30+ Different Types Of Garages: Materials, Layouts (With Pictures)

Last Updated on December 26, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford

Perhaps, you already know what the different types of garage doors are but you might not know that there are more than 20 types of garages out there.

When we hear the word garage, we conceive it as a generic space where cars are parked until next use. But depending on what vehicle you are housing, there is a wide range of garage types to build for it.

In this post, we rundown the different types of garages and shall cover some FAQs about this very essential yet unexplored extension of the home. If this stirs your interest, read on.

In this article

Types of garages

Depending on the design of your home, the size of your garage and the convenience that you want to get out of them for your cars, there are different types of garage that you can choose from.

1. Detached garage

If you do not know where to fit your garage in your landscape but want it to still match your home exterior, a detached garage is the perfect choice. This is also a great choice for homes that do not have an access point for a garage door.

As the term implies, it is a prefab or DIY made structure that can be placed anywhere around the vicinity. They come in different finishes and can be made to reflect the same color as the house.

2. Attached garage

This one is the popular image of a garage. It is made at the same time as the house. Traditionally, attached garages are wide enough because it does not only function as a car storage but also a workspace.

Attached garages are still a preferred type because it speaks convenience. Car owners no longer need to walk far, especially at night to check on cars when they suddenly alarm.

3. Portico/breezeway garage

If you want a detached garage which you can seamlessly fit near the home and make it look like it is attached, a portico garage is what you are looking for.

Most of the time, all you need here is a roof, stretching from the home and attached to the breezeway. This way, you get the convenience of an attached garage and the versatility of a detached garage.

4. Workshop garage

If tinkering over your car is a personal hobby, having a workshop garage should be your priority. This one usually comes with several bay doors along with regular doors.

A workshop garage is basically the mechanic’s shop. If you still have space around, you can also use this garage as your storage space for larger home equipment.

5. Carport/portable garage

This one is the easiest to characterize because well, they only have a roof and no walls. Hence, if you have an extra space by the main door, you can install a roof and make it into a carport.

Portable garages on the other hand are for those who do not want to commit to a permanent structure for the garage.

Car tents are usually the ones we call portable garages and are separately popped up for RVs, boats, and other outdoor vehicles in compliance with local ordinances.

6. Barn garage

This one is basically a one-car garage with enough loft space to work as a working garage and storage for other equipment.

Installing a walk-in door for a barn garage would make it more convenient. There are a lot of prefab barn garages that are ready for paint customizing so that it would match your home’s exterior.

7. Garage with upstairs home

If you want to make the most out of your vertical space or if your location does not allow you to build a separate garage structure because of local ordinances, this one is the best for you.

As the term suggests, you can have your living space upstairs while the whole ground floor is for the garage. This is typical among townhouses and studio type apartments.

Types of garage layouts

Garage layouts are most of the time determined by the size of the home. As the house is constructed, homeowners must already have a clear projection of how many cars should fit in the garage, considering guests, family, and friends.

1. Single bay garage

If the house is small and you intend to only have one car around for the most part, a single bay garage would suffice.

The side spaces and mounted shelves could still be useful in storing other items so do not think that this is a limited garage layout.

2. Double garage

This one is a typical layout for suburban homes. Depending on the arrangement and how you maximize your garage space, you can store one car and keep all space for storage or use it as a workspace.

As for the doors, an individual door for each car is the conventional take but a single roll-up door is more convenient.

3. 3-car garage

While the name implies that you can store three cars at once here, it may not always be the case.

A 3-car garage, be it a single door, double door or three-door, is perfect for those with mowers that need to be stored and want a workspace to tinker in.

4. 4-car garage

As the name suggests too, this one can pack in four cars at once. While that would be the traditional setup for this type of garage, modern layouts would have one to two doors for the car, a home office or workshop on the third and a half bath on the fourth.

Whatever space maximization layout you have there, this one is a good use for garage space.

5. Tandem garage

This one is not very different with double garages because it could practically shelter in two cars at once. The main difference is that it only has one door and with a narrow, horizontal space so that the two cars are parked nose-to-tail on each other.

Garage roof materials

This one is a major factor to consider when it comes to garages. You need a dependable roof material that would protect your car from outdoor elements. Aside from that, garage roof materials also add to the overall visual impact of the garage.

1. Metal

If you are considering going for unattached garages or carports, or if you are in locations with harsher outdoor situations, best go with metal garage roofing.

