Building a garage: attached or detached?

Much more spacious than the shed, the garage is a privileged place to store an impressive quantity of goods, while ensuring your family vehicle safe storage.

When starting a project to build a garage, it can be difficult to choose between a detached or attached model. So, here is a brief look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

The advantages of an attached garage

First, note that the attached garage is less expensive than its counterpart. Indeed, as it has a wall in common with the house, construction costs for this project will be reduced. Also, this makes it so that space for the garage is limited to the length of your home.

We should mention that this style of garage has the great advantage of home occupants being able to enter the garage without having to go outside. This is particularly helpful during the winter in periods of extreme cold. Also, it should be noted that if the garage is no longer required to store various goods or vehicles, it will always be possible to convert it to a new purpose.

The attached garage also provides access to additional storage space near the house, which can be used to store items that aren’t used daily. Lastly, a garage that is attached to the house represents a definite advantage for people with reduced mobility, as they will be able to access it without having to face the complications and dangers created by difficult weather conditions.

Some arguments against the attached garage

Since the garage is rarely heated or air-conditioned, extreme cold or extreme heat can affect the temperature inside the house. That is unless the shared wall is well insulated. As a result, the energy costs to maintain a warm temperature inside your home are likely to be higher.

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Another point worth mentioning is that noises produced inside the garage can also be heard inside the house, which can be annoying from time to time. Besides, any work carried out in the garage and the resulting dust is highly likely to enter the interior of the house.

The advantages of a detached garage

For its part, the detached garage will allow you to choose a location with greater freedom and opt for its installation in a place further from the residence if this option is better suited to your needs. Secondly, the fact that the garage is detached from the exterior wall of your home provides very effective sound insulation.

Another important point to mention about an attached garage is related to the fact that there’s a lower risk level that a fire will spread to your home. Reducing this risk also saves on home insurance costs. Further, the detached garage will prevent any dust and debris generated by the work that takes place in this space from entering the property.

Finally, it should not be overlooked that a detached garage will prevent the entry of carbon monoxide into the interior of the home in the event of a leak.

Some points against the detached garage

It’s impossible to ignore that a detached garage will force you to face the cold, rain and snow, which will undoubtedly be a source of frustration when the time comes to grab something from the garage. It may also prove difficult to find a location in the yard that doesn’t clash with your landscaping.

Municipal regulations for garage construction 

It’s imperative to highlight the fact that municipal by-laws concerning the construction of a garage vary widely. Indeed, differences will characterize the area, the lateral margins and the setbacks accepted. So don’t neglect to get information before starting your project.