To build a garage or not to build?

Previously, it was sacrilegious to build a house and don’t build a side garage on it, fully complete with a large metallic door. This was the norm for both those with cars and interesting those without cars.

Soon, the garages would slowly turn and be made bedrooms, or rented out as make shift boys quarters or simply turned all over to accommodate the bulging number of people in the house.

Today, the trend is changing, to build a house with a garage is akin to sin, it is awkward, an insult to design. Lately, house owners would rather incur an extra dime for security than place a confinement for cars.

However, with the rampant theft of cars and property, or the effect of weather on cars, the big question remains; To build or not to build a garage?

Security

Akiiki Mwahuro, says that from a functionality point of view, a garage is still necessary and can only be done away with if you have a security guard or a security option.

“In areas where thieves are a problem, a garage will be a necessity. If you are ready to have sleepless nights, then build without it.”

On the security perspective, there is a growing trend of thieves plucking registration plates off cars and demanding so much money in return. A security expert maintains that to avoid such, it would be better if houses were locked away in garages.

“These are petty thieves, and they would not want to break into a garage just to take off number plates. To me, a garage would provide you maximum security from such people and those who want to steal car parts,’ he says.

According to Rose Eitu, her family lost Shs4m after car thieves vandalised their Toyota Hilux. They are now seriously considering a garage.

Build differently with a garage

According to Ronnie Akena, an architect, you can still embody fashion and security by building a garage separately from the house.

“This helps you avoid vandalism. Just design a separate garage from the house.”

Josephine Kasule also states that; ‘You don't have to attach it to your house if you have enough space.’

“It depends on your space. If you have enough, have it separate from the main house. If not, its important to put in on the house for the car safety and durability.”

Space

The issue of space also determines what to build. Those building on 50 by 100 ft plots find it wasting so much space to fit a garage.

“Let us say you construct a house on 40 by 40, this leaves you with very limited space to fix a garage, hence you automatically adopt design for a house without a garage,” Joseph Kasiita, a builder in Kireka tells Nile Post.

Hence, if you got space, why not go for it. Have your garage and save the car from several issues.

Weather

The is argument that the garage helps give cars a life. They are not easily affected by too much sun or so much rain. This keeps their body fresh and the inside leather good as new.

However, this has been counter argued with the trend of car shades. Besides security, you can have your car protected from weather impact by building erecting a car shade. This keeps it cool, fresh and as good as new.

Health

Certain people have raised the theory that cars kept in garages come with a health risk because confining them into buildings deprives them of space for aeration and letting out dangerous fumes.

These claim that a car kept in the open gives it enough aeration and you will find it fresh when you jump in as you head out.

"For health reasons, not good for those gas emotions in the same house occupied by people, they are cancerous," Winfred Nanziri says on Facebook.