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How much should house and detached garage match?

5 years ago

We moved into our house about two years ago and are starting to plan our garage. (We currently just park outside, but my husband wants somewhere covered for our cars before we need new ones.)

Anyway, how much should the house design affect the garage design? The house has a hipped roof, does that mean the garage should as well? (I think that would look weird?). Should the windows have shutters? Should the siding be the same?

Thank you!

Featured Answer

Architectrunnerguy

5 years ago

I think there should be some design continuity. And just as important, equal thought given to the space between the detached garage and the house that the garage will create whether the garage is in the front, side or backyard.

For the house we just sold, I did (we designed it) a detached garage in the front yard to not only get more light into a narrow 33' wide house in a 50' wide lot, I didn't want the journey up to the front door going past 25' of front load garage as is so often the case. So it's more of an unfolding sequence kind of thing...Gate....Trellis...Courtyard (or outdoor room).....Front Porch....Front Door.

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Comments (20)

One Devoted Dame
5 years ago
Definitely aim for harmony in both style and color, so they look like sisters, not strangers. :-)
PRO
Hanover Custom Homes, LLC
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Sound advice by ODD. Katie, you don't have to have exact matching details but harmonious styling would be good.

On the other hand, to muddy the water a bit, I've built the same garage below for 4 different houses. 2 harmonious with main house, 2 contrast/juxtapose main house.

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With historical data showing that the original roof was at the 6:12 pitch I would go back with what was there originally. Not only do you take it back to original, you also stated that you will have a better view out of the kitchen window. Looking at the picture the two roofs look fine, especially since your garage is a single story and the house is two story. My vote is 6:12. Is the house in an historical district? If so, it might require you to go back with the 6:12, especially as there are pictures showing this.
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celerygirl did a nice mockup. you could also turn it so the doors are at 3 o'clock i'm guessing you'll want a double car? maybe you can get an additional room over the garage too. your house is perfect for the garage add-on that will make it look like it's always been there why don't you have an architect draw up some plans for you? you're going to need them
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PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Photos of your house would help us visualize how to best address your question.
mjlb
5 years ago
That's lovely, architectrunnerguy.
Architectrunnerguy
5 years ago
Thanks.And off topic but actually I built the moongate and trellis myself. Who said architects don't like to get their hands dirty!

Before, the gate added a lot:

And making it in my woodshop above the garage:

Nice at Christmas:
Denita
5 years ago
That moon gate is beautiful. It really finishes the entire front.
PRO
Hanover Custom Homes, LLC
5 years ago
Nice work ARG, turning lemon (front loading garage) into champagne. Beautiful progression going from the driveway to the main house.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
Great example by ARG, that a garage is and should be considered as more than a parking space for a car.
Katie S.
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all!

Love the charm of the garages shown, especially ARG’s. Mine will have to be behind the house on a flat area graded for it when the house was built.

Here is a picture from June and one from when you can see the house through the trees. I don’t like the hipped roof and really want a gable on the garage. Would this be weird?
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
Why don't you post a photo of the rear of your house, and one where the garage will be located?
Katie S.
Original Author
5 years ago
Ok. I am on “vacation” (at my in laws) now but get back in a few days. I have some overhead shots too from a drone. It is a pretty awkward area all around. Thanks!
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
House and garage do not have to match, but they should appear to be from the same family and have a family resemblance. They should not be visually strongly different and each fighting for dominance. Similar siding and color is often a good idea. Windows for a garage are always a good idea, allowing natural light in the garage and making the lawn mower much easier to find.

Why do you think a hip roof would look weird? It would probably be better related to your house than a hip or shed roof...but we haven't seen the rear of your house.
Katie S.
Original Author
5 years ago
I fear a hipped roof will look too “roofy”, like the house. I like how with a gable I could have more area for windows if their were to be a loft area. I guess I need an architect, to avoid picking out a garage plan and having it look like it landed on my driveway from outer space.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Depending on the orientation of the garage the roof line could be gable or other. Love ARG’s suggestions to connect house and garage. Fantastic. Who will notice roof with gate like that. Perfect!
A Fox
5 years ago
I think you could do a gables roof on the garage and still have it tied into the house as long as there is a continuous eave return across the base of the gables so that it matches the gable over your front door. Definitely do also match the pitch of your house's roof.

I would do smaller windows without shutters on your garage so that it looks more like a traditional service building that is secondary to the house.
Denita
5 years ago
@ A Fox: Continuous eave return like this insp pic? Good idea.

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beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
5 years ago
Beautiful house and property, Katie, and beautiful work, ARG!
Katie S.
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you thank you A. Fox and Denita! I love that!
Christian Decor
3 years ago
House is meh....

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