Basic Garage 101

Garage Types

• The two main types of garages are attached and detached. An attached garage is a part of your home, which a door leading from it directly into your home. A detached garage is a freestanding building. It might be set back from the main house by several yards. A detached garage doesn’t offer any protection from rain or cold; you’ll have to walk through them in order to get to your car. Detached garages are more common in older homes.

Size

• Garages are typically described according to how many vehicles you can park in them. For years, one-car was the standard. Two-car garages are now the norm, with three-car garages increasing in popularity. A two-car garage is usually about 26 feet by 28 feet, leaving enough room to park two large cars and still have some storage area along the back and side walls. Two car garages have on automatic garage door, while three car garages have one door large enough to accommodate two cars and a smaller one for the third vehicle.

Codes

• All garages must abide by basic building codes. The flooring must be non-combustible. Concrete is the most common material used. The floor must be sloped so it drains away from the house. A garage has to be enclosed on three sides. If is only enclosed on two, then it is considered a carport. The wall between the garage and the house should have at least 1/2- inch gypsum board applied to it.

Considerations

• Garages aren’t just used as a storage place for vehicles; they also contain storage area and work benches. Installing GFCI outlets in a garage is more expensive than using regular ones, but they offer protection from shock when working with electric lawn mowers and power tools. If planning to build a garage on your property, consult with a building inspector to learn about building codes specific to your municipality.