Archive for April, 2020
Update on Covid-19 as of 30th April 2020
We have been following Government advice very clearly because first and foremost the health and well-being of our staff and customers is of the utmost importance. So whilst our office and installation side remain closed, we have been planning a phased opening as soon as Government policies permit.
In the meantime, we have been busy with lots of online orders and laying Resin Floors, both processes being managed and monitored carefully with Covid-19 safety policies in mind.
Moving forward we can advise on the following stages:
Office opening: we don’t yet have a date for when we can re-open our office but this has not prevented us from offering full customer service. We have team members working from home to answer queries and provide quotes. We are also fully embracing today’s technology with our remote design consultations – see our previous blog.
Online sales: with our store about to be fully stocked from Monday 4th May and couriers being able to fulfill, we can now process all orders through our online store including floor tiles, FlexiPanel and storage accessories. We shall be dispatching orders twice a week so please allow a bit more time for deliveries.
Presentations in your home: We do not yet have a timescale for when we will be able to start visiting customers homes again for presentations but we have been having very good conversations with interested parties and have been arranging remote design consultations using FaceTime or WhatsApp as a “walk” around your garage. We believe this may well become step one in our business in the future so please do take up this offer by emailing us at info@garageflex.co.uk
Garage Installations: We hope to phase our installations back in in from Mid May based on Government advice and all our suppliers being open. Today two major suppliers are phasing their factories back to work but a major supplier remains closed and that is preventing us from starting. When we do start we have a healthy backlog of installations to work through but have been receiving contracts over the last two weeks and these will be done as soon as possible after all previously agreed installations.
Resin installations: As I have said above we are fully operational laying resin floors so please let us know if you would like more information, a price or indeed a floor to be laid. Our current lead time is 2 to 3 weeks.
We will keep you updated as soon as we have further news, in the meantime, stay safe.
Inspirational Garage Floors – Floor Tiles
If you are looking to tidy up your garage and get rid of that dusty concrete floor then look no further than our garage floor tiles.
Available from our e-store for immediate delivery, our floor tiles come in a range of colours and are extremely hard wearing.
Each tile is 500 x 500mm so four tiles cover 1 square metre of floor. Matching ramps are also available.
Visit www.diy.garageflex.co.uk to buy now.
Creating your own Home Office
More people than ever are working from home due to current Government guidelines around Coronavirus. The big question is will this become the norm?
We have seen a huge interest in the number of customers getting in touch to create their own home office in the garage. Whilst it can be a place to escape the house and others working within it, there are some things to be aware of if you want to use your garage as a home office. These we’ll go into in a little more detail below.
Heating and lighting
These two things are key points to get right if you want to create the right atmosphere in the garage. The idea is that you want to be as productive as possible during your working hours and ensure that you can see the screen without damaging your eyes is certainly a must.
Make sure the area where you want to create your space is well lit, using strip lighting, lamps or other light sources.
Get a qualified Electrician in to help if you need more lights installed or electrical sockets added. An easy fix is to add in lamps which shine light on your workstation area. Or, if you have a window, creating your space close by is a no brainer.
In addition, having the right heating is also important. Of course, in warmer weather you can open the door but what about in the depths of Winter? Having some sort of heating source is key. Whether it be an air heater, electric radiator or of the new air purifiers which blows out hot or cold air depending on your preference.
Windows and natural light
If you have windows in your garage, make the most of this asset by siting your home office close by. Daylight is a lovely feature to have especially if you are overlooking a garden and can look out at what is going on. Natural daylight will also help your body clock know what time of the day it is and stop you getting tired.
Workstation
Is your workstation going to be a ready-made desk or something bespoke to your space. Adding in a worktop with drawers underneath is a good option and an easy way to instantly create the space you need. Garageflex can install a solid Oak worktop bench as your desk with a selection of drawer units that fit underneath neatly.
Or you can go for a more bespoke option where the desk is made to measure your exact space and can make the most of the space you have available. You can customise it with everything you need.
Or, if you can’t have a dedicated space, what about a folding worktop that you can fold up or down when you need it?
Here’s a glimpse of one of our fitters garages where he created his own workstation, what a great space!
Wires
With a computer or laptop plus monitor and printer, you will have wires trailing around. Make sure these are tidied up with cable ties to the wall or at least stop them trailing around where someone could trip up.
Wifi
This is the most important thing! Make sure you have a good signal in your garage either from your home broadband or by getting a booster.
Fridge and snack corner
We’ve realised that the key to a good workspace is to make sure you have drinks and plenty of snacks on hand. A fridge in the corner is a nice idea or if you can’t do that, take in your lunchbox or coolbag with a selection of healthy foods.
Fresh Air
This undoubtedly helps to keep you productive and motivated so if you have a window, make sure it is open to let the breeze in. If you don’t then perhaps have the garage doors open slightly.
Comfy chair
Having the right chair is an important decision to make sure it is comfortable, at the right height and not going to give you a bad back. Look at a selection before making your final decision. Something with arm rests that is adjustable is probably a good option.
Make it pretty
You want your workspace to be a nice place to be so think about how you can add landscapes, family photos or your hobby to the walls. For example, if you love traveling try putting some dream destinations on the wall, or if cycling is your passion, try some cycling memorabilia or your triathlon medals as a display.
The Garageflex FlexiPanel is a good way option for creating a brighter space as it is all white and can cover the whole wall or walls in your garage. It can also get rid of any spiders or other creepy crawlies from making their home in the corner.
Plus, the FlexiPanel allows you add in hooks for storage as well as small mini clips for putting up pictures.
Storage Racks / Trays and Filing
If this is going to be your permanent workspace then having filing storage is really important. Either with racks for holding your files, drawers for filing and trays for paperwork you are currently working on.
