Once considered an extravagance saved for mansions and large families with multiple cars, garages have become a necessary mainstay for American homes. They not only house vehicles, they provide shelter from inclement weather and a safe place to keep them. The garage is now a standard feature to most homes or a simple residential home addition project. They can be custom designed to accommodate all the special intricacies for each homeowner. Whether they are designed for one, two or three vehicles, there can be extra room incorporated into the project for shelf systems, sports equipment, recreational items and more.

Shelter

The primary purpose of a garage is to protect the homeowner’s vehicles. The paint and exterior integrity of cars are compromised by snow and rain, windblown objects, falling leaves and pinecones, sunshine and kids playing in the driveway. At nighttime, pulling into a sheltered garage is ice for the vehicle’s driver. It not only feels safer, but using proper lighting in the garage will help eliminate tripping over mislaid objects in the driveway. A torrential downpour or chilly snowstorm will help keep the home’s occupants comfortably warm and dry.

Security

Aside from shelter, one of the most important features of garages is security. With possessions and valuables protected from the wide open outdoors, the garage becomes a haven. Security systems are now conveniently set up to include the garage so that vehicles cannot be stolen and burglars cannot easily break in to the home. Oversized toys, such as bicycles and sports equipment, are protected from theft and the weather as well. A garage also keeps people safe from harm when their guard is down upon arrival at home.

Convenience

Transporting things from the house to the vehicle on an everyday basis can grow tedious. It can even be treacherous in inclement weather. The homeowner should not have to trudge through shin-keep snow with a small sleeping child to get them inside safely. The weekly chore or unloading groceries is much more convenient when the kitchen is just a few feet away, rather than several yards.

Storage

Most homes never have enough storage. The more possessions people acquire, the more room they need to store them. During a custom remodeling design, storage can become a priority for the garage in tandem with a safe place for the family’s vehicles. A lot of items found in garages are only used a few times a year or seasonally. Christmas decorations, for example, can be stored in a well-designed space. It can be easily accessed when needed, but will not make the area look cluttered. Putting up wall-sized storage will not only hide the clutter, but create a safe entry area between the car and the home’s entrance.