Aside from being very durable, you can also stop worrying about leaking, mildew, and molds.

2. Shingle

This one is the best choice when it comes to attached garages. They can give your garage and your home exterior a cohesive look and if there are extra shingles in the home’s roof, you can also use them for the garage. They are virtually resistant to mildew, molds, and other outdoor elements.

Garage flooring materials

To ensure that your car is safe and that you have a comfortable space to walk around on, you have to be careful in choosing your flooring materials too. The good news is that you have a lot of options to choose from.

1. Carpet

This is an upscale choice and if you want to take a chance on it, you need to employ the most meticulous maintenance steps including steaming every now and then if you do not want molds and mildew to niche on it.

Storing heavy and bulky equipment might not also be practical when it comes to carpeted garages.

2. Epoxy

This one is considered as a very tough coating. It might be tougher to apply but you can count on it to last for more than 15 years.

They come in solid colors or have colored chips added in the epoxy to give you more visual interest. They are also very easy to maintain, and are resistant to chemicals.

3. Mats

If you want to have a cushioned, and more comfortable flooring for the car, easy to install mats are firm choices for the garage. Plus, if you have floor dents and cracks that you want to cover, this is also an economical choice.

4. Paint

This one is a timeless choice and is beneficial for customization and affordable flooring. With the range of choices that you have, you can have different look options for your garage.

For more durable painted flooring, might as well choose the one with epoxy content so that you can have a more chemical-resistant flooring.

5. Sealers

If you want to show off the beauty of concrete and keep it protected from debris, dirt, and water, you can apply sealers.

It is easy to maintain, easy to clean, and it is resistant to road salt and from other stains. While it is easy to apply, it is not as tough as epoxy flooring.

6. Tiles

It is not a popular choice but it has easily become a trend nowadays. This material is perfect if you want to customize your garage floor.

From hard plastic, to vinyl, and porcelain, you can always have a tile material that would match your preferred look around an affordable price point. They are also easy to clean and replace.

Garage siding materials

The siding material used for garages offer a lot of visual impact to your garage. Like the roofing material, they are also essential in protecting your car from outdoor elements.

1. Polyethylene

This material is a common siding for carports and portable garages. Like stainless steel, it is also durable enough to withstand harsh outdoor elements.

The best reinforcement to keep it standing and for it to last long would be a good hardware choice.

2. Prepped for vinyl

If you want a more workable garage when it comes to sidings, you might want to get a prefab garage that is prepped for vinyl.

They are prepared for any type of siding and you can always add more windows or customize the doors so that it would look like it was built at the same time the house was constructed.

3. Stainless steel

This one is a favorite construction material because it is lightweight and very durable. For garage sidings, they are also very easy to install, do not need painting or staining and are resistant to outdoor elements.

All it needs would be coating that would ensure non-corrosion and no rusting.

4. Vinyl plastic resin

If you want the look of wood but worry that it would not last long in your location due to moist, dampness, and other harsh outdoor conditions, vinyl plastic resin is the best choice for you.

They can be built DIY for less cost and expect them to stand the test of time as they are virtually resistant to molds, mildew, rotting, rusting, and corroding. Also, they can be easily hosed down when cleaning.

5. Wood

When it comes to aesthetic value, nothing beats the timelessness of wood. They are perfect for all types of garages, very durable, and can be painted and designed to match the home’s exterior.

However, it is not good for damper locations and you would be required to repaint it every 5-10 years.

Door type

There is a wide range of door garage types out there. But of all of them, the following are the most common. As a matter of fact, one can argue that the other types were patterned from these two.

1. Roll-up door

This one is typically found in commercial settings because of their convenience, space-saving feature, and being perfect options for garages with limited ceilings.

It is often made of steel and then rolls up and down using a drum opening. They are also called coiling doors and are dependable for heavy use.

2. Swing-out door

This one is also called the side-hinged door. It is one of the more traditional types, made of wood, and highly resembles barn doors.

In commercial settings, swing out doors are made of galvanized steel. If you have limited headspace in the garage, this type of garage door is the best choice for you.

Storage solutions

Garages have enough space for cars and workspaces alike. In truly maximizing the extra space around, installing the right storage solution is something you can do. While there are various storage solutions you could go for, the following are still the most popular.

1. Cabinets

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Still the most popular storage solution for garages would be cabinets. They are sturdy, come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, customizable, and can really store a lot of items at once.

