When it comes to adding on to your home, one of the most logical places to start if you are on a tight budget is your garage. It’s already there and if it is connected to your house, you’ve already got an extra room right at your disposal. However, there are a few considerations that you will need to take into mind before converting your garage.
1. How is the ventilation?
Typically, your garage will not be hooked up to the ventilation system in your house. Before you make any plans to convert your garage, you will need to have an adequate method of ventilation. Typically, it is easy enough to add the room to your duct system. However, if the garage is a stand alone room, you may have to add a separate system.
2. How will you handle the doors?
A garage will typically have one large door and then a side door. If the room will be a bedroom or part of a living area, you will need to change that big door out. However, if you are just going to use it occasionally, you may be able to get away without replacing it.
3. How good is the electrical system?
Having extra outlets in your garage is helpful, even if you don’t plan on converting it. Typically, garages have a limited number of outlets, so you may need to add more. It is also a good idea to check the electrical system to determine whether or not is safe.
4. Heating and cooling is vital.
If someone will be living in the garage, you need to make sure that you have a way to control the temperature. Garages are typically not insulated very well, so you may need to add extra insulation. In addition, you will need to either work out a space heater or window air solution, or find a way to add your garage to the rest of your home’s heating and cooling system.
5. Where are you going to put your car?
While it is relatively easy to convert your garage into a new room, it does leave your car out in the cold. You may want to consider installing a car port alongside the garage if possible to provide some shelter for your car. If you’re not worried about it, or you have adequate parking space, this should not be a problem. It is never safe to combine a living area that will share space with a vehicle.
If you cannot find a way to convert your garage, you still may have another option. You can always add an extra room above the garage if necessary. This works well if you don’t have a lot of space on your lot and you still need extra room. This will require the help of a contractor to make sure that the new addition is stable and safe. In a pinch though, this is an easy solution that allows you to keep your car in your garage and still get an extra room.
In order to do this you would need a special kind of contractor. For example this design build Toronto firm specializes in creating custom homes and custom home additions.
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Originally posted 2008-08-27 05:14:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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