Detached garages don't get much respect. I’ve lived in the snowbelt, and I’ve lived in very hot and sunny climates. In both environments, I learned to appreciate the advantages of an attached garage. Clearly, the ability to get from the house to the car, and back again, without having to face inclement weather is a big reason why attached garages are so common in new home construction.
That said, detached garages offer a lot more design options. Here are some of the benefits to consider.
- A detached garage can more easily reduce or even eliminate the garage-dominated facade that many find so unattractive.
- A detached garage can be set at an angle to the house, or set back from the house.
- With no garage attached to the house, think of what you could do with that space instead. A patio or kitchen garden might be more appreciated here.
- If you live in a moderate climate, you might actually enjoy a nicely landscaped walk from the car to the house.
- If you have a small house, adding an attached house can overwhelm it. A detached garage can be a much more aesthetically pleasing option.
- It can be easier to add living space above a detached garage than an attached garage.
