I was thinking about a garage extension the other day. I have an attached two car garage on my house. At some point in the future I would like to extend it and make it a four car garage (double deep). I have enough room on my property and it wouldn't interfere with anything (septic drain field etc). My driveway is gravel. I just have a small concrete pad in front of the garage door. Is this doable? I google searched but didn't really find what I was looking for.
Anyone ever done a garage extension?
- Thread starter jk333
- Start date
2manytoyz
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
Unless there's some reason specific to your house, property, zoning, etc, shouldn't be an issue.
My first house had a carport. The first mod was to enclose it, making a 1 car garage. Later I had a slab extension poured, making a pad for the new garage floor, and a "Y" section to connect the new garage to the existing driveway. It was then framed up by a contractor. Since this was a gable roof, extending it was as simple as adding more rafters.
The roof had been recently shingled, so matching the roofing on the extension was no issue.
When it was all said and done, I had a 2 car garage. Each bay was 12' wide, and almost 30' deep. I left a wall separating the two bays, with a doorway connecting the two. This made for a his -n- hers side. Also limited the sawdust from my side when woodworking.
Nothing fancy, but this did balance the house as the entry way ended up in the middle of the house, rather than lopsided. Also made this 1962 house more marketable when I sold it. IMHO, it looked like it was built this way, rather than a mod 30 years later.
Unless there's some reason specific to your house, property, zoning, etc, shouldn't be an issue.
My first house had a carport. The first mod was to enclose it, making a 1 car garage. Later I had a slab extension poured, making a pad for the new garage floor, and a "Y" section to connect the new garage to the existing driveway. It was then framed up by a contractor. Since this was a gable roof, extending it was as simple as adding more rafters.
The roof had been recently shingled, so matching the roofing on the extension was no issue.
When it was all said and done, I had a 2 car garage. Each bay was 12' wide, and almost 30' deep. I left a wall separating the two bays, with a doorway connecting the two. This made for a his -n- hers side. Also limited the sawdust from my side when woodworking.
Nothing fancy, but this did balance the house as the entry way ended up in the middle of the house, rather than lopsided. Also made this 1962 house more marketable when I sold it. IMHO, it looked like it was built this way, rather than a mod 30 years later.
wintermute
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
I imagine all you'll need are appropriate permits and whatever architectural or engineering requirements that those entail.
I imagine all you'll need are appropriate permits and whatever architectural or engineering requirements that those entail.
2manytoyz
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
At the end of the original carport was a utility room. It remained in place, but I removed the double doors since it was now inside the garage. Actual depth was 28.8' deep.
The new bay matched the depth of the house. I was able to park a mid-sized truck in my bay, and still have room for all my woodworking tools (table saw, radial arm saw, jointer, planer, panel saw, and even a riding mower.
The only thing I regret was not having a roll up door on the back of the new garage bay. Really would have helped having a nice cross breeze down here in hot FL.
At the end of the original carport was a utility room. It remained in place, but I removed the double doors since it was now inside the garage. Actual depth was 28.8' deep.
The new bay matched the depth of the house. I was able to park a mid-sized truck in my bay, and still have room for all my woodworking tools (table saw, radial arm saw, jointer, planer, panel saw, and even a riding mower.
The only thing I regret was not having a roll up door on the back of the new garage bay. Really would have helped having a nice cross breeze down here in hot FL.
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
Couldn't go deeper so I built an attached garage to the side. I now have a 5 car garage.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99524
Couldn't go deeper so I built an attached garage to the side. I now have a 5 car garage.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99524
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
We had a 3 car and just added on a 2 x 2 4 car to make a big 'L'. Best thing we did was put roll up doors on the side and back- the airflow is amazing.
#1 suggestion I have is to give the HOA as little info as possible. I had to submit twice. The first one was shot down cause it looked like a 'warehouse' and I was told it had to look like it was originally built that way. So that meant it had to be two stories and brick.
I had the contractor do a line drawing with no dimensions that looked right and they signed off on it. Now that it it built the width went from 20' to 22'.... Door went from 8' to 10'. We also added a small patio On the side I am hoping they don't say anything about.
Let me know if you want pics of how we did it. You shouldn't have any problem if you are just going deeper.
We had a 3 car and just added on a 2 x 2 4 car to make a big 'L'. Best thing we did was put roll up doors on the side and back- the airflow is amazing.
