Everything You Need to Know About Over-Garage Home Additions

You and your designers pored over every small detail during your home’s design and construction to make sure it represents your dream home in the best possible way. But sometimes, you need more space for a growing family or to accommodate a home office. This is where home additions can benefit you, and the great thing is that you can extend your house horizontally or vertically. One of the best locations for a home addition is above your garage. 

If you’re on the fence about an over-garage home addition, here are a few reasons why it appeals to homeowners.

Benefits of an Over-Garage Home Addition

A home addition above your garage can increase your property value. It’s also an excellent solution if you’re looking to expand your square footage or add more functional areas to your home. Here are some of the other benefits of an over-garage home addition:

• It Allows You to Build Up

Your yard space will remain untouched because you’re building above your garage. This means you can keep your existing garden, and there’s no need to make your outdoor living space smaller. There will still be enough area for your driveway or future landscaping plans.

• It Is Cost-Efficient

Home additions are more practical than excavating your yard and building an entirely new structure from the ground. You only need the right materials and contractors. Furthermore, with proper planning, you can finish the project in a shorter period.

• It’s a Great Alternative to Moving to a New Home

If you’re welcoming a new baby or you’re planning to have an older family member live with you, a home addition can increase your space to accommodate such needs. It eliminates the need to move to a new home, so you can avoid the hassle of looking for and purchasing a new home. 

• It Adds Functional Space

You can use your new space for practically any purpose. Some homeowners use it as a storage room, home office, study room, game room or guest room.

Top Considerations Before Building an Over-Garage Home Addition

Here are some important details you shouldn’t overlook when planning over-garage home additions:

• Local Building Codes

Your municipality is looking out for the safety of your home addition, so make sure to comply with all building codes in your area. Local contractors will likely be familiar with them, so they’re usually your best bet for any type of home improvement project. Furthermore, they know the requirements for permits, so you can rest assured that they’ll be able to help you throughout the entire process.

• Your Home’s Architectural Style

Your home’s architectural style is the mold that would shape your home addition and ensure it won’t stick out like a sore thumb. Furthermore, home additions that violate the rules set by your homeowners association can result in infractions or hefty fines. To make sure you don’t break the rules, try to look for a home remodeling contractor who has previously worked in your community. Your homeowners association (HOA) board may also be able to recommend some contractors, so feel free to ask them.

• Staircases and Doors

Most homeowners planning to build above their garages have a second story already in place. In this case, a door is the best access point and will make the home addition feel like an extra room. On the other hand, internal or external staircases may be necessary for detached garages. Ask your builder about the best access point options for the new room.

Designing Your Over-Garage Home Addition

Not yet sure what type of room your home addition will be? Here are some ideas to inspire your next project:

• Home Office

If you’re working from home or running your business from home, you’ll surely benefit from having your home office. This will allow you to concentrate on tasks and separate your personal spaces from your workspace. While it’s practical to turn an area in your bedroom into an office by simply adding a table and chair, it’s much better to have a dedicated room where you can do all your work.

Working in your bedroom for a few weeks or months may seem OK, but it will wreak havoc on your mental health and sleeping habits if it becomes your long-term setup. By separating your bedroom and office, you can boost productivity and have a restful sleep every night.

• Study Room

Setting up a study room in your over-garage home addition will allow your kids to focus more easily on their school work. Much like a home office, a study room provides a separate area where there are fewer distractions.

• Quiet Room

You can also use this new space as a quiet room where you can meditate, read a book or spend time on your hobbies. Alternatively, you can also use this room as a music studio or home gym. Just make sure it has good soundproofing and ventilation.

• Sunroom

A sunroom is a great way to enjoy the outdoors without actually stepping out. It’s also an ideal place to read a book or have afternoon tea. Just make sure to use energy-efficient windows so that the room won’t get too warm during the day. It’s also important to work with a competent remodeler to ensure its design is consistent with your home’s exterior and interior aesthetic. 

• A Multipurpose Spare Room

Home additions can serve any function you need. It can be a dining room, guest bedroom, new master bedroom or playroom. That said, if you can’t decide what exactly your home addition will be, you can opt for a flexible or multipurpose design that will allow you to use it on various occasions or depending on your needs.

Costs can increase depending on the features you’re going to add. For instance, constructing a home gym intended for strength training above your garage may require structural reinforcements to ensure the garage’s ceiling and foundations won’t collapse under the additional weight of training plates and equipment.

Keep in mind that any modifications to your home’s foundations will require compliance with local building codes and permit applications. Home builders have to excavate, install new systems like wiring and plumbing where necessary, and possibly add an HVAC duct to the room.

High-quality home additions require professionals with expert knowledge and skills to do the job satisfactorily. Cottage Industries, Inc has a team of dedicated experts who will help you design, build and realize your dream home. To request a consultation, call us at (610) 293-9750, or fill out this contact form.