Designing a Steel Building for Vehicle Storage
Whether you have a single car or multiple vehicles, every person can benefit from having a vehicle storage garage. Leaving your vehicles outside makes for a cluttered driveway, and allows vehicles to be exposed to harsh weather and leaves them accessible to potential thieves and burglars. As well, some vehicles such as motorcycles and classic cars simply cannot be left outside, and require covered storage in order to be kept in properworking order. The following blog is an overview of some of the benefits a vehicle storage garage provides, and some tips on designing the optimal storage space for your vehicles.
The first thing to think about when designing a vehicle storage garage is size. A single car garage is generally 12 ft. by 22 ft. while a two car garage averages around 18ft by 22ft. These numbers represent the recommended minimum, anything smaller than these averages prove to be a very cramped and uncomfortable garage. You want to have enough space to easily open car doors without hitting walls, and have enough space to walk around the vehicle without obstruction. As well, most people require additional space in their vehicle storage garages to house a workbench and tool area, along with other general storage units.
Once you decide on how large you wish to build your vehicle storage garage, you will want to consider the types of entrance ways to install, and the amount of windows and other accessories to add to your steel building. Garage doors themselves come in many different styles and colours, and can be specifically chosen to match the style of existing buildings on your property. It is highly recommended to choose accessories that match the style of your home, otherwise a mismatched layout will not look as good, and can even drive property values down in some cases. The entry doors and windows should also match the existing structure, and should be placed in areas of the garage that provide the highest efficiency and best overall looks. When building a vehicle storage unit – or any Toro Steel unit – you will always have full reign over positioning, shape, size and stylistic features. Overall you want to build a vehicle storage garage that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Inside of your garage, you want to plan its layout to accommodate all the tasks and storage needs of your space. You will want to plan the locations of all your electrical wiring, lighting, heating and ventilation ahead of time in order to have the most functional space possible. Plan all your electrical sockets strategically so that you have power in the most ideal locations, especially if you decide to insulate and close all framing with drywall or siding – you won’t have the opportunity to add more sockets later (not easily, at least). You will also want to have the best possible lighting. We often recommend a combination of fluorescent lighting and built-in skylights. With a combination of window, lights and skylights you will have the best possible visibility in both day and night.
When it comes down to it, building a vehicle storage garage is beneficial in so many ways. It will prove to be highly efficient, and if designed properly, it will become a selling feature for your property and add value to your overall real estate. To learn more about the many storage options Toro Steel provides, feel free to browse our website for more great articles and resources. As well, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-668-5111 or fill out our online form for a free quote!
