Remodeling A Garage To A Room

Remodeling a garage to a room is often agarage for your new room or only part of it. If you
cost-effective way to add living space to your home.have a two-car garage, you might decide to finish only
1. Because the foundation, roof and exterior walls arehalf of it into living space. In this case, you might want
already built, you will not incur these costs.to pay extra attention to soundproofing.
2. You will be able to remodel the area with littleConverted garages can serve a variety of functions.
disruption to the rest of your home.Garages can be converted into everything from a
3. You may already have the electrical wiring in placekitchen to a living room or a family room, den, home
(most garages have lights and at least one electricaltheater, home office or an extra bedroom. You might
outlet)as well as plumbing.discover enough "attic" space to finish two rooms (one
4. Depending upon local building codes, you may notabove the other) or to open the ceiling and design your
need a building permit for your project.new room with a vaulted ceiling.
Why would you need a building permit? This can varyThe next decisions will determine the appearance of
from one location to another, but the primary issuesthe finished room.
are:1. What kind of flooring will you use? You will find that a
* Structural soundnessslab is conducive to almost any kind of flooring you
* Exitschoose to install. Be sure to seal the slab before you
* Heating and coolingbegin installation of any flooring materials. And, if
* Windowsyouinstall carpet, you might want to invest in double
* Ventilationpadding to make the room more comfortable. You can
* Insulationalso build a traditional joist floor over the garage slab to
* Plumbingmatch the floor level in the rest of your home.
* Electrical2. What kind of ceiling do you want? Depending upon
In some areas, failure to build to local code can requirethe planned use of the space, you might choose a
that you restore the space to its original conditionvaulted, exposed beam ceiling, a pitched ceiling, a tray
before you sell the house.ceiling, a drywall ceiling, or a drop ceiling.
The best place to start remodeling a garage to a3. Finally, you will need to decide on the walls. You can
room is to determine what you have to work with inchoose paneling or sheetrock, or you might want to
terms of floor, walls, access, etc. You will likely have aconsider constructing the walls of insulated board. If the
cement slab floor and an adequate roof. If there areroom will be used as a playroom or a home office, this
no windows, you will need to decide whether to installmight be just the solution you need.
them, how many to install, and where you will placeFinally, you will need to decide whether to do the work
them. If your garage has finished walls you will need toyourself or hire a contractor. You might decide to hire
determine whether the walls are insulated. If they area contractor for some of the work, like electrical,
not insulated, you will need to make decisions aboutplumbing, etc. and do the rest yourself. Either way, you'll
how you will insulate. You will need to plan for heatingfind that the cost of converting your garage to living
and cooling and adequate lighting and electrical outlets.space is far less than adding a room to your home.
Do you need plumbing in the room? If so, you will needA garage conversion is a great remodeling project. It's
to determine whether there is or is not plumbing in thethe perfect way to get the space you need at the
area and what changes are required.lowest possible cost. Enjoy!
Your next decision will be whether to use the entire