We have a 3 car garage, should we convert it to a family room?

Question

We have a 3 car garage, I am thinking to convert it to a outdoor room with french doors on...connecting it the lawn.. It would be amazing! 
But just wondering is is worth the money??

Lori Jackson · Answer

I honestly think there is more to this question than the money. We pondered the same question and decided against it because our children were pretty close to leaving the nest. We would have quickly 'ungrown' the space. If your children are small, and this is home you plan to rattle around in for a few years, that would have to factor in. In our town, n attached garage vs. a detached garage has property tax implications.

B. Enne · Answer

I guess it depends on where you live. Do you know a real estate agent who could tell you whether it would add or decrease value in your area?
Could you convert 2/3 of it and keep one small part for a garage?
There are some streets in some subdivisions where the homes are built on slabs. The people often convert those garages to familyrooms since there are no basements.

Z · Answer

If you mean you'll replace the garage doors with french doors and completely turn the garages into living space, I'd recommend looking into resale value in your neighborhood if you did. If you want it to be more like a enclosed patio, that can also be used as a garage at a later date, I would think about replacing the current garage doors with those with glass in place of the panels. Either clear: http://www.northwestdoor.com/assets/images/commercial/aluminum-doors/800-series-photo.jpg Or frosted: http://www.cnbhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fine-looking-glass-garage-doors-FwbdS.jpg

Shelley · Answer

check with your city or county first to make sure this is legal....you might need permits etc....

Sassy · Answer

Unless you are intending to stay there the rest of your life, I would keep the garage. I had a house with a formal living room and a family room...found that the extra room was completely ignored and a total waste of space. I would always buy a house with a three-car garage over a family room. If you do change it, it would definitely affect your property values/taxes and a real estate agent in your area could tell you what people in that area are looking for. You would need permits to do this is any area I have lived in...the plans need to be approved as well. If you live in an area that has an HOA, they may have rules about this as well.

Ani · Answer

First off, thanks for the suggestions I will upload pics very soon. 
@Z : My garage connects to the lawn to the back yard , kinda a big rectangle and it has two doors , front big door and the back one is like a regular house house . I am thinking to replace the small one to the french window where we could sit and relax for the summer time.. 
@Lori Jackson : we are newly wed and just bought this an year before. .

Z · Answer

So, you'd still be able to use it as a garage then? If that's so then I'd go for it. 
There are also screens one can get to use when garage doors are open, if you need circulation.

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

I've seen one or two screened in porches in magazines created in an old garage space. A carpenter made removable screens so that if desired the screens could be removed and the space essentially turned back into a garage. That way if the house was sold down the road and the buyer did not want a screen in porch but wanted garage space instead, they did not lose the sale.

Ani · Answer

I have added the photos, Please say your suggestions .. Thanks !

We have a 3 car garage, should we convert it to a family room?

Suggested Project Book

23 Insanely Clever Ways To Eliminate Clutter

Other

More

We have a 3 car garage, should we convert it to a family room?

Suggested Project Book