TYPES OF GARAGE CONVERSIONS

Because they often feed off of living spaces or kitchens, they are ideal for:

• Additional living rooms
• Kitchen extensions
• Home offices

The benefits of an integrated garage conversion are:

• Seamless integration – because they are at the side of the house, they are easy to connect with the downstairs rooms. Usually, this is done by adding a door to the connecting wall.
• Cost-efficient – as they utilise the existing walls and roof, the construction costs are lower.
• Energy efficiency – due to shared walls, they are easier to insulate and heat, especially when compared to detached garage conversions.

Before going ahead with converting your integrated garage, there are a couple of considerations:

• Planning permission – usually, you don’t need planning permission to convert an integrated garage, but it is always a good idea to check with your local authority.
• Structural modifications – if you are planning to make changes to the structure of the connecting spaces, such as knocking down a wall, you will need to consider how this will impact the building’s structure, pipework and more.

Due to the separation of buildings, these types of garages are often converted into:

• Home gyms
• Guest accommodations
• Art studios
• Home offices
• Granny annexes

Benefits of converting this type of garage include:

• Privacy and independence – the space is completely separate from the main building, meaning the use doesn’t disrupt routines in the main house.
• Versatility – it can be used in several ways, all without impacting the main house and those living in it.
• Design flexibility – as it is completely separate from the main building, you have more flexibility when it comes to interior and exterior design.

There are a few key considerations for a detached garage conversion:

• Access to utilities – as it isn’t attached to the main building, providing access to utilities such as electricity and plumbing may require additional work.
• Planning permission – depending on the use and work needed, you might need to acquire planning permission from your local authority.

These are larger conversions thanks to the space provided by the garage. Because of this, they often are converted into:

• Larger living spaces for families
• Open plan kitchen/diners or living room/ diners
• Self-contained living spaces, such as studio apartments

The space from a double garage provides many benefits for a conversion:

• Significant space addition – because the space is larger, it can often be divided into multiple spaces.
• Versatile usage – the bigger space offers a better open plan design for multiple functions and a combination of uses.
• Enhance property value – by adding additional living space to your home, you can increase your property’s value.

Converting a double garage requires a bit of planning before starting. Things to think about include:

• Structural support and layout – if you are opening up the space, you will need to think about the support of the structure. Plus, with such a large space, you will need to consider the layout to optimise the space.
• Impact on parking – by converting a double garage, you might be removing parking spaces, so you will need to consider where you will park vehicles.