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What is the best material to build a garage?

Steel is the best material for a spacious garage. Steel buildings are strong, extremely durable, and can withstand extreme weather conditions, especially when used as a roofing material.

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Whether you are building a garage for your car or using it as storage space for your garden tools, the materials you want to use to construct the garage is important. The building material used for the garage door, garage floor and roof are important and will determine the strength of the structure, the durability and the maintenance costs. Researching materials (and whether they comply with local building codes) is the first step in designing your garage. A lot of homeowners do not do proper research and end up using materials that may seem cost-effective, but end up costing a lot in maintenance. This article has summarised the four best materials to use when building your garage.

Steel Garage

Steel is the best material for a spacious garage. Steel buildings are strong, extremely durable, and can withstand extreme weather conditions, especially when used as a roofing material. When you calculate using conventional building materials versus a steel garage, you will also find that steel is an affordable building solution. If you are using steel, you do not have to rely on an architect to design the garage – even if you are planning on building a large two-car garage.

Fair Dinkum Garage Builders have amazing steel garages available at low costs.

Wood Garage

Wood is a popular choice when it comes to building a new garage. A wood structure is affordable, versatile and aesthetically pleasing. Wooden garages are cheaper than concrete and steel garages. Not only is the material cheaper, but labour costs are also lower, as are the costs of laying foundations. Wood is a natural insulator that can retain heat and keep out the damp. This makes it an ideal construction material if you plan on storing tools or perishable items in the garage. Because it is able to retain heat, a wooden garage is ideal for a workshop or home office space. If you are using processed wood like fiberboard, and you are concerned about the manufacturing process, ask your supplier if they have any wooden recycled materials that you can use in the garage’s construction. If you use fiberboard, you could opt for vinyl siding to save yourself money and time spent painting and treating the fiberboard.

Concrete Garage

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If you are planning on building an attached garage, then concrete could be a good choice as it will complement your house. Concrete garages are strong and durable, and they have some additional benefits that are not available with wood and steel garages. Building garages with concrete will most likely not require a planning permit. This means that you can quickly get started with the building once you have the design of the garage sorted. Of course, this is just a general statement, and you should always check with your local council whether a planning permit is required. Concrete is not only fire-resistant but also weather-resistant, making it ideal for a cold climate. Because of its resistance to fire and storms, a concrete garage could possibly decrease home insurance premiums (especially when compared to a wooden garage). Unlike other materials on this list, concrete is not well suited to homes in very hot and humid climates, as it can crack when exposed to higher temperatures. Concrete can also absorb heat, which means your garage can be uncomfortably hot in summer.

Fibreglass

Fibreglass is the perfect material for those who live in hot, humid climates, and is widely used as garage doors. This material does not require a lot of maintenance and has a longer lifespan than wood. Where wood will eventually buckle and crack, fibreglass is durable and will not be affected by dampness or heat. Fibreglass has a certain aesthetic to it and is available in a variety of colours.

Final Thoughts

All four materials listed above are excellent choices for your garage.

Steel is undoubtedly the best choice, as it is durable, rot-resistant and affordable. Although wood, fibreglass and concrete are all popular choices for residential garages, they do all come with a list of cons. Wood and fibreglass are ideal for hot climates, while concrete would do better in cold climates. On the other hand, wood that is exposed to dampness for a long time will have water damage, and fibreglass will not do well in windy, coastal regions. It is up to responsible homeowners to do their research and decide on the best construction material for their home and region.

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