There are many things to focus on when building a garage. One of the things to focus on is what kind of garage you want for your home. Once you decide that, you have to get into its legality and get the builder’s permit. Then you have to build the garage itself, which brings up a host of other questions that will need to be answered.
There are typically only two styles of residential garages the person builds, which are attached and detached. The focus comes with a cost or time. The Attached garage is cheaper because you only have to buy the supply for the three walls. However, it’s more time-consuming and energy-focused, as you have to worry about tying it to the house, making sure there are no leaks, and ensuring no damage to the home. This is extremely frustrating and time-consuming, so it may be better to go with the detached or separated garages. With the detached garage, you can build up all four walls and then build the roof on top of it. You do have to make sure that it doesn’t leak, but not for both the garage and the house.
You still have to get permission from the local and state governments when building a garage, even if it’s on your property. You will have to provide papers, blueprints, and more for them to approve it. So it would be best if you had the permits, materials, and other things to provide all the necessities you are building a garage for you or the area around you. If you own the property and the surrounding area, it usually goes pretty smooth, though.
They will come, no… This isn’t that movie, but if you build it, you need the materials for it, and then you can debate if you want wood, metal, steel, or something else. Also, you need to decide what kind of wood you’d use if you’re going to paint it, what color? What type of door do you need to put in there? How big is it going to be? And more. There is so much that goes into the work of building a garage yourself that sometimes it’s best to let the contractors handle it, but if you’re looking for a DIY project, then you’re going to need some garage kits, some work ethic, and a can-do attitude.
If you want to build your garage, plan it out and plan. There is nothing worse than a fly-by blueprint that shows walls and a roof, and you try to figure the rest out yourself. If you’ve never done it before and want to do it yourself, you want to do a lot of research and study on how to build a garage and the best materials for the job. Research different garages, see what kind of design you want to put in your home, and follow the rest.
Designing a New Garage
As new homes keep getting larger and larger, so too has the trend toward designing new garages to accommodate more (and bigger) vehicles and a host of storage needs. As a result, garage design has started receiving more attention than it used to.
A typical garage is not an expensive piece of construction, but too often, the drive to keep costs to minimum results in a finished product that detracts from the house’s visual appeal, not to mention the experience of living in it. If you are planning a new garage, here are some ideas that may help you create something truly special and “outside the box.”
Attached vs. Detached
It’s been a long time since we saw a newer housing development that didn’t have garages attached to all of the houses. The attached garages offer a lot of conveniences, especially in cold, wet weather, but they also severely limit the design options for the house and garage. So if you are planning to build a garage, take some time to consider the benefits of separating the garage from the house.
A Better Entry
In new home construction in recent years, the standard house plan has a big garage facing the street, attached to the side of the house, with entry to the house requiring a tour of the laundry or utility room, often passing a small bathroom on the way. That nice entry out front gets very little day-to-day use.
For a variety of reasons, this layout saves money. But is cutting costs in the primary entrance really a smart choice to make? A nicely designed mudroom with good storage and a place to sit is certainly more welcoming and useful.
Getting Bigger All the Time
In 1971, 18 per cent of new homes in the United States had a one-car garage; 39 per cent had garages big enough for two or more cars. By 2007, those numbers had been stood on their heads:
- Sixty-three per cent of new homes had two-car garages.
- Nineteen per cent had garages for three or more cars.
- Only 7 per cent had a one-car garage.
The two-car garage has become the minimum standard, and it needs to be large enough for SUVs, minivans, and large pickups. However, three- and four-car garages are increasingly popular in high-end developments, and many real estate agents will tell you that they can be a positive selling point.
A Better Orientation
Rather than having your garage face the street, try to adjust the footprint so that the garage entrance is angled away from the street. A 90-degree offset from the house is ideal, but even 45 degrees can significantly reduce the impact the garage entrance has on the street view of the house.
Living Above the Garage
It’s not too difficult to design a simple garage that can be attached to a house without looking overly dominant. But it can be a challenge to create a living space above the garage. Because of the combined wall heights of the garage and a full-size space above it, the roofline may need to be higher than that of the house.
Living space over a garage can be the most economical way you have to create a new home office, media room, or rental space. But you may find that this can be achieved more easily with a detached garage.
If you want to add living space over an attached garage, try to keep the distance between the garage ceiling and the top of the door closer to 12 inches than the typical 18 inches.
Looks, Matter
Some of the nicest garages I’ve seen don’t look like garages. Instead, they look like part of the house itself. Think about ways in which you can give your garage a house-like facade. Match any siding, windows, entry doors, and trim with what’s on the house. Break up the bulky appearance of a single garage door with two or smaller doors.
Plan the Stairs
You will need stairs to get to the upper level. If you want them to be inside the garage, place them along one side and then create a work or storage area of equal size on the other side of the garage to create balance in the facade. Note that if the upper level is used as a bedroom or a rental unit, you will probably be required to have an outdoor stair for egress. Check with your local building inspector.
Prepare for the Elements
If you live in snow country, keep in mind that you will want to leave room for snow removal. This is especially important if you use a plough to remove the snow. If your garage is located at the end of a driveway, it can be very hard to plough it cleanly.
15 Best Garage Storage Systems For All Your Needs
There’s this sort of urban legend going around that says being disorganized is a sign of a creative mind, of an artistic personality. While in some cases that may actually be true, usually that’s just an excuse people use, so they don’t have to admit to being lazy and not wanting to take the time to come up with a practical storage system that actually works for them.
It’s typically the garage that has a lot of potential for storage yet is rarely taken advantage of. Now would be a good time to invest in a proper garage storage system. Check out our favourite choices below.
