Upgrading and merely reorganizing your garage can be beneficial as you explore unused spaces you were unaware of. To make use of such unexplored space in the garage, it is important to remove unnecessary items and make use of space-saving designs. This might make your garage look spacious.
If you have a small garage, think about ways to expand it if it makes you feel closed and crowded. Your car and other things will have plenty of room if you add extra space. Decide how much additional space is needed by you need and how you want to use it. This article has several garage extension ideas to help you get started.
Check if Your Existing Foundations Support a Garage Extension?
It's crucial to understand the structural elements before adding a room over your garage. The garage's foundation should be the first thing to look at. These foundations must pass building control inspection and should be deep and strong enough to bear the weight of a new habitable storey.
Before beginning a garage extension, it is advised to consult a structural engineer to make sure that the soil type and the depth, height, and width of the foundations are suitable for building. They also assess if trees will impact the foundation. The foundations need to be both 450mm wide and a metre deep at least.
Ideas for Garage Extension
1. Single Storey Rear Extension
A single-storey rear extension is one of the most popular ways adopted by homeowners to expand their exterior space. Typically, such extensions create more space, which can be used as an open-plan kitchen or dining space, making them ideal for families who enjoy hosting. It also increases the property's value for potential buyers. It generally qualifies for permitted development rights, which means planning permission may not be necessary. However, it's better to confirm with your local planning authority.
When planning a rear extension, think about how it will connect with your outdoor areas by seamlessly blending with your garden and allowing more natural light to flow in. Aluminium sliding or bi-fold doors are suitable as they are energy efficient and can be opened fully to allow light and air.
2. Side Garage Extension
If you want to improve the look of your garage and have some extra space, side extensions are a great option. If you want to open up the floor plan, you can also add a side extension to a detached garage. If you want to turn your garage into an annexe, this might be a good option. Turning an outbuilding into a residence needs planning and permission to extend your garage. Therefore, including a side extension in your planning application can make sense.
Side extensions are a cost-effective project. They generally make use of the less appealing section of the garden and might come under your permitted development rights. A drawback is that there should be free space around the garage.
3. Wraparound Extension
If you are willing to spend more money, a single-storey wraparound extension is a great choice. Many people believe that this type of project takes up a lot of space. But they actually maximize the use of the available space. You can add a considerable amount of square footage without drastically shrinking the size of your garden by extending slightly to the side and rear. However, planning permission will be required because of the land they occupy and the necessary structural work.
Wraparound extensions can create a lot of space without taking up too much garden space. Another benefit is that they can simultaneously enlarge the back of the house and the garage. A drawback is that it's more expensive than other options for extensions. Also, it is not covered by your rights to permitted development.
Garage Extension Cost
Cost is one of the most important factors to consider before getting a home extension. As extensions include both adding new space and remodeling the existing area, the final cost depends entirely on the needs of the project. The design and the area being extended have a significant impact on the cost of a home extension. It will cost between $8,400 to $10,800 to expand the area by 12' x 20' or 240 square feet. Like any building project, adding features and personalizations will probably raise the final cost. However, compared to building a new garage, the costs of extending the garage will likely be lower.
Conclusion
Expanding the space of your garage can add significant value to your house and increase its usability. With each option, there are pros and cons to consider, depending on the available space, budget, and plans. Before you begin any extension work, assess the foundation of your garage by consulting a professional. Extending a garage can also increase your living area while probably costing less than starting from scratch.
