How To Raise A Garage Roof {By 3 Feet}

Is it possible to make your garage taller, and if so, why would you want to? The easy answers to these questions are: Yes, you can make your garage taller, and there are many advantages to doing so. In this article, we present and address common questions and concerns about raising your garage roof. We also describe a couple of ways you can raise your garage roof and share the reasons why this can be a very good idea. Read on to learn more.

Get A Taller Garage Q&A

Why would you want a taller garage?

If your garage and its entrance are raised, you can park taller vehicles inside. If you simply raise the roof, you can have quite a bit more attic space.

What are some of the things you must consider before raising your garage?

As with all projects that will affect the function and outside appearance of your home and outbuildings, you must start by finding out if it’s permitted in your area.

Is it usually hard to get a permit to make your garage taller?

It can be, depending upon the strictness of your city authorities and the amount of height you wish to add. In some locations, you don’t need a permit to raise a roof under 2’, but you will need permission to raise it more than 2’. In other areas, permitting requirements may be more or less strict.

What’s the advantage of getting a permit to raise the roof of your garage?

Raising the roof of your garage is a very visible change. People will see and hear you doing it, and they are very likely to call the authorities and complain. If/when this happens, you’ll be forced to pay fines. You may also be forced to undo any work you’ve done and apply for permits, which you may not get.

If you do get the permits you need, you’ll have to do all the work over again. On the other hand, you may get away with making the changes without a permit, but this can work to your disadvantage when you try to sell your home.

Do you absolutely have to hire a professional to raise your garage roof?

This is a job that requires a great deal of meticulous and knowledgeable planning in order to be safe. This is why it’s very important to do it right from start to finish. If you make a mistake in the process, it’s very hard to stop and make corrections. For this reason, hiring a professional is a very wise thing to do.

How do you raise a garage roof?

Begin by making sure that the structure of your garage is sturdy enough to withstand the stress of detaching and raising the roof. If it’s rickety, you may be better off just tearing it down and starting over. If it’s strong enough, you can brace the interior and use a hydraulic lift to raise the roof of your garage.

Raise The Roof (Literally!)

How do you raise the whole garage?

Raising the whole garage is actually not as hard on the structure as raising the roof. If you find that the garage is a bit compromised, you may want to hire a professional to shore up its structure and then jack up the entire building and add a footer to the floor.

How I Lifted My Double Garage Up 21 Inches

Is it better to raise your entire garage or just raise the roof?

The answer to this question depends upon your purpose. If you want more versatile space, raise the garage. If you want more overhead storage space, just raise the roof.

What’s the best amount of headroom for a garage door?

It’s a good idea to have about a foot of headroom above your garage door.

Why might it be better to start over?

If your garage is old and compromised, or if it is not built of very good materials to begin with, you may really be better off tearing it down and starting over.

When you do this, you don’t have to worry about the very real danger of having someone get crushed as you are trying to raise a heavy roof or lift the whole garage. Building from the ground up can actually be easier and is definitely safer than trying to restructure your existing garage.

How much does it cost to raise a garage roof?

If you are using a hydraulic lift to raise the roof of your garage, it will cost between $5-$15 per square foot. This typically adds up to between $15,000 and $18,000.

What’s the advantage of raising your garage roof more than 3’?

It won’t cost you much more to raise your garage roof five or six feet than three feet, but the usefulness of the space will be much greater. A five or six foot space above your rafters can provide a great deal of storage space or even a sleeping loft. Two or three feet of space is just crawlspace.

Having a taller garage gives you a lot more versatility in storage. With greater vertical space, you can do a lot more with hooks, shelves, loft extensions and other storage devices.

Is having a taller garage really all that much better?

A taller garage can be more useful and can help you protect your investments. For example, if you have tall vehicles or a boat, you can keep them safer and extend their life and usefulness by being able to keep them inside during inclement weather. This also keeps them safe from potential theft or vandalism.

Is it worth the money to raise the roof of your garage?

For the potential danger factor and the cost, it may not be worth it. Talk with a licensed, experienced contractor to get some ideas and estimates.

You may very well find out that you are better off in every way simply tearing down your existing garage and starting over or building a separate storage space or tall pole shed to meet your needs.