If you’re like most homeowners, chances are you’ve been thinking about finishing your garage for some time now. Maybe you’ve even started the process by framing the walls or installing insulation. But what’s next?
Finishing your garage can be daunting, but with a few simple tips, it can be much easier than you think. So read on for some helpful advice on finishing your garage and making it the perfect space for storing your belongings and entertaining guests.
What You Should Think About When Completing Your Garage
In addition to serving as a location to park cars, a garage can also be used to store junk, display hobbies, and serve as an extra door into the house.
A garage renovation may not result in a complete return on investment, but it will increase your home’s selling price compared to what it would have been without the renovation. GarageSmart® pioneered garage remodelling and can turn your old, cluttered garage into a beautiful and functional space. Visit our website today for more information!
If a garage is already built but needs walls, flooring, a roof, and other finishings, the project cost might be as high as $10,000. To finish your carport for a few thousand, any contractor may instal panelling or sheetrock on the walls and ceiling.
Codes for Construction
Before breaking ground on your infant garage, check in with the appropriate local authorities to ensure the design satisfies all necessary building regulations.
Permits
Large-scale garage additions or alterations always necessitate a building permit. Permit fees are determined by several variables, including the proposed construction’s location, size, and complexity. One thousand dollars is a possible price for a building permit.
Plumbing
When remodelling a garage, it’s not common to include a restroom or sink, and you’ll want one, nevertheless, so you can clean your hands after working. To have a plumber lay the necessary pipes and do the necessary work, you could pay anywhere from $250 to $750.
Electricity
Even though most garages already have electricity, it usually costs around $1,100 to instal additional outlets and wiring for a living area (or man cave).
A/C & Insulation
Depending on where you reside, garage repairs may necessitate the installation of insulating or cooling and heating equipment. It could cost up to $3,000 to instal new heat, ventilation, and insulating systems in your house.
Flooring for a Garage
You presumably have a regular concrete flat on the ground of your garage. All you need for your new house or store may be a concrete slab. Applying an epoxy or urethane coat to the concrete can fix cracks, flaking, stains, pits, and wear. In addition, it sticks to your floor, making it stronger and more durable than ever. Use a nonslip coating or a dark colour to make the garage floor safer.
Ceiling
Likely, the van’s roof isn’t doing its job and keeping things cool inside. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to fix this is to instal fibreglass batt insulation. Drywall can be installed over insulation to make it appear better once it’s all done.
Walls
Because the foundation wall or exterior cladding is necessary but may seem out of place in a completed garage, many people leave their garages unpainted. If the old covering is taken down, you will have simpler access to the bolts, valves, and electrical markings in the walls. You can save cash on wall finish using wood panels instead of gypsum if you don’t need the extra shine. You may screw it to the framework and use it to mount as many extra shelves as you like. Plywood is versatile and may be painted to fit any design scheme.
Doors
The garage is usually the first thing people notice when they see a garage. There are many ways to deal with a massive foyer while renovating a garage. You can choose from a broad selection of doors, block off the entry, or repaint the interior of a door you now have to make it much more aesthetically pleasing. Most garages have a second door that may be used when the first one is too small, while those that don’t can have one added without much trouble.
Put in Place Weather Stripping
Winter stripping the garage will prevent cold air from leaking and insects from entering.
Windows and doors that don’t close tightly can cause draughts, which can be unpleasant and expensive to fix. The overhead door to the garage may be the biggest contributor to the house’s temperature swings.
A weatherstrip may sometimes not be present, especially with older models. Door weatherstripping can be found in any home improvement store and is simple to instal on any lock.
Install Some Shelves or Cabinets for More Space
Garage organisation doesn’t require any fancy gadgets. Clear glass and iron shelves are also available, as are garage cupboards made of plastic for discreet storage. Reusing existing cabinetry in the kitchen is a cheap and easy solution to add more room. GarageSmart® offers the perfect garage storage cabinet to fit your needs!
Completed Plans for Garages
The possibilities for your beautifully renovated garage are endless. Your garage may be transformed into whatever you need, from a simple storage area for holiday decorations to a full-fledged man cave.
