New house, need opinions on garage.

[Bird]

Our first house, built in 1950 and we bought it in 1968, was a very small house with a single car garage facing the street. As with many people in this area, it was never used to park a vehicle. In 1972 we bought a little larger house with a 2-car garage and in 1977 we bought a still larger house with a 2-car garage. Those two were in areas with a design that was popular in those days by having alleys behind the house; 15' easement with 8' (in the first one) and 10' (in the second one) paved. So all the garages were entered from the alley in the rear. I liked that because we did not share a fence with a neighbor. Everyone had their own. And we all set out garbage out back on the collection day.

But now we live in an area where our fences on 3 sides are shared. We've had no problems with our neighbors, but I prefer individually owned fences. But at least we don't have a homeowners association to tell us what we can and cannot do. We have a 2-car garage open at the front and we actually keep our vehicles in it. But our house is one of very, very few in the area without vehicles parked in the driveway at night.

 

[TomSeller]

I agree with the wife about not having the garage dominant at the front of the house. In my area they call those snout houses. I would have a separated garage with breezeway if space allowed. I also don't like houses set perfectly north south as the north side does not get enough sun. I would set it at a small angle.

 

[brin]

I agree with the wife about not having the garage dominant at the front of the house. In my area they call those snout houses. I would have a separated garage with breezeway if space allowed. I also don't like houses set perfectly north south as the north side does not get enough sun. I would set it at a small angle.

Exactly right...I agree on both points ...Our garage is attached but the door does not face the So. it faces East...We used to have a detached garage ..what a pain in bad weather or hauling groceries in...that got old....I most agree with the small angle in orienting the house...ours Faces South and the Back does sure not get enough sun...wish we had angled it just a little.

 

[jwstewar]

I grew up without a garage. Then when Monica and I got married still didn't have one. We finished the pole barn in 2005. It was so nice not having to scrape frost and snow. We thought that was great. Then our house burnt down, so we built a new house with an attached to car garage. Oh my, as great as the detached pole barn was, the attached garage is that much better. Now I park my commuter car and the wife's Suburban in the attached garage and my truck and tractor are in the detached pole barn. BTW, I'm also of the mindset that I don't like garage doors facing the front of the house. I prefer a side load garage. I made the builder completely redesign the roof plans to make the garage side load. I also had them enlarge the garage to 24x24 and 2 9x8 garage doors instead of 20x20 and either a 16x7 or 2 9x7 garage doors. This wasn't meant to be a working garage since I already had the 30x48 pole barn, just wanted it large enough to fit a Suburban - which we didn't have at that time. We have enough room that we can pull in, close the door, walk around the front of the vehicle and open the rear hatch while being in out of the weather.

 

[Bird]

Yep, Jim, an attached garage is sure nice for getting in and out when the weather is too hot, too cold, too wet, etc. And the bigger garage is even better. My own is a more or less conventional size, but some years ago, I helped my youngest brother build his new house and the attached garage was 28 x 28; biggest one I've seen.

 

[bigtiller]

Yep, Jim, an attached garage is sure nice for getting in and out when the weather is too hot, too cold, too wet, etc. And the bigger garage is even better. My own is a more or less conventional size, but some years ago, I helped my youngest brother build his new house and the attached garage was 28 x 28; biggest one I've seen.

Come on up for a cup of coffee Bird and we'll visit in my 30 x 46 attached garage. If it is cold out i'll turn on the furnace.

 

[Bird]

Come on up for a cup of coffee Bird and we'll visit in my 30 x 46 attached garage. If it is cold out i'll turn on the furnace.

That sure sounds like a nice garage.:thumbsup:

 

[mbohuntr]

Ours is 30x30. Just right for a whole winters supply of pellets, freezer and two full sized vehicles. No bumping doors, cramped walk arounds etc... This is our second connected garage, and we can't imagine living without one!!!

 

[Tig]

We have a detached garage/shop and also plan on having an attached garage. The doors will not face the street but will face each other. We tend to keep the doors open and we didn't want our stuff on display to passers by. Attached garage will be somewhat exposed to the prevailing west wind.

 

[Msamt]

Bought a new house last year without a garage, something I said I'd never do again here in the great white north...
Added a 24 x 32 with storage above. Fits the truck, HRH's subaru, the tractor, two bikes, and the snow blower. Def need a barn now!