Garage conversion, patio and backyard design
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
Garage conversion, patio and backyard design
Hey guys, what are your thoughts on this?
i have an old garage in the corner of my backyard with the driveway removed for green space purposes. I am looking the convert the garage into more of a barn like structure for kids parties or maybe future collector car storage / workshop. The backyard is a bit funky in layout. So the thought is to replace the old casement windows in the living, add centered French doors. Then in the back TV room adding bigger French doors and a corner full height window. And demoing the patio and adding a bluestone patio closer to the corner of the house
this way, the two backyard spaces flow better for play. And if I or a future owner wants to add a driveway (maybe stone ribbon pavers driveway) there will still be enough green space left.
i have an old garage in the corner of my backyard with the driveway removed for green space purposes. I am looking the convert the garage into more of a barn like structure for kids parties or maybe future collector car storage / workshop. The backyard is a bit funky in layout. So the thought is to replace the old casement windows in the living, add centered French doors. Then in the back TV room adding bigger French doors and a corner full height window. And demoing the patio and adding a bluestone patio closer to the corner of the house
this way, the two backyard spaces flow better for play. And if I or a future owner wants to add a driveway (maybe stone ribbon pavers driveway) there will still be enough green space left.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,068
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From: NYC
Do you think the final design is the most sensible option?
A few things I was struggling with, which are addressed in the final design
1. Lack of storage / resale if I were to take down the garage
2. Better visibility from back family room into both side and backyard
3. Having enough yard space leftover if a future driveway were to be installed. Hence the final design having the smaller patio tucked away close to the house, and a secondary pea gravel sitting area in front of the garage.
A few things I was struggling with, which are addressed in the final design
1. Lack of storage / resale if I were to take down the garage
2. Better visibility from back family room into both side and backyard
3. Having enough yard space leftover if a future driveway were to be installed. Hence the final design having the smaller patio tucked away close to the house, and a secondary pea gravel sitting area in front of the garage.
Last edited by ThermonMermon; Feb 13, 2018 at 09:32 AM.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Mooresville, NC
I think the final design makes more sense than many of the previous ones. Personally I would not want to give up the storage space of having the garage. It also provides you a somewhat outdoor space that is covered so you can still have an open area to be if the weather is not perfect.
I remember one of your previous designs you thought on putting large doors on two sides of the garge which I thought wouldn't be a bad idea as when all open it would give you a covered porch like area. It would limit your usable space inside of the garage though.
I remember one of your previous designs you thought on putting large doors on two sides of the garge which I thought wouldn't be a bad idea as when all open it would give you a covered porch like area. It would limit your usable space inside of the garage though.
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I agree with keeping it vs. tearing down. I think any future buyer would be much happier for an out-structure than for some landscaping, and if they want, they can tear it down. IMO, only tear it down if (a) you have no use for it, (b) plan on staying in the house forever, or (c) it's dilapidated.
Is there plumbing/electrical in the garage? If so, might be nice to put a pass-through bar/window on the side facing the house for entertaining.
Is there plumbing/electrical in the garage? If so, might be nice to put a pass-through bar/window on the side facing the house for entertaining.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
I really liked the idea of two sets of doors. But realized that the ground level on the other side of the garage is a foot higher, which makes things awkward in terms of stepping down, or cutting through a beam to have the doors higher up in the wall. Plus with the new sets of doors in the living room, I didn’t want the garage to be so in-your-face, as that could deter future buyers when I go to sell.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
The sellers pretty much left it behind for the same reasons. I don’t plan on using it too much. It’s fairly dilapidated but structurally is okay. It needs a new slab, roof, and obviously the windows and big doors. So it won’t be inexpensive by any means, but still less than to build new. But I’m also really tired of looking at this abandoned garage sitting in my backyard, and want to incorporate it better and repurpose. And if I ever have a mid life crisis and wan to get a nice summer car, I still have that option
I dont plan on staying here forever. Maybe 20 years tops. Max stay will be when kids are out of the house. The taxes here are really high and that’s when most ppl sell. Unless the taxes have me lookin elsewhere before that.
Theres no plumbing but but there is electrical which is very dated, so new electrical will be added as well as switches in the house to turn on exterior lighting etc
I dont plan on staying here forever. Maybe 20 years tops. Max stay will be when kids are out of the house. The taxes here are really high and that’s when most ppl sell. Unless the taxes have me lookin elsewhere before that.
Theres no plumbing but but there is electrical which is very dated, so new electrical will be added as well as switches in the house to turn on exterior lighting etc
Last edited by ThermonMermon; Feb 13, 2018 at 10:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
Agreed. But again, the taxes come into play. If this turns into bathrooms and fished square footage it could tack on another 5k a year in property taxes into the 30s. Which is why I’m not building a semi attached garage at the top of the driveway. Escrowing another 500 a month for many years leading up to a future car purchase doesn’t make sense. Swapping out doors and windows and replacing old, versus new improvements, is better for the assessment.
Last edited by ThermonMermon; Feb 13, 2018 at 10:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,068
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From: NYC
Someone is about to gut renovate my neighbors house and the assessors will be snooping around for the next year or so. Lol
but I wouldn’t do that. The contractors around here strictly abide and those that don’t are horrible
but I wouldn’t do that. The contractors around here strictly abide and those that don’t are horrible
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
I thought about not getting a permit when I did my window install. But, I was too scared and didn't want to risk someone driving by.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: NJ
it would be awesome to have that building for parties, etc, if you can keep it empty.... would never happen at my house.
you just have to be careful what you do with it, like if you were to put heat in it, it'd be reclassified, and you'd have to go for a variance.
you just have to be careful what you do with it, like if you were to put heat in it, it'd be reclassified, and you'd have to go for a variance.
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