Dug Excavated

Dug Excavated

Before you Embark on Garage Construction

If you are thinking of adding a garage to your home, there are some important factors about garage construction that you should know about. Unless you are a competent builder, be very wary about undertaking a DIY job.

You might think that erecting a prefabricated garage, or putting together a wooden garage that comes with all the pieces, is easy. But in order to do a good job you will need to know how lay a concrete floor and how to set trusses. If you know how to do these things, then you may be successful, but if you don’t, rather hire a professional contractor.

If you want to add a traditional type of garage to your home, the first requirement is to have a plan drawn up. You will then submit this to the local authority for approval. Once you have the permit, the site can be staked.

When the site has been staked, the ground can be dug out and leveled in preparation for the laying of the concrete slab. At this point, anchors for electrical and plumbing must be positioned. There is no margin for error with this because once the concrete slab is down, that’s it.

The building of the walls can then commence. Again, the approved plans must be accurately followed. When the walls have been erected with sill plates in position, the roof trusses or rafters can be installed. They will be covered with either OSB sheets or plywood. When this is complete the final roofing can be put on.

At this stage, the garage is considered to be dried-in, meaning that the construction can not be adversely affected by bad weather. The doors and windows can now be installed, as well as electricity and plumbing. Do this before applying any paint to the interior walls.

When it comes to the finish of the exterior walls, there are a number of options. Popular finishes include drywall, OSB sheeting, or plywood. Whatever finish you decide on, take into account its durability. If you live in a harsh hot climate, or a cold, rainy climate, you should choose a finish that is appropriate.

A new garage can add a lot of value to your home. Of course its main function will be to keep your car safe, but there are many other uses for a garage. You can install some shelving along one of the walls to store many items, or you can even convert a section into a workshop. Keep this in mind when you get the plans drawn up.