Converting garages into livable spaces

Many people decide to upgrade from their apartments or condominiums out of a need for more space. But even after moving into a new home, homeowners may soon begin to outgrow the room they have.

Rather than looking for a new home, some homeowners consider expansion. Expanding a living space can be expensive, and a more affordable option may be converting existing basement or garage space into something more livable. Garages already are built on a foundation, have four walls and a roof overhead, so a garage-conversion project is merely a matter of turning this utilitarian area into a living space.

Before beginning the renovation, homeowners should consider the benefits versus the cost of converting the garage. For those who are planning to grow old in a house, a garage conversion can be a worthy investment. But those who intend to sell their homes rather than retire in them may learn that a converted garage can affect home value and make it less desirable at resale.

Compare the home to others in the area and see what neighbors have done. If converted garages are the norm where someone lives, the renovation may fit in with others.

Always apply for the proper permits and learn the zoning laws to see if a garage conversion is acceptable in a town or city. It’s best to go by the book so that work can be done in a proper manner and can be inspected for safety.

Many homeowners hope their garage-conversion projects will make their garages seem like a seamless part of the rest of the house. To do so, evidence the space was once a garage will need to be removed. Slab floors will need to be raised and insulated. Walls also will need to be insulated and finished to improve comfort and soundproofing.

Many garages do not have windows, so for the garage to function as a renovated space, windows may need to be added.

One of the biggest transformations will come by way of modifying the garage door entry. Some homeowners prefer to leave the existing door so that the home still has the appearance of a garage from the curb, while others remove the garage door and rebuild the exterior wall so that it has a window or another architectural element. An architect can help suggest design elements that will camouflage the original garage look and make the space seem like it was always part of the main living area of the home.

For those who choose to leave the door, upgrading the door might help make the entry look better. Overhead

Door Company in Springdale can offer suggestions on doors that may give the new garage space a better appearance, and can even suggest doors that would offer more insulation than a standard garage door.

Landscaping work also can minimize the appearance of an old garage. Rather than having the driveway end at the wall of a home, shrubbery, pavers and other techniques can blend the garage renovation into the rest of the yard design. Sharum’s Garden

Center in Springdale can provide suggestions on the best way to integrate the garage area with the rest of the yard.

The seamless residential design and residential garden landscaping integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces in today’s homes affords opportunities for the homeowner and professional to create custom and personal designs for a property. Those at Sharum’s Garden Center listen to the homeowner and use the company’s experience and expertise to tranform the homeowner’s outdoor space into the living space they envision.

Sharum’s Garden Center is located at 750 South Maestri Road in Springdale. They can be reached at (479) 361-9180 or online at sharums.com.

Overhead Door Company of Springdale, Inc. offers sales, installation and service of residential and commercial upward-acting garage doors and electric operators. They are an authorized distributor of genuine Overhead Door brand products. Overhead Door Company is located at 2400 South Thompson Street in Springdale and serves the Northwest Arkansas area including Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Eureka Springs, Huntsville, Prairie Grove, Siloam Springs and other area cities. They can be reached by calling (479) 751-5921 or by visiting ohdoor-spd.com.