Which do you prefer attached or detached garage

[daddycreswell]

In pre-planning stages of building a house and trying to decide on an attached or detached garage. Looking at a 3 car garage for my 73 Bronco, my wife's car and the lawn mower and work bench. Right now I have a detached 2 car garage, only reason is because the MIL moved in a couple of years ago and I turned the attached garage into her room.
So back to my question, which one do you prefer? I don't really have a care either way but I want to make sure I make the best decision. So for you garage vets, give me the pro and cons. Thanks

 

[burger]

Detached. Keeps the noises and smells out of the house.

 

[matth8346]

The only advantages to attached, in my opinion, is distance (carrying in groceries and such), and the weather doesn't affect you. Detached helps with noise and smell like has been said. One thing about detached, is if you keep it close to the house, you can build a nice breezeway and patio area between the house and garage. That's how my house is built and if we build another I would probably design it in a similar fashion.

 

[zippy99]

Depends on your needs. Detached is better if it s a work space, for the reasons burger noted, it isolates noises and smells.
Attached, OTOH is better if your primary use is parking. Its much less pleasant to have to walk outside in the rain, snow or sleet, just to get into the warm dry garage.

I have two, both detached. If I had my druthers, the smaller one, where we park cars would be attached, the much larger one where I work (which is also quite far from the house) would remain detached.

 

[nfk]

I like the detached garage for projects. The attached garage is nice for the wife and kids getting in and out with the vehicle. I dont do much in the attached garage besides park there and some storage.

 

[Colin Len]

Agreed with the above. Personally in an ideal world I'd have both. An attached garage for parking of daily drivers, light storage...etc. Then a detached with workshop, heavy storage, area for project cars...etc. For me personally the later is more important.

Beggars can't be choosers, so I was very happy when the area I was looking to buy in had primarily detached garages on the rear of the property. But that's because my primary concern was a spot for my track car and area I could tinker, build...etc.

 

[ddawg16]

If you can't have both...then detached. I personally like how my garage is in the back of the yard....people have a hard time seeing what I have.

 

[chops101]

Both, you need a parking garage attached and a detached shop.
If not, then attached with side garage door entrance.

 

[pablo94sc]

Didn't pay attention to your location, but if you have space maybe an attached carport and detached garage. Then you can be as loud as you want in the garage and still park close to the house and be out of the elements.

 

[danfromsyr]

both

 

[YukonXL04]

I agree with most of the above. Detached if your making a bunch of noise. Attached it better for daily drivers.

I will have both. Already have an attached, about to build a detached.

 

[Demkog]

I agree with all of the above. Also attached normally cost more at least when I was looking at them.
Their are more rules like fire walls and doors, Some electrical limits. square footage added to your house and possibly architectural stamp needed.

If it is detached their are a lot less rules because it dose not have a certificate of occupancy it just an out building.

Just a thought I ended up building a detached but their were added cost like water hooking to septic and a separate heating system.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Detached with a completely enclosed breezeway into the house so that you will never be exposed to nasty weather. And in the breezeway area somewhere have a mudroom and a small bathroom, so that the garage dirt and grime stays out of the house, and 'dirty' people can use facilities and wash hands without coming into house.

Good luck with project.

 

[crewchief888]

i've had both, they each have their good and bad points.

an attached for parking the wifes DD would be nice, that way it'd be easier to come in and out during the winter, but i'd need (at least) a 7 1/2' high door to get my truck in....

for "working" i'd prefer a detached, i can leave it in shambles and she doesnt have to see it....

 

[zmotorsports]

I have both and most have already hit on the pros and cons of each. I feel my setup is as ideal as I can afford but if I had to choose one or the other I think I would still choose detached if I were going to perform any real work in it.

My "garage" is attached to the house and where my wife and I park our daily drivers along with bicycles hanging on the wall and where the snowblower and lawn & garden equipment are housed. Top for the Jeep is hoisted to the ceiling and kept nice and organized.

My "shop" is where the magic happens. This houses nothing except tools and equipment and is where the work goes on. Noises, smells and vibrations are completely isolated from the house as the shop sits about 30' from the back door of the house. I have an intercom system between house and shop and within a short walk if the wife wants to come out and visit or talk to me.

I would hate to track everything from the shop directly into the house and have my family listen to air tools running or machines running.

Mike.

 

[bczygan]

Depends on a lot of factors.
Size and layout of the lot.
Number of family members.
Number of cars.
Hobbies that would require shop space.
Budget
Size of house.

Given an ideal layout for me, first I would look at the existing conditions.
Me and my wife.
2 vans, one full sized sedan, numerous trailers, 2 motorcycles, bicycles, kayaks, boats campers, airplanes etc.
Hobbies: Woodworking, metalworking, painting, music, jewelry, sewing.
Since the other existing conditions would not allow all this to be accommodated, lets make them a flight of fancy and assume adequate budget for anything I want.
Since the existing house and lot also aren't adequate, lets assume the budget allows any piece of land I desire.

Note, that for the small house on a small city lot that IS my reality, an attached garage is the most reasonable solution. An attached garage allows use of an adjacent powder room for washing up, an existing living room for entertainment, and existing kitchen for snacks and an existing bedroom for naps. It is still a good idea to separate functions, if you can.

Let's go back to the imaginary house, lot and budget.

For this, I would definitely want detached. If you can afford a big lot, why not. You can afford then to double up functions by adding a bathroom, sitting and entertainment area and kitchenette. I would definitely separate functions and even build separate structures for different things, like storage of vehicles, trailers, jet skis, snowmobiles etc.

One thing I definitely would do, is to make workshops that were exceedingly beautiful places to work. They would have great views and be sited to take advantage of unusual terrain. When I'm at my workbench, I want to be able to look out the window at a rushing stream and a forest.

Bill

 

[dave89iroc]

both, attached for parking, detached for a shop/working

 

[1949 caddyman]

Yes both. First start with a 3 car on house, later a shop.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Detached with a double carport linking shed to house

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you're building new, no better time than the present to get both.

 

[pablo94sc]

I saw a good point, if you're building new and decide attached, 3-car minimum if you can swing it. I see no point in a two car if you only have one garage. You end up with a cluttered garage or parking one or both cars outside with the two car setup. At least that's the common theme around me - even in the richest neighborhoods. Then again, we have no basements so YMMV.

 

[Ilikeike]

For just a basic garage,I like attached. If I need somthing to drink out of the garage fridge I don't want to be walking around the yard without clothes, it might be raining or something too.