23 May 2009 · Sharon Winson
Beautifying a concrete garage
A concrete garage doesn't have to look utilitarian. A few garden tricks — and one bigger upgrade — make all the difference.
A concrete garage can look great in a garden — the trick is softening its straight lines. Trellis and climbing plants, hanging baskets, bird boxes, outdoor lights and well-placed potted plants all help the building settle into its surroundings, and for a bigger transformation you can render or paint it to match the house.
How do you make a concrete garage look good in a garden?
Work with the garden rather than against the building. A concrete garage is all clean, hard lines, so anything that breaks those lines up makes it friendlier:
• Fix trellis to the walls and grow climbers up it — in a season or two the building becomes a backdrop. • Hang baskets by the door and run pots along the base of the walls for colour at the edges. • Add a bird box or two and some outdoor lighting — small touches that make it feel like part of the garden, not a unit dropped into it.
None of this costs much, and it can be done gradually. Customers have been dressing our buildings this way for as long as we've been supplying them, and the before-and-after difference is remarkable.
What about paint and render?
If planting isn't enough, the walls themselves can change. Exterior masonry paint is the quick option; rendering is the full transformation, giving the garage a finish that matches a rendered house and adding weather protection at the same time. Through-coloured polymer renders don't even need repainting afterwards.
Should you think about the neighbours before installing?
Yes — a little consideration up front saves friction later. Before your garage is installed, think about how it will look from next door as well as from your own windows, keep a sensible distance from neighbouring windows and doors, and let neighbours know your plans. It also helps to look at what's already accepted in your area.
Most sectional buildings don't need planning consent, but rules vary by property and area, so a quick word with your local planning office is always worthwhile if you're unsure.
Thinking bigger? Read can you render a concrete garage? for the full walkthrough, check whether you need planning permission, or browse the concrete garage ranges to see the buildings themselves.
Can I grow climbing plants up a concrete garage?
Yes — fix trellis to the walls and let the plants climb that rather than the panels themselves. It keeps the plants manageable and the building easy to maintain.
Can you paint a concrete garage?
Yes, exterior masonry paint works well on concrete panels. For a longer-lasting, house-matching finish, rendering is the bigger upgrade.
Will a concrete garage look out of place in a nice garden?
Not once it's dressed. Trellis, climbers, baskets and lighting soften the lines quickly — and a rendered or painted finish makes the building read as part of the property.
Do I need planning permission to put up a concrete garage?
Most sectional buildings don't need planning consent, but it depends on your property and area — check with your local authority before you order, and we're happy to advise on your site.