The thought of building a garage for your home can be pretty overwhelming, as there are numerous potentials to explore. Garages come in all shapes and sizes, each with a unique purpose. However, the common types of garages are the attached garages that allow easy access to vehicles connected to the main house.
But, you can find the detached garages (standalone structures) and pole barns (a cross between an attached and detached garage) in various homes.
As different garages offer different benefits and drawbacks, homeowners must research and choose the best type for them. This guide will present the various garage types and their characteristics to enable you to make an expert decision addressing your needs.
Do You Need a Garage?
The answer to this question largely depends on personal preferences and lifestyles. Garages provide many benefits such as protection for your vehicle, storage space, and added security.
For those living in urban areas where parking is limited or expensive, having a garage can be an absolute luxury. It provides convenience and peace of mind knowing that your car is safe from theft or damage. Additionally, garages offer the perfect place to store bulky items such as bicycles, gardening tools, or seasonal decorations, keeping your home clutter-free.
However, there are instances where having a garage may not be necessary. If you live in an area with ample street parking or have access to affordable off-street parking options nearby, the need for a dedicated garage may be less crucial. Furthermore, building or maintaining a garage requires significant investment of time and money that could be put towards other home improvements or personal projects.
Whether you need a garage ultimately depends on your individual circumstances and priorities. While they can certainly enhance the functionality and value of your property, alternative options like street parking or storage rental units can also fulfill similar needs at lower costs. Consider your lifestyle requirements before deciding if investing in a garage is worth it for you.
Suppose your preference and lifestyle claim you have a garage of your own. Then, the question is which type of garage. A thorough research on various types garage should give you the answer. In the following sections, you will have different types of garages well-covered, and the section on the size and layout of garages will take you to the right garage type you need.
Different Types of Garages and Their Purpose
Garages are necessary for homeowners for storing extra junk, providing parking spaces for cars, and as a workshop. With different types of garages come several types of garage doors, giving different looks.
But before you choose the right type of garage construction matching your needs, you should understand all the types available to end up with the perfect one. Below, you go with a wide variety of garage examples to pick and choose from.
Attached Garage
The attached garages are among the most popular options in many houses and much preferable because of the convenience. The exit and entry of this garage are pretty easy, as a door connects it to the main house.
Thus, if you have a garage built in your home, you wouldn’t need to walk far to check on your vehicle when the alarm goes off. An attached garage has extensive uses, from storing cars away from the bad weather to keeping various household items.
Furthermore, you can insulate the garage to keep the temperature within your home at bay, ensuring the house does not get cold during the chilly season. Built simultaneously during the house, this is one of the best types of garage you can find.
Detached Garage
In some residential areas, you would notice certain garages built anywhere on the property other than being attached to the main house. This design is exceptional for the detached garage and is perfect for houses lacking good access points for erecting an attached garage.
One benefit of having a detached garage on your property is the ease in matching its exterior design to the look of your home. It is also an affordable option suitable for homeowners on a tight budget.
Again, you don’t necessarily need to construct one while building your house (you can always do this afterward).
Portico or Breezeway Garage
If you are already done with your house construction and need a garage that appears similar to the attached type, you should consider the Breezeway garage. This type offers some convenience a covering or roof built between your home and the garage to mention.
While it may also seem detached from the main building, you can further enjoy the benefits of an attached garage. Hence, this construction makes a safe space and climate-controlled area for you to utilize.
Carport
Have you ever seen a partially covered structure for your car housing? Such a roof-covering area is a carport and is one of the garage types that homeowners construct. This structure is budget-friendly and easy to create.
The roof is all that is needed, as the sides are pretty much open. While this might be one interesting option to consider, it has a major downside of offering less protection than regular garages.
Portable Garage
Whether you are keen on protecting your vehicle or storing other outdoor equipment, a portable garage can come in handy. It keeps your items corralled and protected from bad weather while improving the outdoor aesthetics of your home.
Portable garages are often constructed with triple-layered woven fabrics and have bolted brackets, ensuring their durability and ability to withstand excess snow and heavy wind. While it doesn’t commit a permanent structure, this quick and easy-to-install structure also allows easy cleaning when necessary.
Workshop Garage
For DIYers and car owners that love tinkering on their vehicles, the workshop garage would be one of the best options. The door type of this garage is often rolled up, allowing easy movement of cars in and out of the area.
You can also find another door (the regular type) that lets folks pass through with great ease. You can store your car repair tools and other equipment with additional space since they come in handy for your auto works within this space.
Barns
The barn garage appears as a detached garage-type since it is not conjoined to the main building. The freedom and loft space option with this type of garage is great and offers additional storage.
Thus, you can store your tools and vehicle on the ground floor and utilize the loft area to keep items you don’t use frequently. Although traditional, there are ample ways to make barns look classic to match the classy exteriors of your property.
The major downside to these barn garages is the cost of erecting them compared to building a regular set-up.
Carriage House Garage
Carriage houses are old garage types employed for keeping carts before the invention of vehicles. But, it is also useful in recent times, and you can build such a structure for keeping your vehicles.
