There are several advantages to building a concrete garage. Of course, the strength of concrete is hard to compete with, but those thick blocks also help block out sound, keep pests and insects from nesting in the walls, and tend to stand up stronger in foul weather. With deforestation becoming a real concern, concrete garages are being erected in place of wood more and more often.
Building Your Own Concrete Garage
Homeowners may decide to contract this job out, but with the right help and some good concrete garage plans, the job is very accessible to the amateur craftsman, and may cost half as much as a contractor. The list of tools is basic, but long. These include rebar and rebar wire, hammers and shovels, stakes, forming boards, and renting the machinery to do the job. The most expensive part of the job may be hiring help and buying the concrete.
Types of Concrete Garages
The type of concrete garage chosen depends on what it will be used for. For a separate building to be used to house vehicles and store other household goods, a concrete block garage will work very well, and save money over the prefab version.
With concrete block garages, once the slab is poured on top of the footings, with the vapor barrier installed, it is only a matter of laying your lines straight for the rows of blocks to become the walls.
For a smooth, bold look, that has a modern industrial feel before finishing, consider pouring the concrete walls. Properly done, these walls are every bit as strong as concrete block walls.
However, if this is a larger structure that will have separate sections for a workout area, recreation room, or other uses, prefabricated walls may be a much more convenient choice. Instead of throwing down row after row of blocks to create walls, prefabricated wall panels can be installed quickly to create different sections within the garage.
Deciding to build a prefab concrete garage does not have to mean sacrificing strength or quality. Wall panels are available in varying thicknesses, and are often set over a steel framework.
Choices for Finishing a Concrete Garage
One of the greatest attributes of concrete is its porous nature and ability to be transformed into any look you desire. Although the list of possibilities is endless, finishing the concrete garage walls to look like different colors of brick or stone is a very exciting effect. It gives the look of real brick without the long laborious hours of the real thing!
Choose a finish for your concrete garage that is as durable as the concrete itself, and you will not be disappointed.
