New Garage - help!

10 years ago

We have contracted to have a new 2 car garage built in our very small back yard. I know this is the right thing to do for (eventual but way off) resale and for our family as we now have 3 drivers and limited street parking.

My worst fear is that it is going to be ugly. It will be painted siding to match the 100 year old house (warm black, white trim, gold accent). We've asked to have a single garage door face the house in addition to the dble door facing the lane. Thinking that we can use it like a gazebo for parties in the summer.

But what colour should we get that door? In my dreams it would be stained wood, but I don't think I can afford that (but haven't priced it out). White? Black? Paint it gold?

I am thinking of doing espaliered apple or pear trees on either side of the door to help make it look nicer.

Anyone have a picture of a pretty garage they'd like to share to give me inspiration?

Contractor is very patient with me, but when I mentioned I saw a gambrel roof I liked, he shook his head and said "would you please stop looking at pretty pictures".

Featured Answer

daisychain Zn3b
Original Author

10 years ago

Marylu, that is one gorgeous building (can't call it a garage b/c it is so much more). Will look for flower pics.

Heard from the contractor and, sweetie that he is, has agreed to "make it pretty" for me (within budget, too!).

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Comments (8)

olychick
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I think you should price out the wood - you may be seeking a solution for problem you won't have, if you can get the wood.

Since you are thinking of using it for outdoor living in the summer, would something like this work?

First one is a 2 car with carport/patio, but the second one is a single garage with another carport parking space that you could use in the summer:

eta: don't know what style your house is, but look at this cute garage door (for the one facing the house)

http://www.dynamicgaragedoor.com/collection/coastal-cottage/
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
there are always french porte if you want the garage doors to look more like french doors...
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jlc712
10 years ago
I think I'd do the doors white to match the trim, or wood if it's affordable. There are some faux wood garage doors that are nice, but some look very obviously artificial. I think I'd do some type of nicer, more special door, like a carriage house style door,
Victorian Carriage House · More Info

for the single door facing the house, and just go with basic for the double doors.
Dilworth Historic District Craftsman · More Info

Barrington Farm House · More Info
chispa
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
We had doors made by the company linked below. Lots of good photos on their website.

http://www.ranchhousedoors.com
daisychain Zn3b
Original Author
10 years ago
Yup. I think I need carriage doors. I adore all the doors in the pics and links above. The dark doors in jlc's pics are really my style. I texted our contractor asking where he was getting the doors and if I could look at different styles and he is, as is typical, ignoring me. I am therefore forced to search the internet to find things he will roll his eyes at and complain about. I will blame you all.

Chispa, I am pretty sure those doors would cost more than we have budgeted for the whole garage, but dang they are gorgeous.

Annie, the french doors are also wonderful, but I don't think they'd be practical in our crazy climate.

My initial plan was for a single garage and carport, but with our winters (3 hours north of fargo) a two car garage just makes more sense. We are also in a very urban and occasionally crime-ridden area so lots of glass probably wouldn't last too long.

Off to try to find affordable carriage doors.
mary_lu_gw
10 years ago
We built a 1 1/2 car garage several years ago. Our home was built in 1868 so we too tried to build a garage that looked appropriate. Looked for a picture but all I could find were flower pictures that included the garage. Carriage house garage doors can be painted too. Our plan is to build a 2 story porch on the side where the 2nd story walk out door is. Our neighbor across the alley also put in carriage house doors a little different than ours. You can see them in the picture as well in the white garage.
User
10 years ago
Marylu, your garage is charming!