Home Remodeling: Start Simple, Convert Your Carport Into A Garage

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Living in a sunny climate has many benefits besides not having to deal with long, dark, snow filled winters. You don't have to worry about the car not starting because of frigid temperatures, nor do you have to shovel the driveway before you can go to work.

A desert climate does not necessarily make a fully enclosed garage as much of a necessity as back east. There are some benefits as people are beginning to recognize.

The advantages to having an enclosed garage include some of the obvious ones, such as your car being protected from the sun and staying cleaner as it is out of the wind. It also makes your car more secure against theft and vandalism.

Another advantage that might not become apparent until you have problems, is keeping those pesky desert packrats from making a home under your hood and even worse, from chewing up the wires in your car. The damage a packrat can do is not only annoying, but very expensive to repair.

Carports don't offer much in the way of additional storage. An enclosed garage gives you options for storage cabinets, places on the walls to hang tools or other bulky items, and even a laundry room. All of these items are now secure and hidden from view.

One important thing to consider for your new garage is that you will need to make sure the local zoning code allows for a conversion. After you confirm it is allowed, you have an opportunity to make it look more like an extension to your home.

You will need to make sure the carport is of a size worth converting into a garage. If it is too small you will have a hard time moving around the vehicle once there are walls. Adding windows will keep it from looking box-like and a decorative garage door is a plus for making it attractive.

You will want to consider adding power so you have overhead lights, and if you are thinking of an automatic garage door opener you need to have a separate circuit breaker. If you are going to use part of the garage as a laundry room then you will need to add plumbing and a sewer connection. Consider a side door to access the yard.

If your carport has an existing concrete slab, it is important to make sure the thickness is enough to warrant using it inside the garage. Typically a four inch thick slab is the minimum.

About the Author:
Get all of the help and guidance you need for your project. Visit us at www.RemodelingTucsonHomes.com. See how we can create the home you've been dreaming of. See how we are remodeling Phoenix with killer service and results.



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