Transforming Your Carport into a Functional Garage

16 Jun Transforming Your Carport into a Functional Garage

A Complete Guide to Carport to Garage Conversion

Carports are a popular choice for homeowners who want a covered space to keep their vehicles, and they come standard with many homes, both old and new. Whilst they’re great to park your car in, as your family grows and your storage needs increase, converting a carport into a garage can be a practical and valuable home improvement project for your home. 

Converting your carport into a garage is a great way to provide additional security for your vehicles at night, but can also enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your property, which is great if you’re thinking about putting it on the market in the near future.

In this blog, we guide you through the process of converting a carport into a fully functional garage, along with everything you may want to consider before talking with a renovation company about your conversion.

Step 1 – Evaluate your needs
The first step in any carport conversion project is to take a step back and assess your needs. You will want to figure out how you plan to use the space and what features you might like in a garage (storage, workbenches, electrical outlets, security systems, toilet or sink or overhead storage). 

Is your new converted garage going to serve as a simple enclosed parking spot, or do you also need storage space, a workshop, a hobby area or a workbench? Outlining your objectives will go a long way to helping you plan the conversion to best make use of the space available.

Step 2 – Check your local regulations
Before you start getting quotes or thinking about any modifications, it’s really important to check with your local council to understand any regulations you need to adhere to and obtain any necessary permits. Building codes can vary from council to council and state to state, so getting familiar with the requirements for things like structural modifications, electrical work and plumbing is essential.

Note – If you’re unsure about particular regulations and what they mean, Titan360 can assist you with interrupting these and ensuring you meet any requirements. 

Step 3 – Design and layout
Now that you’ve figured out how you want to use your space and have gotten your head around those pesky regulations, it’s time to figure out what you want the design and layout of your garage to look like. You will want to take into consideration the dimensions of your existing carport and if you need to expand it or make any structural changes to accommodate your conversion. 

Take into account the number of vehicles you want to accommodate (or future car upgrades or teens getting cars, etc) and any additional features you may want, such as windows, a side entrance or overhead storage. A well-planned layout will maximise the space and functionality of your new garage conversion and help to keep your project on time and on budget.

Step 4 – Let’s begin!
Ok, you’ve gotten everything ready, the design is finalised, and you’ve gotten all the appropriate permits, so it’s time to start your conversion project! Typically we will start with wall and roof installation as to convert a carport into a garage, we will need to enclose the sides and possibly add a back wall. 

We are careful about choosing appropriate materials that match your home’s exterior (nobody wants a garage that looks like it’s been tacked on at a later date – it needs to look like it’s part of your home). We also make sure we provide adequate insulation and weatherproofing so your car and storage items are protected in those rough Brisbane summer storms. If the carport doesn’t have a roof, we’ll need to add one.

Step 5 – Garage door installation
Installing a proper garage door is essential for both security and convenience. There are many different types of garage doors from manual doors to fully automated doors so it’s important to choose a door that complements your home’s style and provides easy access for vehicles or storage (this is where an internal door can come in really handy).

There are lots of options available, such as sectional doors, roll-up doors or sliding doors, so it’s worth doing a bit of research to see which one will suit you best. 

Step 6 – Electrical and lighting
As part of the design process, we will help you to evaluate your electrical needs, including lighting, outlets and any other electrical appliances you plan to use in your new garage. Our professional electricians will install all the necessary wiring as well as ensuring your new conversion meets all the appropriate electrical codes. 

Many people use energy-efficient lighting options such as LED fixtures to enhance visibility and help reduce their overall energy consumption.

Step 7 – Flooring and finishing touches
We can help you to select suitable flooring options for your garage, such as epoxy coatings, interlocking tiles or concrete stains. You will want to make sure the floor is durable and easy to clean in case of oil stains or spills. We can also help to add any finishing touches like paint, trim and shelving to enhance the overall appearance and functionality of your new garage space. Once we’ve completed that, we can install storage solutions such as cabinets, wall hooks and overhead racks to help you keep your new garage organised and clutter-free.

Step 8 – Security and safety
The second most given reason for conversions (after getting some more storage space) is security, as a fully lockable garage helps to protect your vehicles and belongings. Many people consider installing a security system with motion-activated lights and sturdy locks on doors and windows. We also need to consider fire safety by including smoke detectors where necessary. You might also want to consider having a fire extinguisher readily available and proper ventilation if needed.

Reasons to convert your carport into a garage

There are many reasons people choose to convert their carport into a garage. Here are just a few of the reasons we’ve had from various customers over the years. 

• Enhanced Security: Converting a carport into a garage provides extra security for your vehicles. With enclosed walls and a lockable door, a garage offers a high level of protection from theft, vandalism and harsh weather conditions.
• Weather Protection: A carport really only provides minimal protection from the elements, whereas a fully enclosed garage shields vehicles from rain, hail and extreme temperatures. It can also help prevent damage to your cars from things like falling debris, tree sap and bird and bat droppings.
• Increased Storage Space: With a garage, you get additional storage options you just don’t get with a carport. You can store lots of tools, equipment, sporting gear, bicycles and loads of other belongings that you don’t want in the house.
• Expand your living space: In some cases, people convert their carport into a garage so they can use the space for more than just parking cars. Many people also include a workshop, home office, gym or hobby room into their garage conversion, effectively expanding the usable space in their homes.

Converting your carport into a garage is a great home improvement project that adds value, functionality and another level of security to your property. Talk with us today about creating a customised garage space that suits your requirements.