The exterior of the garage does more than just define the appearance. They protect the structure of the garage and ensure it withstands harsh weather elements. Whether you’re planning to build an attached or detached garage, it is important to understand the parts of the garage exterior. It helps to choose the perfect outbuilding for your needs.
In this blog, we have mentioned 17 major parts of a garage exterior that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also improve functionality.
14 Exterior Garage Parts
Here are some parts of a garage exterior -
Cladding
Cladding is an exterior material covering that covers the wall of the structure. Most garages made of timber usually have pressure-treated lumber and optional OSB or ply lining, with weatherboard or cladding on the outside. It protects the structure from the outside while saving you money on the inside materials.
Bay
A bay is the space where the cars are accommodated. For example - only one car can fit in a single-bay garage. The garage can be constructed with one or more bays, depending on your needs. But not everyone uses their bays as storage. This means that if someone has a 3-bay garage, they use 2 bays for the cars, and the remaining bay is used as a workshop, gym, etc. There are size options for bays, including wider and deeper garages. They offer the best storage place for your tools.
Roof Trusses
Every roof has trusses - which serve as storage on the roof. Hence, it is important to understand the type of trusses that you need. While standard roof trusses are a great choice, you may also want to consider other choices, such as -
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Attic Trusses - These trusses create a completely separate room above the garage. They are a little expensive but can increase the garage value.
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Storage Trusses - They also create storage space, but they won’t be of much height and may not be as easily accessible as attic trusses. They are perfect if you want an attic storage with a pull-down ladder.
Roofing
Roofing materials should be durable and can withstand any elements. Hence, it is important to consider all the pros and cons of the materials before choosing one. Here are some options you can choose from -
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Cedar Shingles
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Three-Tab Shingles
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Lifetime Architectural Shingles
Siding
Siding is another exterior element that needs to be considered. It is generally considered wise to keep the garage siding consistent. This increases the aesthetic of the space. A detached garage offers a bit of flexibility, but depending on your choice, you can consider choosing your own siding and material. Here are some popular materials that can be considered -
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Steel Siding
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Wood Siding
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Custom Vinyl Siding
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Fiber Cement Siding
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Cedar Shake Or Siding
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Brick, Stone, Or Stucco
| Notes | If you’re not sure what works for your garage, you can always consider contacting your nearby garage builders. They can help you find the best-suited material that complements your garage exterior. |
Roof Lining
Usually OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is used to line the roof, in the case of a timber garage. OSB is an engineered wood product with strands that are securely held together by adhesives and waxes. It is incredibly stable, strong, and resistant to moisture.
Muntins
Muntins are dividers that separate the lines within a garage door window. They are mostly decorative but are also used for insulation, depending on your choice and need.
Eaves
The eaves are the outer edge of the garage roof that extends past the building’s walls. This overhang helps divert rain and snow away from the structure, which protects the walls and preserves the wood underneath.
Trims
Trims are attached to the top of the window or door panel and act as a frame. They divide the panels into separate sections of windows and doors and frame the doors. They are available in different designs, such as cross-bucks (X-bucks), V-bucks, Z-bucks (A-bucks), cross rails, sprung bucks, etc.
Panels
Panels are installed on the front surface of the garage door. They are available in different styles, such as V-groove, flat, raised, herringbone, tongue and groove, etc. The number of panels depends on the door type. For example, swing doors usually feature panels in sets of two, trifold doors have three panels and bifold doors have four-panel units.
Purlin Systems
A purlin system is a structural framework that runs parallel to the eaves, supporting the garage roof. It consists of horizontal timber beams installed along the length of the roof. While many garages include a purlin system, those with natural tile roofing mostly use trusses instead.
Garage Door
Garage doors are mostly made up of steel, fiberglass, aluminum, or wood. They usually open by sliding on rollers along a track. When closing, the door slides back down along the track. The spring offsets its weight and ensures smooth and controlled movements. They can also be operated manually using a pull cord or a handle. Here are some important parts of a garage door -
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Hinges - Hinges secures the panels, allowing them to fold as the door bends and moves along the track.
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Tracks - The tracks run vertically on either side of the garage door. They curve into the ceiling above and then run along the top of the garage. The tracks help guide the movement of the door, and the curve helps prevent the door from falling back.
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Rollers - Rollers help your garage door glide and move along the tracks. It consists of a metal rod and a wheel made of nylon, plastic, or steel.
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Springs - Springs control the door’s motion when opening or closing. They counterbalance the door’s weight and allow for steady movement.
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Cables - Garage doors include torsion cables attached to the bottom of the garage door. This ensures a balanced and even movement.
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Emergency Cord - An emergency cord is an essential safety precaution, which hangs down on the interior of the garage. The system’s motor will disconnect and cease opening and closing when you pull it. It is helpful in case the motor stops working, or there’s a power outage.
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Sensors - Sensors ensure that the door doesn’t close when something is under or around it. They are also known as photo eyes and shoot an invisible beam across the garage door opening. If something crosses the beam, the sensors signal the motor to stop the closing process.
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Garage Door Opener - Garage door openers are motorized systems that automatically raise and lower your garage door. They mostly use sensors and a motor that responds when you press the button.
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Weather Seal - The weather seal at the bottom of the door helps keep the wind, rain, and debris out of the garage. It protects your belongings inside the garage and enhances the energy-efficiency.
Soffits and Fascia
Soffits and fascia protect the underside of the roof from weather exposure. Soffits are horizontal panels that cover the underside of the room overhang, while fascia boards are vertical trims that run along the edge of the roof. They are mostly perpendicular to the soffits. The fascia is usually attached to the lower ends of the roof trusses and supports the guttering system. A high-quality timber garage often includes both as a part of its standard design.
Gutters
A gutter is a water discharge system on the roof. It directs the flow of water from the roof to the ground, which protects the garage from heavy rain and snowfall. This is because if you have a wooden garage exterior, rain and snow may damage it.
Conclusion
Understanding garage exterior parts helps you build a well-structured exterior that enhances its functionality. It also provides essential protection and adds value to the space. Ensure to use quality parts that can last longer and handle the weather elements while complementing the surrounding environment.
