Choosing the Right Garage Style for Your New Home
When buying a new home, the type of garage you choose is more than just a practical detail—it can influence your lifestyle, enhance curb appeal, and even impact your home’s value. The two most common options, attached garages and detached (or laned) garages, each offer unique benefits depending on your budget, lifestyle, and long-term plans. Let’s start by looking at detached garage homes and why they’re such a popular choice.
Detached Garage Homes: Inviting and Affordable
Detached garage homes, often called laned homes, are designed without a front-facing garage. Instead, parking is located at the back of the home—either on a rear lane garage or a parking pad. This design keeps the front of the home open, bright, and welcoming.
Why homeowners love them:
- Curb appeal: With the garage out of sight, the front of the home can shine with larger windows, charming porches, and unique architectural details.
- More affordable: Detached garage homes typically cost less than front garage models, making them an appealing choice for first-time buyers.
- Welcoming streetscapes: Open front designs create friendlier streets with porches, sidewalks, and green spaces that encourage connection.
- Easier maintenance: Smaller yards require less upkeep, leaving more time for family, hobbies, and enjoying the community. Plus, the extra space in the backyard allows for creative landscaping or play areas.
A few things to consider:
- Parking may be less convenient in winter, especially if you’re relying on a rear lane or street parking.
- Storage space is often more limited than in a front garage layout.
- Accessing your garage means walking outside—something to think about during Alberta’s colder months.
- Building and maintaining a separate structure can add costs over time.
Front Garage Homes: Space and Convenience
Front garage homes feature an attached garage at the front of the house, providing direct access from your vehicle into the home. This design is all about comfort, practicality, and maximizing interior space.
Why homeowners love them:
- Year-round comfort: Especially during Canadian winters, being able to park inside and step directly into your home is a major advantage.
- Extra storage: Attached garages offer plenty of room for vehicles, tools, bikes, and sports equipment.
- Spacious layouts: These homes often feature larger floorplans with expansive kitchens, open-concept living areas, and additional square footage.
- Strong resale value: Front garage homes tend to attract a wide range of buyers, which can make them a smart long-term investment.
A few things to consider:
- They generally come with a higher upfront price compared to detached garage homes.
- With the garage taking up most of the front exterior, there’s often less room for porches or front yard landscaping.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the decision between a detached and a front garage home comes down to your lifestyle and priorities. Think about your daily routine, your family’s needs, and how you’d make the most of the space.
- Choose a detached garage home if: you value affordability, classic curb appeal, and smaller, low-maintenance yards.
- Choose a front garage home if: you want more storage, larger living areas, and the convenience of direct garage access year-round.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer—both options have their own unique benefits. Detached garage homes stand out for their charm, budget-friendliness, and cozy feel, while front garage homes excel in convenience, storage, and spacious layouts. By weighing your lifestyle, budget, and long-term plans, you’ll be well on your way to finding the home that’s the perfect fit for you and your family.