#1 suggestion I have is to give the HOA as little info as possible. I had to submit twice. The first one was shot down cause it looked like a 'warehouse' and I was told it had to look like it was originally built that way. So that meant it had to be two stories and brick.
I had the contractor do a line drawing with no dimensions that looked right and they signed off on it. Now that it it built the width went from 20' to 22'.... Door went from 8' to 10'. We also added a small patio On the side I am hoping they don't say anything about.
Let me know if you want pics of how we did it. You shouldn't have any problem if you are just going deeper.
NitroPress
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
Since we bought this place with only a double garage, which is now pretty full of lifts and cars, it's been in the plans since early on to build a utility extension on the back wall - sort of a long shed attachment, maybe 10x25, that will give room for the tractor, yard gear, bikes and outdoor furniture storage, along with covered, walk-down access to the basement (has a hatch, now). Passthrough access to the garage as well through the existing people door. I will draft my own plans and GC the job but leave most of the work to contractors - partly because my construction experience is in another climate zone altogether and I'd probably screw up simple things.
Since we bought this place with only a double garage, which is now pretty full of lifts and cars, it's been in the plans since early on to build a utility extension on the back wall - sort of a long shed attachment, maybe 10x25, that will give room for the tractor, yard gear, bikes and outdoor furniture storage, along with covered, walk-down access to the basement (has a hatch, now). Passthrough access to the garage as well through the existing people door. I will draft my own plans and GC the job but leave most of the work to contractors - partly because my construction experience is in another climate zone altogether and I'd probably screw up simple things.
Rag Roc
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
Had a friend do what you are proposing in a residential area. He doubled existing garage space off the back and added a rollup door between the two garages as he was in the middle of his block. Turned out great; the only downside was front garage needed to be empty to get his street rod out of the rear one.
Had a friend do what you are proposing in a residential area. He doubled existing garage space off the back and added a rollup door between the two garages as he was in the middle of his block. Turned out great; the only downside was front garage needed to be empty to get his street rod out of the rear one.
financer83rs
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2009
- Messages
- 45
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
This addition was an L. The pics are only from the front. I needed to gain the head room for a lift and i wanted an area for working and storing fire wood. The back of the L section is 32' by 16 wide. The front section with the lift is 16' wide by 22' long. The total length from front to back of garage is 38'. Not sure how well I described it but this is what i did. Very simple really. I had previously built a 26'x28' garage on the same property. This was actually easier or maybe i had just gotten better. I'm an accountant but i like to pretend to be a mechanic and a builder.
The first two pics are of the addition. The other three are the other unattached garage. I vinyl sided them all at the same time last year so they all match.
This addition was an L. The pics are only from the front. I needed to gain the head room for a lift and i wanted an area for working and storing fire wood. The back of the L section is 32' by 16 wide. The front section with the lift is 16' wide by 22' long. The total length from front to back of garage is 38'. Not sure how well I described it but this is what i did. Very simple really. I had previously built a 26'x28' garage on the same property. This was actually easier or maybe i had just gotten better. I'm an accountant but i like to pretend to be a mechanic and a builder.
The first two pics are of the addition. The other three are the other unattached garage. I vinyl sided them all at the same time last year so they all match.
Attachments
Vettman
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
I would like to do something similar, but I have a hip roof. It would make an extention more difficult (and costly)
I would like to do something similar, but I have a hip roof. It would make an extention more difficult (and costly)
bigdav160
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
If the current garage is attached, and you want to addition attached to it, then the addition will need a perimeter foundation with the slab poured inside it.
This is nothing special, it is done all the time.
But it is more expensive and time consuming, so plan for it.
Also I would plan on having the addition roof sheathing “stitched” into the old.
By that I mean you remove the 4x4 pieces of sheathing at the end of the garage and replace them with 4x8 that come over onto the new rafters.
It provides a smoother surface for the shingles and avoids a “seam” look.
If the current garage is attached, and you want to addition attached to it, then the addition will need a perimeter foundation with the slab poured inside it.
This is nothing special, it is done all the time.
But it is more expensive and time consuming, so plan for it.
Also I would plan on having the addition roof sheathing “stitched” into the old.
By that I mean you remove the 4x4 pieces of sheathing at the end of the garage and replace them with 4x8 that come over onto the new rafters.
It provides a smoother surface for the shingles and avoids a “seam” look.
