When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Pete. Wow. My dream. I hope I speak on behalf of others, but another testimony to your attention to detail and high standards and why we Rennlisters appreciate your Porsche commitment and tech advice and never take you for granted. Jim
That's nice...maybe too nice to be a garage. Mine is more business than sitting area.
Beautiful and also it meets code. As to the original post, you can't have a garage directly open to living space as it violates numerous building codes (in the US at least). Better the owner remain anonymous rather than get red-tagged.
Beautiful and also it meets code. As to the original post, you can't have a garage directly open to living space as it violates numerous building codes (in the US at least). Better the owner remain anonymous rather than get red-tagged.
Interesting.. I didn't think about that. Thank you. I guess some double pane glass windows would have to do? I'm sure there are several on here that blur that line of building code. Thanks again.
Last edited by JCPerformance; 04-18-2023 at 09:55 AM.
Garages are "non-conditioned" and living spaces are, there you would need double pane. But, here in the US, (and others places too) it's an item containing fuel and a fire hazard, so fire rated doors (20 min in residential) need to be in play.....but when's the last time ya seen a car catch on fire in a garage. Well, a new(er) car....prolley safer than Lithium Ion (did I just say that? lol)
Garages are "non-conditioned" and living spaces are, there you would need double pane. But, here in the US, (and others places too) it's an item containing fuel and a fire hazard, so fire rated doors (20 min in residential) need to be in play.....but when's the last time ya seen a car catch on fire in a garage. Well, a new(er) car....prolley safer than Lithium Ion (did I just say that? lol)
Yep, exactly. Plus the other concern is carbon monoxide intrusion into the living spaces when idling. Seems like overkill but most of these types of regulations have their genesis in some avoidable tragedy.
Beautiful and also it meets code. As to the original post, you can't have a garage directly open to living space as it violates numerous building codes (in the US at least). Better the owner remain anonymous rather than get red-tagged.
I think it might come down to how "living space" is defined.
One may argue that all of that space is just garage. I can't see how having comfortable seating etc. in a garage would be a concern.
I think it might come down to how "living space" is defined.
One may argue that all of that space is just garage. I can't see how having comfortable seating etc. in a garage would be a concern.
Probably depends on what kind of mood your inspector is in. Here's what I found regarding separation:
R309.2 Separation Required The garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to the garage side. Garages beneath habitable rooms shall be separated from all habitable rooms above by not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board or equivalent. Where the separation is a floor-ceiling assembly, the structure supporting the separation shall also be protected by not less than 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board or equivalent. Garages located less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a dwelling unit on the same lot shall be protected with not less than 1/2–inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to the interior side of exterior walls that are within this area. Openings in these walls shall be regulated by Section 309.1. This provision does not apply to garage walls that are perpendicular to the adjacent dwelling unit wall.
And here's what it says about openings:
R309.1 Opening Penetration Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and the residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8” (35 mm) in thickness, solid- or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1-3/8” (35 mm) thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.
Looks like the word "habitable" is key, here's how its defined: “a space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.”
So is that room with the couch, coffee table and magazines, sculptures, and a bookcase used for "living"? I'd say it probably is based on how it looks. The lesson here is not to decorate your garage until after the inspector has signed of on it and clean it out first if he happens to come back for some reason.
Probably depends on what kind of mood your inspector is in. Here's what I found regarding separation:
Looks like the word "habitable" is key, here's how its defined: “a space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.”
So is that room with the couch, coffee table and magazines, sculptures, and a bookcase used for "living"? I'd say it probably is based on how it looks. The lesson here is not to decorate your garage until after the inspector has signed of on it and clean it out first if he happens to come back for some reason.
Garages are "non-conditioned" and living spaces are, there you would need double pane. But, here in the US, (and others places too) it's an item containing fuel and a fire hazard, so fire rated doors (20 min in residential) need to be in play.....but when's the last time ya seen a car catch on fire in a garage. Well, a new(er) car....prolley safer than Lithium Ion (did I just say that? lol)
Two neighbors houses burned to ground from riding mowers catching fire after use. Fire rated doors meaningless.
Good concept but when entire roof/attic on fire doubt they help much. Stunning how fast and intensely a house can burn.
5/8th drywall is 1 hour fire rated iirc. That's why they don't want you doing recessed lights etc in a garage. Same reason you're supposed to have double drywall or rockwool or a ton of fiberglass insulation at the top of walls (and between long sections of walls) to form fire blocks and why you should spray fire barrier foam in the holes you make for pipes and wires between floors. It's never one thing that helps but a combo. I'll take every extra second I can.
04-13-2023 | 07:49 PM
Mystery Garage Photo -- Is it yours or do you know the owner???
Let's see it...
