Building a Garage E-Book

Laurie Williamson

• Herausgeber: Crowood
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 196

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

Building a Garage is a practical, step-by-step guide which covers all aspects of the build from the planning and design stage through to construction and completion. Whether you would like to build a garage yourself or employ a builder, whether you want to construct a double or a single garage, whether you wish to build with bricks or wood, and whether you require a garage just to house your car or also to provide storage and workshop facilities, this is the book for you. Covers the various types of garage that can be constructed including those made from bricks and blocks, pre-cast concrete slabs, and softwood and hardwood timber, examines planning permission, building regulations, obtaining quotations, finding a builder, hiring plant and equipment, risk assessment, safety, insurance, how to obtain professional advice, site preparation and waste disposal. The author pays particular attention to building the foundations and constructing a solid base which are essential for all types of garages, and discusses all other aspects of construction, including the damp course, drainage, ventilation, the walls, lintels, joists, the door and window frames, all the different kinds of roofs and the installation of garage doors, including those operated by remote control. Separate chapters consider oak-frame garages, inspection pits and different types of driveway. Superbly illustrated with 180 colour photographs and diagrams and with a helpful list of key points at each chapter end.

Leseprobe

Building a Garage

A COMPLETE GUIDE

Laurie Williamson

First published in 2010 by

The Crowood Press Ltd

Ramsbury, Marlborough

Wiltshire SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book first published in 2014

© Laurie Williamson 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 84797 785 4

Disclaimer

The author and the publisher do not accept any responsibility, in any manner whatsoever, for any error, or omission, nor any loss, damage, injury, adverse outcome or liability of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any of the information contained in this book, or reliance upon it. Readers are advised to seek professional advice relating to their particular garage, house, project and circumstances before embarking on any building or installation work.

Photographic Acknowledgements

The author and the publishers are grateful to the following individuals, manufacturers and businesses who have very kindly provided photographs that appear in this book: Mark Channen of Boddingtons Ltd, Grass Reinforcement Solutions; Broadoak Buildings; Martyn Phillips of The BRP Group (Cardale Doors, Henderson Garage Doors, Wessex Doors and Steel-Line Security Products); Neil O’Sullivan of Compton Buildings (0800 9758860, www.comptonbuildings.co.uk); Simon Hendriksen of Crown Buildings Ltd; Kathryn Lee of Gliderol Garage Doors Ltd and David Glen Walker; Chris Praat of Mech-Mate Motor Pits Ltd; and Walker E. Hamilton of Oakmasters.

Cover photos courtesy Boddingtons Grass Reinforcement Solutions, Compton Garages, Gliderol Garage Doors, Henderson Garage Doors, Mech-Mate Motorpits and the author.

Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

Selecting a Garage

CHAPTER 2

Getting Started

CHAPTER 3

Making Plans

CHAPTER 4

Internal Preparations

CHAPTER 5

External Preparations

CHAPTER 6

Building the Foundations and the Damp Course

CHAPTER 7

Building the Walls above the Damp Course

CHAPTER 8

Constructing the Roof

CHAPTER 9

Garage Doors

CHAPTER 10

Portable and Oak-Framed Garages

CHAPTER 11

Inspection Pits and Driveways

Useful Addresses

Index

Introduction

Always high on the list of priorities placed upon today’s developer is the consideration ‘How best can I utilize the space available?’ Planners and designers have always tried to keep pace with the rapid changes created by modern society, but this is an almost impossible assignment. A clear area of dissatisfaction concerns the current multi-vehicle ownership family, whose demands are at odds with the rapidly reducing area designated per property for development, and the environment strains being faced globally. Add to this the close proximity of each property to its neighbour, and at times there is an unbearable strain on the space available for parking and mobility activity. One solution would be to increase the hectareage used per dwelling, but with land prices at such a premium this is extremely unlikely to be approved.

The solution must lie in the best utilization of the space available, while considering the ‘long term’ view. Sometimes there is no possibility of building a garage at all because there is no space available; and for many home owners a new garage has already been built as a ‘permanent’ domestic structure, rather than their selecting one of the many temporary demountable structures available in the market place. Evidence of this is substantiated by the steady increase in local authority building construction applications.

The reasons for this steady increase are economic as well as aesthetic, and, supported by the ready availability of both the materials and the experienced labour required to carry out everyday domestic construction projects successfully, developers have become emboldened however small in scale the project is.

