Building a home addition above your garage is a practical way to expand your home. This new space can function as a home office, playroom or whatever you need it to be. You won’t need to worry about curb appeal since adding a room on top of your garage can look natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Here are a few tips if you’re building a home addition above an existing garage.
Be Consistent
Your home addition should have the same look as the property’s existing style. However, it can be a challenge to find materials that match the existing elements of your home. That said, you might want to schedule your project at the same time you’re getting an exterior upgrade, like re-siding or repainting. This will make it easier to match your existing home to the room addition.
Inspect the Structure
You’ll need an engineer to check if your garage’s existing framing and foundation can bear the extra weight of a room addition. Typically, a contractor digs several holes to examine the depth and condition of the foundation along the garage’s perimeter. If the foundation can’t support the additional weight, you’ll have to bolster or replace it – which can be expensive.
Check Safety Codes
Fire-rated drywall that’s ⅝-inch thick is usually required for the garage ceiling and walls when building an addition above. This drywall will protect the framing against fire. Furthermore, electrical conduits and penetrations in the drywall must be tightly sealed, too.
Ensure Proper Insulation
Your home addition above the garage should also have safety-mandated insulation. This will help keep the room comfortable and prevent drafts, saving you from expensive heating and cooling bills.
You can always count on Highland Design + Build to provide you with a high-quality home addition. Call us at (205) 968-6000, or fill out our contact form to talk to our experts.
