Should I put a door between my house and garage?

In many homes, a garage will be an entirely separate space from the rest of the house. However, there are a number of benefits that come from installing a connecting door between the garage and the main living space. Here, we take a look at these benefits and share our advice on how to install an adjoining door safely and securely. 

The benefits of having an adjoining door between your home and garage

So, why might you want to put a door between your garage and the rest of your home? There are a number of reasons, most of which come down to personal preference, with some of the most common being:

Easy access 

The most obvious advantage is the ease of access into the garage, especially if it is used for utility storage or as an additional living space. When it’s dark and cold, the last thing you want to be doing is going outside to get into the garage through its main door. 

An extra fire escape route

If there was a fire in your home, having an additional exit is always beneficial. This will give you more peace of mind when it comes to protecting any children, pets and elderly residents too. 

More potential for the space

With accessibility and security increased, the potential for what the garage space could be used for is then maximized. It could be a home office, a games room, a home gym or even a movie room - however you want to make use of your garage, a connecting door will make this easier. It will also help the space flow more fluidly with the rest of the home. 

What type of door should go between the house and garage

When it comes to interior doors in any part of the home, aesthetic and finish are, understandably, going to be pretty high on your priority list. However, where doors between the domestic space and garage are concerned, there are some other important things you’ll need to consider, not only for your own safety but also for legal compliance. 

If a door is placed between a residential dwelling and the garage, it must be covered by the International Residential Code (IRC). This includes:

• A solid wood door at least 1 3/8 inches thick
• A solid steel door at least 1 3/8 inches thick
• A steel door with a honeycomb core at least 1 3/8 inches thick
• A 20-minute fire-rated door (20FD) or a 30-minute fire-rated door (30FD)

How to make sure your home and garage are secure

Aside from ensuring you install one of the regulatory doors listed above, here are some other measures you can take to make sure both your home and garage stay safe:

• Put a robust garage door threshold seal in place to prevent water or pests entering the garage. 
• Install a burglar alarm in the garage, as well as in the main residential space.
• Repair any damage to windows, sills or ceilings as soon as possible. 
• Always remember to lock your main garage door when the space is not in use. 

Our handy garage door seal kits are the perfect place to start!