What is your garage used for? If like many people who don’t have a car, you’ve been using your garage to store junk you shouldn’t even be storing, consider converting your garage to living space. A garage conversion is among the fastest and most cost effective ways to add floor space to your home. Not only is it a sure way to add value to your investment, but the extra room will up your level of comfort.
Whether you’re interested in creating a playroom, a home office or a man cave, the work can be done and dusted within one week. But before you get started, consider these tips for getting the job done right.
Photo by Daniel Chekalov on Unsplash
Flooring
The concrete floor you already have in your garage may be sturdy enough, but it may require additional layers for the purposes of leveling, damp-proofing and insulation. While you might think this would raise the level of the floor unduly, remember that your garage floor is probably at a lower level than the floors in your house. Once you have added the necessary layers, your garage floor might be just right to allow a step-free doorway, further integrating your new living space with the rest of your house. When it comes to the top layer of your new flooring, it pays to select something hardwearing and neutral, as your converted garage might have several lives. What is a playroom today might be a home office once the kids have grown up. A site like https://www.sdaflooring.com/showroom/ is a great place to go for inspiration.
Fill In The Door
When you first think about it, there might not seem to be a huge difference between a garage and a regular room. Then you remember the enormous door taking up one whole wall. The door is the top hurdle when it comes to garage renovations: once you’ve covered over the door, you’re basically there! The most common method for filling in the door is building up regular wall that matches your house. Remember, when you’re at the early stage of designing your new living space, it’s important to work out whether the foundations of your garage will require an upgrade to cope with the additional loads. If you have the planning permission sorted, consider additional windows or a glazed-access doorway, which will allow more light in, as garages tend to be dark spaces unless you get creative with lighting. And if you’re fortunate enough to have a larger budget for this project, consider a fully-glazed wall for extra light and interest.
Photo by Laurie Shaw from Pexels
Insulation
If your home has an integrated garage, it’s likely that your garage was built to a similar standard to the rest of the house, so you may not need to upgrade the insulation. Your insulation probably won’t be so sound if you have an attached or detached garage which is built with a single skin construction. If this is the case, you can insulate the space by erecting stud-walling. Make sure you use wood that is deep enough to cope with the required insulation. Hot tip: don’t forget to leave a gap for the movement of air.
Whether you’re a DIY pro or this is your first big project, converting your garage is a simple way to enjoy the full benefits of your home. These tips will get you started.
One thought on “Three tips to help you convert your garage into a living space.”