Knock through garage to create more parking???

[anonymous-user]

Hi all.

My house has a double detached garage like many modern houses do ( two single garage doors with a dividing brick pillar between them and a pitched roof.)

The close is very short on parking and creates constant friction for all. Behind the garage I have some rough land of no use or anything currently.

So my idea is:
1- remove the rear wall on one side only of the garage. Obviously with a supporting lintel.
2- build a wall for rigidity from the existing dividing pillar to the rear wall
(So at this point cars can drive straight though one door, though the garage and in to the tough land)
3- blockpave the rough land.
4- electrify the door as in make it key fob activated.
5- board the rafters of the open part of the garage for neatness/stop wind getting up there etc

I'd be getting a builder to it all with particular emphasis on maintaining the structural rigidity so the whole thing doesn't collapse in a side wind and the roof owes the come off when the wind comes from the rear.

It would create many more spaces but has disadvantages such as those parking nose to tail would need to reverse out in order etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts or considerations? Would a prospective buyer view this as a positive or negative?

Tia

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 21st July 07:54

[Chucklehead]

why not add a second garage door on the back wall, allowing you to drive right through?

[markiii]

or extend the garage back at make it a quad?

[Zetec-S]

Is there enough room behind the garage to create a small parking area with enough room to turn around, so you wouldn't have to reverse out?

[fatfunkymonkey]

I only have a single garage but am looking into extending backwards to achieve something similar, will be interested to see what you decide.

[colinjy]

why not just park in the garage ?

[SAB888]

Definitely a positive with families having multiple cars.

[mgtony]

Do it to both garages then you could drive in one and out the other like one of those Swiss clocks.

[S100HP]

colinjy said:

why not just park in the garage ?

I'm assuming he'll drive one or two cars through the garage, then park one in the garage ala car port type thing, thus allowing 3/4 cars rather than 2 parking.

[catso]

MikeStroud said:

Does anyone have any thoughts or considerations? Would a prospective buyer view this as a positive or negative?

A few years back we were considering moving house. Two houses that we viewed had done just this - fitted a garage door to the rear of the garage to get a boat/car/whatever through and into the back garden.

Given the, otherwise limited parking spaces I thought it was a good idea and also made it easier getting things into and out of the rear garden as neither had much space around the side.

[anonymous-user]

colinjy said:

why not just park in the garage ?

I can do that now. I could get 4 more cars parked by driving through.

[anonymous-user]

markiii said:

or extend the garage back at make it a quad?

That's a very good idea

[anonymous-user]

catso said:

A few years back we were considering moving house. Two houses that we viewed had done just this - fitted a garage door to the rear of the garage to get a boat/car/whatever through and into the back garden.

Given the, otherwise limited parking spaces I thought it was a good idea and also made it easier getting things into and out of the rear garden as neither had much space around the side.

Thanks for feedback

[Equus]

Is the construction the typical modern 'developer' garage of a half brick thick wall with localised piers?

If so, talk to a structural engineer: the brick structure is very marginal in its original form, and the extension will need careful consideration and structural design.

[Escort3500]

MikeStroud said:

colinjy said:

why not just park in the garage ?

I can do that now. I could get 4 more cars parked by driving through.

I like your thinking sir. A true PHer :

[Hitch]

Would it not be better in the long run (and more attractive to future buyers) to move the garage back onto the current spare piece of land and therefore release the extra parking space in front rather than behind it?

Many buyers would find it a bit wacky that you drive through the garage to park your car and then have to reverse each car out in order to get the one you want. Buyers are a touch boring that way.

[S100HP]

Hitch said:

Would it not be better in the long run (and more attractive to future buyers) to move the garage back onto the current spare piece of land and therefore release the extra parking space in front rather than behind it?

Many buyers would find it a bit wacky that you drive through the garage to park your car and then have to reverse each car out in order to get the one you want. Buyers are a touch boring that way.

Think of the cost implications of adding a door vs moving an entire double garage

[RizzoTheRat]

A mate used to have something similar, so he could reverse his RIB through the garage and in to the garden, and have space for the car in the garage.

For the surfacing at the back I'd be tempted to put down something that a future owner could rip out relatively easily if they wanted to use the area for garden, something like that hex grid matting stuff that you let the grass grow up through maybe.

[anonymous-user]

Equus said:

Is the construction the typical modern 'developer' garage of a half brick thick wall with localised piers?

If so, talk to a structural engineer: the brick structure is very marginal in its original form, and the extension will need careful consideration and structural design.

Yes it's as you envisaged. And yes I'm aware it could all collapse like a house of cards if not done right. I'll do as you suggest ty.

[anonymous-user]

Hitch said:

Would it not be better in the long run (and more attractive to future buyers) to move the garage back onto the current spare piece of land and therefore release the extra parking space in front rather than behind it?

Many buyers would find it a bit wacky that you drive through the garage to park your car and then have to reverse each car out in order to get the one you want. Buyers are a touch boring that way.

Yes have considered that. It's still possible. Main issue is the rough bit of land has a mature oak on its boundary. If I build there I fear the foundations will severe roots that keep the oak upright in the winter winds. Maybe builders hand dig around tree roots and place lintels over them?. Anyone know ?