However, ‘caution’ must always be the byword where any construction project is being considered, and this increase does not mean that the process is easy. A garage as an individual, standalone building project is a very specific building, with structural requirements that are many and varied – but it is its location that attracts the most attention. Accessibility to both the highway and the existing dwelling will need to be considered, and it is essential to esnure that the garage can be used with ease and safety. Another important factor will be how the new building will blend in with any existing buildings.

Building a Garage is a step-by-step illustrated guide designed to assist anyone who is planning such a building project. From initial conception through to final completion, every aspect has been considered, with an in-depth review of design and construction. You will be required to consider what you are trying to achieve, and what the building structure is to be used for: simply as a comfortable home for a prized motor vehicle, or for additional storage, as an extended workspace, or where home amenities can be used. The choices are many and varied.

The construction method itself will also need to be considered. Maybe you have both the time and the expertise to carry out the work yourself, or you may need to involve experienced contractors to carry out part or all of the work for you. Building a Garage is ideal for home owners and DIY enthusiasts alike, includes points of good building practice to be observed during the construction process and offers guidance when organizing and assisting builders and contractors.

CHAPTER 1

Selecting a Garage

Building a new garage is potentially a project with a huge array of possibilities within its remit: it can be wide ranging in complexity, or indeed extremely simple, and relatively easy for a competent do-it-yourself enthusiast to complete successfully on his own.

A VARIETY OF DESIGNS

The designs for such a project are many and varied, ranging from a single, basic storage compartment for one vehicle of indeterminate size, to a majestic multi-use construction that serves the needs of a variety of domestic and fitness ambitions; it may be of single or double wall thickness, and there is a huge choice of materials it can be made of. Those regularly used include pre-cast concrete slabs slotted together according to prepared plans, softwood and hardwood timber creating a barn-like structure in a whole variety of designs, and the standard brick and block construction used so widely in general domestic situations.

Two-bay, oak-framed garage.

Two-bay, oak-framed garage with room over.

Oak-framed garages are proving extremely popular nowadays, and there is an extensive range of design possibilities, from bespoke hand-made components through to ready-to-assemble kits for the experienced DIY builder. Oak has been used as a traditional building material for centuries, and has truly passed the test of time. Magnificent purpose-built oak-framed garages built from sustainable woodland are now available in a range of styles that will meet almost every need. Centuries-old carpentry skills used on home-grown ‘green’ building materials, and benefiting from modern techniques, produce an end result of elegance and beauty with the potential for a very long life.

For the dedicated self-build enthusiast working within fixed parameters, an ideal and practical solution may be found in the portable or demountable garage market. For several decades portable garage manufacturers have provided an ever-improving and increasing range of designs and styles to meet the need for a state-of-the-art, weatherproof solution to vehicle storage and protection without having to pay too much. The ranges currently available from a large number of experienced suppliers offer an extensive choice with something to suit every pocket – a comprehensive variety of styles, sizes and shapes including traditional and modern designs all produced using only the highest quality materials.

The benefits or differences between erecting a portable garage and a permanent one are many and varied. The one shared point will be the base upon which the garage is built. A secure level concrete base is recommended, and any guarantees provided by the garage manufacturers will depend upon how well the base is laid and how level it is. The quality of the base material may well also determine how the new garage works and what maintenance is required during its lifetime.

With such a variety of roof styles and wall finishes available, the appearance of the new garage can be selected from the wide range available. Single and double doors can be fitted, along with windows and entrance doors. The majority of manufacturers will provide a supply and build service on the base you have built.

Inspection pit.

When you have selected the garage to suit your particular needs, then other factors need to be looked at before pen is put to paper. The appearance of this new structure is singularly important, so it is essential to choose the garage door you prefer before the plans have been prepared. The style, function and operating room required must all be decided at an early stage. With so many garage doors available ‘off the peg’, these dimensions should be included on the building plans. Custom-made doors can be produced where aperture sizes do not meet the standard sizes available, but these doors will be more expensive, and ordering time must be allowed to prevent delays on the build.

And finally, issues relating to what the garage is to be used for, and the effect it will have on the surrounding area, will need to be addressed. If it is to be used for repairs besides just storage of a motor vehicle, then an inspection pit built in during the construction process may be a welcome addition. Working on your car is much easier with an inspection pit in your garage: think of all the jobs where you have to crawl about underneath it – oil changes, exhaust swaps, greasing, welding – all fairly unpleasant. An inspection pit makes access to the underside of your car easy, allowing you to work in well lit comfort with all your tools to hand.

