Compelling 11 Tips To Turn Your Steel Garage Into Recreational Facility : Do you have spare garage space and are looking to make use of it? With careful planning and fun with creative skills, you can transform steel garages into a recreational area. If you are interested in remodeling your garage into a recreational room, below are eleven tips for you that you must consider.
Ideas For Transforming Your Steel Garage Into A Recreation Space
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Zoning Rules
Since your garage will have human occupants, you need planning permission and sign off from your local authority to convert it into a habitable area. Fire safety and regulation are also crucial.
Note: Check with your local authority before commencing any garage renovation work.
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Permit
To convert your metal garage into a recreational facility, you will need to file for a permit. The average fee for garage conversion is $50 to $600. You will need an additional permit if you don’t have electricity, plumbing, or a HAVC system installed in your garage.
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Size
A commercial recreational facility must be large enough to accommodate all equipment, gadgets, and sports gear without overcrowding. For personal recreational areas, you can plan the layout based on how you want to use your garage.
Here Are Some Steel Garages That You Can Transform Into A Recreational Center
| Type | Size (in ft.) | Area | Height (in ft.) |
| Metal building | 26 x 40 | 1040 sq. ft. | 10 |
| Metal building with lean-to | 30 x 50 | 1500 sq. ft. | 14 |
| All vertical steel garage | 40 x 40 | 1600 sq. ft. | 12 |
| Two tone commercial building | 30 x 71 | 2130 sq. ft. | 14 |
| Lean-to metal garage | 50 x 60 | 3000 sq. ft. | 12 |
But Why Steel?
Conventional recreational centers cost around $210 per sq. ft. and above, whereas turnkey steel buildings range from $24 to $45 per sq. ft.
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Define Goals
Identifying your goals will help you plan the interior easily. Think about what features or facilities you want in your recreational center. You can choose a gym, gaming room, relaxing lounge area, saunas, steam baths, or other entertainment activities.
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Plan Layout
Measure space and consider adding windows, doors, electrical outlets, and plumbing inside the garage. You can also create sections for activities like a gym, lounge, and gear storage.
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Flooring
Select a floor that is easy to clean and durable. For the gym and play area, opt for rubber flooring. Ensure that the floor is versatile enough for multiple applications.
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Walls
Generally, garage walls are not finished for living purposes. You can add drywall and then paint or wallpaper them. I prefer light-colored wallpaper with fewer distracting features or designs. Recreational areas are relaxing and fun, so choose tranquilizing colors.
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Acoustics
Is your garage near the street or a busy alley? If yes, soundproofing is something you must consider. If you plan to use your garage to practice music, consider soundproofing. After all, you won’t want to annoy your neighbors.
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Insulation
Insulation is generally added to steel garages to ensure comfort. It reduces heat transfer from and to the building, maintaining temperature for longer. Insulation is either added after the installation of metal garages or as IMPs (insulated metal panels) that have in-built insulation.
Note: Add electrical and water lines before insulation and drywall after insulation.
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Lighting
Since you will spend hours in your newly renovated recreational room, lighting is important. Depending on the activity you would like to perform, lighting can be styled accordingly.
To reduce energy bills, add natural lighting via skylights, clerestory windows, solar tubes, and roof daylighting. You can also replace some roof metal panels with translucent panels. For lights at night, opt for décor lamps and other lighting fixtures.
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Vents
Adding vents to metal garages increases fresh air flow inside the building and reduces moisture content. Depending on your local climate, opt for heating or cooling options such as fans, ACs, or radiant heaters.
Bonus: Get The Right Tools & Accessories
Your recreational area must be functional at the end of the day. You can add accessories and tools that complement activities. For instance, if you are creating a home gym, add a treadmill, dumbbells, resistance band, jump rope, bench, yoga mat, stability ball, stationary bike, ab roller, punching bag, foam roller, etc., as per need.
How Much Will It Cost To Renovate Steel Garages Into A Recreational Center?
Renovations can be minor or major, and the final cost will be decided based on that. But to give a rough idea, converting steel garages into recreational rooms will cost between $8000 and $50000 or even more.
The following are the costs associated with remodeling metal garages into recreational areas. Have a look. You may only need some of them.
- Permit Cost: It includes a remodeling permit, metal garage installation permit (if you don’t already have one), HAVC, electric, and plumbing permit. Note that the permit cost will vary depending on the place and state. You do not need a permit to make minor tweaks in some areas.
- Accessories Cost: This includes the price of equipment for the gym, art, library, yoga mat, theatre, etc.
- Storage Hardware Cost: It includes shelves, racks, lockers, etc.
- Add-on Cost: It includes light fixtures, dry walls, painting, flooring, adding vents, walk-in doors, windows, etc.
- Furniture Cost: Some examples are seating area, couch, stools, chairs, and other as needed.
Some Ideas For Transforming Steel Garages Into A Recreational Center
- Home Gym
- Art Studio
- Home Theatre
- Music Room
- Indoor Play Area
- Meditation Space
- Fitness Studio
- Reading Nook
- Creative Hobbies
- Video Gaming
- Board Games
As You Can See
Renovating metal garages into personal recreational spaces is not only less time-consuming but also easy. With some tweaks and attention to detail, you can transform your useless garage into a happening place.
This place can serve as family time, alone time, or time with your close pals. You can add your personal touches, such as motivational posters for a home gym, family members’ pictures for a family theatre, and some of your craft work and achievements on display for an art room.
So, don’t wait! Start figuring out creative ideas. We have mentioned some of them above. Convert your garage into a personal recreational area.