If you have finally decided to treat your car to some much needed shelter, concrete is the ideal material for a garage, mainly due to its durability and strength. If you happen to live in the UK, the harsh UK climate is certainly not car friendly, and security is also an issue, which is why most UK homeowners opt for a pre-fabricated unit that can be easily assembled. If you are soon to order a concrete garage, you need to consider the following points.
Create a Concrete Base
The ideal foundation for concrete garages is a concrete base that is at least 6 inches thick. Unless specified, the base would be the responsibility of the customer, and it is recommended to insert some steel mesh reinforcement, which will give the concrete added tensile strength. Ideally, the base should be at least 6 inches wider and longer than the proposed garage, and should also be level. You should ask an electrician to run a cable out to the area and this can be hooked up after the unit is in place.
Timber or Brick
While the garage would likely have pebbled concrete panels, this can be combined with either brickwork or timber, to give you an appealing look that blends in with the rest of the property. Typically, the supplier would have a wide range of standard sizes, and if you search online, there would be many examples to view, helping you make the right choice.
Roof Type
One can opt for a flat roof that either slopes to the rear or to one side, or perhaps a small gabled roof, which could be either a front or side elevation, depending on your preferences. The roofing materials could be traditional roofing tiles, which would match your existing roof, or possibly corrugated sheets, which offer you an opportunity to add a skylight or two. There is an informative article that examines the many benefits of a flat roof, which might help you to make a decision.
Door Opening Styles
Some people prefer the tried and trusted up and over garage doors, which take up little space, yet there are also side opening options if you prefer. If there are obstacles at the front of the garage, side opening might not be suitable, and if you are in any doubt, you can always ask the supplier for their considered opinion.
The Type of Vehicle
With some of the modern SUVs, height could well be an issue, and the best thing to do is measure the height, length and width of your vehicle, to be sure the garage is suitable. The owner’s manual would contain the vehicle dimensions if you don’t fancy getting the tape measure out, and once you have the dimensions, you can look for a suitable garage unit.
There are online suppliers of concrete garages, and with pre-fabrication, self-installation will certainly keep the cost down, although most suppliers would offer an installation service, should it be required.
