Garage framing is not as difficult as it may sound. If you want to frame a garage the way real experts do, read on.
Framing your garage takes some patience and the right planning. Also if you plan to build it yourself, it will take a group effort. So round up your family and friends, this will be an exciting adventure!
Group effort
Aside from your family and friends, you will probably want to enlist someone with framing experience. But do not worry, the rest of the people you will get do not have to have any experience at all.
Do your research
Before framing your garage, find out more about the permit process, design, supply of materials, slab details, and more.
You can check your municipality’s state requirements on the internet, or you can go to your building official to know more about what you need before building your garage.
Then, plan how big your garage should be. While it would be nice to build 40×60 feet, local and state rules might not allow it. It might be that there is only a certain percentage of your property that you are allowed to build on.
Talk to your neighbors as well. Mrs. Johnson might not appreciate your newly built garage blocking the sunlight from her garden. You would not want her to resent you for the rest of your lives.
Think about the design
If you are finding it hard to get inspiration for an idea, there are plenty of designs you can imitate on the internet. Here are the things you have to consider.
- Match your house’s roofing, roof pitch, overhang size, and siding as much as possible.
- Put windows you can see what is happening outside, however, do not place one where you may want to put a cabinet.
- Put an extra service door in the back if necessary.
- Build higher walls to accommodate a bigger overhead door.
- Place the service door as close to the house as possible.
- Position the garage in such a way that it would avoid water runoff problems.
Have the necessary tools on hand
Have these tools ready.
- Air hose
- Air compressor
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Tool kit
- Safety glasses
- Chalk line
- Miter Saw
- Hearing protection
- Cat’s paw
- Circular saw
- Brad nail gun
Have all these materials ready days before you start building to avoid last-minute trips to the hardware.
Order the correct materials
Aside from the above-mentioned tools, you will also need your building materials. Among the things you would need are the following:
- Pressure-treated lumber for bottom plates.
- Top and bottom plates that are long.
- Hurricane clips
- Material for overhead garage door jambs
- H-clips for the roof decking.
Double-check the lumber order as well.
Work assignments
Those without experience can help in hauling wood and carrying around your tools. Those with some experience can cut lumber, build headers, help with the trusses, and do other similar tasks. Experts can assemble door and window openings, do the layouts, and straighten walls.
There you go. With these tips in mind, you are now ready to build a garage and achieve professional results.
