How to Build a Garage: The Ultimate Guide

A garage is one of the best additions that you can make to your home. This is true even for houses that already have a garage, to begin with. You will also likely find that you increase your net worth, since a home that has large or multiple garages is often much more attractive to buyers.

This guide will cover all of the necessities, including location, size, and type of door. Let’s get started with everything you know about Garage Decluttering Guide!

Decide Where You Want to Place It

Garages are generally separate structures that are attached to the main house. However, they don’t have to be. When deciding where you want your new garage to be, there are a few things that you need to consider.

First of all, you will need access to electricity. Although it is definitely possible to run power from the main house, it is much easier to have a dedicated source.

Secondly, you will need to consider general accessibility.

The kind of car that you have will impact this significantly. For example, if you drive a van or SUV, you will need to be sure that your garage allows for enough room.

Garages can often be built larger than the average parking space, but not always. You may want to measure out a few places so that you know what will fit and what won’t before finalizing your decision.

Lastly, you should think about water. It is often necessary to have water available for the garage.

This is true if you plan on washing your car there or will be doing other types of maintenance/projects. If this is not important to you, you can save some money by choosing a location that does not require it.

Size Also Matters

Garages are generally between 20 to 40 feet wide and 30 to 40 feet long.

However, you can make your garage larger or smaller based on your needs. For example, if the average car won’t fit in it, you will need to make sure that you are planning properly. This is likely not an issue if it is just for storage.

If you are building an attached garage, then the entire home will be impacted by this decision.

Choose the Best Type of Door

Garages can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Some may even include windows in order to help with lighting. However, they generally have two types of doors: roll-up or swing-out. These two types of doors have a major impact on the efficiency and cost of your garage.

A roll-up door is ideal if you want a good amount of light to come in but do not need it for access purposes. It is also great if you don’t anticipate ever needing to park an abnormally large vehicle in your garage.

These doors are made of durable materials to ensure long life. However, this also means that they are heavier, which can mean an increase in the cost of installation.

A swing-out door is great when you need quick access to vehicles or easy loading and unloading.

The door is either sectional or roll-up. If it is a sectional door, then one side slides while the other remains stationary.

This allows you to open up a larger area when needed for large vehicles. These doors also require much less room in order to open and close, which can save additional space inside of the garage itself.

Consider Heating and Cooling Options

Garages should be treated as separate rooms, especially if they are attached to the house. This is because it can be difficult for heat to reach them during winter or cool air during summer. If this will be an issue for you, then you will need to consider heating and cooling options.

If you plan on attaching the garage to the home, it’s essential to install an insulated door. This will allow for more efficient heating and cooling options. On the other hand, if you are building an unattached garage, then you can use standard insulation techniques to keep it cool during summer and warm during winter.

Also, you can use a garage heater or an electric garage heater to keep the space at optimal temperature. The voltage and wattage will vary by product.

What Kind of Garage Materials Should I Use?

There are a few options you should consider when it comes to materials. The major materials that can be used in garage construction include brick, concrete, and steel.

Let’s dig into these choices a bit more. Brick is great because it is decorative and long-lasting.

However, it is not very energy efficient and can be expensive to install. Brick will also require additional masonry work like mortar in order to ensure the longevity of the material.

Concrete is a good option if you are looking for something long-lasting and low maintenance. It does not need much attention once installed and requires little upkeep.

This is why it is often used in commercial settings. However, it may be pricey since you will have the materials delivered to the home.

Also, special machines are needed for installation that can further increase costs.

Steel garages have increased in popularity because of how durable they are. They provide a good amount of insulation and will last a long time.

They are also very low maintenance. Keep in mind that they are generally more expensive than other types of materials. Also, standard steel will not provide much insulation to the space, however, you can use special panels for additional insulation if needed.

You can check out this resource to learn more about steel building prices.

Knowing How to Build a Garage Might Seem Overwhelming

The good news is that building a garage is much easier than you anticipate. The above garage options will help ensure that you understand how to build a garage successfully. From here, the process will go as smoothly as it should.

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