If you’re remodeling your current house, building a new house, or planning a move and shopping the housing market,  there is a good chance you will experience (or already are experiencing) an overwhelming amount of decisions.

With all the decisions that come with our homes, it can often be easy to overlook ones that are more important than most people realize, like the decisions that come with garages. Today, garages have become pretty standard with most houses as they bring many benefits, including the protection of your vehicles. If homeowners don’t have a garage, they may still be debating whether to add one to their current home or start shopping for a new home that has one. However, when it comes to garages, most people do not think about whether or not they prefer an attached or detached garage.

Both detached and attached garages come with an extensive list of advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately neither is worse than the other, it is solely based on personal preference and what priorities are most important to you.

Since you most likely have never really thought about which type of garage you prefer, we are going to help you by highlighting the unique features that each option offers, starting with attached garages.

Attached Garages: An Overview

Attached garages didn’t become a popular trend until the 1950s. Most houses that were built before then do not have an attached garage unless there was one added during a home remodel. Nonetheless, there are many benefits to garages that are attached to homes, which has been proven true from how popular they have become over the past half-century. The size of attached garages can vary, but the average size can have enough space for one to two vehicles. Whether or not an attached garage is right for you can depend greatly on your personal needs as well as the area and the neighborhood you live in. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of attached garages:

Advantages of Attached Garages

• Easier to build. If you’re adding an attached garage to your home and are starting from scratch, they are much simpler and cost-effective project. Think about it: you already have one, if not two walls that will make up half of the garages framework. Compared to a detached garage, an attached garage will most likely take less time and cost a bit less.

• Easy access. This may be a given, but attached garages are much more simple to access than a detached garage. It’s more convenient and time-efficient, as you can easily go back and forth between the garage and the house. Easy access becomes an important factor, especially if you choose to keep an extra fridge in the garage or use it as an extra workspace. Having this type of accessibility can be extremely convenient for homeowners.

• No more walking through weather. An attached garage can be a real luxury, especially during the harsh Midwest winters. Whether it is snowing, raining, or there are high winds, there’s nothing more beneficial than being able to access your garage without having to go outside. During these terrible weather conditions, attached garages give you the advantage of being able to park your car safely and access your home without being exposed to the conditions outside.

• Allows more yard space. Unlike detached garages, attached garages do not take up as much open yard space. If you have children or pets, this can be a huge advantage as it allows for more space to play. Also, the yard space that is saved from having an attached garage can be used for a garden, swimming pool, fire-pit, trampoline — there are plenty of options!

• Visually large appearance. In a previous blog, we covered how garages can increase your home’s curb appeal, but attached garages can also make your home appear larger. If you’re someone who has a small home and are interested in making it appear larger than it actually is, an attached garage can do just that. Sometimes, depending on the size of your home and garage, an attached garage can appear to double the size of a house.

• Cheaper utilities. Since you have utilities already set up in your home, it will be much simpler and cheaper to extend them into your garage if it is attached. The same goes for electricity, too.

Disadvantages of Attached Garages

• Higher security risk. Although this is often overlooked, attached garages bring slightly less protection and security than a detached garage does. This is simply because if a trespasser can access the garage, it is much easier to gain access into the house it is connected to, which is not possible with detached garages. However, there are plenty of ways to help prevent and protect your garage from theft.

• Difficult to build in certain neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods feature houses that are built closer together, usually offering a more narrow backyard space. If you live in these types of neighborhoods or live on a small lot, there may not be enough space to add a garage to your home. Many smaller lots with long and narrow houses are better off building a detached garage instead.

• Less privacy. This is more based on personal preference, in addition to what you use your garage for. Some homeowners utilize garage space based on personal lifestyle, needs, and preference. If you solely use your garage for car storage and parking, then this really isn’t something that you should worry about. However, if you use your garage space for an office, gym, or getaway from the main house, it is easier for family members to pop-in and causes distractions.

• May look odd on older houses. As we mentioned earlier, attached garages didn’t take off until the 1950s. Since older homes weren’t designed or built to have a garage, it can often be difficult to add one. If you do add a garage to an older home, it may look odd and visually unappealing.

As you can see, there are plenty of pros and cons to attached garages. Keep an eye out for our next blog, as we will cover the advantages and disadvantages of detached garages to help you decide which is best for your home. Whether you choose an attached garage or not, you’re going to need a high-quality garage door as well as a professional garage door installation company to complete your garage. If you live in Indianapolis, or in the surrounding areas, you can count on Garage Door Doctor for all your garage door repair and installation needs! Garage Door Doctor offers 24/7 emergency service, so they’re always ready to help their customers. For more information or receive a free estimate, contact the team at Garage Door Doctor!

If you’re not currently using your garage to store your car, you may be missing out on some of the great benefits that can only come from keeping your car in a garage versus keeping it in your driveway or out on the street. If you’re unable to use your garage to store your car thanks to a broken garage door or garage door opener, call the garage door experts in Indianapolis at Garage Door Doctor today. If you’re not sure if keeping your car in a garage is worth it, keep reading to find out why it might actually be beneficial for your car.

Three Ways Your Car Will Benefit From Being Kept In A Garage

#1.The exterior of your car will be better protected.

While it’s true that you car is meant to be driven, and you do have to take your car out into the real world most days, there are quite a few instances where you don’t have to drive your car at all. On the days you’re spending time at home, when you’re gone for a while on vacation, or when you’re in for the night, keeping your car in a garage will ensure that it’s protected from the elements such as sun exposure, wind, rain, and snow. Not to mention, you won’t have to worry about the potential of dings and scrapes from debris and passersby that are likely to come into contact with your car.

#2. Your car will face less of a risk for theft or vandalism.

If your car is left outside, especially over night, your car could be at more of a risk for theft or vandalism. It is not uncommon for cars to be broken into in the middle of the night, have eggs thrown at them, or even be keyed if people happen to be out looking for trouble. If you happen to forget to lock your car doors or leave your windows rolled down, people who are looking to steal things from cars often look for cars that are easy to get into.

#3. Your car’s engine will run better.

Keeping your care stored inside versus outside often aids in keeping your engine better lubricated. When a car is stored in a garage, it’s likely not going to get as cold, which will help to keep your car’s liquids at a more stable temperature. Your car’s coolant will also stay warmer so it’s easier to heat up or cool down your car with the heat or AC.

You may not have thought that not being able to use your garage to store your car was that big of a deal, but keeping your car in a garage really is better not only for your car, but also for you as the owner, especially since cars are often an expensive investment. If you need your garage door or garage door opener repaired or replaced in order to be able to use your garage again, call us here at Garage Door Doctor for the garage door services you need for your Indianapolis home.