How do you use your garage? If you are like most Americans, you use it as a workshop or to do DIY projects. Finishing a garage can turn a boring garage space into one you enjoy.
When homes get built, the garage gets left unfinished or minimally finished. This is an advantage for homeowners because it gives them a blank canvas to create. Finishing your garage makes it the perfect space to suit your needs while increasing your home’s value.
Follow this guide to plan out your garage renovation.
Intended Use
Before you start the project of finishing your garage, you need to decide how you plan to use it. This intended use will determine how you finish your garage. Look at completed garage designs to get inspired.
A popular choice is to increase the garage’s storage space. This eliminates the need to pay for additional climate-controlled storage. Another option is to turn your garage into the ultimate workshop.
If you want more living space, you could finish the garage with materials that turn your garage into a room. It could be a man cave, guest room, or game room.
Using high-quality materials to finish your garage will improve your home’s value. They will also make maintaining your home easier by increasing durability.
Garage Walls
Most garages either get left unfinished with painted concrete or have minimal finishing. Your first step is removing any finishing material from bare walls. Have electrical work done to add lighting and plugs.
Then, add studs to create framing to add garage insulation. This will make your garage more comfortable to be in. It will also improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Finish the walls with drywall, then paint your garage walls your chosen color.
If you plan to turn your garage into a storage or workspace, add a slatwall or pegboard to the wall. This gives you a versatile place for creating storage. You can add hooks, bins, or shelves depending on the type of storage you need.
Garage Floor
A bare concrete garage floor feels cold and damp. Finishing it improves the look and durability of the floor. You have many garage flooring options, from coatings to tile, laminate, and carpet.
One of the most popular garage floor finishing trends is using a concrete sealant. It gives your garage floor a professional finish that gleams. It is easy to clean and helps extend the natural life of your concrete.
For the most significant benefit, use a Polyurea coating. This flexible coating is 20 times more durable than epoxy while being slip and impact-resistant.
Choose from a wide variety of color and design options. A full chip system uses a multi-layer installation that creates a multi-colored look that resembles flecks of stone or terrazzo.
Some systems turn bare concrete into what looks like natural rock, granite, marble. While a metallic system creates a liquid metal look on your concrete. Finally, you could opt for a solid color floor if you want a minimalist design or something more sterile-looking.
Garage Ceiling
The ceiling is one of the most commonly forgotten areas in a garage conversion. Your garage probably has the bare minimum of finishing. If you don’t do anything else, paint the ceiling to seal it and help protect it from moisture.
However, you can also take steps to improve your garage ceiling. Add additional ambient lighting to illuminate your garage better. Add task lighting that highlights workspaces, making it easier to see what you are doing.
Garage Door
Upgrade your garage door to improve its visual appeal and functionality. It is a defining part of your garage, so consider how changing it will impact the overall space. If you intend to use your garage as a workspace, then keeping the garage door will increase the space’s functionality.
When the weather is nice, you can open the garage door and enjoy the fresh air. Another option is to replace your traditional garage door with larger windows. That way, you get significantly more natural light into your garage.
If you keep your original garage door, add insulation to the backside of it. This will help improve your garage’s energy efficiency to reduce heating and cooling costs.
An alternative option is to remove the garage door and replace it with either a wall or a regular door. This option works best when you plan to finish your garage by turning it into a man cave, gym, or guest bedroom.
Electrical
Most garages have a minimal number of electrical outlets. Adding outlets throughout the room will improve your garage’s functionality. Think about your intended use to determine the best location for your outlets.
A workroom garage may need more outlets around your workbench. A man cave will benefit from additional outlets where you plan to position a TV and sound system.
Have your electrical work done before you add insulation to the walls.
You should also add lighting to your garage ceiling. Typically, garages have minimal artificial and natural light. This makes them dark.
Adding decorative lighting to the ceiling will give your garage a more sophisticated feel.
Plumbing
A garage you intend to use for socializing or as a guest room could benefit from a plumbing upgrade. Many garages already come with a work sink. Others come with washing machine and dryer hookups.
If your garage has one of these, then you already have plumbing lines in your garage. A plumber can convert these lines into a washroom or full bathroom.
Finishing a Garage Made Simple
Your garage can be much more than a bare space where you park your car. Finishing a garage can turn this often neglected space into a welcoming area. By finishing the floors, walls, and ceiling, you can improve the functionality while elevating its look.
When you work with Garage Force, you can customize the look of your garage floor. With several finishes and colors, there is a system suited for every project. Our experienced professionals can help you choose the best finish for your garage.
Improve the look of your garage floor by finding the nearest Garage Force and scheduling a consultation.
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