Attached or Detached

[STIBuilder]

So I am starting to look at land to build my first home on. So far we have limited the space to nothing smaller than 1 acre. My question is do I attempt to build a 4-6 car attached garage to the house we design or do a separate shop space? I like having it attached to the house but wanted to get others thoughts on it.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Park the drivers in an attached, work in a detached.

 

[ambenz]

I like the idea of a detached garage for a couple of reasons....
Many narrow lots lend themselves to detached garages.
Detached garages protect homeowners from breathing carbon monoxide, gas, oil fumes or other stored pesticides.
Heaven forbid a fire starts in your attached garage, it one starts in your detached garage, you still have a place to live!
Expanding your detached garage is much easier than enlarging your attached garage.
A detached garage can more easily reduce or even eliminate the garage-dominated facade, better curb appeal for your home.
I think I just like having "garage stuff" completely separate from the actual house.

 

[nicksL98]

Somewhat attached, call it a breezeway or an atrium, you'll be thankful when you stay dry and warm walking from the house into the garage.

 

[tdkkart]

2-3 stalls attached, separate workspace building. I don't even store a can of gasoline in the attached garage. The only things in there besides the car and truck are the standby generator, an air compressor, 1/3 of a cord of firewood, 2 snow shovels and some car washing supplies.

 

[CNGsaves]

BOTH . . . . 2 car attached.

. . . . . . then Detached of at least 3 car or 4 car (with mancave in attic)

Breezeway between the house and detached would be nice, but not necessary. Design location of Detached in such a way it can be expanded in future, if necessary.

Buried utilties everywhere . . . 200A electric to house and 90A to garage (use Al 2-2-2-4 MHF). Buried natural gas to shop (oversized yellow plastic pipe w/ risers). Buried low-voltage (security/internet/phone/TV) to shop from house. Buried water to shop bathroom.

Good luck and post up drawings once you've got 1st rendition.

 

[Scsmith42]

Park the drivers in an attached, work in a detached.

^^^ this.

It separates fire hazards as well as shop chemical odors from the house too.


Scott

 

[jmarkwolf]

One of the reasons SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) bought into my argument for a new detached shop, was the fumes from even a rattle can paint job seeping into the house from our attached garage, making her queasy.

"No problem Honey, I'll just build a detached garage".

 

[skcj213]

I agree with most of the above. Build a 2 or 3 car attached for the daily drivers and a 3 or more bay detached for workshop and toys.

 

[over40pirate]

We just bought a new to us house, with a 2 car attached garage and a 31 x 31 detached metal barn.

It's the first house we have had that has an attached garage, and we love it.
Great to push the door opener and drive in, and unload groceries, etc in the garage.
We call it the Bat Cave?

Oh yeah. The detached barn is even better! For other reasons.

An attached garage can be converted to living space in the future if needed. Ours was used as a small movie theater at one time.

 

[Voi]

In (one of) my dream scenario(s) I've wanted an attached parking garage with a walkway/breezeway that feels like a sunroom. And of course a separate barn.

However, a contractor I know recently built a house with a covered parking area between the house and oversized garage. The covered parking area formed by a catwalk of sorts that connects the upper story of the house to an apartment above the garage. The catwalk is a finished, conditioned space. Really neat looking. I think it's nearly 20' deep to provide sufficient protection to vehicles parked beneath.

 

[STIBuilder]

Thanks for the advise I have always had an attached to the house garage space so this is new, on thing im trying to figure out is costs between the two.

 

[nicksL98]

I guess it depends on budget vs. expectations.

 

[Joe69]

Another vote for a detached shop, fire hazards and fumes need to stay away from the house. I have a 3 car attached, and a 30x40 barn. It's ideal, except I wish the barn was bigger.

Joe

 

[Slednut]

I'd love to have a big detached shop, the problem I live on a city lot, my house is paid off, and I'm on the edge of retirement. It also gets cold here in the winter. I have a 20x20 detached garage, a 10x10 shed and a 26x56 attached garage. Last week it was 11 degrees outside in the morning and my attached garage was still at 50 degrees. 20 minutes of running a 220 heater it was over 57 degrees. If I had a detached garage I would just put off everything I do in the winter until spring.

Heating a big detached garage would cost way too much.

 

[77thor]

Park the drivers in an attached, work in a detached.

Yup.