Using Garage Conversion to Increase Living Space
Garage conversion is a very practical way to increase the livable size or practicality of your home. Often garages are transformed into additional bedrooms, home offices, den areas, game rooms, and workshops for several reasons. Typically, this task is simple, especially in comparison to building an addition to your home. The foundation, walls, and roof are already built, saving unnecessary expenses. If you are looking to expand the square footage or work space of your house for a reasonable cost, this is mostly likely your best option.
There are several important things to consider once you decide on transforming your garage. First, check local regulations with an inspector to understand building codes concerning garage conversions. Once you obtain a building permit, the transformation has already started!
Next, be sure to ask yourself how you would like to utilize the additional space. Once you decide on what sort of modification fits your needs, it is best to contact local contractors and get different quotes to compare pricing. Once you have chosen a reliable contractor with a great reputation and experience, you will be able to accurately plan the project.
Consider the type of exterior you would like to have installed. Siding is an inexpensive option that is easy to assemble and cost effective. If your home is bricked, finding matching brick is an almost impossible task that will require extensive time and effort. However, it is the more permanent solution and will increase the balance of your house. If you are able to locate matching brick, it will be more expensive than siding. Consult with your contractor to subcontract the masonry work with a seasoned crew.
Proper insulation is a common concern for a garage project. Adequate insulation will not only make your new room or rooms more sound proof, it will also increase the ability of your home to retain a desired temperature, thus reducing energy costs. Be sure to pick insulation with a very high R value. The higher the R value, the better the insulation factor. Fiberglass insulation is the best value. It is fire resistant, waterproof, long lived, and is commonly made from recycled glass, making it the most eco-friendly choice for insulating your project.
Flooring is also a factor to consider. Often, garage floors slope slightly for drainage purposes. Depending on the grade of the slope of your floor, it may be necessary to raise the floor. Generally, this is easy to fix by installing shims to ensure the raised floor is level. If the sloping of the garage floor is slight and not noticeable, this can be avoided.
Plumbing is a major issue to consider. If you are planning to add a bathroom, be sure to consult with your contractor for the best choice. The contraction should be able to recommend an experienced and reliable plumber to conduct the difficult task. Often, cutting patches of concrete from the floor is the best option. Although it is difficult and dirty work, the finished project is a better quality when compared to running piping directly under a raised floor.
Consider the placement of windows and doors when designing the plans for the conversion. Building windows into the garage door area is the most basic and conservative choice. This is also the practical option so unnecessary cutting into existing walls can be avoided, saving time and money.
Finally, decide on interior cosmetics such as paint and fixtures. This is often the easiest and most fun part of planning the project. Once you reach this step, you are practically finished!
By taking the time to thoroughly plan your alteration, the ending product will be well designed, properly built, cost effective, and aesthetically pleasing. Ultimately, your satisfaction with your garage conversion is the most important factor of your renovation.
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