Learning how to build a garage is not as daunting as one would expect, well, for detached structures at least. Homeowners who build their own garage can save thousands over hiring a builder who, in many cases, will subcontract to the same construction crews that you can hire. Or if feeling adventurous, or just downright thrifty, one can invite friends over for a few beers over the weekend and put them to work.

There are many items to consider while in the early planning stage such as:

Garage size: One car, two car, or even a three car garages can be designed with various sizes, but the lot and homeowner’s budget are generally the limiting factors. Local building codes vary, but typically a structure must not encroach within eight feet of property lines in rural areas and from zero to four feet in city limits. Detached garages must also be set back from other buildings by a minimum of eight feet, but this must be confirmed with local building offices as bodes vary. One important consideration is roof overhang. Eave and gable end overhangs are typically 12″ – 24″ (although less than 12″ is common in windy areas) and must be considered when determining building size and placement.

One method of determining the perfect size is to add 12′ to 15′ of width for each vehicle. If planning to use the interior walls on the sides for storage this will require another two feet of width per side. The length should be a minimum of 22′ and add four to ten feet for a work bench and storage. A two car garage could be calculated as 2 x 12′ +4′ for storage along each wall = 28′ x 22′ long without a work bench. Common sizes include:

1. One car: Common garage sizes include 12′ x 24′, 14′ x 24′, and 16′ x 24′. A length of twenty four feet is pretty much the minimum if you have a full size truck and even with a small or mid-size car there will be little wiggle room at twenty or twenty two feet.

2. Two car: The most common garage size in many states and provinces is 24′ x 24′ because many building codes required an engineered drawing and two inspections by a structural engineer for concrete floating slabs (monolithic) larger than this size. If space is scarce and the two cars are small to mid-size a 20′ wide may adequate, but certainly not comfortable.

3. Three car: There are many three car garage sizes due to more room for numerous designs and homeowners often have larger budgets when considering these larger construction projects. Common sizes are 36′ – 42′ wide by 26′ – 30′ long.

Foundation: floating slab (monolithic) and slab with frostwall are the two most common foundation options. The floating slab is less expensive and easier to build, but often require an engineered drawing and two inspections for larger concrete slabs (i.e. 24′ x 24′). In cold weather climates many contractors install 2.5″ foundation foam under the concrete to reduce heaving during freeze/thaw events. Engineered floating slabs in cold climates usually require this with an addition two feet extending out around the perimeter of the slab.

Adding 6′ x 6′ #10 wire mesh to the slab is an inexpensive method of increasing the floor strength and reducing cracking of the concrete. Most contractors install floating slabs with a thickened concrete perimeter 12″ – 16″ thick around the outer 16″ – 24″ of the perimeter. Adding two rows of #4 rebar will increase the edges. Concrete strength should be a minimum of 3,000psi and many contractors use 4,000 and 4,500 psi as the additional cost is minimal. Another consideration is ordering concrete with fibermesh, and macro-synthetic fiber used for secondary reinforcement of concrete. Local concrete suppliers can provide costs for adding this to concrete. Slab thickness is dependent on the concrete strength and reinforcement designs, however a good rule of thumb is to pour a 4″ or thicker slab.

Frostwall minimum depth is determined by local building codes and is typically 48″ in cold climates and 36″ in more moderate areas. Once the trench is excavated a footing approximately 12″ wide by 8″ thick is formed and poured and a keyway is etched the length of the footing to prevent movement of the concrete wall. The frostwall is formed and poured on the on the footing and anchor bolts are installed in the to attach the walls to the foundation. The concrete slab is then poured to designed thickness. Obviously this foundation system requires more time and expense.

Wall construction: If the garage is going to be insulated now or possibly any time in the future the wall studs size is important as 2″ x 6″ studs allow more insulation that can meet building code requirements (for garages with apartments) than 2″ x 4″ studs. Of course, 2″ x 6″ studs are stronger, which results in a more structurally sounds building.

Walls height: Walls are generally 8′, but 9′ and 10′ walls are common. In city downtown areas there is often a height restriction on structures, such as less than 16′ to the roof peak based on the average height from the four corners measuring at grade. This means that you can get a little extra height if the garage is nestled into a bank with a concrete curb or retaining wall on this end and backfilling to top of retaining wall. Another method to maximize height in these areas is to pour a 12″ concrete curb on the concrete slab perimeter and backfill earth up to the top of the curb and grade away from the structure. This method can gain 12″ of height while still meeting the height restrictions (confirm this will local building offices prior to implementing this strategy).

Garage door placement: The garage doors can be on the gable end or the eave side. A few things to consider:

1. Existing house design may dictate the direction of the roof line. A method to assist visualize this is to take a picture of the house and include the area where the garage will be built. Print two copies of the picture and hand draw in the garage using both the gable and eave options.

2. If the garage will be built in a cold climate the garage doors in the gable end is a better design as snow and ice will slide down the eave end.

