| Remodeling a garage to a room is often a | | | | not plumbing in the area and what changes are |
| cost-effective way to add living space to | | | | required. |
| your home. | | | | |
| | | | Your next decision will be whether to use the |
| 1. Because the foundation, roof and exterior | | | | entire garage for your new room or only part |
| walls are already built, you will not incur | | | | of it. If you have a two-car garage, you |
| these costs. | | | | might decide to finish only half of it into |
| | | | living space. In this case, you might want to |
| 2. You will be able to remodel the area with | | | | pay extra attention to soundproofing. |
| little disruption to the rest of your home. | | | | |
| | | | Converted garages can serve a variety of |
| 3. You may already have the electrical wiring | | | | functions. Garages can be converted into |
| in place (most garages have lights and at | | | | everything from a kitchen to a living room or |
| least one electrical outlet)as well as | | | | a family room, den, home theater, home office |
| plumbing. | | | | or an extra bedroom. You might discover |
| | | | enough "attic" space to finish two rooms (one |
| 4. Depending upon local building codes, you | | | | above the other) or to open the ceiling and |
| may not need a building permit for your | | | | design your new room with a vaulted ceiling. |
| project. | | | | |
| | | | The next decisions will determine the |
| Why would you need a building permit? This | | | | appearance of the finished room. |
| can vary from one location to another, but | | | | |
| the primary issues are: | | | | 1. What kind of flooring will you use? You |
| | | | will find that a slab is conducive to almost |
| * Structural soundness | | | | any kind of flooring you choose to install. |
| | | | Be sure to seal the slab before you begin |
| * Exits | | | | installation of any flooring materials. And, |
| | | | if youinstall carpet, you might want to |
| * Heating and cooling | | | | invest in double padding to make the room |
| | | | more comfortable. You can also build a |
| * Windows | | | | traditional joist floor over the garage slab |
| | | | to match the floor level in the rest of your |
| * Ventilation | | | | home. |
| | | | |
| * Insulation | | | | 2. What kind of ceiling do you want? |
| | | | Depending upon the planned use of the space, |
| * Plumbing | | | | you might choose a vaulted, exposed beam |
| | | | ceiling, a pitched ceiling, a tray ceiling, a |
| * Electrical | | | | drywall ceiling, or a drop ceiling. |
| | | | |
| In some areas, failure to build to local code | | | | 3. Finally, you will need to decide on the |
| can require that you restore the space to its | | | | walls. You can choose paneling or sheetrock, |
| original condition before you sell the house. | | | | or you might want to consider constructing |
| | | | the walls of insulated board. If the room |
| The best place to start remodeling a garage | | | | will be used as a playroom or a home office, |
| to a room is to determine what you have to | | | | this might be just the solution you need. |
| work with in terms of floor, walls, access, | | | | |
| etc. You will likely have a cement slab floor | | | | Finally, you will need to decide whether to |
| and an adequate roof. If there are no | | | | do the work yourself or hire a contractor. |
| windows, you will need to decide whether to | | | | You might decide to hire a contractor for |
| install them, how many to install, and where | | | | some of the work, like electrical, plumbing, |
| you will place them. If your garage has | | | | etc. and do the rest yourself. Either way, |
| finished walls you will need to determine | | | | you'll find that the cost of converting your |
| whether the walls are insulated. If they are | | | | garage to living space is far less than |
| not insulated, you will need to make | | | | adding a room to your home. |
| decisions about how you will insulate. You | | | | |
| will need to plan for heating and cooling and | | | | A garage conversion is a great remodeling |
| adequate lighting and electrical outlets. Do | | | | project. It's the perfect way to get the |
| you need plumbing in the room? If so, you | | | | space you need at the lowest possible cost. |
| will need to determine whether there is or is | | | | Enjoy! |