Converting a Car Port is Not Just About Adding a Garage Door

Posted by Sasha the garage door replacement expert on Saturday, 03 July 2010

Tags: Garage Doors, car port, garage door construction, garage doors replacement, new garage door

Converting a Car Port is Not Just About
Adding Garage Doors

If one is thinking about converting
an existing car port into a full garage with an overhead garage door,
there is a lot to consider. First remember that construction projects
like this one have to be approved. One may own the land, but city or
county laws and taxes could be stumbling blocks. Any contractor could
and should be able to answer ones questions. If they say they never
bother about permits or zoning regulations; walk away.  A piece
of paper may seem inconsequential, but building regulations are there
to keep structures up and fires out. Safety should always be a priority.  

An initial query should always start
with the structural integrity of the building. Is the roof sound? Adding
walls is a great idea to keep out the elements, but if the roof leaks
then the walls will end up rotting from the inside.  

Next you will need to have some measurements
done.  Many car ports have a smaller footprint than a single car
garage. The smallest footprint for most single car garages is 14 feet
wide and 20 feet long. The garage door will need to be at least 8 feet
wide and then one has to add the garage door frame and some space to
open the doors into. If the existing foundation is large enough great,
otherwise a new foundation will have to be laid.   

To go about converting the garage,
start by framing the walls. Use the existing structure as your guide.
One will actually be putting up the basic framing structures used in
home building. The sides and back of the garage will have to be filled
in with wall studs. Someone inexperienced in framing a house should
hire a contractor. This is when one should be thinking about power.
If an electric garage door opener is going to be installed, proper electrical
circuits need to be laid. It is much easier to do this when the structure
is framed than after the walls have been completed.  All electrical
work should be done by a professional.  

Add plywood to the outside. One can
be as professional or not with the outside. If the structure is visible
from the front of the house, a prudent homeowner will probably want
the outside finished in a coordinating material like siding.  

The inside as well should be finished
as nicely as possible. One may not mind bare 2x4's and a lack of insulation,
but insulation and drywall will go along way towards keeping the climate
controlled. Why go to the effort of performing the conversion and then
stopping halfway through the job?  A fully finished garage will
add its value back to the home.  

The size and style of the garage door
will rely on personal preference. This is where the personality of the
homeowner can really shine. Installing a garage door is a serious undertaking.
One will need to mount the side rollers, then hang the doors and then
connect all the hinges and springs so that the door opens properly.
This is also a job that might be handled best by a professional.