How to build a detached garage

This step by step diy article is about how to build a detached garage. Building a small garage for a single car requires a proper planning and quality materials, so you should take your time when doing the preliminary stages. It would also be a good idea to design the garage having in mind the doors and windows you are going to use. In this manner you can frame the opening in a professional manner.

Building a garage usually requires a permit, so you need to check the local building codes before starting the actual construction. There are many legal requirements that you should take into account, so make sure you study the problem before you begin the constructions. Taking into account this projects is about a detached garage, you should dig deep footings (under the frost line) add a re-bar structure and pour concrete.

Taking into consideration of the project, we strongly recommend you to hire an engineer and to follow the local building codes. In addition, you need to build the framing wall on a level surface before attaching them to the concrete slab. Drill pilot holes trough the sills and lock them to the anchors bolts in the slab. Use a spirit level to make sure the walls are plumb and a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

In order to build a small detached garage, you need to use the following:

Materials

A – 14 pieces of 2×4 – 90″, 2 pieces – 240″, 1 piece – 233″, 4 pieces – 36″, 8 pieces – 39″ WALL A
A – 1 piece of 2×4 – 48″, 14 pieces – 9 1/2″, 10 pieces – 37 1/2″, 2 pieces – 76 1/2″ WALL A
B – 4 pieces of 2×4 – 90”, 1 piece – 137, 1 pieces – 144″, 2 pieces – 18 1/2″ WALL B
B – 2 pieces of 2×4 – 82 1/2”, 7 pieces -2″, 2 pieces of 2×6 – 103″ WALL B
C – 13 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 90″, 2 pieces – 240″, 1 pieces – 233″ WALL C
D – 7 pieces of 2×4 – 90″, 2 piece – 137 “, 1 piece – 144” WALL D
E – 15 piece of 1/2″ plywood – 4×8′ EXTERIOR WALLS

2 1/2″ screws
garage door
garage floor sealer

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Hire an engineer before pouring the footings
Secure the walls temporarily with braces

Time

One Week

Part 1: How to build a garage
Part 2: How to build a garage roof
Part 3: How to finish a garage

Building a detached garage

Top Tip: Build a simple garage for one car is a complex project, as it requires many skills and an extensive knowledge on the topic. Therefore, you should plan everything starting with the footings up to the size of the door, as to fit your needs. We will not emphasize on the footings of the garage, as the soil structure differs according to your location, so you should hire an engineer to get the job done.

Building the concrete slab

Building a detached garage usually doesn’t require deep footings as in the case of attached constructions. Therefore, you need to use shallow footings that have 1/2″ rebars at the edges. In addition, you need to tie the slab to the footings with wire mesh. After pouring the footings you should let the concrete to set for about about 24 hours.

Building the side walls (A)

The first step of the project is to build the side wall of the single car garage that contains a door opening and two window openings. As you can see in the image, you need to double the to plates, in order to get a rigid frame. In addition, you need to space the studs as in the plans, otherwise you won’t be able to attach the 4×8 plywood sheets properly.

Building the front wall (B)

When framing the front wall of the garage, you should make sure the opening is large enough for a door. It is essential to make a proper planning, otherwise the garage door might not fit into the opening and any repair will increase the costs of the project. As you can notice in the plans, you should build the double header from 2×6 lumber, as to add extra-support to the construction.

Side wall plans (C)

Continue the woodworking project by building the other side wall. As you can see in the image, you follow the instructions described in the plans and build the wall on a level surface. Check if the corners are right-angled after fitting a component.

Building the back wall (D)

Building the back wall of the garage is a straight forward task, as there are no openings or other complex tasks. Make sure you place the studs equally spaced, every 24″ on center and follow the plans, as to reduce the cutting waste when attaching the exterior walls.

Fitting the walls

When fitting the walls into place, you should secure them to the anchor bolts in the concrete slab. In addition, it is essential to align the wall framing at both ends and to check if they are perfectly plumb. Lock the walls into place with temporary braces, if order to get a professional result.

Installing the wall frames

Afterwards, fit the front and the back walls and secure them to rest of the structure with braces, as in the image. Drill pilot holes in the adjacent walls in order to make the whole structure rigid. Check if the walls are perfectly plumb and if the top plates are horizontal, by using a spirit level.

Attaching the exterior walls

Attaching the 1/2″ plywood sheets to the framing is a straight forward job, if you have built the structure properly and have spaced the studs accurately. As you can see in the image, you need to cut out the sheets around the door opening, using a good circular saw. Make sure you take accurate measurements, if you want to get a professional result.

Attacking the plywood sheets

On the opposite side of the garage, you should install full sheets, which means no more measuring and cutting. Align the sheets at the top of the framing and lock them into place with 1 1/4″ screws or nails.

Fitting the exterior walls

Continue the project in the same manner described above. As you can notice in the plans, you should adjust the plywood sheets at the right size, if you want to get a professional result. Mark the cut lines on the sheets with attention, otherwise they won’t fit into place properly. Don’t leave any gaps between the sheets, if you want to protect the garage from moisture in a professional manner.

Attaching plywood to the back wall

Attach the full size plywood sheets to the back wall of the garage and lock them into place with 1 1/4″ screws or nails. Make sure you insert the screws properly, checking if their heads are at the same level with the surface.

How to build a small garage

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours. Check if there are protruding screws and fix the issue if necessary.

Thank you for reading our project about how to build a detached garage and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets.

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