What is the first step in building a garage? You will eventually need to settle on design, color, doors and materials, but the first step is to decide whether you want an attached or detached garage. You will need to weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each option to make an educated decision.
This choice might be more important than you think. Garages are practical; a place to keep your vehicles. However, they also house seasonal items, give you a place to work on hobbies, and perhaps even serve as a seasonal leisure space.
Here is what you should consider when deciding between an attached and detached garage.
What will work best for your property?
The amount of space you have for garage construction may depend on your location.
- In urban areas, properties are often compact in layout. This means that you will not have as much flexibility when it comes to construction options. On the other hand, smaller lots will mean lower property taxes and easier access to utilities.
- In the suburbs, lots are often narrow, but deeper than urban properties. In general, this means that suburban homeowners can create structures behind their home.
- Rural lots usually provide the most flexibility because they have ample space for either an attached or detached garage, or any other variation you choose.
- Regardless of your location, you may benefit from the layout of your property. For example, corner properties may have extra space for a larger detached structure even if they are located in the city.
Location is not the only thing to consider.
- Local ordinances may dictate the type and location of your garage.
- You will not want to encroach on your neighbors property or block their view of the street.
- You will want a garage that meets your needs. Will you simply store your car there, or will you use the garage for a workshop, leisure area or play space? If so, then you will want to give the garage a location that will make it a comfortable place to be in year‑round.
Attached garage advantages:
What are the positive attributes of an attached garage?
First of all, an attached garage will protect you from the elements at all times. Instead of crossing outside to get to your house, you will enter directly from the garage. When it is very cold, raining or snowing, this can seem like a very big advantage.
Secondly, an attached garage can add to a home’s appeal. An attached garage will make the home appear bigger and, since you are building a new structure, newer. This can be helpful for the overall attractiveness of the home, and it may make it more appealing if you ever try to sell it.
Third, attached garages are more flexible. If you want, you can turn your garage into a play area for your kids, a home office or an extra living room or leisure space. This can significantly add to your home’s available floor space.
Detached garage advantages:
The advantages of detached garages are as follows:
First, you will not have to worry about fumes or flammable materials. Detached garages will reduce the risk of fumes getting into your living space. Furthermore, you can feel more at ease storing gas, oil and other fire hazards in the garage because it does not share a wall with the house.
Also, detached garages may provide more security. Thieves have been known to enter a home via the attached garage. This is not an issue with detached garages.
Thirdly, detached garages provide more expandability. If you want to make room for an additional car or build a shed outside your garage, it will be much easier if the structure is not attached to the house.
You will have to weigh these against the main drawback of detached garages, which is exposure to the weather. You will have to cross outside to get into your house during rainstorms or in cold weather.
Which option will you choose?
Your past experiences are also important. Did you have an attached or detached garage in the past? What type of garage do you have now? What other benefits and drawbacks have you encountered? Does your spouse have any needs that should be a part of the decision making process? Could you compromise and get both a detached and attached garage?
If you want to know about other people’s personal experiences with this important choice, we suggest you take a look at the garage forum on HOUZZ.
How do the construction costs compare?
How much will a detached garage cost? How about an attached garage? These articles can offer some insights.
- The cost of an attached garage
- The cost of a detached garage
All garages need a quality garage door
You can contact us at 905-684-8161, or visit us at our showroom to see the doors up close. If you are curious about prices or know what you want, we can email you a quotation that will give you an idea of the cost of your specific project.
We do not just provide one‑size‑fits‑all doors. You can visit our Design Centre to see what your customized door could look like or look through our image gallery for inspiration.
Add new comment