Converting your garage into a bedroom can be a great way to increase the living space in your home. But before you start, there are a few things you should know. Do you find it difficult to have extra space in your garage when it is full of boxes and tools? GarageSmart® has the perfect solution for you.
In this post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of converting your garage into a bedroom, as well as some of the things you’ll need to consider before starting the conversion process. So if you’re thinking about converting your garage into a bedroom, keep reading!
Turning A Garage Into The A Living Space
It’s more complex than turning your garage into a bedroom and renting it out. So first, check to see if your garage should even be habitable.
Whether it’s too small, too cramped, or just plain ugly, you’ll need to consider how you intend to tackle the project. Important considerations include the structure’s roof, flooring, sidewalls, doorways, water mains, electrical cables, and energy efficiency standards.
A less-than-desirable outcome is possible if any of these factors are neglected.
Garage-To-Room Conversion Roof Specifications
If you want to turn your garage into a habitable space, you’ll need a roof that satisfies the basic standards set by the BCA. Converting a garage in Australia into a bedroom requires careful consideration of ceiling height.
In Australia, the lowest permitted ceiling height for a garage is 2.1 metres, a significant decrease from the 2.4 metres considered necessary for a safe and comfortable living environment.
To turn a garage into a classroom, you will need to raise the roof. It’s easier on the wallet than you would imagine, but remember that as you plan is essential.
Techniques For Transforming A Garage Into a Liveable Space
Converting a garage into a bedroom is a terrific option to provide more space for a family member, especially if you don’t plan on selling your home shortly. This could be the case if you have a teenager in the house or need accommodations for older family members. Additionally, you can prepare this space for future rental use.
Is transforming your garage into a usable space-wise? If that’s the case, keep reading to find out what you should do.
There’s More To It Than Merely Dusting And Rearranging Furniture
However, some property owners believe that merely cleaning the garage is sufficient. No. Cleaning up the mess isn’t going to be enough. Repainting the walls isn’t going to cut it.
The bedroom should be a relaxing space where one may unwind. If it isn’t, the person sleeping there will have difficulty getting to sleep. Numerous structural adjustments, including:
Insulation Repairs
The insulation in your garage is inferior to that in the rest of the home. To put it bluntly, the temperature there is not pleasant. In the winter, you’ll be shivering, and in the summer, you’ll be roasting. In either scenario, human beings would be uncomfortable.
To make this space comfortable as a bedroom, you need to insulate it better. Follow the guidelines outlined in the relevant building codes. This is the beginning.
Construction Of New Wall Partitions
In Australia, uninsulated brick is used for the majority of garage construction. Don’t be fooled by the area’s natural charm. Applying a waterproof membrane-like paint to this brick wall is essential. Rather than just installing new garage doors, you should construct an insulated wall instead. The walls should be plastered and painted quickly.
Resurfacing And Sealing The Floor Surfaces
Replacing the concrete floor is a must when transforming a garage into a bedroom. But do you want to walk around on tile steps and oil stains? Then, installing flooring or a fresh carpet over the concrete is recommended.
Nonetheless, a waterproof barrier must be installed beneath a concrete slab before installing new flooring. It is recommended to raise the floor levels if this is the case. If water leaks on the concrete, your new flooring will be destroyed.
Putting In New Windows To Let In Light From Outside
Think about how pleasant it would be to open your eyes and see a beam of sunlight flooding into your bedroom. Yup. A bedroom must have windows. The bedroom lacks some vitality without it.
The garage’s newfound airflow is largely thanks to the addition of windows. A well-lit and ventilated space will give the impression that it belongs in the house.
Putting The Electrical Lines In Order
Your new bedroom lighting and HVAC system require wiring and outlets, which a qualified electrician can only install. To be safe, you should also have them put smoke detectors in your bedroom.
Planning The Bedroom Layout
Finally, as soon as the alterations to the building have been made and are stable, you can start planning your new bedroom. First, create a main bedroom set to suit your needs.
Make custom shelving and drawers for the bedroom’s occupant. Consider dressers, chests of drawers, and bookcases that don’t attach to the wall. Study if you can, and use it if there’s extra room.
Garage-To-Living-Space Floor Height Restrictions
In addition to the ceiling, the floor is an important part of the space that needs to be checked out before beginning this reinvention process.
The entire space under a concrete slab must be treated with a termite management system, and a waterproof membrane must also be installed there according to building codes.
When turning a garage into a living space, the roof and floor are the two most crucial components to think about.
The national construction code of Australia can provide light on the various costs that may be incurred. The first step is to list everything that must be done and in what order.
Converting A Garage: What You Need To Know
Increase the value of your home and gain usable square footage by transforming your garage into a habitable room. But there are a few things to think about before diving in headfirst. Imagine turning that cluttered, dark space into a bright, elegant area of your home. With GarageSmart®, it’s easier than you think.
Do We Need A Permit For That?
Should I apply for a building permit? Because it involves structural changes to the house, most municipalities require a planning permit for converting a garage. If you instal windows and intend to use the area as a bedroom, living room, or anything other than a games room, the local government will treat the space as a liveable room.
Contact your city or county government for further information on prices and time frames. It could be an issue if you try to sell your home in the future without necessary planning and building permissions.
Improvements Being Made
When will renovations be done, and what kind of things need to be done? The answer to this question is conditional on the intended purpose of the garage and its current construction. Waterproofing and insulating the roof, re-flooring, installing ceilings, and windows, heating, and decorating are all necessary for seamless integration.
Verify the background of any potential contractors you hire, and ask about the types of conversions they have completed before. It would help if you took every precaution to prevent shoddy work. Consider hiring an architect to help with the planning and management, too.
Safe Place To Park Your Car
Exactly where may We leave the car(s)? Because you can’t use your garage anymore, you may have to park your car on the street, where it will be exposed to the elements and less safe. Can you park in the driveway and construct a carport there? Have you found a new home for your tools, motorcycles, and lawnmower if you keep them in your garage? Is it possible to squeeze in a tiny garden shed?
Worth Of A Home
How much value does it bring to my home? Potential purchasers may view a garage that has been inadequately converted as detracting from the value of your home because it eliminates a garage and leaves a space that must be either reconverted into a garage or repaired to bring it up to snuff. An exception to this is a garage conversion that has been properly planned and permitted, is neatly built and completed, and fits in well with the existing layout of the property. In addition, potential buyers will be impressed by the updated and expanded living quarters.
Irrespective Of Whether You Leave Or Remain
Should you buy a new house or improve the one you already have? If you choose to remain in your current home, you will be responsible for the cost of renovations rather than the expenditures associated with buying and selling. There are numerous costs associated with relocating, including hiring a real estate agent, hiring movers, paying stamp duty, and establishing utility connections in your new home. If you need “more” space than the garage can provide and are considering alternative options, it may be time to go.
Observations To Make
Is there any recourse if the garage has been renovated? If you’re looking to buy a home and suspect the garage has been turned into living space, you should see if the local government has issued a building or planning permit for the work. If the local government finds out unlawful bathrooms or kitchens have been installed, they usually demand removal. GarageSmart® offers the perfect garage storage cabinet to fit your needs!
In conclusion, converting your garage into a bedroom is an easy way to add livable space, but it requires careful planning. Ensure your garage meets structural and energy efficiency codes, including proper insulation, roof, and floor modifications. In Australia, the ceiling height must be at least 2.1 meters. You’ll need to insulate, waterproof, and install flooring, windows, heating, and lighting. A planning permit is often required for such changes. Consider alternatives for parking and storage, like using the driveway or adding a carport and garden shed.
