Everything You Need to Know About Finishing Your Garage Before Winter

Upcoming winter weather serves as a strong motivation for completing your home improvement projects. Finishing your garage keeps your vehicles and belongings protected from harsh elements, creates a comfortable space, and helps insulate your home, which can lower your energy bills. Whether your garage will be a workshop, a storage area, or a clean space to park, here’s everything you need to know to finish the job right.

Step 1: Planning and Preparing  

Without planning, you risk blowing your budget, underestimating your timeline, and making costly mistakes. 

Choosing Your Garage’s Purpose 

Will your garage be a space to protect your car, a workshop for hobbies, or a home gym? Your purpose dictates your design. For example, a workshop requires more electrical outlets for power tools and task lighting, while rubber flooring and wall-mounted mirrors benefit a gym.

You can even rent out your garage. Consider your area’s demographics and their needs. If you’re near universities, students might need storage over academic breaks or while studying abroad. Ensure you comply with state landlord and tenant laws, which control residential and commercial property leasing. 

Creating a Budget and Securing Permits 

To create a budget, list all potential expenses, including materials, tools, and labor costs if you’ll hire professionals. Add a 10%-15% contingency for unexpected issues. Check with your local municipal building department to see if you need any permits, especially for significant electrical or structural changes.

Decluttering and Cleaning 

Empty the space and sort everything into three piles — keep, donate or sell, and toss. The less clutter you have, the more functional your new space will be. Once empty, sweep the floors, vacuum cobwebs, and pressure wash the concrete floor to remove stains and dirt.

Inspecting and Repairing 

Inspect the garage for issues, such as cracks in the foundation, signs of water damage or roof leaks, and evidence of pests. It is much easier to address these problems now than after the walls are covered. 

Step 2: Framing and Wiring 

Consider hiring a professional for framing and wiring based on your experience. Outsourcing can be safer and more cost-effective in the long term.

Framing Walls for Drywall

Framing creates the structure to hang drywall and insulation. It usually requires building wooden frames between the existing studs of the garage walls. If your walls are concrete, you will need to create a full wall frame. 

Running Electrical Wiring 

Your electrical needs depend on the garage's purpose. Standard outlets are suitable for charging, while heavy-duty outlets are designed for large power tools or electric vehicle chargers. 

To improve energy efficiency, choose your technology carefully. DC-powered smart garage door openers are more energy-efficient than AC options, as they convert AC power to DC. You can also install smart thermostats if you plan to heat the space. They automatically adjust temperatures when you’re asleep or away to save energy. 

Installing Insulation 

Insulation creates a comfortable space year-round by keeping the cold out in winter and the heat out in summer, lowering your household’s total energy costs. Fiberglass batts, which fit between the wall studs, and spray foam insulation are common types. Consider the insulation’s R-value, a measure of its thermal resistance, and how well it can create an air seal. Remember to insulate the ceiling as well.

Creating a Vapor Barrier 

A vapor barrier is a plastic sheet installed over the insulation on the interior of the garage. It prevents moisture from seeping into the wall cavity, which can lead to mold, mildew, and rot.

Step 3: Finishing the Walls and Ceiling 

You should start to see your garage coming together. The following steps will help to bring it to life even more.

Hanging Drywall

Cut drywall panels to size and screw them into your wood framing. Hanging drywall, especially on the ceiling, can be physically demanding. Get help or rent a drywall lift to make the job easier.

Taping and Mudding the Drywall Joints 

​To create a smooth painting surface, tape the joints between the drywall panels and cover them with joint compound, also known as “mud.” This is a multistep process, requiring several thin layers of mud, with drying and sanding time in between each layer. 

Sanding and Priming 

Once the final layer of mud is dry, sand all the joints and any patched screw holes until they are smooth and level with the drywall panels. Next, wipe down the walls to remove dust and apply drywall primer. Primer seals the porous surfaces of drywall and joint compound, resulting in a more even paint color.

Painting

Garages are typically more exposed to outside elements, so choose satin or semi-gloss finishes, as they are easy to clean and durable. Consider fun colors if you’ll be spending more time in your space doing hobbies.  

Step 4: Installing Flooring and Completing Final Touches

The final phase of finishing your garage is all about preparing it for regular use. 

Selecting and Laying Flooring

Upgrading flooring can give a polished look and improve durability. Two-part epoxy coatings are resilient but require meticulous floor preparation and a lengthy curing process. Interlocking rubber or rigid plastic floor tiles are an easy-to-install, DIY-friendly option. Concrete paint or sealers are fast to apply and budget-friendly.

Installing Trim and Baseboards

Baseboards and trim around doors and windows provide a clean, finished look. They cover the gap between the bottom of the drywall and the floor and add a professional touch.

Implementing Organized Storage 

To keep your garage clutter-free, organize vertically with tall cabinets or wall-mounted shelving. Slatwall panels allow you to hang hooks, baskets and shelves that you can easily reconfigure. For seasonal items, consider overhead ceiling racks to keep them out of the way.