Close up at the end of the day
In order to switch off, make sure that you leave work in the garage before closing up and heading back to your house. It is very important to be able to separate the two areas of your life. Better yet, how about having doors that you can close on your home office, even if it is in the garage?
Stationery to make you smile
Finally, no workstation is complete without some nice stationery. Having nice pens and pads can bring you joy plus having some family photos around can bring a smile to your face throughout the day.
Make it part of your garage
Obviously the garage is also used for other purposes such as storing all your sports kit, diy and gardening tools, as well as gym equipment. And creating a home office needs to fit in with all of these other needs too.
We have experience of combining all your needs together!
We would love to discuss how you can create a home office in your garage. We are even looking at our fitters creating bespoke workstations using their amazing Carpentry skills so that you can have exactly what you want.
Give us a call on 01491 579975 or email us at info@garageflex.co.uk to discuss further.
Floor Tiles still available for home delivery
We are delighted to say that our Floor Tile range is now available to order for home delivery.
At this time, we won’t be able to install them for you but we can get them delivered to you at your home. You will be able to follow our simple instructions to get your garage looking fabulous!
Plus at present the tiles are just £8.60 each including delivery and VAT.
Transforming your Garage into a Gym or Pain Cave
More than ever during this period of lockdown, we are getting calls and enquiries about turning the garage into a home gym, pain cave or indoor training space.
And we are delighted that our new e-book looks at how you can turn your garage into your ideal training space.
🌈 Download for F R E E today 🌈
Many people believe that a home gym is only for the rich and famous, but this simply isn’t true.
It’s perfectly feasible to create a functional workout area in your garage with limited outlay and minimum fuss. Not only will a home gym save you travel time and changing room blushes but it will also put an end to those expensive monthly memberships.
In addition, those who are training for a marathon, triathlon or ironman will also benefit from creating an indoor training area. Having your own space to train when the weather outside is terrible could be the difference between a personal best or just an average performance.
🌈 Download for F R E E today 🌈
Remote Design Consultations
We are finding that during this period of lockdown thoughts turn to Spring Cleaning, decluttering and wanting to get things organised whilst you have some spare time. And because of this we have been getting a lot of customers wanting to discuss their garage requirements.
As you will no doubt guess, we aren’t open in a physical sense so we can keep all of our employees safe at home. However both Alastair Broom and Abigail Leonard, our Design Consultants, are conducting remote design consultations via FaceTime, Skype and Zoom.
How does it work?
Give the office a call on 01491 579975 and discuss your requirements with Alastair Broom who is manning the office phone from home. Or you can email us at info@garageflex.co.uk requesting a remote consultation and some date options. One of the team can answer any questions you may have and set up the call to suit you.
What happens during the remote Design Consultation?
Alastair or Abi will introduce themselves and discuss your particular requirements such as wanting to organise the space, get everything off of the floor, be able to bring your car in etc.
Next they will tell you a little more about the options we have available including wall and ceiling storage, doors and flooring. They will then ask you to show them your garage and indicate any particular items of note such as a boilers, pipes and metres.
Next they will ask you to measure each wall so that they will be able to draw up plans for your specific space. And that’s it, really simple.
What can I expect and when?
After the call, your Design Consultant will be able to create a bespoke design for your garage and will email it across along with a quote for you to have a think about.
It is worth noting that we are not currently installing garages but hope to be back up and running as soon as we are able.
So what are you waiting for? We would love to hear from you so please do get in touch to discuss how we can help you. Either give us a call on 01491 579975 or email us at info@garageflex.co.uk.
How to make your garage fully wheelchair accessible
If you are in a wheelchair, the garage might not be the most accessible place to spend time. Whether its the floor that makes it difficult to get around on, or nothing is at the right height. Here are some simple things you can do to make it fully accessible and a nice place to be.
Decluttering
Clearing the garage can make space so that you can drive straight into the garage. Easier access to the home (via an integral door), space to get in and out of the car, room to get walking aids or wheelchairs out (obviously depending on the garage size)
And safety is a key issue: if there is a home for everything and everything has a home nothing will be left lying about to impede the way.
Workbenches
Could a workbench be put on wall units so it is lower to the ground? A workbench can be on lower legs by cutting down timbers and it can be any height to suit.
Storage accessories
These can be placed at the correct height to access them, particularly useful for those in a wheelchair as items can be placed where they can reach them
And with our FlexiPanel accessories you can move any item at any time without the need for tools. So items can always be easily accessible
Flooring
Ramp edges provide a smooth entry into garage. Would we recommend smooth or raised disk, or would it not matter? It wouldn’t matter which tiles as both are good for grip and maneuverability. And choose the colour that suits.
Garage Doors
Having a garage door with an automatic opener will make it easier to get in and out of your garage
And Roller shutter doors are so well insulated these days that you don’t get a draught and you don’t get a lot of overhead rails in the garage.
Slopes
Try to ensure that you don’t have any steps into the house and have handrails where they would be helpful. Adding in slopes where necessary is a good option if you do have to go up or down.
Heaters
If you are planning to use the garage for exercise then have a simple heater with a thermostat and time control.
Good lighting
Keep the garage well lit with appropriate lighting so that can see where you are going and what you are doing.
Wide doors
If there are side doors into the house or garden make them wide enough to get through.
We hope this has been of use. Of course a lot of this is common sense but sometimes it is just good to have a reminder.
Showcasing this lovely Surrey garage, completed with loft hatch
This garage was completed in early March 2020 in Surrey and included wall panelling, ceiling cladding, storage hooks and a lovely graphite tiled floor.
It also included a loft ladder install which you can see from the video how easy it now is for the owner to access the ceiling space for even more storage.
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