Attached vs. Detached Garages: Which Is Best For You?

Do you want your garage attached to your home or located elsewhere on your property? Find out the advantages and disadvantages of both.

There are many reasons for adding a garage to your property. Garages provide a safe and convenient space to store belongings like cars, ATVs, boats, bikes, lawn care equipment, tools, and more. If you don't already have a garage, the question you need to answer is this: "Which is best for my situation?"

Read through the lists below. When you're finished, you should have a better idea which is best for you.

Attached Garage

• Advantage: It's convenient. Being able to park your car in the garage in the middle of a thunderstorm and then walking directly into your home is a definite advantage.
  
  
• Advantage: You can access whatever items you are storing in your garage without leaving your home. Often this space feels like a useful extension of your home.
  
  
• Advantage: Electricity is easier to incorporate into an attached garage than a detached garage.
  
  
• Disadvantage: It's more expensive to have a garage built onto your house than to have one placed in your backyard or built independently of your home.
  
  
• Disadvantage: Zoning may be an issue. Obtaining a permit for an existing structure tends to be more difficult and costly.
  
  
• Disadvantage: Some states — or even municipalities — have tougher regulations for attached garages. For instance, some places require anything attached to a house (i.e. a garage) to have earthquake engineered foundations, double glazing, insulation, etc.
  
  
• Disadvantage: Having a garage attached to your home can cause a high-security threat to you and your family if someone breaks in.
  
  
• Disadvantage: While having an attached garage can add value to your house and may help with resale value, you will need to pay insurance to cover it.

Detached Garage

• Advantage: You can place a detached garage anywhere on your property. If space is limited directly beside your home, you can place a garage wherever it fits.
  
  
• Advantage: Detached garages can be a safer option for homeowners. If someone breaks into your detached garage, they will have access to your high-value items that are stored there; but that is minor compared to your family’s safety.
  
  
• Advantage: It's potentially healthier. The American Lung Association recommends a detached garage over an attached garage to limit the homeowner's exposure to carbon monoxide, gas, oil, chemicals and other potentially harmful fumes.
  
  
• Advantage: Permits for a detached garage are easier to obtain than permits for attached garages.
  
  
• Advantage: Insurance for a detached garage is lower than that of an attached garage.
  
  
• Advantage: Overall, the cost of buying a detached garage is cheaper — whether it's built on-site or delivered.
  
  
• Disadvantage: If your garage isn't attached, the chances are good that you will get soaked as you walk from your garage to your house during a rainstorm. You'll also have to shovel a pathway from one to the other when it snows. However, one way to help with this disadvantage is to build a breezeway (a roofed outdoor passage).
  
  
• Disadvantage: For those planning on working in the detached garage, electricity will need to be run to the building. Depending where it's sitting, getting electricity to it could cost money.

So, which is best for you?

Although the list may be skewed in the favor of a detached garage, the utilization of each is similar. For instance, what you store in one you can certainly store in the other.

The right answer for you comes down to these 3 things:

• Your budget: Are you on a tight budget? If so, it's cheaper to buy a detached garage than to add on an attached garage to your home.
  
  
• Lot size: Do you have the space for an attached garage? Are there any space restrictions? If there is a space issue, the best solution is a detached garage.
  
  
• Your preferences: Which looks better to you? Which offers you and your family the most convenience? Which option is safest for your family? Which is a better financial investment? Regarding preferences, either option could work.

More Garage Insights

 Is this your first time buying a garage? Download The Ultimate Storage Building Buying Guide
for advice and suggestions.