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Building a Garage
Building a Garage is Similar to Building a
Home
By: Mark J. Donovan
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Building a garage is a big home
addition project, and should not be underestimated. Though building a garage may
not involve any plumbing, it does require just about every other building trade
and is otherwise very similar to building a home.
When considering building a garage
think big. More often than not, when it comes to garages, I hear people
complaining about the size of their garage and wishing it was bigger.
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People seem to forget during the
planning stages of building a garage to consider what items they plan on storing
in the garage besides their cars. When you start considering items like
lawnmowers, snow blowers, a work bench, a generator, trash cans, and bikes, you
can quickly realize you need to build a large garage. For a 2 car garage I would
recommend a footprint of at least 26’x26’.
Whether you have attached or detached
garage building plans, make sure you first develop a comprehensive garage
addition checklist.
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The garage addition checklist should
include all the steps necessary in building a garage, starting with the
development of garage blueprints and specifications, and ending with the final
inspection.
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Garage additions are built similar to
homes in many ways. First, foundation footings, short foundation walls, and a
concrete slab need to be installed. The garage then needs to be framed similar
to building a home using 2x4 or 2x6 framing studs that are sandwiched between
mudsill plates and top plates. It is important that pressure treated framing
material be used for the mudsill plates as they are in direct contact with the
foundation walls.
In addition, foam insulation should
be used between the mudsill plate and the foundation wall. |
The mudsill plates should also be
fastened to the foundation walls per your local building code requirements.
Headers should be used when building
a garage addition for window and door openings.
Roof rafters, sheathing and shingles
are then added to the garage, along with the access doors and windows to nearly
button up the garage.
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Once the garage door openings have
been trimmed out, the garage doors can then be installed to fully button up the
garage from the weather elements.
Finally, the garage addition needs to
be sided and trimmed out, as well as painted. Make sure a house wrap is
installed on the sheathing prior to siding the garage. |
Photo by Mark Donovan |
Though local building codes may allow
you to leave the inside of the garage unfinished, you will still need to install
firewall rated material against the side of the garage that is in contact with
the existing home.
Though it may not be required by your
local building code, I highly recommend insulating and sheetrocking the garage
interior walls. Not only will you have a better looking garage, it will also be
warmer and more comfortable to work in, particularly if you decide to install
heat in the garage at some later point.
Building a garage addition is an
excellent way to increase the value of your home, and it is extremely useful.
Just make sure you plan accordingly before starting construction.
For more information on building a
garage addition see the
Garage Addition Bid Sheet from HomeAdditionPlus.com.
The Garage Addition Bid Sheet includes an extensive questionnaire (Request for
Quote) that a homeowner can provide to prospective general contractors and
subcontractors for bidding the garage addition. In addition, the
Garage
Addition Bid sheet also includes estimated costs and time intervals
for constructing a garage addition as well as a list of key home material
manufacturers. Finally, the
Garage
Addition Bid sheet includes an extensive
set of helpful tips and advice on making sure the garage addition is built
properly and on time and budget.
How to Finance your Home Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related Information on Building a Garage Addition
Additional Resources from Amazon.com on
Building a Garage Addition
Free Garage Addition
Price Quotes with No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on building a garage addition from one of our prescreened and licensed garage addition
contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once
you receive your garage addition price estimate.
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