Confined Area
Garages are typically used for storage. A shed is a convenient storage solution for yard equipment and holiday decorations you pull out just sometimes. Nonetheless, it need not be a boring, uninteresting place simply because it serves a functional purpose as a repository.
Completing your van’s floors and walls will create a light environment that will aid in the location of your belongings. Better use of your restricted floor area and a larger spot parking the car can be achieved by putting pegboards and slats walls above your vacant frame. You won’t have to rummage through stacks to find what you need. Instead, use the time you have while renovating to change how you store things completely. Several straightforward weekend tasks can make a significant impact on garage organising.
Bonus Space
Adding a bonus room to your home is a great option for families with young children.
The point of a spare room is to serve whatever purpose you have at the time. To accommodate your children as they develop and their interests shift, you can furnish a playroom that can be easily rearranged. Use it as home entertainment or playroom when your children are older. It’s a good compromise, as nobody has to leave the house or utilise the living room exclusively for their kids’ use.
Put something here that you wouldn’t have room for anywhere in your house. Why not turn that spare room into a recreational area? You can turn this spare room into the yoga studio of your dreams or the craft room of your childhood fantasies.
Small Home
In the last two years, small homes have become an extremely popular trend in the garden and home market. Instead of renting a little apartment, why not build a whole house in your garage? This additional area can be made in a garage. With GarageSmart® Storage Solutions, you can have the perfect garage for your needs without all the hassle.
This is a wonderful choice if you expect to have family members living with you, such as adult children returning from college or grandparents relocating from another location. You can still be close to them while granting them freedom and personal space. Another strategy for generating more revenue is to complete your garage and put it up for rent.
There is more work to be done on this completed garage’s interior before it can be used as a permanent residence than on the usually finished carport interiors. If you want to rent out all the space, this is crucial. It must comply with all relevant building codes and standards to be available for lease.
A Man’s Den
Most husbands utilise the garage as their private retreat. A guy cave is coveted by any guy who needs a dedicated space for his activities, be they watching the game or working on the car. The finished interior of a garage can be transformed into a man cave, just like any other room in the house. A wet bar is a common fixture in homes today.
You can decorate your man cave in various styles. For example, a rustic cabin vibe may be achieved with wood panelling and other animal accessories. At the same time, a sports memorabilia-filled man cave with a big-screen TV is ideal for watching the game.
Garage with a Finished-In Loft
A garage loft is a great solution if you need more space for living but don’t want to give up a parking spot. Because of their adaptability, any of these loft layouts might be used for the upper level of a garage. However, adding a second story to your garage requires some extra planning.
The first is determining if you’d want to leave the front of your loft unenclosed with an open railing or if you’d rather totally seal it away from the rest of your garage. One solution could be preferable to the other based on how you want to put the area to use.
Access to the garage’s upper levels is another matter to think about. For this reason, a standard, straight staircase might not be the best option if space is at a premium. Their massive frames can sometimes take up a full wall, depending on the room’s ceiling height. Spiral staircases are one option for garages since they provide the safety and convenience of full stairs and handrails without taking up as much space.
It’s easy to see that a wide variety of uses could be made for an unfinished garage. With these completed garage concepts, you may remodel your home or build a new one right in the driveway.
In conclusion, remodelling a garage offers an excellent opportunity to maximize the use of space in a home, whether for personal hobbies, additional living areas, or even potential rental income. With a few thoughtful updates, such as installing panelling, HVAC systems, and weatherstripping, you can transform an ordinary carport into a comfortable and functional area that serves multiple purposes. While the cost of adding plumbing, insulation, or other amenities can vary, it remains an affordable way to increase the value and usability of your home.
Moreover, a finished garage can become a versatile space for a growing family. Whether it’s a playroom for children, a man cave for relaxation, or a loft for extra living space, the possibilities are endless. Incorporating easy-to-install features like a spiral staircase can further enhance the accessibility of upper levels, ensuring convenience and safety. Ultimately, remodelling your garage provides endless opportunities to create a space that fits your unique needs while retaining its original function.
