Renovating a garage: Even those that are 50 years old?

The oldest prefabricated concrete garages in Germany are now around 50 years old. This raises the question: is it still worth renovating such old garages (whether brick or concrete)?

When Werner Zapf Jr. developed the first one-piece concrete garage in 1968, it was impossible to predict how this innovation would be received on the market. But his success proved him right: in summer 2019, ZAPF delivered the 400,000th garage with the ZAPF logo!

Given these impressive installation figures, it is only logical that some garages from the early days, particularly from the 1970s, still exist today. Especially as other suppliers also launched concrete garage systems on the market after ZAPF – and solid brick garages had also been built all this time! So there is no question that solid garages from the late 1960s and 1970s still exist. What is much more interesting, however, is whether it is worth renovating or modernizing such old-fashioned garages?

To answer this question, it is worth taking a look at the car landscape of the time, which was characterized above all by cars that would hardly be perceived as real 4- or 5-seaters today. The best-selling car in Germany in 1968, for example, was the VW Beetle – and it was just under 4 m long and a little over 1.50 m wide. And many cars of the time were even smaller! It is therefore logical that some of the garages built or bricked in at the beginning of the 1970s were shorter than those of today – after all, the cars to be housed were usually much smaller.

Renovation:

• Garage roof: Renovating the roof is probably the most important step in garage renovation. High-quality roof waterproofing ensures that leaks are resealed and moisture can no longer penetrate the garage.
• Façade: Structural damage is repaired and the façade of the old garage is given a new coat of paint.
• Garage door: The old door can be exchanged by the ZAPF experts and replaced with a new one. This opens up numerous new possibilities for modernization.
• Tip: A sectional door looks good and creates additional interior space. In contrast to the up-and-over door, the sectional door does not require any space to open and close the door.
• Interior renovation: walls, ceiling and floor are renovated with high-quality materials. The floor and the entrance threshold in particular are exposed to high levels of stress, but even this damage can be repaired and made durable for years to come with a new sealant.

Tip: The non-binding garage check gives you an overview of possible renovation work on your garage online.

Modernization:

• Roof: As an alternative to classic roof waterproofing, a stable and durable mono-pitch roof can be placed on top of the existing flat garage roof for a modern look.
• Façade: Windows and doors can also be retrofitted to the garage. They give the garage a high-quality appearance and are also very practical for simplifying access to the house – and/or bringing light and air into the garage.
• Door: There are a number of technical options for making a garage more convenient, especially when it comes to garage doors. If a power connection is available, an electric door operator can be retrofitted to any garage door. This makes it easier to close and open the garage. If you want something even more modern, opt for the premium sectional door from ZAPF. This combines intelligent ventilation with top security performance.