Building in My Garage - Need Some Advice

geek001 on 21/09/2016 - 09:53
Last edited 21/09/2016 - 09:53

Hi all,

My kids are growing up and I need an extra room in my house. I am thinking of building in my existing garage, which is probably the cheapest option. I have experience building stud walls internally, but I have no experience with regards to building external facing wall. I am thinking of building an external wall with a sliding door and some windows. Any advice on what I need to do to make sure the bottom wall plate is waterproof to keep out the rain, etc? ie. what extra steps do I need to take compared to building an external stud wall?

If you could point me in the right direction, that would be great.

Thanks.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2016 - 09:59
    +1

    call a builder perhaps?

  • nocure on 21/09/2016 - 10:06
    +2

    Are you looking at something temporary and still keeping the garage door as the external wall or removing it.

    • geek001 on 21/09/2016 - 10:30

      I think I will have to get rid of the garage door altogether. It will get in the way of the wall and also without windows, the room will be really dark. Currently, there are also gaps on the side of the garage door, so the room is not insulated as well.

      • nocure on 21/09/2016 - 10:43

        There should already be a recess in the slab for drainage under the existing garage door, use treated framing and plenty of flashing.

        Check your local council as you may need approval.

        • geek001 on 21/09/2016 - 12:44

          My concrete slab slopes downwards at the edge of the garage. Do you know how I can use proper flash this? I am planning to use treated timber for the bottom plate and seal it with some flexible flashing sheets and silicone, but I feel this may not be enough. Do I need to raise it with some masonry blocks to create some height? But that just means that it would become a trip hazard at the sliding door.

  • Cheap Charlie on 21/09/2016 - 11:39
    +2

    Most of the garage to room conversion I have seen replaced the roller/panel lift door with a glass sliding door/window combination.
    As mentioned, you may require council approval?
    Unless you intend to sell the property in the near future, some times its easier to ask for forgiveness than to seek approval when it comes to dealing with government departments

  • altomic on 21/09/2016 - 11:55

    the garage is a pre-existing structure.

    as long as you're not extending its floor print then it's cool.

    if you're just converting it to a "hobby room" then there shouldn't be a need for council permit

    • mskeggs on 22/09/2016 - 07:25
      +1

      Some Council's will require approval if you are changing the outside street face (like removing the garage door). Depends on the zoning and regulations that apply in that zone.
      That said, assuming I got on well with the neighbours, I would likely just proceed and let council worry about it if they notice.

      • Euphemistic on 27/09/2016 - 11:03

        I have seen a conversion done where the garage roller door was left in place and could still be closed. The windows were installed just inside it.

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