by samuel samson

Created on: July 29, 2010   Last Updated: July 30, 2010

Attached garages are by far the better way to go. Although detached garages can have specific applications where they are preferable, the majority of designing situations would have the attached version as being better. This conclusion is reached by several different reasons.

One reason for attached garages being better design options is the fact that detached garages along with the home create a huge footprint. The combined space they take up is much more than attached garages. This is because, even though the two may be the same square footage, you have that mandatory space in between the house and the garage. This space has to be large enough so that the definition of a detached garage applies. Lots are often so small that a detached garage causes the designer to decrease the size of the house just to be able to fit it in.

Another reason for detached garages being less desirable is the space between the two structures. How does the grade or slope of the land lend itself to a smooth transition between house and garage? If the garage is much lower  than the house, you may have to design a way to step up into the house. With an attached garage these steps can be "hidden", but in a detached garage they will be open for everyone to see. Therefore these issues must have a design of their own. 

In any home design, drainage is always an issue. By detaching a garage from the main body of the house you have created another structure that needs water to flow away from it. This can often become a hassle especially if the two buildings are close and the land is flat. The area between the two buildings can become a place where water stands creating a haven for insects. Worse than that, one structure may have water running toward it, beginning an issue that will be very costly to someone down the road.

Cost is also an important consideration. By detaching the garage, two sides, one on the house and one on the garage, have been exposed. These sides have to be covered with the exterior materials that cover the rest of the house. This can be extremely costly. It also takes more time and leaves more room for error. A transition between the house and garage also has to be considered. Will there be a walkway or porch? Will it be covered or open? All of these issues raise the cost significantly.

Attached garages are a far easier to design for and have huge advantages to detached garages. 

Learn more about this author, samuel samson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.