Three-Car Garages The Trend Of The Future

Back in the 1950s, the one-car garage was standard in the 41 percent of homes that had any garage at all. More than half a century later, almost two-thirds of all new homes have two-car garages and on a nationwide basis, 19 percent have three-car or more garages.

 “The home building industry is definitely seeing a growing trend toward the three-car garage or larger,” said Matt Moroney, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Builders Association.

 “With ceilings reaching taller heights, and basements becoming finished, larger garages are  becoming a must-have in new homes,” said Moroney. 

Census Bureau statistics confirm the trend toward three-car garages in all four census areas, although the Midwest and the West are definitely in the lead. When the Census Bureau first started tracking three-car or more garages in 1992, they accounted for 20 percent of the new homes in the West. In 2004, 31 percent of new homes in the West had three-car or more garages. In the Midwest, 16 percent had three-car or more garages in 1992 and 32 percent had three-car or more garages last year. 

For most buyers, the appeal of the three-car garage is simple: more storage space. National Association of Home Builders studies of consumer preferences consistently show that extra storage space is very high on most consumers’ wish lists. 

And while there may not be three vehicles parked in the garage on any given day, it’s a sure bet that it will hold yard and garden equipment, seasonal recreational equipment, and much more – many of them items that would be difficult to retrieve from a basement or attic. 

Additionally, builders are finding that consumers increasingly prefer 8-foot by 10-foot garage doors compared to the more standard 7-foot by 9-foot doors so that their larger garages can more readily accommodate SUVs and the other bigger vehicles. 

As they’ve gotten larger, garages have also become more sophisticated, said Moroney. “Consumers find elaborate and extensive built-in storage and shelving systems, work areas, utility sinks and many other amenities very appealing,” he added. “They are also tending to view the garage as more of an extension of the house, and some buyers are even heating and cooling the space for comfort and year-round use.” 

Another very appealing feature about a three-car garage is that it allow builders to offer a second floor “bonus room” that can be used for a multitude of purposes. “These bonus rooms are a growing trend and provide a very flexible space that can be put to any number of uses,” Moroney said. “From a playroom for the kids to a home office, exercise room, loft, extra bedroom, an in-law or nanny suite, quarters for a boomerang child, and even extra storage, the uses are almost endless.

 “With extra space, extra amenities and plenty of flexible customization options, the three-car garage is definitely a trend that consumers are embracing,” he said. 

Ironically, he added, today’s three-car garage with an upstairs bonus area actually rivals the size of a typical new home of the 1950s, when homes averaged about 1,000 square feet. 

It is also ironic that at a time when new home lots are generally decreasing in size, the three-car garage requires a slightly larger lot. Placement of the three-car garage is also challenging for builders, and typically they are sited at the side of the home rather than the front so that the garage does not become the most prominent point in the streetscape. 

Members of the Metropolitan Builders Association are well-equipped to help consumers with all of their building needs. The MBA is a non-profit and non-partisan association which represents the building industry in the metropolitan Milwaukee area. The MBA develops and offers education for consumers as well as members. By establishing business ethics and industry standards, the MBA has earned a reputation as a trusted resource. Consumers enjoy our promotions for housing and housing products, while members take part in our professional and social activities throughout the year.

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