If you are looking for extra storage space that is easy on the eyes yet functional and you have some yard space to spare, a wooden garage may be just what you are looking for. Depending on the size that it is, your wooden garage can serve not only as a home for your vehicles but also for your tools, home office and in some cases even as a bedroom. So where do you begin?

The very first thing that you should do is make a plan outlining the functions of your garage, the size, the design, the windows and the doors; all of this will need to be determined so you know which materials and the amount of materials you will need to buy. You will also need this plan to take to your zoning department to ensure that your planned structure is within zoning requirements and will not cause you any problems.

Next, decide on whether or not you want a professional to take on your new project, if you will buy a plan that outlines a pre-designed structure, if you will buy a pre-fabricated garage kit that only requires assembly or if you will do both the plans and structure on your own; if you decide you want to go it on your own, then pick out a firm, level spot in your yard with good drainage and get cracking.

The first and most important part of the building process is the foundation, you will have a hard time correcting foundational problems if you don’t do it right the first time and a faulty foundation can also cause major drainage issues later on; so you may want to consider getting a professional to take care of at least this part of the project.

Next comes the walls, you’ll want to make sure that all the wood you are using is treated; pressure treated wood is usually the top-pick since it is treated against water, mildew, insects, rotting and requires treatment every 3 years instead of every year.

The easiest way to deal with your walls is probably to build them lying flat on the ground; use a square every step of the way to ensure that everything is straight and lined up and then gather some friends to help you raise the walls and put them in place. When you are doing your measurements, remember to take into account the windows and doors that you plan to put in.

The last piece needed to complete your frame is the roof; here you have the option again of buying pre-fabricated roof trusses or building a frame from scratch.

Once your frame is complete you’ll need to sheath your garage, you can either use wafer board, particle board or plywood depending on your preference. Sheathing helps with insulation and helps strengthen to your garage frame.

Now that the structure is completed, it’s time to put the icing on the cake with paint, roof covering, and your windows and doors.