Garages along Colorado’s Front Range face thin-air UV, wind-blown grit, and wild temperature swings. That makes efficient, durable storage more than a wish-list upgrade it’s a practical necessity. Mile High Coatings installs two complementary systems:
- Custom Garage Cabinets – fully enclosed, furniture-grade units mounted off the floor.
- Open Shelving & Wall Systems – heavy-duty shelves, Slatwall, and overhead racks for quick-grab items.
What Mile High Coatings Delivers
Storage Solution |
Core Features |
Custom Garage Cabinets |
“Declutter with dedicated compartments for tools, sports gear, seasonal décor, and more.” Tall units reach ceiling height to capture vertical space; adjustable shelves, drawers, and integrated workbenches create a built-in shop feel. Doors close flush for a sleek, uniform façade that “instantly upgrades curb appeal.” |
Open Shelving & Wall Systems |
“Provides easy access to frequently used items.” Heavy-gauge steel shelves hold substantial weight. Slatwall panels accept hooks, baskets, and bike racks that re-arrange without tools. Overhead loft racks suspend rarely used totes above the garage door, freeing every square foot of floor. |
The site makes one philosophy clear: storage should serve the way you live, not force you into rigid bins.
The Climate Factor: Why Enclosures Matter in Denver
Wood dust, micro-grit, and magnesium chloride ride Front Range winds all year. Cabinets seal out that particulate, protecting power tools, camping gear, and spare tires from abrasive wear.
Open shelving, by contrast, trades that enclosure for speed: you can grab a ski helmet or garden trowel in seconds without opening a door. If you cycle gear weekly think baby strollers in summer, sleds in winter that open visibility is priceless.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Factor |
Cabinets |
Shelving / Slatwall |
Visibility & Access |
Hidden; doors keep contents contained |
Everything visible, zero barrier |
Protection |
Shields from dust, moisture, and UV fade |
Exposed to grit; quickest grab-and-go |
Appearance |
Clean, built-in look; raises resale value |
Utilitarian—great for workshop vibe |
Customization |
Sizes, colors, and hardware tailored to fit |
Shelves and hooks reposition instantly |
Floor Clearance |
Wall-mounted “floating” design simplifies floor cleaning |
Wall or ceiling mount; likewise frees floor |
Budget Path |
Higher up-front investment, long-term ROI |
Modular—add one Slatwall panel at a time |
When Cabinets Outperform
- Dust-Sensitive Storage
Denver’s dry climate stirs debris that infiltrates cardboard boxes and open totes. Enclosed doors keep holiday decorations and electronic tools pristine between uses. - Visual Uniformity for Appraisals
Real-estate listings increasingly showcase garage photos. A wall of matching cabinet doors signals “premium upkeep,” nudging buyers’ perception upward. - Integrated Work Zones
Workbenches with drawers and cabinet storage keep tools within reach and the surface clutter-free. - Safety for Hazardous Items
Doors keep paint cans, solvents, and sharp tools out of sight and off the floor.
Where Open Systems Excel
- High-Turnover Gear
Families who bike, camp, or ski weekly need everything in view. A labeled bin sitting on an eye-level shelf beats digging through a cabinet. - Zero-Delay Reconfiguration
Slatwall accepts hooks and baskets that reposition in seconds. When hockey season ends, swap blades for gardening shears no screwdrivers required. - Incremental Budgeting
Start with one wall of shelves and add overhead racks next season. Mile High Coatings’ modular lines ensure new components match the original profile. - Workshop Transparency
Slatwall panels organize tools in clear view, so woodworkers and mechanics grab what they need briefly.
Hybrid Layouts: Best of Both Worlds
Most Mile High Coatings projects blend the two:
- Tall Cabinets anchor one wall for chemicals, paint, and archival boxes.
- Slatwall Zones sit near the garage door for bicycles, shovels, and extension cords.
- Overhead Racks store rarely accessed camping bins or holiday décor.
- Wall-mounted installs keep every system off the floor, so a quick sweep or hose-out preserves that freshly coated shine.
The hybrid concept maximizes vertical real estate while assigning each category of item aesthetic, seasonal, daily use its own “parking spot.”
Why Floor Coatings Complete the Package
Mile High Coatings’ epoxy and polyaspartic floor systems pair naturally with any storage:
- Light Reflectivity – Glossy coatings bounce LEDs to illuminate cabinet interiors and Slatwall corners.
