The garage is more than simply a place to keep your vehicle. It’s an extension of your house that combines functionality with utility. Along with the vehicle parking, you use it for storage, as a workshop, or even a home gym. A well-designed and maintained garage adds value and convenience to your property. So, keep reading this blog to explore everything about the garage.
What is a Garage?
A garage is a sheltered structure designed primarily for parking and protecting vehicles from external elements like weather and theft. It can be attached to the main house or stand as a separate building and often includes additional space for storage, tools, or even work areas. Depending on its design and use, a garage can range from a simple one-car unit to a multi-functional area with organized zones for hobbies, repairs, or storage. It often includes a large door to operate manually or automatically for vehicle access. Typically, garages are made of construction materials like concrete, brick, metal, or wood. Garages can be built in any dimension that suits your vehicle’s requirements.
House Garage Design Requirements
Assess Your Requirements
You can design the garage for your home as per your requirements, such as how many vehicles you will park there and if you will use this place for other purposes.
Standard Dimensions
In India, a standard single-car garage typically measures 3 to 3.5 meters wide and 5.5 to 6 meters deep (10–11.5 ft x 18–20 ft), which fits most hatchbacks, sedans, and compact SUVs. For a double-car garage, the size usually ranges from 5.5 to 6 meters wide and 5.5 to 6 meters deep (18–20 ft x 18–20 ft), allowing space for two vehicles or extra storage. The recommended minimum height clearance is 2.1 to 2.4 meters (7–8 ft), suiting most Indian vehicles.
Choose a Suitable Type
Depending on the space available in your plot, you can choose attached or detached garages. The attached garages are built in connection with the main building costs, ranging from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per sq ft. These structures offer better convenience and security, mainly during rain. Detached garages are built independently from the main buildings as a separate structure costs ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 per sq ft. These garages offer more privacy and can act as a workshop away from the main house. These prices can vary based on the material you use for construction.
Insulation & Ventilation
Insulation is very important for garages, as they need to withstand India’s hot summers and humid monsoons. You can include fiberglass insulation, aerogel, polystyrene (XPS) or polyurethane foam panels. You need to seal the door edges with weatherstripping tape. You can include a window or louvered vents and exhaust fans for proper air circulation. Garages can be insulated and climate-controlled, offering comfort for both vehicles and any activities conducted inside, such as DIY projects or exercise.
Electrical and Plumbing Infrastructure
A well-planned garage should have its own dedicated electrical circuits, especially if you plan to use heavy-duty tools or install an EV charger. Install multiple power outlets, ideally one every 2 meters along the walls. Include weatherproof outlets near the entrance for outdoor use. Use bright, energy-efficient LED lighting, with at least one ceiling fixture and additional task lighting over any workbenches.
If you’re adding a wash area or utility sink, ensure there is a proper water supply and drainage system in place. Always follow local building codes for both plumbing and electrical installations.
Garage Flooring: Best Options to Include
Epoxy Garage Floor Coating
Epoxy coating is one of the most common garage flooring options. They offer considerable durability, and they can last for 10–20 years or even more when you maintain them properly. You can use this option to achieve a polished look in both the new and old renovated garage. Also, it’s very flexible and looks fabulous in different colours, textures, and metallic touches. The epoxy garage flooring cost varies based on area size and whether you DIY or hire an expert. Epoxy floors are easy to clean, customisable in colour and finish, and can enhance property value. They can also be made slip-resistant by adding aggregates during installation.
Polyaspartic Floor Coating
If you want to achieve floor finishing with less time, then you must choose the polyaspartic floor coating option. You can complete the flooring quickly (just hours) when compared to epoxy flooring. It won’t fade its original colour due to its exposure to UV rays, as the garages often have wide doors, so it works well. Although it demands a high initial cost, it repays with long-term results.
Interlocking Garage Floor Tiles
These are the most durable and budget-friendly options for garage flooring. As the name suggests, one block will get interlocked with another without requiring any adhesive, like cement mortar. If you see damage, you can quickly change the block anytime with the new one. You will also get numerous colour options. Garage floor tiles are also available in PVC or polypropylene material options. Remember, before installation, that they can trap moisture beneath if not installed properly over a prepared surface.
Roll-Out Garage Floor Matting
If you are searching for a quick, budget-friendly, DIY flooring option, you must try roll-out garage floor matting. Before installation, you need to ensure the subfloor is clean, dry, and debris-free. Sweep dirt out properly and remove any lumps or excess cement/debris that might cause bumps on the surface. Unroll your flooring and position it at the front of your garage, one roll at a time. Although it’s not as durable as other options, it works best as a temporary option. It is also easy to clean, preventing stains on concrete surfaces.
Parking Tiles for Garage Space
One of the best permanent flooring options for a garage is parking tiles. These are commonly porcelain or vitrified tiles. They can bear various weights and prevent oil, moisture and heat damage. You can try different colour combinations to suit your taste.
Using stylish tiles in a garage gives it a neat and modern look. It’s a great flooring choice for parking and making the garage look more like a premium space.
