Get matched with top garage cleaning pros in Baxter, MN

In some cases, a detached garage can be considered extra living space, but you will need to gain permission and comply with your local building code. Depending on where you live, you may need permits for a variety of installations, including electrical work, plumbing, and structural work. Many homeowners make the mistake of converting a garage into a living space without acquiring permits, which can result in hefty fines and even the removal of your hard work. Furthermore, a detached garage doesn’t add to the livable square footage of your home when it’s time to sell.

If you open your garage manually, you don’t need sensors. If you have an automatic garage door opener, sensors are required by law. The federal law UL 325 mandates that all residential garage door openers in the U.S. must include sensors. Designed to prevent accidents and reduce the risk of entrapment, the sensors should be able to reverse the motion of the garage door within two seconds of detecting an obstruction. The sensors are there to keep you, your family, and your belongings safe from a door that might otherwise come down too hard or too fast.

You have plenty of options if a standard sectional door does not fit your home. Consider glass, fiberglass, sheet metal, or faux wood doors, or a folding, tilt-up, sliding, carriage, or trackless pivot style. A local garage door installer can match a style to your garage shape and size.

Garage cabinets are different from interior cabinets because they typically hold heavier tools and face more extreme temperature changes since they’re outside your heating and cooling system. For that reason, many homeowners opt for heavy-duty cabinet materials, like metal or steel. However, wood cabinets also work well in a garage for storing lighter items like garden supplies, protective gear, and small tools.