Most of all, they can be done DIY so if you are gearing into cost-efficiency, this one is the storage solution for you.

2. Shelves

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This one is preferred for single and double car garages or for any compact garage type. They are easy to fit around the space, and can be customized for narrow arrangements. They can be made using any material and can be mounted, floating, or floor shelves.

3. Wall Organization

This one shall truly give your garage the workshop vibe and as such, makes it the most popular storage solution for garages. All the flat items in your workshop could fit well in the holes of the wall organization. And it is very cost-efficient too.

Related: 42+ Best Garage Lighting Ideas

FAQs

What is the cheapest type of garage to build?

It would be pole garages. However, they can be unreliable structures and are more categorized as portable garages along the lines of carports.

They are better and sturdier than the traditional stick-built garages. They are very cost-effective and are also known as the post-frame garage.

When were garages invented?

Public and home garages have been around since the 1800s. As a matter of fact, the first register of the existence of a public garage was in Chicago in 1898. It was owned by the Electric Vehicle Company Garage.

On the other hand, the first private garage was recorded in 1899 through the English magazine AutoCar. By the 1900s, carriage house garages had become popular.

Were garages all originally detached?

Interestingly, yes. As have been mentioned, private garages were built-in carriage houses so practically, they have always been detached from the main house. As such, the norm that automobiles should be away from the main property was established.

In the olden days, detached garages were accessed using a shared alley which runs to the street from behind the house. This way, the view of the main house becomes unobstructed.

Can garages be converted into bedrooms?

It is workable but turning a garage into a bedroom may be constrained by different local ordinances, as well as zonal, construction, and legal rulings.

The reason for this is that because it is a bedroom, it has to adhere to the minimum standards attributed to living spaces.

Should garages be insulated?

During construction, it would be a good investment to have your garages insulated, especially for attached garages. Most of the time, only the sides that are connected to the main house are the ones insulated.

The benefit of having an insulated garage is that it adds a layer of protection for cars and for you as well, from being exposed to harmful fumes, and serves as a firewall, stopping the spread of fire from the garage down to the main house.

Are all garages ventilated?

Depending on your location and your local ordinances, the requirements for garage ventilation vary. In most cases, this is not a necessary requirement so you would expect that most garages are not ventilated.

For those that do, ventilation systems are usually installed by the garage floor. The reason for this is that combustible materials and harmful chemicals are heavy, hence sinking deep in the floor.

Are garages considered habitable spaces?

No. First of all, the layout, function, and design of garages were never meant to adhere to the standards of habitable spaces. This is the reason why when modifications are needed or if you are eyeing to convert your garage into a patio, extended living room or a home office, there are requirements that should be met first.

Why are garages usually unfinished?

For the most part, the reason is about cost-efficiency. Most homeowners have the mindset that it would be used more as a storage than a parking bay so instead of finishing it, more thought and costs are given to storage. For those that are really car enthusiasts, leaving it unfinished could give more liberty in terms of customization.

What is the difference between garages and carports?

Although considered as a type of garage, carports are defined as partially covered structures that are open on the sides and with just a roof. When it comes to cost-efficiency, a carport is a quick fix for car parking. On the other hand, garages are characterized as enclosed structures, complete with walls, doors, and a roof.

Between the two, garages offer maximum protection for cars compared to carports because they can be locked or remotely regulated through smart features. The lack of walls of carports still makes the car vulnerable to harsher outdoor elements.

Why are detached garages more expensive?

The main reason for this is that you are building a different structure from scratch and often not at the same time as the home’s construction. Depending on the size of the detached garage, the base alone could cost you a range of $600 and above.

How much does it cost to build a 30×40 garage?

Depending on your location, features, upgrades, and specifications, a 30X40 garage kit would range from $35,000-60,000.

How much does it cost to build a 24×24 garage?

This dimension would fit double garages. On average, a 24×24 garage kit would cost $22,000-40,000.

How much does it cost to build a 20×30 garage?

This one is also a decent dimension for double garages and tandem garages. Expect a range of $20,000-37,000 for a 20×30 garage.

Conclusion

For the most part, we just conceive the garage as a place to park the car after the day is done or a workspace to tinker around during weekends.

If you are a newbie homeowner or one who wants to build one or upgrade one, knowing your garage options is very important. With everything that we have covered here, you can now easily run-down what type of garage to go for.