How to Install a Grooved-Panel Garage Wall Storage System

Before Ron's visit, John and Laurie Bianchi of Gainesville, Florida used their garage primarily for storage space. They hoped to add functional areas for both a workbench and gardening bench. In addition, the Bianchis were hoping that something could be done about the floor that was stained and unattractive. They also wanted to replace their old garage door opener.

Click here for a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

Garage door opener replacement

1. Conduct balance test
For any garage door opener to operate properly, the door itself needs to be balanced. The following is a simple test that you should perform before installing a new garage door opener.

Start by bringing the door down about one panel and then let go of it. Then bring it down two panels, and let it go again. Finally, bring the door down three panels and let go. At none of these positions should the door either drift upward or drop downward. If it does, this indicates the need for an adjustment, which is a job for a professional.

3. Install new system
Installation of the new system is nearly as simple as the removal of the old one. The product that was used here was the idrive direct drive opener by Wayne Dalton.

First install the split gear wheels over the door spring shaft and bolt them closed.

The power unit is also designed to fit over the shaft. It engages the gear wheels and is secured to the wall with lag screws.

The power cord runs from the receptacle on the ceiling over to the new garage door opener. Run the cords through the plastic channel, snap it closed and attach it to the ceiling with several clips. This makes a very neat looking installation.

Most of the electronics for the door opener are located in the base of the light fixture, which mounts over the existing electrical outlet in the ceiling.

Plug one end of the power cord into the fixture, the other into the power unit and then snap on the cover.

The control panel is completely wireless. In fact, the only wire in the system is the one that runs from the receptacle to the motor.

Garage organization system

1. Clear out garage
The first thing to do in any type of organization project is to take everything out of the garage. Take full advantage of this opportunity to get rid of things you may not need. You want to bring only those items back into the garage that you are sure you want to use or store.

The next step is to install an organizing system. The featured system was ordered from the home improvement center, and is called Gladiator Garage Works by Whirlpool Corporation. The key component of this system is the slotted wall panels that are made of composite plastic and are designed to literally cover the walls.

Once the panels are in place, everything else clips into and slides on these panels creating total flexibility.

2. Locate wall studs and level line
The panels must be attached to the wall studs. Use an electronic stud finder to locate and mark the wall stud locations. Use a level to extend those marks from the floor to the ceiling.

To attach the slotted wall panels, begin at the top and work down. Begin by establishing a level reference line that's a little over a foot from the ceiling. Chances are that the ceiling you are working with is not level so it is important to locate the lowest point of the ceiling.

After locating the lowest part of the ceiling, measure down twelve and a quarter inches and make a mark. Then shoot a level line across the wall with a laser level.

Make a mark about three inches from the corner at both ends of the laser line, remove the laser level, and then snap a chalk line between the marks.

3. Install panels
The panels come in 8' lengths, but when attaching each panel, you must ensure that the end of each panel can be attached directly to the center of a stud. To achieve this, the panels can be easily cut with a miter saw.

To put up the first panel, align the bottom edge with the chalk line and then drive screws through each of the panel's grooves wherever they intersect a stud. This will provide a very strong installation.

The second row of panels is installed by inserting the tongue on the upper edge of this new row into the groove of the row installed above. Then drive in the screws again, as above.

Stagger the panels as you begin each new row. As a rule, you should have at least two studs separating the joints on adjacent rows.

4. Cut out electrical receptacles
If there is an electrical receptacle in the wall, measure horizontally and vertically to determine where the opening should be cut and then transfer these measurements to the panel itself.

Align the edges of the faceplate with the marks and then trace around it. Next, use a spring-loaded punch to create four small depressions, one at each corner. These will keep the drill bit from drifting across the surface. Drill a starter hole in each corner.

Insert the jigsaw blade into the starter holes and then cut out the opening.