have just moved into your first home. Within a short time, you realize that your vehicle also needs a home, along with the tools and equipment you have collected that you do not want to store in the house. You decide that building a garage will be the next project.
Where to Start
First, decide on the size of garage you will need. Determine the amount you can spend and plan a budget. Check local building code and permit requirements in your area. Once your basic plan is in place and your funds are in the bank, proceed with hiring the best local contractor who specializes in garage construction.
How a Typical Garage Contractor will Build Your Garage
Starting at the Ground Level—Literally
The foundation is an important first step in building a garage, and is made by building wooden forms and pouring concrete into the forms. Footings (trenches) are dug around the outside of the foundation to reduce stress on the edges of the concrete.
Inside the forms, the first layer of sand or gravel is placed to help prevent the concrete from sinking. A vapor barrier followed by wire mesh and steel rods (rebar) are laid down to add strength and to prevent cracking of the concrete. All sizes of the above-mentioned materials (depths) are determined by local code. Your contractor will check to make sure the foundation forms are straight and square. Metal anchor bolts are then put into the fresh cement to secure the walls of the garage.
On to the Walls
Sill plates (pressure-treated wood) are attached with the anchor bolts and are used to attach the framing to the foundation. Studs are used to frame the walls and are placed either 16” or 24” from the center of one stud to the exact center of the next stud (again building code determines this). Top plates will consist of 2” x 4” pieces of wood. Measurements for stud placement are then performed – again either 16” or 24”. Marks are made where each will be placed. The studs will be nailed together on the plate. The contractor will use three studs in the corners between walls for stability and strength.
Walls with windows and doors are built essentially the same way. Headers are placed over doors and windows for extra support using metal header hangers. All framing pieces are nailed together with 16d nails. Everything is checked square and straight as the work proceeds. The wall is lifted into place (this works best with two people). Once the wall studs are up, the garage door header will be placed on top of the trimmer studs (this may require three or four people to lift) followed by a cap plate (2” x 4”).
The Crowning Glory
When building a garage, prefabricated trusses may be ordered through your supply store to exact specifications. The trusses will top the cap plate and form the roof of your garage. When the trusses are in place, plywood particle board or wafer board sheathing is applied, beginning at the bottom and working up.
Complete the Walls
Plywood siding is applied to wall studs followed by waterproofing membrane. The windows are hung either before or after siding using shims to level. Exterior siding of your choice is applied using rust resistant nails. Soffit is added to the underside of your roofing line if you have an overhang.
The roof is completed by adding roofing felt (tar paper) on a clean and dry surface. Metal drip edge on the eaves is applied. If the climate is rainy or snowy eave flashing is applied.
Finishing Touches
The final step will be the composite or asphalt shingles. There are many colors and styles available today, and they are easy to install and require little maintenance.
And that completes the project. It’s wise to hire experienced garage door construction professionals who can complete all of these steps and more.
If you are not a DIY-type of person and prefer to have an experienced professional build a garage for you, connect with Georges Garages in Chicago’s southwest suburbs. Georges Garages is your best choice for a new garage in the greater Chicago area and northwest Indiana. Contact them today at website for more information.
