Dedicated Room

Why not convert it from a garage into a proper habitable room ? Wouldn't take too much, just need to seek professional advice and block up the garage door and put in a window. Access from the main house also of course, but its a better overall option. Either that or build a first floor extension over it, if there isn't one already.

Can I refer you to a wonderful book called 'Men and their Sheds'. On a serious note, check out your local planning dept. for permission, and that your home and buildings insurance covers you. Oh, and the damp proof course. And you mortgage lender.

Rasher's right on the money: go the whole hog. It'll be a better return on your 'CDS3+' investment.

Otherwise you may find the place not much fun to hang around in to listen to you new toys. Temperature and humidity swings will do the equipment and sound no good, either - speakers especially don't seem to take well to such treatment.

Oh, and don't overlook the planning/building reg. implications of converting the garage into a habitable room - usually no biggie, call your local authority for an informal chat.

Martin

Try to fix it so that you can easily convert it back to a garage when you eventually move - I thought a garage converted to a habitable room would increase sale value, but apparently it can reduce the attractiveness to buyers.

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

Hi Craig

This is a topic that I'm giving some thought to at the moment although my plans involve demolishing a garage and replacing it with a dedicated room.

If you are building from scratch you need to understand the differences in building regulations that apply to garages and habitable rooms. For starters, habitable rooms have far more stringent standards for insulation. A garage is likely to be fine with single skin brick or blockwork whereas you will probably have to go with double skin and at least 50mm insulation for it to be habitable. There are also rules on ceiling heights and probably all manner of other things (haven't got that far into it to be able to tell you).

Basically if you are serious about using it as a hifi room build it to the regulations rather than building to garage spec and then trying to convert it.

Jez makes a fair point about the impact on resalability but it is dependant on many factors including the type of housing stock in the area and the sort of people who want to live there. Unless you are inclined to move every couple of years I wouldn't worry too much, especially if it can easily be converted back to a somewhat overly cosy garage.

Regards
Steve

..for the sufficiently curious:

UK Building Regs overview

Approved Documents, which represent the standards required.

Martin

Go get some advice from an Architect. They will be able to tell you what it will cost and what the implications are. Then you can decide whether to do it or not.
The floor will probably slope towards the garage door, so you need insulation and screed. Suspended ceiling, electrics and dry lining to the walls. Build up a new front elevation and install windows as required. New door opening to house (if adjacent to hallway). Including professional fees, say £4-5k.
Could be the best hi-fi investment you ever made!

Great point; on that front, buying the Nap300 would be the way to go. While dedicated listening can be fun, I reckon that 90% of the time (I am at home) music is making the doing of other things more enjoyable.

Thanks to all the above - comments much appreciated. Clearly, much to think about and sort out. Especially am mindful of the point about room temperature etc.

cheers

Craig