It’s time to transform the monstrous car bunker into a stylish and desirable part of your home
The British garage is all too often like the British interpretation of risotto—a convenient dumping ground for leftovers.
If you can actually get the up and over door open without a fight, inside you will find broken toys, bent golf clubs, a thousand carrier bags and a mountain of old clothes you can’t bear to part with but never wear.
What is being wasted here are not the things you’ve saved from the recycling centre, but the space you’ve lost from your home.
But it could all be so different, and easily so.
Converting an unloved space into something useful is easier and far less costly than a full extension.
Garages are generally about 3/4 the size of the average living room. That’s a useful space for any home and it’s just sitting there waiting for you to move in. Whether attached to the side of the house or standing alone, if the garage is a permanent structure it can be easily turned into a useful, habitable space.
Planning is rarely required as conversions fall within permitted development rights, but your project must pass building regulations. The requirements are mainly concerned with energy performance of the structure. The conversion itself normally entails upgrading the insulation of walls, ceiling, and most importantly the floor but all these things are easily achieved.
Most conversions can be completed in as little as three to four weeks
The most important thing is to have a plan for how the converted space will be used. You might imagine a new dining or entertaining room, a refuge for (or from!) the children, a home office, home cinema or home studio. But whatever you have in mind, it’s important to think through access from the main house and how much natural light is best.
Start by deciding on your objectives based on the space available and other functional considerations such as location and available light. If your garage currently backs onto the garden you might want to make the transition between them a part of the design with wide opening doors or large glazed areas.
The range of styles for glazing, doors and roofing is wide and there are simpler or more elaborate options that can convert a cold and dingy cave into a dramatic new part of your home. All it takes is a little imagination.
Once you’ve settled on a design, SEH BAC can take care of the complete conversion—project managing everything to create the space you want.
For more information on how SEHBAC can help with your next home improvement project, visit your local showroom or get in touch.
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