you like to see? Griots is great, but they offer off-the-shelf products at full MSRP. Also not as focused on the physical aspects of the garage as I would be - ie. car care products are great, but not about building a great, functional garage......
What about the other products is it that attracts you in particular.... the aestetics, the functionality, the wall systems or the modularity? what kind of materials, what's most important...? I'm interested in what you'd like to see in your garage...
I looked at the Gladiator cabinets at a NASCAR event last year. They look nice but are a little pricey. The workbench cabinets are $600 a piece, the wall mounted cabinets are $200 each, the workbench is between $400 and $600, and the tall cabinet is $600.
I found a cabinet maker in Sacramento that specializes in utility cabinets made out of MDF or laminate. I'm getting paintable MDF cabinets for the whole garage for under $1,200 plus a nice Craftsman tool cabinet for another $600. Throw in a little paint and I will have a nice garage for the Blue Beast.
That's exactly my point. Aside from the fact that I think they're not as efficiently engineered as they could be, they seem to be charging way more than they should. Perhaps their marketing budgets are out of hand. I think you could accomplish 90% of the design specs for 60-70% of the cost and still come out with something that had a higher level of finish than unpainted particle board. Couple of thoughts:
- cheaper wall system to cover sections of drywall and permit easy mounting and movement of cabinets/accessories (drywall in a garage sucks as it gets beat up too easily and makes haning things a pain, but $10/s.f. for Garageworks wall system seems a bit crazy and the GarageTech stuff seems a little cheap...)
- Wouldn't you like to see a catalog with garage design ideas including everything from wall/cabinet systems to garage heaters to automotive lifts to tools to flooring systems & finishes. All the heavy gear (sorry Griots) that makes a garage special.
- Something designed for both the auto enthusiast and the poor joe with a cluttered garage.
I've got several ideas but am trying to come up with a better sense of what might really be in demand....
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