One could say that garage cabinets in Irvine are not a necessity. Open shelves and large plastic bins are certainly less expensive and easy to configure on your own. However, garage storage cabinets with doors allow you to store potentially dangerous items like sharp tools and chemicals, away from the reach of young children. Plus, custom cabinets offer a far more finished look than open shelving.
In addition – why do you want everyone that comes over to know what you have? Your stuff deserves some privacy as well.
If you’re looking for a garage storage system for your Irvine house, you’ll be surprised at the extensive range of products available in the market. From elegant stainless steel cabinets to affordable medium-density fiberboard cabinets, there’s a lot to choose from.
Depending on the remodel garage cabinet company you work with, you may even be able to repurpose your bathroom or kitchen cabinets for use in the garage.
In this post, we are going to discuss the plethora of materials that are used to manufacture garage cabinets in Irvine. Keep in mind that some materials are not built to last so any investment you put into those seemingly cheaper cabinets will lead to replacing and re-investing after a few years.
That being said, let’s take a look at the different types of materials for garage storage systems.
Wood Garage Cabinets
Garage cabinets made from wood look stunning and they can be custom designed and painted to match the rest of your home décor. Unfortunately, they are not durable. Wood tends to warp easily when exposed to moisture, water, or extreme temperatures.
The hot summers of Irvine can wreak havoc on wood cabinetry especially when they are installed in your garage, where there is no air conditioning. Also, once a chemical spills on the wood, you cannot clean it completely. If you’re planning to store a decent number of chemicals and liquids in your garage, wooden garage storage cabinets might not be a poignant idea.
Pros:
- Hardwood garage storage systems make the space look warm, homely, and inviting
- They are easier to customize than other materials (wood is easier to cut and personalize)
- They are available in a variety of colors and finishes; wood stain can be used to change the color
Cons:
- Cabinets made from solid wood are quite expensive
- Wood garage cabinets in Irvine require regular polishing
- They are prone to scratches, bumps, spills, and termites
- They don’t have much longevity especially if you live in a hot and at times humid location like Irvine
Metal Garage Cabinets
When we say metal, we mean either steel or aluminum which is largely used to make garage storage systems in Irvine. Out of the two, aluminum is the preferred option because a) steel will rust and b) it weighs more to get the same strength and durability as aluminum.
Aluminum is lightweight but highly durable. At our Garage Excell workshop in Irvine, we use military-grade aluminum to craft the cabinets to ensure they last a lifetime.
Still, if you are looking at steel cabinets, take into account the gauge of steel. 24” with 18-gauge steel and 18” with 24-gauge steel are the most common options. Think about how heavy-duty you want your garage storage system to be based on what type of tools and equipment you’re going to put in it. The lighter the gauge, the sturdier will be the cabinet.
For example, if you’re into woodworking, a lighter gauge of steel will be okay for your tools. However, if you are a contractor and will be storing concrete grinders in your garage, 18-gauge steel is what you want.
Most dream garages are filled with premium-grade aluminum cabinets but that doesn’t mean that all metal cabinets are expensive. Cabinets made from lighter gauge metal, usually powder-coated in a range of different colors, are inexpensive and last way longer than, say, plastic cabinets.
Pros:
- Metal remodel garage cabinets are extremely secure and hard to break-into
- They are easy to maintain; all you need to do is wipe out the dust with a clean cloth
- They are resistant to termites, pests, and insects
- They are lightweight yet durable and can last for decades without sustaining any damage
- They are best to store heavy-duty items such as tools and equipment
- At Garage Excell, we have a collection of fireproof metal garage cabinets for maximum protection of your valuables
Cons:
- Metal garage cabinets are limited in colors and designs
Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Cabinets
PVC material is made from sheets of plastic composite, making it one of the most durable materials for a garage storage system in Irvine.
PVC board for garage cabinets in Irvine comes in two varieties: PVC foam boards and PVC hollow boards. As the name suggests, hollow boards are hollow inside and have low thermal resistance which means they can sag over time due to lack of strength.
PVC foam boards are sturdier and thicker than hollow boards so if you’re going for PVC cabinets, make sure they are foam boards.
As for ease of installation, PVC remodel garage cabinets score higher in this regard compared to most other materials. They come in several colors and can be installed without any additional laminations or designs to fit them.
Pros:
- PVC garage storage cabinets are easy to maintain; they can last a long time without polishing or repainting
- They are resistant to termites, carpenter ants, and other insects that usually damage cabinetry in Irvine
- They are anti-corrosive, oil-proof, stain-proof, and waterproof
- They are immune to rot and far more durable than wood cabinets
- They are cheaper compared to metal and solid wood
- They are available in pretty much any design and color you may want, including clear (transparent)
Cons:
- PVC garage storage system tends to look cheap when you don’t get the right quality
- They are prone to scratches and can look worn down over time
Plastic Garage Cabinets
Garage storage systems made from plastic are stellar for temporary storage space but they are not designed to handle the wear and tear that comes with long-term usage in Irvine. Lightweight and super cheap, plastic remodel garage cabinets are flimsy and break easily.
Even the cabinetry made from hard plastic can break seemingly out of nowhere. If you have a limited budget, plastic shelves are not a bad option as long as you don’t store anything heavy-duty in them.
In our experience, the temperature and sun exposure in Irvine can cause issues for plastic garage cabinets. Keep this in mind if you have the garage door open a lot or you spend a lot of time in there.
In addition to sun exposure, depending on how careful you’re around plastic cabinetry and what you store, you can experience breakage, cracking, and all-around degradation of the cabinets’ integrity. This is why we recommend something sturdier for long-term storage.
Pros:
- A plastic garage storage system is cheaper and most affordable than any other material
- They are easier to customize due to a large variety of accessories available to make them more functional
- They are easily available, both as special made-to-order and off-the-shelf options
- They are easy to maintain and resistant to stains and water damage
Cons:
- They are not ideal for use in hot weather areas
- They can buckle over time if under a heavyweight, eventually resulting in cracks
High-Quality Custom Garage Storage Cabinets In Irvine To Support All Your Needs
Since 2007, Garage Excell has built custom garage cabinets that Irvine area residents can count on. If you’re looking for well-designed, thick cabinetry for your garage that can easily handle load-bearing weight up to 100 pounds – for your power tools or sporting goods – we can help.
Since we are based locally, our cabinets are built to last in hot, dry, and humid environments unique to Irvine. If you need help with designing a layout for your garage storage system, or you’re looking for ideas to get more use out of your garage, call us at 877-573-6637 or write to us online.
