Want More Space? It’s Time for a Second Floor!

Who are you kidding? Every day you spend more and more (and MORE) time at home, the walls keep closing in, little by little. How great would it be to have a private home gym or an office outside of the house? What about some space for your teens, a game room, or even that dream master suite you’ve always wanted? We’re all aching for a little (or a lot) more space.

Of course, you’re not just going to pick up and move. You’ve got a good house in a good neighborhood, and the kids love it there. But every single square foot is claimed, and you can’t find room to breathe anywhere—where are you go to?

Expand Your Garage Vertically

Whether your garage is detached or it’s a part of your home, it can be a great place to add on a little more space.

• You won’t spend as much as buying new: If you increase your current loan, it will typically be better than getting a new one, both financially and otherwise.
• If you lose your job or have other financial issues, the space can become a source of income as a studio apartmentto help with the expenses.
• If you do it right, you’ll be able to recoup the investment when you sell the home.

Here, you’ll find 6 reasons to add a studio apartment over the garage if you still need some convincing.

So, are you ready to dive in? Well, slow down, because you need to take note of these five things first!

Step 1 – Don’t Neglect the Rules

Don’t start writing checks or even dreaming about what you want until you check with your municipality regarding regulations for permits and other project concerns.

There are going to be different regulations in every municipality regarding home additions and building permits. The costs associated with these projects will also be different. There are rules about clearances from property lines, building heights, and more. Plus, some cities and neighborhoods even have specific rules about how houses can and cannot look, including things like paint colors and details.

Dreading the paperwork and thinking of skipping the permits? Find out why that’s a terrible idea, as published in Michael McDermott's article on CRD Design Build:

Step 2 – Proceed with Caution

What is your current mortgage payment? Are homes in your neighborhood selling for good prices? What is that perfect spot between spending too much and outpricing your neighborhood and making a great investment with your addition?

We’re not realtors or bankers. We don’t know about the financial aspects and often get caught up in the project without thinking about the money. Even if it’s just for the details and finishing touches, it’s an exciting time. It’s no wonder we all want more comfort at home since we’re all spending so much more time there.

Given the extraordinary circumstances of the world these days, it’s important to approach home renovations and other changes with caution. The home is one of your biggest investments and you need to take the time to sit down with a professional who can help you think it through.

The credit specialist or lender can tell you:

• Is the bank willing to add to the mortgage, and if so, how much?
• What will the monthly payments be with the new addition?
• How much longer will you pay on the note by adding to it?
• What is the length of time you need to stay in the home before you can sell to recoup your investment?

Think about:

• Is your neighborhood a good place to increase the size of your home based on resale values?
• Will you have to sacrifice a lot or go without for a long time? Will you lose the ability to dine out or enjoy other hobbies and activities because of the added expense?
• Do you have a good relationship with your spouse and family? Even if you have the best contractor and the most seamless project, it still adds stress to your daily life. If you’re ready for an exciting change, get started now! If not, maybe you need to think a little longer.

The experts at Fixr.com say that adding a second story above your garage cost between $300 and $500 per square foot.

Step 3 – Don’t Be Afraid to Dream Big

Not discouraged yet? Good, because this is a fun step.

Get everything settled for the evening. Let the dogs out and get the kids in bed. Grab your favorite drink and sit down to start dreaming.

This is where you don’t want to hold anything back. Let your imagination run wild. Don’t judge yourself or be overly critical. Just list everything that you can think of.

Some considerations: 5 musts to include

1. How to access the new space above the garage

Attached garage

How are you going to access your new space? Will have interior or exterior access?

Do you want to be able to access this room from the house? For example, if it becomes your "master suite". You want your peace and quiet, but you still want to keep an eye on your children!

If you decide to use the space as an office, a kids’space, a studio, or even an apartment that you rent, private access might be nice.

Of course, the affordable solution is to use an existing staircase to provide access to the new space.

Detached garage

Think about whether you’re willing to sacrifice indoor space to avoid things like shoveling snow and maintaining an outdoor staircase. This is something you’ll have to decide.

You can get inspiration on Pinterest, no matter whether you prefer Traditional or Contemporary styles. Make sure you take time to familiarize yourself with the plans.

