When it comes time to expand a home, many people go straight to the idea of building an addition. Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Cincinnati, OH wants you to consider another option – renovate your garage.
The existing structure is already in place and can save a lot of money on construction costs. Plus, a renovated garage can add up to 600 square feet of floor space to your house. The price per foot is a good reason to consider this option.
Possible uses
The first concern before you renovate your garage is to know what the new space will be used for. A garage can be a good place to put a home office. It will allow enough separation to provide a quiet work environment. For the same reason, it could be used as a home school room or homework area.
A garage can become a bedroom. A good sized garage would make a wonderful guest room with lots of space. Rather than a one-purpose guest room, it could become a bonus room with several uses. The large amount of floor space also makes for a great entertainment/home theater room.
A garage can also become an extension of living space. If there is a den or living room adjacent to the garage, the wall could potentially be knocked out to expand it. The space could also allow for a larger dining area. It can give a much more open floor plan allowing for space to interact during parties. An adjacent kitchen would no longer be siloed off.
Process to renovate your garage
The actual renovation will have several phases. After determining the purpose of the renovated garage, you’ll need to decide on the entry point. For most of the uses above, the garage door itself is not practical. In this case, you’ll want to replace it. Then decide if the wall will be removed or the existing door will be maintained.
The space will need to be insulated. If the overhead garage door is remaining, it will need to be insulated. This process should include removing any windows in the door. All the walls should be insulated and dry walled.
After insulating, environmental controls will be needed. You can install portable units such as electric heaters and wall unit A/C, but these are not best suited for the job. Instead, connect the central heating and air to the garage. Be sure to check your system to make sure it can handle the additional load.
The garage will need to be wired to provide the necessary power. Map out where outlets will be needed, as well as any special outlets for large appliances. The wiring process should be completed before the drywall is installed.
Hire professionals
If this sounds like a lot of work, it is. The best course of action will be to hire professionals to do the work. With a good crew, you will save a great deal of time and effort. If you decide to do the work yourself, remember your limitations. Be sure to hire a licensed electrician to inspect wiring and breakers. Bring in an HVAC technician to test load capacity on the heating and air system.
When it comes time to replace or remove your garage door, give Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Cincinnati, Ohio a call. We stand ready to help guide you through the process of making the best choice for your needs. Our courteous customer service representatives have the training and knowledge to give you the info you’re looking for. Call us today!
