Garage Cabinets in a Florida Garage: Heat and Humidity

Why is a Florida garage hard on cabinets?

A Florida garage is often not air conditioned, so it follows the weather. The National Weather Service Tampa Bay describes the rainy season with “persistent dew point values above 70°F” and “high temperatures in the upper 80s to middle 90s.” A closed garage in that season is hot, damp and still.

Humidity is one part. The floor is another. Wet tires, rain at the door, hoses and spills add water to the slab. Dust and sand come in with every trip.

The National Weather Service notes that “the higher the dew point, the greater the amount of moisture in the air.” More moisture in the air means more condensation on cold surfaces and slow drying after a spill. Plan your cabinets for that.

What should you look for in garage cabinets?

Look for moisture-resistant surfaces, sealed edges, raised legs and clear load ratings. These four features address the water, dust and weight of a working garage. Use the table below to compare cabinets.

The brochure describes the build as “heavy-duty 3/4’’ furniture board construction with a durable TFL finish” and says Invisa-Edge banding “creates a seamless, moisture-resistant finish.”

How does Maverick handle moisture and dust?

Maverick uses TFL surfaces and sealed edges to resist moisture and wear. The Maverick page says its cabinets are built with TFL “to resist everyday scratches, moisture, stains, and wear.” It adds that Invisa-Edge banding “creates a tight, seamless seal that helps protect cabinet joints from moisture, dirt, and everyday contaminants.”

Those are the maker’s statements about the product. They do not mean a cabinet will survive standing water. Keep cabinets off wet slabs, fix leaks and wipe up spills.

The stainless steel legs matter here. The Maverick page says the legs “raise storage off the ground for easier cleanup and added protection from moisture and debris.” They also level the cabinets on a sloped garage floor, which helps when a slab is not level.

How much can garage cabinets hold?

Check the load rating before you fill shelves. Innovation Cabinetry publishes weight tolerances for Maverick cabinets, based on an evenly spread load. Heavy items such as paint cans, tools and bags of soil add up fast.

The drawers use a slim epoxy-coated white metal design with soft-close glides that support weights up to 100 lbs. Spread weight across the shelf rather than stacking it in one corner. Store the heaviest items in the base cabinets.

The Maverick line has 18 cabinets, including base, drawer base, tall cabinets, wall cabinets and a trash pull-out. Coordinating butcher block work surfaces are sold separately.

How should you set up the garage for humidity?

Control moisture at the source. The EPA advises keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent. A garage is not a conditioned room, so humidity there often runs higher. Take that as a guide for an attached garage that you cool, and as a warning sign for one that you do not.

1. Keep the slab free of standing water. Squeegee wet spots out the door.
2. Do not store wet items, such as damp towels or gear, inside closed cabinets.
3. Open cabinet doors on dry days to let air in.
4. Watch for signs of moisture. The EPA says “condensation can be a sign of high humidity.”
5. Fix leaks from the roof, door seals or plumbing first.

Wipe the cabinets with the care method on the Maverick care sheet. Avoid harsh products unless the sheet allows them.

What do you need to know before you buy?

Maverick is sold through authorized dealers, not directly to homeowners. The brochure says the cabinets are fully assembled. The warranty is five years from the date of purchase for residential use in the United States.

The warranty states that cabinetry is deemed accepted once you start assembly or installation, and Innovation Cabinetry cannot accept exchanges or returns for items already installed. Inspect the cabinets on delivery, before you install.

Read the garage cabinet buying guide and the garage cabinets overview to plan the layout. For humidity advice that covers your whole home, see Tampa Bay humidity and cabinets.

Next step

Explore the Maverick Garageworx garage cabinets and choose base, wall and tall cabinets for your garage. Then find a dealer to plan the layout and ask how the cabinets fit your garage floor.