Upgrading your home’s appeal is one way to boost the value of your home, especially if you’re getting ready to sell. People who purchase a home often look forward to updating their rooms, decorating, and improving their space.
But, sometimes, people have difficulty knowing where to start. This is especially true if they’re planning to renovate the garage.
Are you wondering how to finish a garage? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. In this quick guide, we’re going to be taking a look at the top tips, tricks, and advice on how to complete this daunting task on your own. Let’s get started!
Plan and Design
Visualizing the desired end result, researching the needs of the space, and creating a budget are the first steps to take when planning and designing the garage ideas. This includes drawing it up on some graph paper and accounting for any extra doors or windows.
You want to consider how you are going to use the space contents and decide on the best design that makes the most use of the available space. Make sure to measure twice during this process to ensure accuracy. After designing, you need to do some pre-construction planning.
Check Local Building Codes
Depending on your location, more permits, inspection, and approval requirements may be necessary. Before remodeling a garage, make sure to calculate any costs associated with materials, labor, permits, etc. Also, be sure to inspect the existing garage structure to determine any hazardous or structural issues.
After doing research to determine all necessary steps needed to adhere to local building codes, determine the best materials, and secure all materials, draw a plan and layout to begin the garage layout. Throughout the process, check in with the local authority as you finish each phase to ensure that you are in compliance with all codes.
Clear the Garage
This includes sorting through all your items, donating or disposing of unwanted items, and organizing and storing those items that will be staying. Anything that will be donated or disposed of should be placed in their respective piles and left out for collection.
Assess and Repair
This begins by inspecting the existing structure for any damages such as cracks, holes, or other structural damage. If any damage is found, it’s important to hire a professional to repair it before taking any other steps. After repairs are completed, it’s time to tackle the insulation.
Insulate the Walls and Ceiling
The insulation will help maintain the temperature of the room and provide better soundproofing. To begin, measure up the walls and cut the insulation to fit. This requires careful measurements and safety glasses, gloves, and a respirator mask. Once the insulation is cut, fit them between the studs of the walls.
Fill any gaps with expanding foam, and seal the insulation with vapor barrier plastic. Nail the insulation to the studs to ensure a secure fit. Once all the walls and ceiling have been covered, your garage is insulated and ready to be enjoyed.
Install Drywall
These supplies usually include drywall panels, 12-inch screws, a drywall saw, tape measure, studs, a utility knife, and drywall mud. Once the supplies are gathered, the next steps include mounting the drywall panels to the walls. It is suggested to start with the ceiling and preferably work down.
To mount them to the walls, use the screws to secure them to the adjacent studs. Use the drywall mud to cover any seams between the panels. Make sure to use a wide knife to evenly spread the mud and scrape off any excess.
Electrical Wiring
Consult your local electrical code for specific regulations. Determine the desired locations for wall receptacles, switches, wiring outlets, and other electrical devices. Lay out the electrical plan and figure out the cable runs. Decide what type of wiring, such as Romex or conduit, is required for various circuits.
Install all boxes and feeders. Install electrical conduits between boxes. Now, connect the feeder cable to the main panel and then run the required branch circuits. Attach the wires to switches and outlets.
Install Flooring
If you’re using concrete, sweep, then hose it off. Apply an epoxy paint with the guidance instructions from the manufacturer. Let the flooring dry for 24 hours. If using wood, lay a moisture barrier with gravel and landscape fabric. Put down the pieces of plywood in a laying pattern and smooth them down with a mallet.
Seal the joints between them with caulking. Using a vinyl sheet, mask off where you want to cut with a utility knife and wet saw. Then, cut out the shape of vinyl and roll it onto the floor, making sure to ask about any adhesives before laying it on the floor.
HVAC and Ventilation
All air ducts and any exhaust fans must be properly installed by a professional, ensuring that exhaust gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor are properly removed from the home. The HVAC system should be sized properly to provide the necessary cooling and heating of the garage, while a thermostat can be used as a climate control tool.
After that, all larger appliances, such as a water heater and air conditioner, can be installed to ensure the desired air temperatures in different garage areas.
Install Doors and Storage
Before the installation, measure the size of the opening to ensure the doors will fit correctly. There is a wide selection of pre-hung garage doors to choose from – vinyl, aluminum, composite, wood, and fiberglass. After choosing the right doors, prepare the opening by securing the hinges, tracks, and any accessories.
When everything is securely fastened, lift the door to the opening and swing the arms into the brackets. Install any desired cabinets, shelves, and wall-mounted storage to maximize the potential of the area and keep it organized. So, what are you waiting for – take action today and get started on this garage door opener project.
Start Planning How to Finish a Garage Makeover Today
Completing a garage project is no easy feat, but by breaking it down into the key steps outlined in this article, you can make sure your project is done correctly. Make sure you also follow all safety precautions and use the recommended tools and supplies. Now, you can begin how to finish a garage project and get the long-awaited makeover you deserve!
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