Home Garden

How to Attach a Garage to a Home

The spare room adjacent to your pathway would clearly make the perfect garage, so you once thought. Now that your child's finally leaving for college, the nightly band sessions are over and the room that was once envisioned to be a garage can finally be realized. You have secretly been contemplating this project for quite a while, haven't you? Well, the opportunity could not have presented itself more timely. Let's not wait for that yearning to fizzle out, and dive into the basics.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure you can building the garage; then find space. Check with your local authorities -- such as your city's government -- and ensure you can build a garage. Adding onto a home often requires a permit.

      Next, find space. You'll need a room that's accessible for your automobile to maneuver into, depending on the available space your property offers. Ensure the room is no smaller than 12 to 14 feet wide, with an estimated height of 8 feet. (Depending on the vehicle in your possession, luxury cars and SUVs would definitely require a wider depth of 21 to 24 feet and an extended height of 9 feet.) Space is everything; the less crammed the vicinity, the more welcoming the atmosphere.

    • 2

      Choose the garage door. There is quite a variety of promising garage doors out there. Whether it's remote operated or manually managed, installation most certainly requires the expertise of an experienced contractor. Selecting the best gateway should not entirely rely on appearances. Ensure that the braces are duly reinforced and that springs and latches are tested repeatedly to prevent jamming. In cases of emergency, a regular door other than your hatchway must be constructed to offer reliable access at all times.

    • 3

      Refine the walls. A well insulated room improves the condition and stability of your garage. This depends on the geographical location you reside in as proper insulation assures the owner that he will not be spending more cash and time just to keep it warm. Soundproofing greatly differs on the type of work area you might have in mind. Should you opt for a constructive workshop that would demand the occasional buzzing and banging, use about 3.2 pounds per cubic foot of cellulose insulation. Installing fiber glass between your walls would be sufficient enough to secure your privacy. Check with your local professional regarding proper insulation and techniques on sound management.

    • 4

      Elevate the floor.The unpredictable and ever changing seasons often invite mesh of snow and occasional flooding. Require that the floor area be elevated by 12 to 18 inches higher from the driveway to avoid interior damage from such occasions. Elevation would be effective enough in draining out unwanted puddles, as well as having a working drainage to avoid water from stagnating.

    • 5

      Draft the final touches. The necessary equipment to get you started is readily available at your nearest hardware store. Seek the advice and assistance of professionals if you are unfamiliar with carpentry mechanics. Don't let your eagerness leave you helpless in the hands of opportunistic contractors; consult as many as you can to weigh the situation and help tighten your budget.