- Stain Resistance – Oil droplets from a chainsaw wipe away with mild detergent—zero gouging or ghost marks.
- Lifetime-Warranty Options – Three-coat SHP systems protect your investment for the life of the home.
Whether you search for epoxy garage floor coating Denver or polyaspartic floor coatings Fort Collins, the company keeps the install in-house, ensuring cabinets align perfectly with existing anchors and expansion joints.
Cost & Value Considerations
Mile High Coatings positions cabinets as a long-term equity play. Enclosed storage:
- Adds a finished-room vibe to appraisals.
- Extends the life of tools and soft goods by blocking UV and grit.
Open shelving shines as a cost-controlled starter excellent for first-time homeowners easing into upgrades. And because both systems mount off the floor, you can replace or upgrade one tier without resurfacing the slab.
Step-by-Step: From Consultation to Install
- Inventory & Goal Review: During the free site estimate, you and the technician categorize contents: valuables, hobby gear, chemicals, and keepsakes.
- Measurement & Layout Sketch: Technicians take precise wall and ceiling measurements and create a detailed layout to ensure cabinets, shelves, and Slatwall clear doors, windows, and breaker panels.
- Color & Hardware Selection: Match cabinet tones with the flake blend in your floor. Popular palettes: Midnight Blue flake + gunmetal doors; Desert Tan flake + maple thermofoil.
- Floor Prep (if coating): Crews diamond-grind and apply vapor-barrier primer; customers can walk on a polyaspartic topcoat in ~2 hours.
- Storage System Install: Floating rails lag into wall studs; adjustable legs fine-tune levelness across uneven concrete.
- Final Walk-Through & Care Guide: Technicians demo shelf adjustments, door soft-close, and floor-cleaning tips (microfiber mop + pH-neutral cleaner).
The entire process, coating plus cabinets or shelves, often finishes soon. Exact timelines are discussed during your free on-site estimate.
Decision Matrix for Denver, Fort Collins & Boulder
Question |
Lean Cabinets |
Lean Shelving |
Do you store valuables or dust-sensitive electronics? |
✔︎ |
|
Do you switch sports gear weekly? |
✔︎ |
|
Is resale aesthetics a priority? |
✔︎ |
|
Do you need quick DIY reconfiguration? |
✔︎ |
|
I have a limited budget today but plan to expand? |
✔︎ |
Tip: Many households answer “yes” across columns proof that a blended plan serves most garages best.
Real-World Example: Polyaspartic Floor in Highlands Ranch
On the Mile High Coatings blog, a Highlands Ranch homeowner reports that the new polyaspartic garage floor “lets snow-melt water drain out quickly,” keeping the surface clean and slip-free all winter.
Maintenance Tips (All Site-Supported)
- Cabinets: Wipe doors quarterly with a damp microfiber cloth; hinges are powder-coated and need no oiling.
- Shelving: Inspect screws and hooks each spring; retighten to compensate for freeze-thaw expansion.
- Floor: Use soft-bristle broom or leaf-blower for dust; hose off magnesium chloride residue after snowstorms to preserve shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can your open shelves handle?
Heavy-duty shelving supports significant weight; cabinet shelves are rated at 100 lb each, 500 lb per cabinet.
Can cabinets be color-matched to my garage floor?
Yes. Door and drawer fronts come in multiple colors and woodgrain thermofoils designed to coordinate with popular flake blends.
Will Slatwall hole out my drywall?
Panels screws directly into studs for secure support.
Final Recommendation
Choose cabinets if you value dust control, aesthetics, and secure storage.
Choose open shelving if fast access and modular flexibility top your list.
Combine both to transform your Denver garage into a showcase that adapts as life changes.
Ready to Upgrade?
GET A FREE SITE ESTIMATE:
Northern Colorado: 970-314-1023 | Denver Metro: 720-513-7869
Email: info@milehighcoatings.com
Storage Warehouse: 2649 E Mulberry St B47, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Main Shop: 5213 Longs Peak Rd Unit E, Berthoud, CO 80513
Operations Office: 2150 S Bellaire St Unit D, Denver, CO 80222
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
Bring Mile High Coatings to your wish-list; leave with a garage that stores smarter, looks sharper, and stands the test of Colorado weather.