Introduction to Basement Garage
The basement garage is also known as the “underground garage” or “parking area.” Most people prefer to it how they can park their cars in a safe and secure place. It depends on you what kind of parking spot you want for this kind of construction. But whatever your choice may be, homeowners consider some factors when building an underground garage. The following will help you understand more about this type of construction:
Basic Facts
Several homeowners would like to have their home improvement project but lack the knowledge and experience. This might be why many fail in the middle of the project because they don’t know what materials need to be used. Below are some basic facts about basement garage, which may help you in building one:
The Stages of Construction
The stages of constructing a basement garage are as follows:
- Designing
- Digging the spot/pit
- Installing support system
- Pouring the floor.
However, another process should be done before anything else, and it is called planning.
Planning – What to Expect?
No matter how small your project may be or if you’re improving your home’s overall appearance and functionality, you should always plan. The same thing goes with this kind of construction; even if you want something simple such as extra parking space for your growing family, it doesn’t hurt to know what will happen during the whole building process.
Do’s and don’ts in building Basement Garage
Going through the planning and preparation stages is not enough; you must also know the dos and don’ts in building a basement garage. The following tips will help you understand more about this type of project:
- Ensure that your garage can accommodate at least two cars, front to back. This way, it won’t cause bumper-to-bumper traffic when you go inside or leave your home.
- Your local zoning code may require minimum ceiling heights for an underground parking structure, such as 8 feet for a single car garage and 9 feet for a double car garage. Keep in mind that these height requirements are additional costs to you.
- Remember that you need to waterproof the surface around the opening of your garage. This will protect your surrounding areas, including your home and yard (if applicable).
- The next thing you should figure out is how many support posts are needed for this project. You can also opt to hire an engineer if you don’t understand these technicalities.
- Include enough lighting in your underground garage. Since it is not visible from the outside, it needs proper light installation inside so you won’t have any problem entering or leaving your vehicle.
Advantages basement garage
Basement garages offer many benefits for owners, and these vary depending on the homeowner’s preferences. Here are some of the top basement garage ideas homeowners can consider:
1) Safety from storms, floods, and fire
One of the essential benefits of a basement garage is that it provides owners with peace of mind against natural disasters such as hurricanes, tidal waves, earthquakes, or floods since they are protected from Mother Nature’s destructive fury. Another benefit is that most basements do not catch fire easily because they are built underground with less fuel for fires. This offers extra protection in case of fire emergencies when bringing items down into safety becomes necessary.
2) Convenience in winter
Basement garages can be extremely useful during winter. Snow shoveling is accessible with a basement garage since vehicles are partially sheltered from the snow sludge. Owners need not fear being stranded because they will have access to their cars throughout the harsh winter season. Basements also have an advantage over front or backyard parking because they protect against drifting snow or heavy rainstorms, damaging exterior car parts if parked outside for extended periods.
3) Extra storage space at home
A popular basement garage idea is to convert it into extra storage space for items not needed often but frequently accessed. This increase in storage capacity allows homeowners to declutter their living areas and use this newly available space as additional leisure rooms, game rooms, or study rooms. Basement garages can also be used as media rooms, home theaters, etc. This provides extra space for new furniture purchases or items that will be kept long-term such as winter clothes or ski equipment.
4) Additional living spaces
Basements are perfect spaces to convert into living areas since they have high ceilings and offer better ventilation than most other parts of the house. The basement garage idea is a popular choice because homeowners can live in these areas year-round without feeling constricted by small living quarters, something familiar with many homes where bedrooms and bathrooms are on the upper levels. Basements allow homeowners to host large gatherings and social affairs throughout the year, especially during summertime when outdoor activities abound and residents want an alternative to sweltering heat.
5) Enhanced resale value of homes
Basements, particularly those with extra space beyond the house’s footprint, are considered luxury spaces that improve any home’s overall appearance and value. According to research reports, basements are among the top 5 features homeowners look for in potential new houses to buy. Basement garage ideas can enhance any home’s resale value because it is a rare feature among other properties on sale, which means owners have more room to negotiate sales price when selling their home. Homeowners who wish to cash out can gain significant equity from basements since this adds an average 1% increase in market value compared to similar homes without basements.
