Vocab Breakfast: Garage

Why garages deserve a separate line in the home inspector’s glossary.

Garage (System): A distinct and inspectable part of the home, whether attached or detached. The garage includes structural elements, fire separation wall(s) when attached to the house, vehicle door(s) and operator(s), lighting, electrical outlets, ventilation, and potential safety hazards—unique components not found in any other system.

Note: Many seasoned inspectors categorize garage components as part of the "interior" of the home. However, inspectors may also consider the garage a standalone system, as it may be either attached to the home or exist as a freestanding structure. Curiously, some definitions of accessory building explicitly exclude garages—leaving them functionally unclassified in the standards.

One feature of a garage not found elsewhere in the home is the floor itself, which is deliberately sloped in one direction to facilitate drainage—a purposeful design characteristic unique among residential interior spaces.