Garages are functional spaces that are often overlooked when designing a home. Primary considerations when designing a garage include, the amount of space you have on your property, as well as the kind and number of vehicles you own. Convenience and storage are other important factors to consider when in the planning stage. The garage is often situated at the front of your home, and therefore carries a responsibility for making that all important first impression. Garages can be designed to be attached to the main home or simply freestanding.

The door you specify has a large part to play in the overall look and feel of this area, and should ideally coordinate with the overall theme of your home. Most modern garage doors now come with automatic openers, typically a wireless device that lets you open the door from your car, for maximum convenience. A range of different garage door styles exist, each with its pros and cons. These include:

• Tilt doors - a functional design that can be specified from a range of materials, and folds up flush with the roof of the garage, saving space
• Sectional doors - a very light style of door, constructed from a number of hinged panels that articulate on rollers
• Roller doors - typically manufactured from steel, this is slid upwards for maximum convenience and space saving

Find a builder, designer or architect to design your garage on the pages of this site.