Since you’re considering building a log home with an attached garage or adding a detached garage later, there are some critical decisions to make now. Perhaps now is a good time to downsize your belongings and your family’s personal items being stored in the garage. A smaller garage that meets your needs can save thousands of dollars.

Pine Log Siding

Garages serve several common purposes for most families, especially for those who live in colder climates. Think about these reasons to have one on your property:

  • Put one or more cars inside out of the weather.
  • Storage for lawn equipment and garden tools.
  • A place for a workshop, hobbies, and general storage

Garages are truly multipurpose structures that have a place in American culture. There are more reasons for having one, but let’s move on to other related ideas before we finish them.

First, Decide on the Purpose of Your Garage

We’ve mentioned a few reasons for owning a garage but there are more depending on how much you want to house inside it. Also, think about the activities you will perform there.

  • Cars and trucks out of the weather and into safety – Cars and trucks kept in garages are protected from the sun fading the paint, hail damage, and vandalism. You can skip cleaning all the snow and ice off in the morning before you leave. Your auto insurance may cost less if you don’t park vehicles on the street.
  • Lawn equipment and garden tools – If you mow your own yard, you need space for a mower and weed trimmer. Gardeners need tools and fertilizers for vegetables, fruit trees, berries, and flowers. If you’re really into it, you probably own a garden tiller. Those of you who don’t need these items can go for a smaller garage space.
  • Workshop, hobbies, and general storage – Do you want space for a workshop, hobbies, or a lot of storage? Here you need extra space to house them.
  • Boat, trailer, snowmobile, and skidoos – For some, these items are necessities and for others, they’re not desired. These items can take up a lot of room, so allow for extra cost in your budget.
  • Bicycles, food and water storage – Anyone that likes to bike can hang them up and out of the way. Do you want to store emergency food, water, and supplies in a cool place? Your garage may or may not be an ideal place for semi-perishable items.
  • Game or exercise room – Since garages double as multipurpose rooms for many people, you may want a game or exercise room and cool the area with fans.

Plan for the spaces for as many or as few of these areas you need and want. Submit the square footage to your contractor for accurate cost estimates.

Pine Log Home Garage

Consider Your Budget Range for Your Log Home and Garage Space

If you are building a new log home, make three sets of plans: One for just the house, another for a house with an attached garage, and the last for a house with a detached garage. Get estimates from three different qualified contractors and compare them with your overall building budget.

 The most economical way to build a log home is with log siding, either pine or cedar. You get the full log look without the full log cost and their particular maintenance issues.          

Build the garage with the same materials and do some of the work yourself to save even more money. If you don’t have the knowledge and skills, your builder will be happy to do the complete project.

“If you are building a new log home, make three sets of plans: One for just the house, another for a house with an attached garage, and the last for a house with a detached garage. Get estimates from three different qualified contractors and compare them with your overall building budget.”

Benefits of an Attached Garage with a Log Home

Both types of garages have their pros and cons but let’s concentrate on the benefits. An attached garage shares a wall with your log home and thus saves hundreds of dollars.

Pine Log Siding Home Garage

  • It has fast and easy access from the house to the garage.
  • You don’t need to go out in the weather.
  • It costs less compared to a similar-sized detached garage.
  • The house and garage can share the same HVAC system.
  • An attached garage can raise the market value of the home.

Benefits of a Detached Garage with a Log Home

 Detached garages don’t distract from the aesthetic appeal of a log home, plus:

  • You can have a different design option than the house.
  • Living space can be built above the garage for more privacy away from the house.
  • You can convert an attached garage into a living space and use a separate garage.
  • It can be hidden behind the house.
  • A detached garage can be used as a man cave.

Blend the Purpose, Budget, and Benefits of Each Type, and Decide

In the end, it’s your choice and no one else’s. After all, you want it to meet your needs, wants, and budget. Blend your purpose(s), budget, and benefits of each type and go from there. When you need more non-living space for your log siding home, add a garage. Order the siding, trim, and corner system from the WoodWorkers Shoppe for the highest quality materials.

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