Converting a garage to a bedroom

[andywatson]

Hi,

I am in the process of buying a new home, and we have found a bungalow that we think is ideal, but it only has 3 bedrooms, where we want 4. The house has a double garage, as well as loads of off street parking, so I was thinking about converting the garage to a 4th bedroom. The garage is integral and falls under the "normal" roof. I can't remember precisely from the viewing, but I think there was an internal ceiling.

As I have been looking round I have been seeing all kinds of stuff about damp proofing, insulating floors and walls etc, but I haven't really found an A, B. C set of instructions to give me a clear idea of what the project will involve.

Does anyone know of a link, or is prepared to write a broad outline so I can know what I am letting myself in for!

Many thanks in advance

Andy

 

[Softus]

Maybe not, but I'll stick in my two penn'orth.

Your primary concern will be one of heat loss, given that the garage was probably not constructed with preserving heat in mind.

A. Upwards
Not a problem if the garage is integrated into the house.
If necessary you can just add insulation above.

B. Sideways
Are the walls all of cavity type? If so, and if not filled already, then you could have this done - plenty of specialist companies about. Be aware though, if you have only one skin of wall (which is unlikely), then you'd need to build another.

C. Downwards
This could be a problem, because it depends on whether or not a membrane was fitted.

If you step down into the garage, and the floor level is below the DPC of the house, then this is the best scenario, because you can lay a DPM at the correct height, join it carefully to the house DPM, and screed over.

Next, consider sources of heat, light and power. I believe that you're obliged to put a window in a bedroom. And you'll want sockets in different places to the needs of a garage.

The work will need to be done under Building Control, so for more advice contact your LABC department.