Key Elements of Garage Building Plans

If you're thinking about building a garage, you've probably studied garage building plans until your eyes are crossed. But what makes a good plan? There are several features that will make your life easier and could add value to your finished product.

For A Garage, Size Means Flexibility
The primary function of a garage is to provide storage for your vehicles. But garages are also used for storage, workspace and even living space. Your goals will determine the ultimate size of your garage, but vehicle storage should be an important consideration.

The area where a vehicle is parked is called a bay. The minimum dimensions for a vehicle bay are 10 by 22'. While this will allow you to park most any vehicle, it will create tight, single function space. A 12' x 24' bay will allow plenty of room for parking and maneuvering around a vehicle, and will also leave room for storage or a workbench.

What Goes on Upstairs?
The roof of your garage does more than keep rain off your vehicle. The shape of your roof will determine what kinds of uses takes place between it and the garage floor. The space between the roof and ceiling of your garage form an attic.

A shallow roof slope will limit the amount of useable space, turning your potential attic into a narrow crawlspace. A steeper roof slope will create an area of useable space that can increase your available storage.

Dormers and barn style roofs can create enough useable space to be used as a loft or even a guest apartment.

Connecting Your Garage
When planning your garage, don't forget to consider the role utilities will play. Electrical connection will be required for light, of course, but what about tools and other appliances? You'll want to plan on enough electrical capacity to comfortably power your tools and toys.

Other utilities to consider include water and sewer, phone lines and even cable so you can watch those home improvement shows while you sit at your workbench!