2. Plumbing and electricity

Is your new space a master suite with a full bathroom? Do you need a kitchen or a half-bath for a teen space or a studio apartment? You’ll need to have a plumbing and ventilation specialist check out the existing water outlets and ventilation to ensure they’re in good shape and determine what new connections you need.

Are you adding a stove, a freezer, a home theater, or any other extra electricity? Think about everything that you need, and don’t forget the Internet connection!

You can give these details to the designer or the architect so they can make a plan that creates an efficient space and doesn’t cost a fortune.

Never try to do these plans yourself. Even if you think it’s worthwhile to save the money, the results won’t measure up.

3. Multifunctional or evolving space?

Your garage space isn’t going to be the same forever. Eventually, children grow up and move away. You might decide as you age that the upstairs master suite or den just isn’t practical anymore. That might seem like forever away, but it will come sooner than you think.

Think about it when you’re making plans. Talk to the professional and plan ahead for what the space could be later. A second use now, and a second life later. This allows you to maximize your investment and space both now and in the future.

4. Any thoughts about the exterior look?

You have to find the sweet spot between saving a buck and creating that “while we’re here” look.

With attached garages, matching the siding and other details can prove to be a challenge. Over time, the colors may have faded or changed.

That can create an eyesore, to say the least. Even though you’ve invested all the money in the renovations, it still looks unfinished or mismatched. That’s going to deter buyers when you go to sell and it will also impact your home value. That’s why you need a professional to evaluate the entire exterior and decide on the best course of action.

This is also a good time to ask about roofing options, including ceiling heights and dormers.

When it comes to aesthetics, the roof shape can take several forms. The living area is going to vary depending on the roof design that you choose, including slopes or dormers that can impact whether there is a full ceiling.

Some people think that they’re losing living space when they have roof lines, sloped ceilings, or dormers. However, if you change your perspective, you can imagine them as storage solutions. Think of built-ins like bookcases, drawers, shelves, and so forth.

What you’re doing is trying to get rid of that boxy effect that can make so many houses look unappealing. Plus, it will create a charming, unusual interior that still maximizes every space possible.

Step 4 – Pull It All Together with a Mood Board

Now that you’ve got all that out of the way, it’s time to have some fun. Think about decoration and style and create your own physical or digital inspiration board. You can use sites like Pinterest or even just create a poster board with magazine cutouts and pages. The goal is to create something that speaks for your inspiration that you can share with the architect or designer.

Your idea of what is meant by "Scandinavian" or "cottage style decors" or "rustic but modern" or even just "blue", could have an entirely different meaning to someone else.

In addition to checking out Pinterest and other décor websites, you can look at restaurants and trendy hotels to get inspired with fresh ideas.

If you want to get really creative, go for it! Check out these 25 solutions for unusual spaces from Better Homes & Gardens.

Look at the details. Think beyond the obvious. You aren’t interested in a full bathroom, but you like the vanity for a wash-up area? Save the picture. Perhaps you like certain cabinets for storage or a color of paint for a space.

You’ll find, and be able to carry, inspiration, just about anywhere.

Step 5 – You’ve Got a 4^th Wall to Consider

Once you are aware of what you’re doing with the space, don’t forget to consider your 4^th wall!

The 4th wall is your garage door—the wall underneath your new space that will keep the outside, out. That means you need to shop for more than just insulation R-value. If you're looking to save money and enjoy premium comfort, make sure you ask if your garage is really energy efficient

Check out this guide on how to add windows if you've got a newer Garage door that doesn’t have them already.

Most importantly, don’t forget that when you add a second floor, you want to make sure that everything is in place to make it comfortable!

Is Replacing Your Garage Door on the List?

It’s time to contact a garage door specialist near you. We can help you make your garage door reflect your style by answering all of your questions and helping you narrow your options while meeting insulation and energy efficiency needs.

Do you already have an idea of what you want?

Contact SGM Garage Doors, and we will email a quotation right away.

Looking for a live person to talk to? Just call us at 902-624-8993.

We’ll be more than happy to answer your questions and help you design your dream garage addition.

Want to try out a fun app?

Try the Design Centre to create your own custom door by uploading pictures of your garage. If you need a little more inspiration, there’s plenty of that, too. Browse our gallery.