6) Retain heat better than above-ground garages
Basements provide better insulation than above-ground parking because they are built underground, where temperatures remain more consistent throughout the year. According to research studies, basements tend to be warmer during winter and cooler during the summertime because of their natural thermal barrier qualities. The best basement garage ideas involve converting this space into extra living areas so homeowners can enjoy this improvement in temperature control year-round.
7) More usable space for cars
Many homeowners do not maximize their driveway space because it is too small compared to other cars owned by the family or household members. This problem is resolved with a more oversized basement garage that allows owners to park several vehicles without blocking car doors, windows, or sidewalks since there would be plenty of room for maneuvering vehicles in and out of the parking space.
8) No more flood damages from heavy rains
Basements are a perfect alternative place to park vehicles during heavy rainstorms or flooding because this area is primarily protected from water damage. Cars can be parked on higher ground while their owners move furniture, personal belongings, and appliances on lower levels. Flooding usually occurs on streets and driveways when waterways overflow due to blocked drainage systems, resulting in damaged homes. Some basement garage ideas may involve converting this area into recreational areas to enjoy improved driving conditions even during harsh weather conditions.
9) Easily accessible spaces
The best basement garage ideas involve using this habitable space around the home for additional purposes, so homeowners no longer have to drive around looking for a parking space or rely upon on-street parking. Vehicles can be parked inside this other living area, and homeowners can enjoy the convenience of accessing their cars quickly and easily whenever they need to leave home.
10) Additional storage spaces
Garages and basement garages are among the most functional areas in homes because they offer ample storage space for items that typically clutter hallways, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas of the house. The best basement garage ideas involve converting this area into extra living space, so owners do not run out of places to put personal belongings such as clothing, toys, or trappings associated with hobbies like fishing equipment or hunting paraphernalia. Owners may also convert this space into mini home gyms to perform regular exercise routines to increase overall well-being.
11) Places for kids’ sports activities
Some owners do not have enough space in the backyard to accommodate sports equipment like bicycles, skateboards, and other items associated with children’s outdoor playtime. Basement garages provide additional storage space, so parents do not have to worry about things piling up in hallways or bedrooms. The best basement garage ideas involve converting this area into multi-purpose rooms, allowing owners to contain all types of belongings that typically clutter up homes. With more places to store personal belongings, homeowners can even use this improvement as a selling point when selling their homes because it significantly increases their overall value.
12) Beautiful designs for elevated value of the home
Homeowners planning to sell their property within an acceptable time frame can make it more attractive by converting their basement garage into living space. The best basement garage ideas involve painting this area with bright colors or wallpapers, allowing owners to utilize this habitable space around the house for additional purposes. This improvement will significantly increase household income because homeowners do not have to pay strangers to park their cars during long vacations outside town or city limits.
Endnote:
The basement garage is a popular type of garage still chosen by many modern homeowners. It often showcases advanced technology and high-end materials, both mechanicals and design. Basement garages are perfect for those who have a green thumb as they provide space to store gardening tools and equipment. This kind of garage has been gaining popularity because it allows homeowners to use more above-ground space.
Apart from this, if you are interested to know more about Choose the Perfect Anti Fatigue Mat for Your Home then visit our Home improvement category.
FAQs
- What is a basement garage?
A basement garage is an area in the form of a parking lot used for cars and other vehicles built under the house. The main reason for creating such a structure is to provide additional living space. It’s done by placing them under the ground floor level or under the soil.
- Do you build your basement garage?
You can do this with the help of professionals or hire someone to do it for you. If building a basement garage is part of an extensive renovation, many companies specialize in this type of construction. Some require only excavation work and concrete supports (beams), while others provide complete construction of the basement garage. However, you risk that someone else will finish it with mistakes in terms of technical feasibility or with deviations from what you have planned. Before starting work, contact several companies and learn about their prices. Depending on your financial capacity, decide whether you want to do everything yourself or hire a professional company specializing in constructing the basement garage.
- What are the disadvantages of building a basement garage?
The main disadvantage is that it’s challenging to ensure that the foundation is damp-proof if you don’t use products specifically designed. The second negative point is connected with ventilation because it must be carried out in all spaces where machines (heating plants, etc.), paints, or solvents are used. Otherwise, there is a risk that the air will be unbreathable.
