Converting the garage (with an existing foundation, exterior walls, and roof) into additional room usually costs less than new construction. How much you pay for your garage to room conversion, however, varies with how you redesign the garage into room space. You can create almost any time of room in garage space, including:

• Bathrooms
• Bedrooms
• Dens
• Family Rooms
• Game Rooms
• Home Offices
• Home Theaters
• Kitchens
• Laundry Rooms
• Living Rooms.

Convert a large garage into room and a smaller garage, or create multiple rooms in this space. High ceilings may even allow for a room above garage areas. Compare what’s already there to what you’ll need to complete the garage to room conversion. Make sure to consider local codes. Failure to do so might require you to restore the garage to its original condition before selling the house.

Garage into Room: Ceiling Choices

When converting a garage into room, you’ll need to choose a type of ceiling for your conversion. Different styles include:

• Cathedral
• Conventional
• Cove
• Exposed Beam
• Shed
• Suspended
• Tray
• Vaulted.

Steep cathedral ceilings hinder proper insulation, lighting installation, painting, and adequate ventilation. Steep shed ceilings may have similar problems, but vaulted ceilings aren’t as steep. Conventional ceilings are common in the garage.

Wall Options in the Garage

Cutting and installing drywall is easy with common tools, but hanging it may require two people in a garage to room conversion. When painting or papering a room in garage, finish corners and joints. Paneling boards or sheets also work for garage into room remodeling, and can be given clear or decorative finishes, painted, or stained. Acoustic panels also improve soundproofing.

Different Floors in the Garage

Concrete slabs work with most floors (just seal the slab), and double padding adds comfort under carpeting. You could also build a joist floor to match the home’s floor level.

Garage to Room Conversion Considerations

Wiring in the garage depends on the room in garage space. A kitchen, for example, may require more outlets than a bedroom. Codes may require a licensed electrician or plumber, but you can take advantage of existing water pipes to cut costs.

For heating and cooling rooms in the garage, compare extending the home’s systems to adding separate units. With different ventilation requirements, heating units are dangerous when installed incorrectly. Insulation, low ceilings (because heat rises), and solar heating through windows in the garage reduce heating bills.

With vehicles in part of the garage, ventilation is critical. The cost of ventilation varies because systems perform differently in response to climate, and overall house size. A greater need for clean air due to respiratory problems can raise ventilation costs, too.

Evacuation exits and structural soundness are equally critical for garage to room remodeling. Comply with local codes, and consult an architect or structural engineer when increasing the height of ceilings.