In modern housing, bedrooms can be built directly on the garages. This setup allows homeowners to have more room for living rooms, kitchens, and other guest-dominated rooms. It also allows for the master bedroom to be significantly larger without taking up floor space on the main part of the house.
Are bedrooms above the garage safe?
Bedrooms directly above the garage are safe. Noise from the garage work may disrupt the homeowner in the morning, but there’s no risk of having a bedroom over the garage.
On top of saving space, having a bedroom directly above the garage is private and separate from the main part of the house.
This allows homeowners to seclude their personal belongings from house guests, have privacy if they have a guest staying over, and have more storage space in the house.
However, there are some concerns that we’re going to cover in the article about having a bedroom above the garage. We detail the different factors affecting your sleep and health, from having a bedroom above a garage.
Is Having a Bedroom Above The Garage Safe?
Having a bedroom above the garage is safe. Building a bedroom above a garage wouldn’t be regulated if it wasn’t safe. Homebuilder codes and regulations inspect all health hazards before actually making a home.
Cons Of Having a Bedroom Above a Garage
There are, however, a few things that should be noted before actually building or purchasing a home with the master bedroom above the garage. Most of these options are unknown or an afterthought soon after buying a home.
Most of these options have to do with two or more people living in the household. So if you’re a solo homeowner, most of the items below may not apply to you.
Garage Opening
First and foremost is the garage opening and closing. Whether the garage is electric or spring operated, the sound of a garage door is loud and typically will shake the bedroom.
If you’re one to go to bed early, but your spouse either works late or likes to enjoy his weekend, the garage door is almost sure to wake you up every time.
Sleep is valuable for the body to restore itself to full strength. Consistently having a garage door interrupts your sleep cycle and could be damaging to your long-term health.
Consider the garage door consistently opening and closing to be a factor when purchasing a home with a bedroom above the garage.
Power Tools
If you or your spouse like to use power tools for DIY projects in the garage, this could also threaten naps or private time in the bedroom.
Consistently hearing the sound of a power saw or hammers pounding on a bench will interrupt any activity.
If you’re not one to nap or even go to the bedroom during the day, having a master bedroom above the garage may not be a bad idea.
However, if you like your peace during the day, power tools and other garage noise may interrupt the experience.
Heat In The Summer
In the summer months, due to the poor insulation of the garage, it will typically be hotter than any other room in the house. Cold air escapes quickly as the outside heat fills it.
Naturally, heat rises, which will make roughly a 5-degree difference in the bedroom above the garage. If the bedroom has AC or fans, it will consistently work against the heat, as naturally, the garage will be hot.
Heat in the summertime should be taken into consideration and cold air in the wintertime.
Cold air could sneak into the house and bedroom if the garage is constantly open in the spring and fall months.
Chemicals If Poorly Insulated
This reason is the main one that scares homeowners from purchasing a house with a bedroom above the garage.
In the winter and fall months, they’re not ice cold upon entering. Cars produce carbon monoxide from the engine, which is disposed of out of the tailpipe.
These fumes are believed to seep into the bedroom if the bedroom is very poorly insulated. We first and foremost recommend you check with the building inspector to make sure the house is adequately insulated.
It’s recommended to never back up into the garage, having the tailpipe facing inwards. The tailpipe should always be facing outwards, so the CO2 will be funneled outside when the car is started.
Also, having CO2 sensors installed in the bedroom to take extra precautions. This usually isn’t an issue, but we always say on the side of caution for concerned homeowners.
Other smells like exhaust or general garage smells could carry to your bedroom.
Conclusion
Bedrooms above the garages are typically safe. We recommend you meet with the building or housing inspector to ensure the house is adequately insulated. Fumes from cars or other tools used in the garage shouldn’t threaten the clean and healthy living.
We do recommend that you make sure everything is clear before making a purchasing decision on a garage below a bedroom.
If you’re a light sleeper, the garage below a bedroom may not be the best for you. All the distractions of power tools, the garage opening and closing, and general garage activity could profoundly impact your sleep.
We’ve compiled a complete list of frequently asked bedroom questions for new and experienced homeowners.
Our team of experts answers these questions to help assist you through DIY projects and home repairs.
For over a decade, Robin has been a real estate agent, interior design specialist, and mother. Through her trials and tribulations, she wanted to create the perfect website to help you save money and make your home look beautiful.