3. Flexibility with the garage doors in the gable end allow height for a future car port.

Roof style: Often the roof style is dictated by the existing house, for example if the house has a hip roof this would be a good option for the garage. If this is a DIY project and the homeowner is building the garage it should be noted that a hip roof is more difficult to build than installing standard trusses. Roof pitch must be considered as well and often this should match the existing house. Roof pitch less than 4/12 (rises 4″ for every 12″ of run or length) is not recommended due to increased chance of water leaks. Higher pitch roofs with certain truss designs can allow for storage, loft, or even apartments above the main level. The most common roof trusses for garage roof design include:

1. Standard Fink: This is the most common residential truss.

2. Double fink: Designed to handle high weight loads for higher snow load requirements.

3. Attic: Common for designs that allow storage above the main floor. Access can be stairs or attic drop-down stairs and the option available may be dictated by local building codes.

4. Scissor: This options provides cathedral (vaulted) ceilings that provides more interior ceiling height. For example, a 24′ x 24′ garage with an 8/12 pitch may have a ceiling height of 12′ in the center and 8′ at the wall. This system is usually weighted against building with regular fink trusses and higher walls.

If this is a DIY garage project don’t forget to order two gable trusses for each gable end. Otherwise two regular trusses will require wood filling for attaching sheathing and siding (not too mention the building inspector may not pass the framing inspection. If insulating the ceiling consider ordering “raised heel” trusses to allow adequate insulation between the wall top plate and the roof sheathing. This is the only way to meet many attic insulation level requirements (i.e. R40).

Garage plans: Once decisions are made on the above items it is time to get the garage plans for the building permit application and the builder. It is important to obtain good quality garage plans that are easy to follow, accurate, and provide a materials list (well, a material list is not important, but it will certainly save a lot of time). There are several websites that offer garage plans create by dozens and hundreds of different company so consistency and quality control are something to keep in mind. There are a couple of companies that do their own in-house drafting and a search of the internet should find these companies. Another option is to hire a local draftsperson to create the garage plans.

Plot (plat) plan: The building compliance department will require a drawing showing (site plan) the lot with existing structures, proposed structure, and property lines with measurements indicating distances between property lines and structures. This can be a hand drawn diagram of a marked up copy of the plot/plat plan. The building department may require a survey to confirm accuracy of measurements for precise garage location requirements.

Building Permit: Make an appointment to meet with a building inspector to discuss the project and submit the garage plans, material list, and site plan to the building department. A building permit may be issued at this time or the building inspector will require a few days to a couple of weeks to review the documents.

Building a storage shed, contrary to what some people think, is not a very difficult task. If you are armed with the right tools and the right information, you can easily build a storage facility of your choice. In this article, we take a look at the five steps involved in the process if you’re wondering about how to build a shed.

Step 1 – Determining Your Storage Needs

If you are thinking about constructing a shed, you need to first determine what you are going to use it for. Do you want to store garden supplies and tools? Do you want to store firewood? Or perhaps you want to use it as a workshop? Maybe you want to store your RV, boat, and dirt bike? Once you determine your storage needs, you will have a clear idea of what type of shed you want and how big it should be.

Step 2 – Getting Into the Specifics

Once you know what type of shed you want and what you are going to use it for, you can then get started with the planning process. One of your first decisions will be the design. The most common design is either the gable or the gambrel roof. The saltbox configuration is another choice particularly if you live in a windy area. If you a going to build your shed using your house as one side then you’ll want to consider a lean-to design. You’ll then need to choose a foundation type whether it be a timber frame foundation, dirt floor foundation, or a concrete foundation.

Finally, you’ll need to decide what material you want to use for your shed. The possible choices include plastic, metal, or wood.

Step 3 – Getting a Building Permit

Another step in process of learning how to build a shed concerns the building regulations in your town. Zoning laws in many parts of the country require storage sheds to be constructed a small distance away from the property line, fence, and buildings. The distance may vary from six inches to three feet or more depending on the locale. So, you should be aware of the zoning requirements in your area. In most cases, building a 12×12 foot structure does not require a building permit, however, anything bigger, may require that you have one. So, consult the authorities in your local zoning office before you get started with your building project. Also, contact your local utility to find out where the electrical, gas, and water lines run through your property and build your shed a few feet away from the area.

Step 4 – Get a Plan

A plan not only provides instructions on how to do the construction, but also tells you what kind of materials you can use and what type of tools you need. Right from laying the foundation to installing doors and windows, you can learn everything from a detailed plan. If the instructions are clear and detailed, you will never get stuck and wonder what you need to do next. You can find a huge variety of plans online where you can take a look at them, analyze the pros and cons of each type and choose one for your design that best describes the building process in a clear yet detailed manner.

Step 5 – Get All the Required Materials and Tools

Once you have a comprehensive plan that tells you how to build a shed, you should get all the materials and tools you need for the project beforehand. Once you do, you will have everything you need to get started – the right tools, the right materials, and the right instructions. Having everything you need before you start will save you time and energy and allow you to complete your project quickly.

