Garage Conversion: Front of House ADU

Let’s explore the peculiarities of garage conversions in front of the house and discuss steps to take in order to create a livable unit, integrating the garage conversion into your existing design!

Converted Garage Uses

If you wonder why converting a garage, we can offer you a whole series of possible explanations. Some people simply don’t need garages anymore, so they’re looking for opportunities to put the cluttered structures to good use. Others have two-car garages while using only half of them, which spurs them to search for solutions that serve a more practical purpose.

The decision to repurpose a garage may stem from a desire to optimize living space or expand it while better utilizing the available square footage within the lot.

In general, garage conversions can help address several problems at once. These involve:

1. Lack of living space

If you began to notice that the dining room became too cramped for your grown family or your children grew up and they want their own space that parents have no control over, converting a former garage may be a good idea, especially if you’re in search of the most affordable housing option.

1. Limited budget

Since garages already have walls, foundations, and roofs, they require fewer resources than any other type of livable construction for their full completion. If your garage doesn’t require many modifications and is in a good state, you will not have to start from scratch. This means less building materials and less payment for working hours.

1. Lack of versatility

Unlike home extensions that are limited by the existing layout of the house, garage conversions allow for more flexibility. They provide a separate space that you can use for a variety of purposes, from home offices, guest houses, and home gyms to rentals.

1. Restricted effect on property value

A garage conversion is an extensive project. That is why, typically, it can add from $30,000 to $100,000 to the property value. When you decide to sell your property, a garage conversion can become a great investment that not only enhances the livability of the land but also increases its overall market value.

To sum up, whether you’ve been dreaming of a lovely garden cottage in the courtyard or of a functional living space within your lot, a well-executed garage remodel can provide both immediate gains and a long-term payoff on your investment.

Front of the House Garage Conversion Considerations

The space in front of the main house is a special spot on your property, so if your converted garage occupies this location, it will have to comply with a certain number of specific requirements.

First of all, a street-facing facade may demand homeowners adhere to stricter rules related to possible designs. Some municipalities may specify permitted architectural styles, materials, finishes, size or style of windows and doors, rooflines, and even color schemes to maintain the curb appeal and preserve the neighborhood uniformity. Moreover, once you finish the conversion, you might need to undergo a check by a design review board, which will determine if every design element fits the guidelines.

Secondly, front-of-the-house structures sometimes face more thorough regulation in terms of setback requirements (distance from the property line), zoning laws, limitations on the number of occupants, and other specific restrictions. When you convert a front yard garage, it may require compliance with a stricter set of rules compared to garage conversions in different locations on the property. For instance, the property line might not be where you think it is, and you’ll have to check in with your local permitting office.

All in all, if you ask whether it’s possible to convert a garage in front of your house into a living area, the short answer is yes. But doing so, it’s essential to ensure careful adherence to local rules and regulations, concerning the specific status of street-facing structures.

Garage Conversion: Preparations

To ensure a smooth remodel and guarantee quality results, the first thing you do is estimate the garage condition and plan the conversion layout. The converted garage should fulfill the minimum square footage requirement, height requirement, and egress requirement and conform to all building standards.

Once you choose the layout, taking into account existing utility connections, you may need a structural engineer to assess any necessary modifications to ensure the structural integrity of the converted space. You’ll need to make sure the new garage conversion has enough natural light. That’s why you’ll probably have to consider adding new windows. Then an architect will design and specify the framing system, wall placement, and structural components of the new space, determining room location.

Also, consider thinking through the following aspects: the garage door, the driveway, and the garage floor level. To make it look like part of the house, you’ll want to change the garage door in a way that blends with the rest of your home’s exterior. Also, you need to consider removing the driveway and replacing it with some landscaping features. Besides, think about evening out the floor to align with the rest of the main house.

Once you’ve done with planning, it’s time to proceed with subsequent stages of garage remodeling.

Garage Conversion Building

First things first, you declutter the garage by removing all items and cleaning up. Then, it makes sense to fix and seal all the cracks in the garage walls, floor, and ceiling since you need a stable base for future works.

The follow-up actions will include:

• Structural work. Framing new walls to define separate living areas, making openings for windows and doors to bring in more light, and possibly constructing an architecturally intricate vaulted ceiling—all these enhancements create a livable space you wish for.
• Insulating the walls. The amount of insulation required varies by location. In many cases, you can simply add insulation to the existing walls before covering them with drywall.
• Replace the garage door. You can replace it with a usual wall, French doors, or windows. Additionally, you’ll need to construct a fresh concrete curb spanning the doorway opening for the new door.
• Waterproof the floor. Usually, you don’t have to redo the garage floor, but just put the flooring, whether it’s hardwood, laminate, or carpet, directly over the concrete. However, the moisture may come through the concrete, so we recommend waterproofing it.
• Connecting the living space to utilities. This involves installing plumbing, adding electrical wiring, and creating ventilation that is necessary for a functional living space.
• Exterior finishes. Changing shingles on the roof, wall siding, and the overall house’s facade is an essential part of a garage conversion in the front-of-the-house project.
• Interior finishes. Here you can install anything from skylights or clerestory windows to transform your space. You can also choose to install new doors or leave door frames open for a modern aesthetic. Following this, the next phase of the project is to paint, trim, and floor the living space.
• Install the amenities. This includes installing fixtures like a toilet, a bathtub, and a sink, adding lighting fixtures, and built-in storage spaces, counters, and cabinetry.
• Furnish the bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, and the living area.

In addition, remember that parallel with the construction, you’ll need to go through the permission process. Before the remodel, you will have to obtain building permits. During the construction, inspections will come to your site to check if your initial plans correspond with what is actually going on the site.

In conclusion, turning a garage into a nice living space takes a whole array of important steps to make sure it turns out successful and actually works for you. The process of converting garages may require several structural changes, with their extent depending on the original garage condition. If the project demands significant changes, it’s advisable to hire a reputable construction company to perform the task to the T!

Front Garage Conversion Design Ideas

When it comes to a garage conversion, the major issue with it is that after low-quality renovation, the space may inadvertently reveal its original function as a garage. To avoid this, we recommend sneaking a peek at suitable layouts and designs employed by other homeowners and stealing some of the ideas, adapting them to your individual conditions.

Below, we have gathered a few creative ideas as to what styles and design features you may use.

Artistic Facade Elements

If you don’t want your new living space to resemble a garage, opt for a more residential-like exterior. It may be something as simple as log siding (better if it fits the style of the main house) or something more elaborate, such as textured paint and decorative tiles.

Decorated Entryway

To integrate your conversion into the landscape, create a well-manicured lawn, a nice pathway, and add a few potted plants or a water feature nearby it. This will create a feeling that a new space flows seamlessly from the existing surroundings, not contradicting but enhancing the overall aesthetics of your yard.

Cozy Outdoor Area

Think about installing a deck to expand the outdoor space of your garage conversion. You can place some garden furniture, creating a nice seating nook for the new conversion residents. Another option is to think about incorporating a small pergola with a vertical garden on its outer side, which can also climb onto the exterior of the garage.

Glass Garage Doors

To make your garage conversion more stylish and modern, opt for translucent new doors. Not only will this let in more natural light, but it can also make your space feel more spacious. Besides, glass doors can add a modern touch to the overall aesthetic, creating a bright, open atmosphere in a transformed space. And if the doors lead to the outdoor space, even a small one, it will allow the residents of the conversion to feel like they’re surrounded by nature.

Creative Lighting

It’s possible to transform the overall space by using string lights, lanterns, or other original lighting fixtures. You can place them along the pathway to your garage conversion or high-specific design elements of the new living space.