Garage Doors, Carports and Conversions

In today’s fragile economy, improving one’s current abode can be done by adding garage doors, transforming a carport or converting this area into a living space. Before the housing market crashed, if a homeowner needed more living space or a different sort of carriage house for their vehicles, they just sold and moved up. Houses sold quickly and for hefty profits.

The cash back after a real estate sale was enough to move to a larger dwelling with whatever amenities were missing from the last one. Times have changed. It is a wise consumer who decides to transform what they already have. This is a big money saver in terms of real estate agent fees, moving van rental costs, transfer of utilities and more. Here are some options for bumping up the livability of your abode:

- Carport addition: If a dwelling lacks a covered space to park a vehicle or two, adding a carport can offer protection for the family cars from the damaging sun rays or piles of snow in the winter. This can prolong the paint finish on automobiles and shave time off for drivers trying to get to work after a snowfall. Carports may be attached to the abode or free standing. They may be wide enough for one vehicle or two.

- Garage doors can convert carports: If a homeowner already has a carport but wants to enclose it, this is a relatively simple construction project. Walls must be framed in and covered with sheetrock or wood. Tracks, springs and mechanical apparatus devices must be installed and then the proper garage door should be selected and purchased. The door should be chosen depending on the house style and homeowner’s budget. Doors come in a variety of materials such as steel, wood, fiberglass and aluminum.

They may swing out in one solid piece or roll overhead in segments. There are pros and cons to each choice. Steel doors are extremely heavy but durable. Wood is classy looking but needs more upkeep to maintain it. Fiberglass is lightweight, inexpensive but not as durable. Aluminum is also lightweight and economical but may dent easily. Visiting showrooms to see these products in person plus perusing architectural design journals will help an individual compare and contrast to make an informed decision.

- Conversion to living space: If a householder already has a garage but the inhabitants have outgrown their interior living space, converting the carriage house into a couple of bedrooms or a family room can be a great way to use existing space. The roofing, framing and walls are already there. All that’s needed are some finishing touches, additional insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, windows, electrical outlets and there it is—another chunk of square footage.

If a homeowner needs protection for their vehicles from the inclement weather, or wants to upgrade security by transforming their carport with garage doors, or desperately needs additional living space to house new children or elderly parents who have moved in, there are myriads of ways of achieving this.