The good life is something that we all want to have, but we all have different ideas of what exactly the good life consists of. Is it a nice vacation home, or trips around the world? Sometimes we feel that the good life is really out of reach, but you don’t have to feel that way.

If you finally have a chance to get a vacation home, why not take some steps to really make it your own? You can do that simply by focusing on a few things.

First, why not think about adding in some cabanas in the backyard? If you already have scenic views around you, a set of cabanas with palapas really can set the scene for a nice outdoor theme that screams luxury without actually having a luxury price tag to go with it. Cabanas are small huts with beautiful thatched roofs — true icons of summer fun and relaxation. Of course, how can you have a thatched hut without a beautiful thatched umbrella to go with it? That’s where the palapas come in — they are the umbrellas mentioned here today, and they are truly a great addition to the theme we’re building here.

Now, you might be looking for the finishing touch, but you may not realize where to go from here. The last destination is definitely a porch roof. A lot of people don’t think about it, but a porch roof provides a finishing touch by offering shade as well as style.

It’s easier than ever before to tie these elements together — just go online, and order what you want! If that sounds straightforward, then that’s definitely the point — why not get started today?

You homeowners out there will know how big a task it can be when trying to maintain and improve the appeal and comfort of your home. You may be looking to do this as your house is up for sale and you want to get a good price, or you may just be holding a dinner party and want to impress all your friends and guests. This task is made bigger by the fact that you have so many rooms and places throughout your home which you need to keep an eye on such as your living room, dining room, kitchen and even your bathroom. So here are some easy tips which can help create this comforting appeal:

1. Lighting- The lighting in your house can go a long way in determining the ambiance and atmosphere it generates. In the daytime you will want to emit as much natural light as possible, so making sure your curtains are drawn right back is a must. If you are redeveloping your home or having a building extension, then look into the possibility of getting a skylight installed so that when the sun is out, the rays will be beaming down on you from above.

In the evening it’s a whole different story, as you have to rely on your electrical lighting to create a relaxed atmosphere, and one of the most successful and popular solutions, is the installation of a dimmer switch. If you are looking to stay in and relax for the evening, then a dimmer switch can generate a candle lit appeal so you can relax, unwind and put your feet up in front of the television.

2. De-Clutter- Many find it so hard to throw away belongings that they never use. They will simply store it away and before you know it, you’ve got too many belongings and not enough space. So every once in a while you need to go through all your cupboards and drawers and decide on what clothes, books, CD’s or belongings you no longer need. This will enable you to better store the things you do need, and you will be amazed at how much extra room you will find throughout your house.

3. Gardening- Your front garden will create the first impression for any visitors you are expecting, and if you are looking to sell, you really want this to be a positive one. The first simple step is to get the garden gloves out and do the weeding, which includes throughout the flowerbeds, and through any cracks in your front drive. Also, make sure you get rid of or store anything that is just lying about in your back garden, such as brooms, rakes or any of your children’s toys. You should also look to fix any broken fences, brickwork, patios, just anything in your garden that will need mending.

4. Ornaments- Throughout the whole of your house, you should look to implement features such as flowers, candles or pictures. It just has to be anything that you like the look of, which will improve the look of your house. Flowers and candles look great throughout your home, and they come in such a variety of colours which means they will look great in to any room. You can also have pictures of family and relatives to create a cosy feel, or if you like your art then you may want to buy some framed paintings to showcase in your living room.

Finding the perfect option from the myriad waterfall fountains on the market can be a hard thing to do. One of the most important considerations here is the design of the fountain. There are a wide range of different design elements that you might want to include, but your choice should be dictated by several things, including the overall design of the area in which the fountain will be installed, your goal for the fountain and more.

Design Clashes

One of the things that you will want to avoid when investing in a fountain is a design clash. This happens when you choose waterfall fountains that are constructed with a specific design that does not go well with the overall aesthetic of the area in which the fountain is installed. For example, if you wanted to add a fountain to your boardroom, and the room was finished with light maple, stainless steel and glass, then a large stone fountain with a rampant lion will probably clash, unless the motif used on the fountain connects with your company’s brand or history in some way.

It’s a better option to choose a fountain that incorporates similar materials to your room’s design – stainless steel, glass and clean lines. Waterfall fountains are available in many materials, so that you can match the design of your area.

Dominate or Enhance

Another consideration here is whether you want the fountain to dominate the area or enhance it subtly. Size is certainly a consideration here, but style will have quite a bit to do with it, too. If you want your fountain to dominate the room or outdoor space, then it should be constructed with an eye-catching design that immediately makes visitors focus on the fountain. Likewise, if you want the fountain to enhance the aesthetic of an area, then you need a design that complements and flows with the rest of your décor, designs or features.

Brand

Lastly, you need to consider brands when looking at waterfall fountains. While there are many different brands on the market, this is definitely one of those areas where you want a brand that you can trust. The best choice is to do a bit of research on the various brands offered, and choose one that has a reputation for quality, durability and reliability in equipment. It wouldn’t do to invest in a fountain only to have the pump breakdown in just a few weeks.