Larger Garage

MouldyOldDough

We have a single garage - a concrete Comptons 21 feet by 7 feet approx. Would it be possible to extend it, width-wise to make it a double size retaining both side walls with a new double door – no idea what the roof would need (its an Apex) – it is fine, length-wise. We have the space and just need the concrete base extending. This would make it much easier to park in it – I have never parked IN it in the 23 years since we had it built – too narrow.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664761/larger-garage

Presumably you're not interested in a demolition and rebuild to the size you want?

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664761/larger-garage

I'd say the feasibilty depends on whether you can source some additional panels of the right type (probably unlikely unless very lucky).

I've converted a single garage into a larger shed, but that was only possible because we had a spare panel and inserted three windows meaning there were 4 'spares' which allowed a two-panel increase in width. (the front was made up with doors plus a timber panel).

When that shed was life-expired the panels were again reused, this time with an 18" wide cast in-situ concrete panel to fill a gap. I wouldn't recommend this technique for anything wider as doing the shuttering wasn't easy.

In theory it would be possible to use the precast panels to make two 'L'-shaped walls and do a brick/block section to fill the gap between them. However this would need to be done very carefully as it won't be easy to tie the the brick/blockwork to the panels, and the loads on the 'L'-shaped sections may cause them to pivot along the long side which could impose an uplift force on the brick/blockwork. It would work better if you were happy with just a timber infill panel.

TBH as you'll need an entirely new roof and door, there may be no cost saving reusing your panels vs getting a new brick/blockwork garage constructed. The saving on materials could easily be offset by the labour cost involved in crafting solutions to the problems you'll encounter in the reuse.

MouldyOldDough

So it looks as if its got to be a demolish and fresh start ?

Comptons are no longer going so what's the best option for supplier/installer ?

I don't want a hybrid - wood/concrete - I want 100 % Concrete

onomatopoeia99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969259#Comment_81969259

Lidget Compton still have a website. https://www.lidget.co.uk/

I had one of their garages installed approx 15 years ago and it's stilll absolutely fine. Looking at the construction and watching as the bloke built it from the panels, taking it apart and rebuilding seems doable but as well as laying the base you'd still need extra panels, a new door and new roof so not really worth the effort.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970255#Comment_81970255

Their website does have a section about refurbishment, which implies the possibility of them having at least some replacement panels available. The refurbishment service is only available in South & West Yorkshire, but there's probably no harm in contacting them if in a different area to find out what they might be able to do.