NewAge Garage Cabinets in Gray
A set of cabinets such as this one offers plenty of storage space for all sorts of essentials such as tools, equipment and other items that are usually kept in the garage. This particular set includes two tall cabinets, height-adjustable shelves or closed modules in between them and a rolling tool cabinet. The tall cabinets/ lockers are very versatile and have a weight capacity of 800 lb (362 kg), while the rolling one can hold 600 lb (272 kg). You can combine the modules however you see fit.
Adjustable Ceiling Garage Rack
Overhead storage racks are very practical in the garage because they keep the floor empty, giving you space to actually park your car. They’re also out of the way yet easily accessible in case you want to reach the contents, and they’re ideal for avoiding water damage which is often possible. These shelves provide lots of storage for seasonal items and unused things. They measure 96 in. L x 48 in. W x 22-40 in. H. and are very strong and sturdy
Lock & Roll Organizer Garage Storage System
Good organization also applies to all the gardening tools, sports equipment and everything else you might store in the garage. A mobile storage option is often prefered in this case because it’s more practical and convenient. This utility cart is a really cool option. It measures 26″ L x 18. 75″ W x 40. 25″ H and can be easily assembled right out of the box. It has four wheels which let you roll it with ease and transport the stored items right where they’re needed. It can also be locked in place.
Omni Tool Storage Rack
A storage rack designed specifically for tools can also be very practical in the garage. This one is designed to be mounted on the wall, and it stores the tools vertically. It’s made of heavy-duty steel and can hold up to 200 lb (90 kg) of gear. It’s great for things like rakes, shovels, ladders, hammers, but also skateboards, backpacks and all sorts of other items.
Prepac HangUps 60″ Storage Cabinet
Garage storage systems typically have a very industrial look which makes sense a lot of times but isn’t for everyone. If you prefer to give your garage a more finished look, closer to what the living space is like, there are some cool storage options to choose from. One example is this stylish wall-mounted storage system made of a large cabinet, an upper unit and a module with three drawers.
Proslat 33008 Basic Bundle with Slat Wall Panels and Hook Kit
This is also a very stylish garage storage system with a simple and modern design and is great for storing and organizing tools. It keeps everything lined up and easily accessible, with hooks of different types and sizes for different types of items. The hooks are heavy-duty steel, and the wall panels are eco-friendly, easy to clean and modular. You can change the configuration and add more elements as needed.
Garage Shelving Unit Adjustable
Shelves are extremely versatile and practical, so they’re often a prefered storage option for garages given how diverse everything in here usually is. Your typical garage storage shelves look something like this. These have strong metal frames with black coating complemented by MDF boards. They have a heavy-duty industrial look and feel, and they can each hold up to 300 lb (136 kg). The height is adjustable, and the shelves can be organized to fit your storage needs perfectly.
Gladiator GAGB28KDYG Ready-to-Assemble
This compact storage module is very versatile too. It features steel panels and is built to withstand extreme temperatures, making it perfect for any garage, no matter where you live. It’s very sturdy and durable and goes through a powder coating process that bonds and bakes the protective coating to the bare metal, creating a very effective barrier against corrosion. Each shelf has a weight capacity of 75 lb (34 kg), with a capacity of 300 lb (136 kg) in total.
Custom Work Bench and Shelving Storage System
If you also like to do some work in your garage and you don’t use it purely for storage, then a workbench is a must-have. This one is strong and sturdy and includes a series of shelves that allow it to double as a storage system for things like tools, supplies, and various other items. It can be customized as needed, depending on your requirements and preferences.
Seville Classics Commercial 7-Tier
It’s also important to have a proper storage system in place for all the small items in your garage. For example, if you do a lot of DIY projects, you might have a bunch of leftover screws, nails, rope and various other things that need to be stored and properly organize so you actually know where to find them when needed. This storage rack is just right for that. It has seven shelves that hold 22 polypropylene bins in three different sizes.
Seville Classics 5-Tier Steel Wire Shelving with Wheels
This five-tier steel wire shelving system is great for small garages and super versatile too. It features a set of five shelves, each measuring 30″ x 14″ and with a capacity of 300 lb (136 kg) for a total of 1500 lb (680 kg). The base features smooth-rolling casters, two of which have locking mechanisms. You can adjust the height of the shelves to create a well-suited custom storage system.
DIY RhinoMini Shelf Kits
If you prefer something simple that doesn’t take up much space and maintains an airy ambience in your garage, check out this shelf kit. It’s easy to install without any outside help and has a versatile, universal design that lets you place it on the wall and leave the floor and the ceiling open. It’s strong, durable and good-looking, and it’s also user-friendly, space-efficient and convenient.
Power Tool Charging Storage
Here’s another great garage storage system for those into DIY projects, specifically anyone who has lots of power tools. It’s small and compact, and made from solid wood particleboard. The overall dimensions of the cabinet are 19.5” (W) x 9.2” (D) x 12.2” (H). The main advantage of the power tool charging storage module is that it lets you organize the tools and keep them all in one place, easy to find and always ready for use.
Rubbermaid Deluxe Tool Tower
It’s usually things like brooms, rakes, shovels and other tools that make the garage look messy, and that’s because there’s typically no good storage system for them. That can become a thing of the past thanks to organization systems such as this tool tower. It’s designed specifically to hold garden tools and basically everything with a long handle.
Monkey Bars Bike Storage Rack
Suppose you’re looking for a practical and space-efficient way to store and organize your bikes in the garage, we recommend a wall-mounted system. These racks can hold up to six bikes and have a total weight capacity of up to 300 lb (136 kg). It has hooks that can be adjusted side to side without being disconnected from the bar. The hangers are rubber coated and don’t damage the bikes.