The construction of this piece entails the garage on the ground floor, while a front floor is constructed for accommodation purposes. It is an outstanding addition to your home since the apartment over the garage can serve folks some privacy outside their principal home.
Internal Garage
This garage is built inside the main house and not some outside attachment (as seen in the attached garage). Homeowners would designate a large space on the ground floor of their property for this purpose, and you would find bathrooms and bedrooms built atop this space.
Thus, the internal garage fits well in smaller plots, ensuring that there is no increase in the footprint of your property. But, homes with such garages have larger living spaces upstairs instead of that downstairs.
The reason for such uneven space allocation is clear-the garage eats into the living space downstairs.
Parking Layout and Sizes
Based on the size and layout, garages are categorized as follows:
Single-Bay
The single-bay garages are popular options that can effectively house your car and a few items. One impressive feature of this parking lot is its small size, as it doesn’t consume much space on properties.
Since knowing the right size of garage you want is crucial, you should know that this site does not come with extra room or ample storage spaces. Thus, it would help to look out for other garage layouts if you need a workshop within your garage or need something bigger.
Double Width
If you want more space for your vehicles and some storage, then you should consider erecting a double-width garage. It works well for two cars, and you can park them side by side.
Ignore minor details like “types of garage door openers” and “types of garage door springs” at the moment and consider installing double doors for easy access. The double door option comes in handy, especially if you own a large SUV, truck, or van. Nevertheless, one large-sized door can also be useful.
Double Length
The double-length garage layout solves the problem for properties with a narrow plot. This option can also fit two cars but allows you to park one car in front, with another behind. While this may stir up some inconveniences as one car would always block the other, it works efficiently in some instances.
3 Car Garage
As the name implies, it is logical to think this garage type is constructed for three cars. However, this might not be pertinent at all times since such parking spaces can also appear as attractive storage areas in your home.
The luxurious preference of having a triple-car garage appears common with most traditional houses. With such an allocated room, you can have a tinkering area and store tools and equipment like a riding mower while keeping your vehicles safe.
4 Car Garage
Car collection hobbyists and some grand homes often have this kind of garage. This option takes lots of space on the property and comes in varying designs. It is best constructed with larger widths and a double-width garage to prevent blocking the cars in front.
This way, you can park your vehicles “side by side,” and as such, you may want to consider building one with single or double doors.
Motor Port
A motor port helps protect large vehicles from damages when parked. People who have boats or RVs can attest to the need to care for them, ensuring longevity and effective performance. Thus, creating a safe spot for storing such worthwhile investments is imperative.
While it may seem rare to find spacious garages employed for keeping RVs, you can purchase a large motor port for this purpose. One with steel frames and polyethylene fire-retardant covers should do.
FAQs
What type of garage should I build?
From attached to detached garages, there are endless opportunities when it comes to setting up parking spaces on your property. But, the choice depends solely on:
- Your budget
- The layout choice
- Whether you need an attached or detached design
- Roll-up doors vs. side-to-side door garages
- The need for garages with epoxy or tiled floors amongst the various types of garage flooring, and more.
What is an open garage called?
An open garage could also refer to a carport, as this parking space usually has roofs only. Thus, the walls are open-sided, and it offers a lower level of protection than the regular garages.
So, you may want to consider other garage examples mentioned above if you need a structure with extra coverings.
What is a garage under a house called?
Garages constructed under the main house are a truck under or basement garage. Such structures come in handy for properties sited on hilly areas and places with smaller plots that require efficient use.
Aside from this, you can also find the carriage house, a garage constructed with an accommodation space erected above. Both options work well for protecting cars from harsh environmental conditions and offer additional storage for homes.
Is it less expensive to build or buy a garage?
While most people tend to build a garage on their property, you should know that it involves extra time, work, and financial implications. Thus, buying one appears cheaper, and you have the freedom of choosing a design that matches the exterior of your home with a site-built garage.
There are simple garage kits that cost around $10,000, and most of them are easy to install.
Is building a garage worth it?
Garages are great and affordable ways of creating additional spaces within your property. It works well to safeguard cars from certain outdoor conditions when parked and acts as a workshop.
A practical look at properties shows that garages improve their resale value. Most homeowners can get about 81% or more returns on their investment on average garages that costs about $27,000.
What difference exists between a carport and a garage?
While carports are often seen as a type of garage, this term refers to open parking lots with only roof coverings. Such structures often have at least two open sidewalls.
Whereas garages are enclosed, these structures have large shutters and doors with different types of garage locks that protect stored items and allow easy access. Thus, you would find garages a better option for keeping out everything the outer environments might throw at your vehicles and other equipment stored here.
Can you have living space under the garage?
Although not very common, you can find basements under the garages in some homes. This area can serve as a workshop, office, and makeshift or temporary living space. It is great for minimizing spaces on your property.
Final Words
How many types of garages are there? What garage type is suitable for me? These and several likely questions are among the top concerns of homeowners as they seek for extra spaces to store their vehicles and other equipment.
Since garages are in varying shapes and sizes, you can choose a few different options, but your preference and budget matter. Kindly read through this piece to find out more about different types of garages and see the best fit for you.
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