Among us there are always those whofor whom the need to accommodate children who have returned to the family home and aging parents is urgent. We have previously looked at converting attics and basements into living spaces. But there are many houses that do not have basements (for example, in Florida), or attics that could be adapted for living for a variety of reasons (for example, a roof pitch that is too shallow). However, there are many buildings with attached or detached garages that could easily be converted into nice rooms. FABRE/deMARIEN
The owner will probably want to make sure thatThe converted garage will have enough light and space, that the remodel is done in accordance with local ordinances and building codes. In fact, many houses built in the 40-50s of the 20th century with bays for one car can be successfully converted into something more functional. Such spaces are ideal for arranging there an extra bedroom, a home office, a music room, a craft room, a play area or any other living space. It is important that it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As always, it is necessary to consult with specialists before starting work and draw up a project for the reconstruction of the building.
1. Sex
The garage is transformed into a bright, airy living space. The new concrete base is raised above the street to allow water to drain freely. Bud Dietrich, AIA
Most often, there are concrete slabs lying on the ground here,which are sloped, cracked and located below the level of the entire house. Therefore, the remodeling begins with the installation of a new floor covering. There are several options for this. One of them is a framed wooden flooring, which is leveled to the general level of the entire building. Another method is to pour concrete, this gives an advantage when laying the heating system directly into the foundation. Bud Dietrich, AIA
2. Login
When converting a garage into a living area, alwaysthe question arises about what to do with the opening of the gate. After all, garage doors have a great influence not only on the functionality of the space, but also on its appearance. A good solution is to keep the gate, as shown in the following photo. Witt Construction
Standard sashes can blend beautifully with the interior of a building and still look great on the outside. Ed Ritger Photography
Another approach is to replace the gate withlarge panoramic windows. It will look like huge transparent doors. Provided that it is consistent with the overall aesthetic of the building, this option can be very successful. Bud Dietrich, AIA
3. Windows
Typically, garages either don't have them at all, or they're in short supply. This is an important aspect for passing a building inspection. Bud Dietrich, AIA
4. Additional plumbing
Adding a kitchen or bathroom can beis associated with a large number of difficulties in the placement of plumbing communications. This does not mean that such a remodel is impossible, because additional conveniences will always come in handy, especially in a house with a large number of residents. In this case, you should study the methods of placing water pipes under the concrete floor and the compact arrangement of plumbing for the bathroom. Tali Hardonag Architect
In some building conversions, using floor-to-ceiling glazing, there are no reminders of the original image left. BMF CONSTRUCTION
This luxury apartment comes with a bathroomlocated on the site of a former large garage. The addition of a gas fireplace creates a stunning effect. And the ensuite bathroom makes the space an attractive option for guests and family members. Bud Dietrich, AIA
5. Ceiling height
Of course, the type of installation of metal load-bearing structuresThe profiles used in the garage roof will dictate the possibility of increasing the height of the walls. This can be done if the building does not have a second floor and is located separately from the house. A vaulted ceiling, as in the next photo, adds space to the room. Bud Dietrich, AIA
This type of vault design makes the room light.and simple, while the ceiling design with decorative elements can show the real character of the changed space. Bud Dietrich, AIA
6. Temperature control
Don't forget that the new living area must beequipped with cooling and heating devices. Depending on the size of the converted room, decide whether it is possible to connect the general engineering systems of the house. Otherwise, the option of installing mini-splits can be quite successful.
