New Garage Planning Tips

New Garage Planning Tips

Garage Size Planning
Garage buildings keep getting larger and larger, with this realization even backyard sheds often turn into the building of a small garage. This brings a realization that planning your garage building design needs more attention than is often received.

A typical garage is not an expensive piece of construction, but too often the drive to keep costs to a minimum results in a finished product that detracts from the visual appeal of your home setting. When planning your new garage, here are some ideas that may help you create a new design that is right for your needs.

Attached Garage or Detached
When driving through a newer housing development we seldom do not see garages attached to all of the houses. These "Attached" garages offers much convenience. If you are planning to build a garage, take some time to consider the benefits that separating the garage from the house.

Two-car garages have become the minimal standard in the industry. Why? The new garage buildings need to be large enough for SUVs, minivans, large pickups, and boat storage. Three and four-car garages are increasingly popular in upper end residential developments, and many real estate agents are eager to tell you that they can be a positive selling point.

Consider an Angled Garage
Rather than having your garage face the street, try to adjust the blueprint so that your garage entrance is angled away from the street. A 90-degree offset from the house is often beneficial, and even a 45 degree angle can significantly reduce the impact the garage entrance has on the street view of the house.

Garage Living Space It may be a wise choice to design a simple garage that can be attached to a house without looking overly dominant. This can create a challenge to create additional living space above the garage. Because of the combined wall heights of the garage and a full-size space above it, the roof peak may need to be even higher than the ridge of the house.

Living space over a garage can be an economical way you have to create a new home office, game room or create storage space. A lower dollar alternative can often be achieved with a detached garage.

When adding living space over an attached garage an ideal distance between the garage ceiling and the top of the door is better in the 12 inch range rather than the typical 18 inches.

Blending into Your Home Aesthetically Does Matter
Some of the nicest garages simply do not look like garages. A nice design blends the garage into the house itself. Think about ways in which you can blend the garage into your home smoothly. Match your siding style, windows, and entry doors. You may even include decorative trim with what's on the house. A variety to a single garage door is to include two or more smaller overhead doors. Adding decorative glass lites to the garage door panels also adds extra class.

Where Does Snow Go?
Before it melts is the question at hand. :-) 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 plow to remove the snow. If your garage is located at the end of a driveway, it can be very hard to plow it cleanly. A turn around driveway often optimizes close to your garage often creates an ideal location for your snow location.

When a Loft is Desired Plan Your Stair Location
Upper levels require a method to get there with a stairway system being the most common method. When stairs are inside the garage, place them along one side. If you create a work or storage area of equal size on the other side of the garage to create balance in the design. Note that if the upper level will be used as a bedroom or a rental unit, you will probably be required to have an outdoor stairway system to create a garage with egress code compliance. Be sure to check requirements with your local building inspector.