Are you trying to make a garage decision while planning a renovation or searching for your next perfect home? Check out this quick walkthrough on the pros and cons of attached and detached garages.

Pros and Cons of Attached and Detached Garages

An attached garage is connected to the main structure of your house by a door, passage, or shared wall. It may have rooms above it or provide a passage from the garage into your kitchen.

A detached garage is a standalone building with no connection to your house. It can be just a few feet away or across your yard, but it's considered detached if it doesn’t touch your house.

Both types of garages offer benefits and drawbacks. Many depend on the state of your home, its age, and building permit codes in your area.

Pros and Cons of Attached Garages

Attached garages are ideal for homeowners looking to save money and yard space since it’s often easier to add to an existing structure than create a new one on your property.

Here are some other pros of attached garages:

• Avoid rain, snow, and other weather when getting to your car.
• Protect your car from extreme weather conditions.
• Save money by using existing walls and utility lines.
• Keep more of your yard available for use.

If you have an older home or live in an area with expensive building permits, an attached garage might prove more difficult or costly to build.

Here are some cons of attached garages:

• Potential security risk due to interior door.
• May reduce curb appeal.
• Hard to fit on small or narrow lots in crowded areas.
• Garage emissions can pollute indoor air.

You’ll need to consider your garage needs and the specifications of your property to decide if an attached garage is the right decision for you.

Pros and Cons of Detached Garages

Though detached garages can also protect your car from the elements, many people prefer them as additional storage or workspace away from the main house. Like attached garages, the costs and benefits of a detached garage will often depend on the characteristics of your property.

Here are the pros of detached garages:

• More flexibility in where and how you build it.
• It keeps noisy projects away from the main house.
• Often easier to expand than an attached garage.
• Better security for your home.
• May have cheaper building permits.

However, if you have limited yard space, you might find a detached garage too big for your taste.

Here are some other cons of detached garages:

• No protection from the weather when getting to your car.
• Have to build new utility lines when constructing the garage.
• It takes up yard space.

Consider what you’ll be using the garage for when deciding between an attached garage and detached garage. Check your local building codes and any homeowner’s association requirements to ensure your new garage is up to standards.

Attached vs. Detached Garage Insurance

A typical homeowner’s insurance policy covers both attached and detached garages. They’ll be covered under different parts of your policy, but you won’t have to get additional insurance.

Whether you build an attached garage or a detached garage, let your home insurance company know about the addition. They’ll update the correct part of your policy with your home's new value and adjust your home insurance rates if needed.

The Final Word on Attached vs. Detached Garages

Whether you want an attached or detached garage depends on the size and location of your property and the local rules and codes in your area. Before committing to a project, think about what you’ll use the garage for and consider the pros and cons. If you do not have enough time and funds to design your own garage, just look up monthly parking garages online or indoor parking lots near me.

After building your new garage, update your homeowner’s insurance policy with your home's new value.