Having a garage at home for your vehicles is convenient and offers storage for extra belongings. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow or heat, it’s also a great way to keep your vehicles safe and clean. Let’s explore the differences between attached and detached garages so that you can decide which is better for you.
Attached garages
The most compelling reason to have an attached garage is convenience. It lets you avoid uncomfortable trips outside to get to your car when it’s raining or snowing. It also tends to be easier to store items in and clean out an attached garage since you won’t have to go back and forth between your house and garage.
An attached garage is usually more cost-efficient since you’re extending the foundation of an existing building rather than building a separate one from scratch. You won’t have the expenses of wiring and insulating that a detached structure brings. If you have a small yard and you want to use some of it for outdoor entertaining or a place for kids and pets to play, an attached garage can also be a space saver.
Noise transfer, either from the garage to the house or vice versa, is one of the disadvantages of an attached garage. Another is losing the flexibility of design and construction that a detached garage offers.
Detached garages
Without the limitation of being connected directly to your house, detached garages offer many more placement possibilities. Another advantage of having a detached garage is privacy if you want to use it as a workshop, hobby room, or music room. You’ll also avoid the heat loss that occurs with an attached garage when the door connecting with the house opens and closes. However, a detached garage does need to have its own, separate utilities installed.
The biggest drawback is inconvenience. You’ll have to make your way to and from your detached garage regardless of the weather unless you add a covered walkway to your house. Detached garages are also more susceptible to rust on the doors due to increased weather exposure.
Security and curb appeal
Experts are divided about these issues. With a detached garage, there’s no worry about an intruder entering your house by way of the garage door. But it’s easy to monitor an attached garage as part of your home security system.
Some real estate agents say attached garages have better curb appeal and enhance property value. But a detached garage can be tucked out of sight behind the house or dressed up with appealing windows and doors or flowerbeds along the sides.
How to make your decision
Learn what’s common and permitted in your area. Some homeowners’ associations do not allow detached garages. Think about the weather in your area as well. Before you decide, talk with a contractor you can trust about your specific situation and preferences, and look into options for financing.
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