The Driveway

Concerning the area surrounding the new garage, we need to look at the driveway and consider how, by using eco-friendly ‘green’ products, we can relieve any pressures on the local ‘climate’ and water table; all are guaranteed to meet the general design requirements. With so much news based on climate change and global warming, there is also a drive to prevent, or at least defer, the effects of this phenomenon, particularly where savings can be made. Practically speaking, an eco-friendly driveway should be easy to install and attractive to look at, and can be very cost effective, although it is likely to need regular maintenance.

An eco-friendly driveway.

Such a driveway can be constructed using driveway honeycomb grids made from recycled plastic with the cells filled with a mixture of sand and soil. The area is then seeded and treated, as with a standard lawn.

Why a Garage?

Before making even the most basic of decisions with regard to design, the first question to address is ‘Why do we need a garage?’ It may be required to provide adequate protection from inclement or adverse weather conditions, where anything from a lean-to structure or even a car port may meet with immediate requirements. Alternatively, where the vehicle in question needs to be stored, even for very short periods, in a building that is absolutely secure, then the design and build will need to be far more complex and demanding.

Shingle driveway.

Once this question is fully answered, then you will know more exactly the type of structure that needs to be designed and built. It is fairly safe to say that every possible design will have been considered at some time during the life of the current motor vehicle, and every type of construction. However, although the object of this attention has changed over the decades, it will be only in the minor matter of size: otherwise not much has changed at all. Uses other than those of storage will be dealt with at a later stage; in the meantime, storage, assembly and repair are all avenues to be considered before plans are drawn up.

Attached flat-roof garage.

Attached lean-to garage.

When the full use of this new building has been determined, then design and location need to be addressed. As mentioned earlier, design will certainly have been extensively researched, with many books and magazines promoting different designs available on the internet or in the local library. If you can’t find anything to satisfy your requirements, then design professionals are available promoting almost every shape and size. Taking any design to extremes, however, may well fall foul of planning rules, so anything considered out of the ordinary is best brought before the local authority planning officers before pen is put to paper in anger.

THE SINGLE GARAGE

Most common of all is the ‘single’ garage, designed and built to accommodate just one average-sized family car, with little room for anything else. However, as vehicles have grown in size in recent years, existing garages – those built, say, twenty years ago – have become difficult to use, with the car occupant often having to squeeze in and out of the car door, so restricted has the space become between the vehicle and the garage wall, the direct result of the increase in vehicle width during the last two decades. It was also not unusual to see a car occupant getting out of the car in front of the garage and actually pushing it in – and of course a similar procedure was required to get it out. Nevertheless, although future changes in vehicle shape and size may only be surmised, it is likely that vehicles will reduce in size over the next few decades, rather than increase.

Single-section garage.

Attached single garage.

The internal measurements for a standard single garage are 2.4 by 4.8m (8 by 15.7ft), or 11.5sq m (125sq ft), but these dimensions are not likely to accommodate an oversized vehicle, nor will they allow you to move comfortably around even the average-sized car. Where there is a requirement to work on, or carry out repairs to the vehicle, or to move around it comfortably, or where additional space is needed for whatever reason, then any plans will need to make allowance for this. Of course the dimensions above are based on standard measurements, and may not be suitable where the garage needs to allow for these or any other extraordinary circumstances.

THE DOUBLE GARAGE

Double garage.

Double garage with room in roof.

Double-section garage.

Next up the scale from a single garage is the double garage, designed to store two cars either alongside each other or one behind the other. A double garage can also vary significantly in size and design, and can have one or two garage doors on the front elevation. Of course a larger area of ground will be required for this particular project, and there will be more emphasis on structural stability. However, the access required for a double garage would not need to be larger than for a single garage. The approximate internal dimensions of a double garage would be 4.9 by 4.8m (16 by 15.7ft), covering a ground area of 23.5sq m (251 sq ft). These dimensions are for guidance purposes only and are based upon a standard double-garage door with sufficient side piers to provide a strong and stable structure and enough depth to accept a standard family car.

MULTIPLE GARAGES

It is fair to say that single and double garages fill the largest quotient of garage-building projects, but further multiples are not uncommon. Such is the current ownership of motor vehicles and their intrinsic value, more buildings of a larger size, with room for three and four vehicles, occur on the planning application lists and are clearly for private and domestic use as opposed to commercial.

Thus it is not uncommon for garages to be built in larger multiples than single and double; however, although the construction period and preparations follow the same designated pattern, larger garage sizes are determined by the land available. Furthermore, subject to sufficient land being available and a thorough exploration of access facilities and road traffic considerations, larger and more complex garage proposals would, inevitably, need to meet the requirements of the local authority planning department.

Row of garages. Multiple garages are not uncommon, even for private use.