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
I think you'll need something bigger...based on your list of cars/toys......
lol
In some areas it's easy-peasy, other parts of the country it's impossible.
I had this placed last week
I think you'll need something bigger...based on your list of cars/toys......
lolddawg16
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
#1 Rule of garages....."It's never big engough".
#2 Rule of garages....."No matter how big you make it, it will get full. See Rule #1"
Something to consider...if you have side access....just build a big one in the back and leave the existing one as is.
My garage is detached.....click on the link in my signature.....
#1 Rule of garages....."It's never big engough".
#2 Rule of garages....."No matter how big you make it, it will get full. See Rule #1"
Something to consider...if you have side access....just build a big one in the back and leave the existing one as is.
My garage is detached.....click on the link in my signature.....
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
JK333...is your house a Ranch style house and does your roof run all the way across at the same level or is the garage roof stepped down from the main portion? It will make a difference on how easy it is to extend your garage to the rear. If the roof is the same level across, you can change the direction of the trusses for the addition and go back however far you need.
If your roof is stepped down, then tieing everything in to look correct will be a little more difficult. You want the extension to blend in so it looks like it was originally built that way inseat of something that looks like it was an afterthought that didn't work out right.
Can you post a pic of what you house currently looks like?
JK333...is your house a Ranch style house and does your roof run all the way across at the same level or is the garage roof stepped down from the main portion? It will make a difference on how easy it is to extend your garage to the rear. If the roof is the same level across, you can change the direction of the trusses for the addition and go back however far you need.
If your roof is stepped down, then tieing everything in to look correct will be a little more difficult. You want the extension to blend in so it looks like it was originally built that way inseat of something that looks like it was an afterthought that didn't work out right.
Can you post a pic of what you house currently looks like?
mikeyr
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
been there done that
My original garage was 20x20 and I wanted to go bigger, I went deeper with a 24x22 attached to the back of the original. Only issue I had was that the city would not let me build the new part within the 6ft. setback and the original garage was only 2ft. from the property line so I have a 4ft. indent halfway in the garage, worked out nicely as I put in a man door there.
been there done that
My original garage was 20x20 and I wanted to go bigger, I went deeper with a 24x22 attached to the back of the original. Only issue I had was that the city would not let me build the new part within the 6ft. setback and the original garage was only 2ft. from the property line so I have a 4ft. indent halfway in the garage, worked out nicely as I put in a man door there.
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
I'm adding on as well, three+ car addition to the existing two car.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110219
Issues: connecting to the old one, getting the floor or rafter heights to match, roof/gutter/doors etc.
Coming together nicely, but more work (ie time and money) to add on than to build a standalone.
One of the upshots is having a common driveway. And my electrical panel is on the wall between the old and new garages, so getting power will be easy.
I'm adding on as well, three+ car addition to the existing two car.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110219
Issues: connecting to the old one, getting the floor or rafter heights to match, roof/gutter/doors etc.
Coming together nicely, but more work (ie time and money) to add on than to build a standalone.
One of the upshots is having a common driveway. And my electrical panel is on the wall between the old and new garages, so getting power will be easy.
GarageEnvy
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
I considered doing it but because we were needing to do a roof in the near future and there was already some sag in the 50 year old rafters it became far more cost effective to tear the old one down and build new. Dealing with the attached wall did present some concrete cutting and foundation problems to deal with but at least in my case the bulk of the cost in framing was the hand labor in the tie-in portion. Obviously trusses just drop in quickly. In the end I let the roof line dictate the depth of the garage and the property line determine the width of the garage. I work in real estate and I'm probably overly-sensitive to the appearance of an obvious addition so I really wanted it to blend in. In my case the cost to demo was nearly nothing. I sold the old garage door (and the guy took the whole front wall of the old garage too), burned/gave away/tossed the remainder, and did the saw cut myself. The excavator was there to do pad prep anyway so it was less than $500 to have him break up and haul off the old slab. Something to consider when you're getting bids.
Before
During
After
I considered doing it but because we were needing to do a roof in the near future and there was already some sag in the 50 year old rafters it became far more cost effective to tear the old one down and build new. Dealing with the attached wall did present some concrete cutting and foundation problems to deal with but at least in my case the bulk of the cost in framing was the hand labor in the tie-in portion. Obviously trusses just drop in quickly. In the end I let the roof line dictate the depth of the garage and the property line determine the width of the garage. I work in real estate and I'm probably overly-sensitive to the appearance of an obvious addition so I really wanted it to blend in. In my case the cost to demo was nearly nothing. I sold the old garage door (and the guy took the whole front wall of the old garage too), burned/gave away/tossed the remainder, and did the saw cut myself. The excavator was there to do pad prep anyway so it was less than $500 to have him break up and haul off the old slab. Something to consider when you're getting bids.
