It ’ s time to transform the monstrous car bunker into a stylish and desirable part of your home
Gear change
Above average garage
It ’ s time to transform the monstrous car bunker into a stylish and desirable part of your home
The British garage is all too often like the British interpretation of risotto — a convenient dumping ground for leftovers .
If you can actually get the up and over door open without a fight , inside you will find broken toys , bent golf clubs , a thousand carrier bags and a mountain of old clothes you can ’ t bear to part with but never wear .
What is being wasted here are not the things you ’ ve saved from the recycling centre , but the space you ’ ve lost from your home .
But it could all be so different , and easily so .
Converting an unloved space into something useful is easier and far less costly than a full extension .
Garages are generally about 3 / 4 the size of the average living room . That ’ s a useful space for any home and it ’ s just sitting there waiting for you to move in .
Whether attached to the side of the house or standing alone , if the garage is a permanent structure it can be easily turned into a useful , habitable space .
Planning is rarely required as conversions fall within permitted development rights , but your project must pass building regulations . The requirements are mainly concerned with energy performance of the structure . The conversion itself normally entails upgrading the insulation of walls , ceiling , and most importantly the floor but all these things are easily achieved .
Most conversions can be completed in as little as three to four weeks
The most important thing is to have a plan for how the converted space will be used . You might imagine a new dining or entertaining room , a refuge for ( or from !) the children , a home office , home cinema or home studio . But whatever you have in mind , it ’ s important to think through access from the main house and how much natural light is best .
Start by deciding on your objectives based on the space available and other functional considerations such as location and available light . If your garage currently backs onto the garden you might want to make the transition between them a part of the design with wide opening doors or large glazed areas .
The range of styles for glazing , doors and roofing is wide and there are simpler or more elaborate options that can convert a cold and dingy cave into a dramatic new part of your home . All it takes is a little imagination .
For more information on how Fineline can help with your next home improvement project , go to fineline-windows . co . uk or scan the QR code below .
Gear change
Once you ’ ve settled on a design , Fineline can take care of the complete conversion — project managing everything to create the space you want .
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178 • www . insidekent . co . uk