Baizewick guide
Converting a garage into a games room
Get the garage flat, dry and comfortable before the table goes in. That protects the equipment, and you’re more likely to use the room.
Start with damp and moisture
Garages are often colder and damper than the rest of the house. Cloth, wood, MDF beds and electronics all suffer in damp air.
Before anything else, fix roof leaks and check the gutters. Look for rising damp, and for condensation on cold walls and the floor.
Many older garages have no damp-proof membrane under the concrete. A dehumidifier helps, but it won’t cure a structural damp problem. If the damp keeps coming back, get specialist advice.
Get the floor flat and level
Garage floors often slope towards the door for drainage. A table’s levelling system can cope with small variations, but not a significant slope.
Self-levelling compound or a raised, insulated floor gives you a flat base. Carpet tiles, rubber or vinyl make the room warmer and more comfortable underfoot.
Warmth and insulation
- Garage door: usually the biggest heat loss. Insulate it, fit draught seals, or replace it with an insulated wall and window.
- Walls and ceiling: insulation makes the room far easier to keep warm and cuts condensation.
- Heating: a heated room keeps cloth and wood stable. Use heating appliances suited to the space, fitted by a qualified installer.
- Ventilation: fresh air reduces condensation and stale air, especially once the room is sealed up.
Light and power
Garages usually have a single central light, which casts shadows across a table. Fit a dedicated table light for cue sports and a ring light for darts. Add good general lighting for the rest of the room.
Mount fittings where players won’t hit them with cues or bats.
Plan sockets for air hockey blowers, electronic scorers, heating and music before the walls are finished. Garage circuits commonly need RCD protection. All new electrical work should be done by a qualified electrician.
Regulations to check
In England and Wales, turning a garage into a habitable room usually needs Building Regulations approval. That covers insulation, ventilation, fire safety and replacing the garage door.
Planning permission is often not needed for an internal conversion. It can be needed on some estates, or for listed buildings or conservation areas.
Check with your local authority before you start. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own systems.
Plan the layout
- Measure the clear room dimensions after insulation and wall finishes, because they take space off each wall.
- Check the table fits with full playing clearance using the room checker.
- Keep the cueing or playing zone clear of the door swing and any stored items.
- Plan storage for cues, bats, tools and garden equipment away from the playing area.
- Leave space for seating outside the playing zone.
Getting a table in
Delivery through the garage door can be easier than through the house. So time the table delivery for before the door is replaced or bricked up.
Slate tables are extremely heavy, so use the retailer’s delivery and installation team.