Stained Concrete Flooring
Stained concrete flooring is a practical and attractive choice for garages. Acid-based or water-based stains penetrate the concrete, creating permanent colour that won’t chip, peel, or fade. Acid stains deliver marbled, stone-like effects, while water-based stains offer more uniform, vibrant colours. When properly sealed, stained concrete resists heavy traffic, oil stains, and moisture, making it ideal for demanding garage environments. This flooring is also low-maintenance, cost-effective, and can be customized to match your style, transforming utilitarian garage slabs into durable, visually appealing surfaces without sacrificing strength.
Garage Storage & Organisation Ideas
Maximise Vertical & Overhead Space
You can smartly make use of the height of your garage to your advantage. By installing floating shelves from the ceiling, you can keep rarely-used items like wet/dry vacuums and picnic tables. Hang bikes vertically and use French cleats or slat boards for adjustable wall-mounted storage. This helps free up floor space and avoids clutter.
Smart Tool & Equipment Storage
In the garage, you can store your tools in an organised way so that you can reach them easily. To keep small items (like screws, pliers, and cords), you can use magnetic strips, pegboards, or drawer organisers. Store and charge your power tools in one designated station to avoid mix-ups.
Use Zones & Activity-Based Grouping
You need to make dedicated areas for specific purposes. For example, set up a mini locker room for sports gear or a cleaning zone with a sink and supplies. You can also set up a mudroom-style entry with hooks and benches if your garage leads into the house.
Efficient Container & Labelling Systems
Choose matching bins or clear containers to streamline storage. To make life easier, large labels that are easily visible and identifiable for shelves, so aged and other people can identify them easily. For bulky or odd-shaped items, opt for heavy-duty bags with wall hooks. This simplifies access and keeps items tidy.
Customise & Adapt with Modular Features
Use multitasking furniture, adjustable shelving and modular built-ins so your storage can evolve with your needs. Adaptable systems ensure long-term organisation and convenience, whether for lawn equipment or seasonal décor.
What are the Different Types of Garage Doors?
There are three main types of garage doors based on their opening technique, and each type helps to achieve different functionality and styles.
Roller Garage Door
A roller garage door opens by sliding the garage door curtain up in the tracks and rolling around a ‘barrel’. The roller garage door is a very strong and practical solution used for both residential and commercial applications. A roller garage door is commonly used for a garage opening or a fenceline replacement (instead of a fence gate).
Sectional Garage Door
Sectional garage doors include different panels or sections. Usually, the door will have 4-5 panels and hinges between each panel. As the garage door opens, the sections will hinge, slide up, and sit under the garage ceiling. Sectional garage doors can also include amazing features such as thermal insulation, windows and ventilation grilles. These garage doors can also be manually operated; they work best when connected to an automatic opener that is suited to the specifics of the doors, such as the height, weight, and number of panels to the door.
Counterweight or Tilt Garage Door
This is one of the easier types to identify when it opens! This is because the whole door will open as one solid panel that will appear to ‘swing’ open. This is usually for more custom garage door designs. The tilt in a counterweight garage door is designed specifically to hold a certain weight and material. This means that you can design the framework and door system to suit the desired cladding for the door.
Smart Garage Openers
Modern Indian garages are increasingly adopting smart openers like MyQ and Tailwind, which allow remote access via smartphones, integration with home automation systems, and battery backup for power outages. These systems enhance convenience and security, letting users monitor and control their garage doors from anywhere.
Lighting & Electrical Upgrades to Garage
LED Fixtures
Use LED tube bulbs instead of fluorescent fixtures. They pay back its high initial charges in the long run. LED tube bulbs also provide instant-on, evenly spread lighting that’s brighter than traditional fluorescent bulbs.
Shop Lights
Shop lights are typically single-bar fixtures hanging by a chain assembly and ceiling-mounted. They are easy-to-install fixtures that just plug into an outlet. Whether you choose LED shop lights or classic fluorescents, both are budget-friendly ways to light up a garage workshop. Some LED shop lights are also designed to be hard-wired.
LED Strip Light Fixtures
Strip light fixtures are also an easy-to-install option that is available in various sizes. These are energy-efficient lighting choices and supply instant light with no warm-up period.
High Bay Light Fixtures
High-bay light fixtures are the best choice for large spaces with very high ceilings. They are available in round, linear and sealed vapour-tight fixtures. They are ideal for a commercial or multi-storage garage with ceiling heights exceeding 15 feet, reducing the number of overall fixtures you need.
LED Wraparound Lights
LED wraparound lights work well for garages with lower ceilings. As they’re installed level with the ceiling surface, they don’t hang as low as an ordinary shop light. This keeps them out of the way of ladders, storage and other items. You can achieve multidirectional light from both sides and the bottom by choosing wraparound ceiling lights.
Maintenance Checklist for Garage
- Lubricate moving parts (hinges, rollers, springs) for smooth operation.
- Inspect and adjust door springs for balance and safety.
- Replace worn weatherstripping to maintain insulation.
- Clean and organize the garage, removing debris and checking for moisture or pest issues.
- Test security lights and cameras.
In conclusion, a garage is more than just a space to park your vehicle—it’s a multifunctional extension of your home. With the right design, flooring, insulation, storage, and lighting, it can serve various purposes efficiently. By understanding your needs and planning smartly with the help of a construction company, you can transform your garage into a truly valuable space.
Hemali Patel