Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.

My wife has suggested that idea but I wanted none of it myself.

However, my neighbor down the street has a 2 car garage, the kind that is
not only attached to the house but is a part of it, under the same roof and
with bedrooms above. Has 2 single garage doors with brick "post" between
them. Long ago he semi-permanently converted one-half to his den/office:
Replaced the garage door with a sliding glass patio door, added interior
wall to split the garage, has drapes, some sort of flooring, bookcases,
lights, all that. Even our strict homeowners association bought off on it
although it was not allowed to be a permanent conversion....this could be
turned back to a garage as for resale in probably a weekend.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.

My wife has suggested that idea but I wanted none of it myself.

However, my neighbor down the street has a 2 car garage, the kind that is
not only attached to the house but is a part of it, under the same roof and
with bedrooms above. Has 2 single garage doors with brick "post" between
them. Long ago he semi-permanently converted one-half to his den/office:
Replaced the garage door with a sliding glass patio door, added interior
wall to split the garage, has drapes, some sort of flooring, bookcases,
lights, all that. Even our strict homeowners association bought off on it
although it was not allowed to be a permanent conversion....this could be
turned back to a garage as for resale in probably a weekend.

wrote:
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.

A man's garage is his castle.

Compromise on the dining room color, or the silverware pattern. But the
garage is yours.

wrote:
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it.
We use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff,
and I was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a
living space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in
the winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that
could be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever
doing anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful.
Thanks.

Local building codes may have something to say about it. Worth
investigating first to know what you may be up against.

Have you given consideration as to how you are going to heat and cool
it?

As for resell, you should be able (see building code issues) built it in
such a way that you can remove it for any sale. I would think you would
want to do that. I don't think I would use a folding partition, but that's
up to you.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

I partitioned a room years ago with the expressed intent of removing it in
couple years. I lagged the studs into the ceiling and floor - right over
the existing ceiling - and filled the holes when I removed the wall.

I also take issue that the remodeling of one bay will bring down the value.
There are just as many people who would *want* your well done remodel as
there are of the opposite. Besides, it's less expensive for a new homeowner
to remove a few bolts and dispose of the wood than the expense of replacing
something that they wish had been left there. Oh well, I know what I'm
trying to say but obviously don't have a grasp on my brain. Sorry 'bout
that.
G' luck


wrote in message
ups.com...
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.

On 9-Jul-2005, wrote:

Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car
parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of
stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into
a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do
projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the
garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

don't know about your local codes but recently I learned
that a 2 car garage must have certain free and clear area
within it and that converting a 2 car garage into anything
else required a variance. Who determines whether I had a 2
car garage? They do.

So I'd talk w/the folks down at your local planning office
before making any big decisions.

ml

wrote in
ups.com:

Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.


Listen to your wife. She seems smarter than you.

C & M wrote:
....
I also take issue that the remodeling of one bay will bring down the
value. There are just as many people who would *want* your well done
remodel as there are of the opposite.

I suspect that you are wrong there. If that were so, you would likely
see new home builder offering it as an option and I would expect to see far
more people doing this kind of remodel. Builders build what sells.

While it might be possible that a seller will find that one person who
wants the remodel (and happens to want it done the way the OP does it) and
likes the rest of the hose as well. I suspect selling the house will be a
lot easier without it. People looking for a home are going to pick the one
without the modification rather than buy one with it and plan on removing
it.



--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

wrote:
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.

2x4 PT plate, Tapcons into the slab, 2x4 top plate and studs all
screwed together with deck screws. Insulate, cheap paneling.

It's not folding, but it doesn't do any damage other than some small
holes in the slab. Very quick to take down and it's inexpensive.

R

Building codes will be a concern, here there's supposed to be a
firewall between the garage and living space for example. Otherwise if
you want space that you can keep cool in the summer and warm in the
winter, I'd recommend building a simple frame structure that you can
tear out if and when you need to. It's sort of a 2-edged sword, if you
build it real nice and dodge the local building inspectors, you may
have to throw it all out when you sell.

Are you planning on raising the floor of the garage to the level of the rest
of the house?

"RicodJour" wrote in message
ups.com...
wrote:
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.

2x4 PT plate, Tapcons into the slab, 2x4 top plate and studs all
screwed together with deck screws. Insulate, cheap paneling.

It's not folding, but it doesn't do any damage other than some small
holes in the slab. Very quick to take down and it's inexpensive.

R

"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message

I suspect that you are wrong there. If that were so, you would likely
see new home builder offering it as an option and I would expect to see
far more people doing this kind of remodel. Builders build what sells.

While it might be possible that a seller will find that one person who
wants the remodel (and happens to want it done the way the OP does it) and
likes the rest of the hose as well. I suspect selling the house will be a
lot easier without it. People looking for a home are going to pick the
one without the modification rather than buy one with it and plan on
removing it.


I took out my garage door, bricked it up with a window. It became part of
the basement and that is where the washer, dryer, tub went. Cost me about
$500 for the conversion, but I'd estimate I got back $5000 in the added
sales price of the house. Others in the neighborhood follow my lead.

Can't say that every house is enhanced removing the garage, but some would
be, especially in a smaller house where other expansion is not easily done.
In a 4000 square foot house with a two car garage, probably not.

thanks. this sounds like the best way to go. afterall, I'm not looking
to make this half of the garage into a dream room, I just want an
insulated area to do some work and play in.

the only surprise from the responses I got was the realization about
building codes. I didn't think putting up a non-load-bearing wall just
to separate 2 halves of a single car garage would be of concern to
building codes, but I guess I was way wrong on that. I imagine going
through that process is going to be more time consuming than actually
building the wall. But it'll be a learning experience for me!

thanks for the easy solution. a weekend's work max, and if my wife has
gripes a few years from now, Ii can just tear it down. my only problem
now is making sure I do it within the building code. that will
definitely slow down my enthusiasm for doing this by an order of
magnitude. argh.

RicodJour wrote:
wrote:
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).

Anyway, I thought it would be cool if I could come up with a
compromise.......perhaps some sort of folding partition wall that could
be easily opened up or removed if needed........

I looked around via google, and didn't see anyone mentioning ever doing
anything like this (probably because it's a crazy idea?)

Anyway, if anyone knows of any resources for clever (and easy) ways to
partially remodel a portion of a garage, that would be helpful. Thanks.

2x4 PT plate, Tapcons into the slab, 2x4 top plate and studs all
screwed together with deck screws. Insulate, cheap paneling.

It's not folding, but it doesn't do any damage other than some small
holes in the slab. Very quick to take down and it's inexpensive.

R

wrote:
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.

Anyway, my wife doesn't like the idea of cutting the garage in half at
all, citing the resale value issue (is there an issue?).



I like your wife. She has class.

Most people who do turn their garages into living space do so illegally.
But I guess that's because they do so to rent it out to illegal aliens.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Well, we have a garage, and there has never been a car parked in it. We
use it to accumulate junk. Well, I just threw out a TON of stuff, and I
was really thinking of remodeling half of the garage into a living
space my son and I could put a pool table in or do projects in the
winter without freezing in the cold.




Why bother getting crazy if you really want something simple?
Leave it as a garage, put in an insulated overhead door, put up a divider
wall with a insulated walk through door, hang up a small electric or natural
gas heater, sheet rock the ceiling, add some lighting. It is still a garage,
but 1/2 of it is insulated and heated.
Put some cheap carpet on the floor, your pool table, a work bench. Move out
the pool table, roll up the carpet and it is still a garage.
Done deal.
Greg