CHAPTER 2

Getting Started

Adding to, extending, improving, updating, remodelling and converting properties has of late become the norm almost to the exclusion of all other activities. What was once an activity singularly driven by a buoyant and flourishing home housing market, this very British occupation and pastime has now become more and more popular, even in areas not previously noted for their extensive building activity. Of course, originally the number of ageing properties requiring improvement seemed infinite, and the drive to bring them in line with twentieth and twenty-first century requirements unquenched – but then as the demand grew and the number of properties with potential decreased, the boundaries were raised.

Popularized, in many cases, by television programmes highlighting the benefits to be gained by the experienced and the novice builder alike, whatever the condition or location, it now seems that no country within the European Community has escaped the headlong drive towards improvement. This cannot be a bad thing in itself, but it shows no immediate signs of abating, and while the demand for land and property is so intense the true value of the range of property improvements available may be dissembled.

The addition of a new garage falls neatly within this incentive, and within many other schemes under consideration, or in plans to improve an existing property for both practical and financial benefits; this might also include the conversion of a barn or outbuilding to be used as a garage. Such a project can be readily included within the set parameters of the existing property; it can be of simple or more characterful design, and accommodated within an existing layout.

Planning Permission

You will need planning permission to construct a new garage if it falls within any one of the following parameters:

•  It is within 5m of the existing house.

•  It is to be positioned in front of the building line, nearer the highway than any part of the original house.

•  The height at the eaves exceeds 2.5m and 4m at the ridge.

•  If it is within 2m of a boundary, and the eaves’ height exceeds 2.5m.

•  Where more than half of the land around the original house is occupied by additions or other buildings.

•  When the garage is to be used for busi ness.

•  Where the property lies within a national park.

To ensure that building work is carried out in compliance with local authority planning rules, discuss your plans with the local planning officer.

When contemplating the building of a new garage it is important to recognize that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. In some areas a new garage can be viewed as an extremely valuable asset, whereas in others a more appropriate course of action would be additional living space. It is, however, a relevant fact that where several vehicles are owned per household, insurance companies increasingly insist that secure garaging is provided in order to reduce vehicle insurance premiums – and in this case a new garage can pay for itself in only a few years. This can be more important in areas where parking ‘off road’ is extremely limited or insecure, front gardens are almost nonexistent, and where secure vehicle storage is a necessity and adds value and saleability to a house.

Building along the boundary.

In some, mainly urban areas, to use available and valuable garden space to build a new garage may be questionable; but in the majority of mainly rural areas around the country, this is quite acceptable.

In reality the reason for this work may have nothing to do with property values, but is simply to add to the existing accommodation in response to the needs of a growing family. Of course these new additions may not be limited to one proposal and one outcome, and could be designed to include and provide an annexe for an elderly relative – or they may just be to add extra footage to the existing ‘living’ area. Whatever the reason, the work should be carried out to complement the existing property while remaining within the requirements stipulated by local planning and building regulations.

Building Regulations

The new garage will require building regulations approval if it falls within one of the following parameters:

•  The floor area exceeds 30sq m.

•  The new garage is to be built within 1m of a boundary.

•  The garage is constructed from bricks, blocks, tiles and so on.

•  The new garage is attached to the existing house.

To check if your new garage requires building regulations approval, contact your local authority building control officer.

Detached garage built along the boundary.

Another important point to take into consideration is how often do we use our cars, and do we really need a space to ‘put them away’? For this reason the garage of today may suffer from the fact that we use our cars far too often to ‘put them away’ every time. Even if we were that diligent, a garage can by necessity be used for a whole variety of other activities, each of which will be dealt with during the course of this book.

Size is important. In the recent past garages were designed and built in huge numbers to accommodate the smaller range of cars in manufacture, not for the ‘people carriers’ and four-wheel-drive vehicles currently frequenting our roads. Not that a new garage should be built to cope with these hybrids, nevertheless a careful projection of where the current car market is heading will help when decisions are made regarding size and location.

Added to this equation is the steep rise in house prices in recent years. With the whole process of moving home becoming more and more expensive, utilizing the existing facilities and improving them may be a better ‘value for money’ alternative.

All these are ‘plus’ points – and yet there are still more. A garage is generally a simple construction requiring a modest outlay against return; it can be attached to the side of the house, or be an integral part of the front elevation. The walls, floor, foundations and roof can also be used to provide additional living accommodation within the main structure; this can be simple in plan and straightforward to execute. Where the garage is located close to or against the side of the existing dwelling, this new space can be used as, for example, an extension to the existing kitchen, or even a new dining room; another common use is a self-contained ‘annexe’ for an elderly relative requiring independent access.