Garages are often treated as an afterthought in home design, but they deserve just as much attention to detail as the rest of the house. Considering how frequently we go in and out of our garage, and the expensive items we park in them, a little upfront planning can go a long way in ensuring a clean, polished final look.
One of the most overlooked aspects of garage construction is electrical conduit placement. You’ve likely seen conduit strapped to the inside and outside walls of a garage. Visible conduit indicates a crucial missing step—the electric bond beam prep.
Why Masonry Garage Walls Are Different
Masonry walls in the main areas of a home typically have rigid insulation and furring on the inside, creating a hidden space where electrical conduit can run before drywall is installed. However, garage walls—and other areas like exterior lanai walls—don’t have this luxury. These walls receive stucco on both the inside and outside, leaving nowhere to conceal electrical conduit—unless it’s planned for in advance.
The Importance of Electric Bond Beam Prep
By the time we start construction on the masonry walls, the exact placement of all exterior light fixtures, interior switches, and outlets have already been determined. After the block walls are up—but before we pour the concrete lintel—we bring in our electrical contractor to install conduit at the exact locations where we will need to run electric lines
With this prep work in place, we can run electrical wiring through the masonry walls after the concrete is poured, eliminating the need for visible conduit strapped to the walls. The result? A seamless, clean stucco finish with no exposed conduit interrupting the design.
It’s not just the garage or the lanai where this mattes. In this particular home, we are also installing gas lanterns on the front entry walls. This is another case where running conduit through the bond beam is essential before the concrete lintel is poured so the gas lines remain hidden from view. The entryway is the first impression of a home, so it must be meticulously crafted.
Small Details, Big Impact
A well-designed custom home is all about the details, the garage included. The electric bond beam prep is one of those behind-the-scenes steps that separates a truly custom home from the rest. By planning every element in advance, we create a finished product that is as functional as it is beautiful—inside and out.
