Garages Conversions - More value, more light and more curb appeal
An easy way to expand housing, provide multi-generational options or rental income is to consider garage conversions. When a laneway or garden suite isn’t possible, this is a great alternative.
A garage conversion is much less expensive to build than an additional building from scratch, given the shell is already established. In terms of the environment, this strategy requires less materials and is small enough that electric heat can be considered, eliminating the carbon emitted when heating with natural gas.
To see how this idea is taking shape in California, take a look at the this article in the Toronto Star.
For post-war suburbs, where garages dominate the front of the home, usually called snout houses, this concept brings back front windows and eyes on the street, when garage doors are replaced with windows for the new suite. By creating a facade for people rather than cars, it brings life to the front of the home, increases curb appeal and improves safety.
The standard two car garage is 18 x 20 or 360 square feet. For a single person or couple this space can easily provide a self contained one bedroom with tons of light, complete privacy and keeps the basement space for the homeowner or as a third unit, all while maintaining the main living space of the home. In addition, having a ground level suite is ideal for seniors, as they aren’t required to go down a flight of stairs to a basement unit. Even a single car garage could be converted into a work from home space and still provide a storage area entered from the side.
People will say they need the garages for car storage, but what is universally seen is that the vast majority of owners don’t park in their garage but rather use it as storage. That’s a very expensive storage shed, when you consider how using a better organized back yard or side yard shed can be built for a few thousand dollars and typically doesn’t need a permit if it’s under 100 square feet.
Since most people don’t park in garages but rather on their driveway, through thoughtful design, the driveway can be retained, while providing a much more engaging front of the home when the garage has windows instead of garage doors.
The options are limitless using the expensive square footage of a garage for other uses - housing for seniors, singles or young couples or a work from home space that is much quieter than a space inside the home, are just a few.
Financially, this concept opens up the opportunity for families to be able to afford the home when they can cost-effectively convert the garage into money-making living space, while improving the facade of their home and improving community engagement.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to convert your garage and cost-effective design ideas we’d love to chat. Please reach us at info@middlehouse.ca