Australia’s weather often defies the rulebook, which means you can’t really predict or prepare for it. Knowing this, you need to take care of a lot of things, which includes your automobiles. Extreme weather conditions like heat and snow can damage your car. This mandates the need for a garage to protect your car. After your house, your car may be your most valuable asset. You need to maintain it so it drives safely while on the road and so it can retain its resale value in the event that you want to sell it.
Extreme heat or direct exposure to the sun will crack the car’s paint and even cause the upholstery to faint over time. It can also result in an overheated engine and poorly inflated tires. Similarly, extreme cold will cause battery issues. Moreover, hail or snow may dent your car, which will then require costly auto damage repair. To protect your car and save expenses, you should invest in a car garage.
But how do you design and build a suitable garage for your car? Here are 5 tips to help you design a garage for your needs.
The Size of Your Car
First and foremost, you should consider the size of your car/s. If you have a small car, a compact garage will suffice. If you have a bigger car with a specific height like the Suzuki Ignis, you will need a more spacious garage with more overhead space and a wider entry. Most people often fail to take height into consideration, which can then become a serious problem. You should measure the car’s length, width, and height and then proceed to build a garage with dimensions more than the car’s measurements for easy entry and exit.
The Number of Cars
When you want to build a garage for your vehicle, always consider the number of cars you have. This will dictate how big or small the car should be. If you don’t take this into account, you may be forced to park one car outside. This would work only if you aren’t really bothered about what it could do to your vehicle. Weather conditions, bird droppings, theft, and vandalism all pose a risk to the safety of your car. This is why you should invest in a garage that fits all your cars. A single car garage should have a driveway that is 10 to 14 feet wide, while a double car garage would need a driveway that is 20 to 24 feet wide.
Purpose Of the Garage
A home garage can be used for several purposes. It can help offer shade to your vehicles, store furniture, or other items that aren’t in use and can even be turned into a gym or a games room. When you plan to get a garage, consider all that you’re going to use it for. If you plan to park your car there and store items, you need a bigger, more spacious garage. Moreover, if it’s going to be used for your cars only, does it need a lock for the time when you’re travelling? If you have an old, aged person at home, does the garage need a ramp? Consider all this to make sure you’re designing the right thing.
Cost
When you are building your garage, you should consider all the costs involved. This would range from the building material used to the quality of the garage door. Designing a garage without mapping out a budget might derail your plans. For example, steel is a cost-effective building material for your garage. It is also durable, long-lasting, and weather resistant. It will thus protect your cars from harmful UV rays, heavy rainfall, and snow. You can also consider buying a garage kit that fits your needs which may cost you less than building a custom garage.
Risk Of Mould
Mould is a common occurrence in garages as they are often dark, damp, and humid, providing the perfect breeding ground for it. If you live in dry and humid conditions, you should take measures to mitigate mould growth. The first step is choosing steel instead of wood. Mould can grow on steel, but it won’t damage it like it would eat away organic material like wood. You can also install a dehumidifier in the garage to keep humidity levels to an acceptable 30% and 50%.
Final Word
Building a garage for your vehicles requires some serious thought and consideration. If you don’t know where to start, get in touch with a builder to design a garage that suits your needs and protects your cars from all sorts of dangers. This way, you’ll get yourself a car garage that will last you years to come and maintain your car’s resale value.