Before
During
After
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
I'll check out your build, thanks.
I'm adding on as well, three+ car addition to the existing two car.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110219
Issues: connecting to the old one, getting the floor or rafter heights to match, roof/gutter/doors etc.
Coming together nicely, but more work (ie time and money) to add on than to build a standalone.
One of the upshots is having a common driveway. And my electrical panel is on the wall between the old and new garages, so getting power will be easy.
I'll check out your build, thanks.
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
My roof is all one level. I am hoping to extend the garage on the front. The master bedroom is directly behind the garage. Check out my sketch. I tried to illustrate the direction of the slant of the roof. The garage is attached to the house, I just left the line there to establish the difference.
My roof is all one level. I am hoping to extend the garage on the front. The master bedroom is directly behind the garage. Check out my sketch. I tried to illustrate the direction of the slant of the roof. The garage is attached to the house, I just left the line there to establish the difference.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
That type of an addition will be a simple one. You want your foundation to match your existing foundation, then get the trusses that match what you have as far as pitch and overhang. If you don't have trusses, then you want to build your rafters to match. If it were me, I would take the shingles off over the entire garage, if you are not reroofing the entire house at the time, then add new shingles over the entire garage that matches the house as close as possible. You also want to remove some of the existing sheeting and tie the new addition in with the old. If you don't, you will always see a line where it was added on. All of your siding will also have to be woven in so it looks like it was built that way originally. Other than that, it is really a straight forward build. Just make sure you check with your county on any regulations you may have and get the proper permits to avoid a fine.
That type of an addition will be a simple one. You want your foundation to match your existing foundation, then get the trusses that match what you have as far as pitch and overhang. If you don't have trusses, then you want to build your rafters to match. If it were me, I would take the shingles off over the entire garage, if you are not reroofing the entire house at the time, then add new shingles over the entire garage that matches the house as close as possible. You also want to remove some of the existing sheeting and tie the new addition in with the old. If you don't, you will always see a line where it was added on. All of your siding will also have to be woven in so it looks like it was built that way originally. Other than that, it is really a straight forward build. Just make sure you check with your county on any regulations you may have and get the proper permits to avoid a fine.
GarageEnvy
Well-known member
Re: Anyone ever done a garage extenison?
Jk333 and Aspen
Thanks. I think the OP can just add on but at least for me, I really wanted it to look original and not look like an add-on. Since I needed to do a roof in the near future it wasn't that big of an additional cost to just start new. It does tend to trigger a string of "you might as well's" though. I think attached garages are more prone to project creep. I should mention that there was one major compromise in making it look original and blending with the existing roof line. The ceiling height is 8'9" which pretty much eliminates the possibility of a lift. I dropped the floor level about 3" in the front (which triggered a new driveway) and raised the header height all the way to the top plate so I have a 7'8" clearance but there are compromises aesthetics. Everyone has to make their own priority list.
Jk333 and Aspen
Thanks. I think the OP can just add on but at least for me, I really wanted it to look original and not look like an add-on. Since I needed to do a roof in the near future it wasn't that big of an additional cost to just start new. It does tend to trigger a string of "you might as well's" though. I think attached garages are more prone to project creep. I should mention that there was one major compromise in making it look original and blending with the existing roof line. The ceiling height is 8'9" which pretty much eliminates the possibility of a lift. I dropped the floor level about 3" in the front (which triggered a new driveway) and raised the header height all the way to the top plate so I have a 7'8" clearance but there are compromises aesthetics. Everyone has to make their own priority list.
musgofasta
Well-known member
I'm hoping to do the same someday soon, out the back of my 2 car.
No frills - slab, 3 walls, knock down the back of my current garage, and gable style the roof out.
No frills - slab, 3 walls, knock down the back of my current garage, and gable style the roof out.
bczygan
Well-known member
Anything can be done to anything. The only questions are how and how much.
To the OP. Everything depends on zoning, setbacks, easements, deed and HOA restrictions and your particular lot layout. Give us all that info and we can tell you the best layout available to you.
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