Garage Conversions: key questions to ask

Garage conversions are a great way to expand your current living space and add value to your property. But there are some things that need to be considered before you go ahead and rush into converting your garage!

In this article, we’re going to iron out some of the key questions to ask yourself when planning for your new garage conversion.

What do I want to use the room for?

First and foremost, think carefully about exactly what you want to use the room for, as this will determine other decisions you need to make. Think about where the garage is positioned in relation to the rest of your house. Is it adjoined to the kitchen? If so, it could be the perfect opportunity for a large kitchen-diner. If the garage is next to the living room and you are a growing family with young children, then a play room might be the perfect way to gain more space.

Do I have permission?

Now you know how you would like to utilise the room, you must find out what permits you need in order to convert it legally. Once all the work has been done and the room is completed, it will need to be inspected by an inspector, and if anything is not quite right, they will request for it to be corrected before giving final approval of the conversion.

Does it have electricity, heating and insulation?

Chances are, your garage won’t have any of these things already as it would have only been designed as storage for a car. Your first port of call should be to find out if the current furnace is sufficient enough to control the temperature of this additional space, as well as your home. If not then a new furnace will be needed.

How much natural light and ventilation do I need?

Windows are essential for letting light in and keeping the room well ventilated too. If you aren’t going to have windows then you need to consider installing bright lighting as well as investing in a good air conditioning unit to cool the room down (especially if you intend to use it as a gym!). Whilst deciding on the windows, you will need to consider if you’re going to reconfigure the doors and where the new one is going to go.

Which type of flooring will I need?

The majority of garage floors are simply just concrete, which isn’t ideal if you’re converting it into a frequently used room as it can be very cold. A garage floor is also often uneven and slopes lower than the flooring in the rest of the house. Therefore, it is largely recommended that you have new flooring for your conversion; especially if it is going lead on from another room. For instance for a kitchen-diner, the floor of the garage part will need to be the same height as the floor of the existing kitchen.

If you’re thinking of revamping your garage and sprucing up what you’ve already got, then the team at Dimension Garage Doors could help you. With over 20 years’ experience in supplying and installing the best garage doors in the industry, you can trust us to provide you with a long lasting and durable garage door that complements the rest of your home, making it stand out from the rest on the street! For more information, please get in touch with us today.