Turning your garage space into an additional living area is one of the most popular and practical garage conversions. If you are planning on investing in such a conversion, it is likely that you already have a general idea of what the place is going to look like and what you want to have there. However, you will need to meet a few technical and legal standards to make this space safe to live in.
If this sounds a bit overwhelming, do not worry! We are here to help you out! In this article, you will find a list of things to consider when converting a garage, ranging from insulating the walls and investing in a garage door torsion spring replacement to leveling the floors and getting municipal permits. Check it out!
1. You need a lot of storage space.
Is your garage filled with a number of things that you have no idea what to do with? Have you already tried to get rid of some of that junk, but you simply do not know how to do it? If that is the case, turning the garage into a living space is a great solution! It will give you an excellent opportunity to declutter your garage.
2. You will need to insulate the walls.
If you want your garage to become a cozy room, you will need to insulate the walls. Why is that the case? Your garage might have a huge problem with extreme temperature changes and excessive noise. Insulation can help protect you from dealing with such issues. Ideally, you should use thick insulation, as it can reduce sound levels and keep the temperature stable.
3. You will have to add insulation to the garage door.
In order for the wall insulation to be effective, you will need to start working on garage door insulation immediately after deciding to remodel the garage and before installing any other major elements in there. Otherwise, you might not be able to do it properly and end up with huge gaps under and on the sides of the garage door.
4. You should level out the floors.
If you were planning to level the floor in a later stage of the conversion process, think again. It would be best to start working on this task first. Otherwise, you will have to get rid of most of the things that have already been installed, which will cost you time and money!
Turning Your Garage Into a Living Space
5. You will need to install additional electrical outlets.
Even if your new living space will not be used for anything besides sitting and relaxing, it is always a great idea to install a few additional electrical outlets in there. They can come in handy if you need to charge your cell phone or plug in a lamp.
6. You should add heating and air conditioning vents.
In order for your new living area to be functional and comfortable, no matter the seasons, you will have to make sure that it has heating and cooling vents. You can do this by installing these directly into the wall or the ceiling.
7. You will have to get permits.
Have you applied for the necessary permits from your local government authority? If you are not sure, then you need to check that as soon as possible. You might need permits for things like plumbing and electrical wiring. If you do not have the permits, you might end up having to pay a huge fine!
8. You might have to build a new foundation.
If your current garage foundation is in poor condition or uneven, you may need to build a new one before doing anything else. Otherwise, any additional construction on an uneven foundation will most likely have problems with stability.
The foundation can be built using either concrete block or poured concrete with rebar reinforcement wire used as reinforcement within each block.
Once built, make sure that it is adequately leveled out and covered with a thick layer of gravel or crushed stone This will help prevent moisture from getting into the foundation, which will prevent it from cracking when the temperatures drop.
9. You might have to work on your garage roof.
If your garage roof is old and leaking, it is likely that it will need to be replaced before doing any major construction work related to your garage conversion. Fortunately, you can choose between different types of roofing materials, such as rubber and asphalt. Because of that, you should be able to find the type of roofing material that fits both your needs and your budget in no time!
10. You might want to install double-hung windows with vinyl frames.
Did you know that double-hung windows with vinyl frames are one of the most popular options that people go for when turning a garage into a living space? However, if that does not sound appealing to you, there are numerous different types of windows on the market that you can choose from.
Turning Your Garage into a Living Space – In Conclusion
In general, turning your garage into a living space is a great way to utilize unused space, save money, and improve the overall aesthetics of your home. However, it can be a bit time-consuming.
First of all, you will need to follow the local regulations, which might include applying for building permits and getting the appropriate electrical and plumbing permits for any major changes. Second of all, you might have to get your hands on rather expensive equipment.
Still, if you are willing to put your time and money into it, it will definitely boost the value of your home and turn it into a better place to live in!
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