Has anyone built a false floor in the garage?

[afinepoint]

Would like a lift and a scissor is my only option for my one car garage. Mobility won't help as there will be nowhere to move it. Any lift will be a trip hazard and pain to maneuver around. Not breaking up the concrete.

We have false floors at my old workplace that carry cables, communications lines, pipe an such. I am considering raising the floor around the lifts and covering with plywood. Hydraulic and air lines run protected below. This will also eliminate any need for ramps to clear the lift.

There are disadvantages I can see pre-planning. Workbench height changes depending on how far I extend the floor, trapped moisture though the garage has a dehumidifier, housekeeping, insect intrusion, etc.

 

[DGersic]

Biggest problem you’ll have is needing a ramp to get in. Then you lose ceiling height, making it harder to use the lift.

You're better off sinking the lift in to the concrete floor.

 

[WillyBoy]

It sounds like a reasonable compromise but as a vehicle enters the garage and starts up the ramp, will there be enough clearance under the door?

 

[billconner]

Challenges but all can be overcome except if you want to meet code - and not run afoul of insurance - that most codes requires non-combustible flooring where you store cars.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Biggest problem you’ll have is needing a ramp to get in. Then you lose ceiling height, making it harder to use the lift.

You're better off sinking the lift in to the concrete floor.

I’m guessing the lift would sit on the original floor so he don’t lose height and the false floor would be around the lift.

 

[afinepoint]

It sounds like a reasonable compromise but as a vehicle enters the garage and starts up the ramp, will there be enough clearance under the door?

Yes. And ceiling is height is 12'.

 

[afinepoint]

Challenges but all can be overcome except if you want to meet code - and not run afoul of insurance - that most codes requires non-combustible flooring where you store

I’m guessing the lift would sit on the original floor so he don’t lose height and the false floor would be around the lift.

Correct.

 

[Shadowdog500]

This forum has/had a member that cut and dug his garage floor to install a scissor lift flush with the floor. It was a really clean installation! I believe the guy is a writer, raced his Porsche, and must have liked green, because everything in his shop was green.

I can’t remember his name but there are old threads on his garage, and I vaguely remember seeing it in a magazine while in the waiting room of my dentist office years ago.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Jack Olsen would be that above mentioned member.

I deleted the other thread and edited this title to reflect that.


People do all sorts of things to their garages. How tall is that lift going to be ? Going to take some lumber to build up a floor to support the weight of a car.

Whether you want to or not, sinking it would probably be the easiest.

 

[billconner]

You could block out for lift and overpour concrete. Even bury utilities in it.

 

[scooby074]

Cutting out where the ramps will go is the best answer. It could certainly be done neat and probably not end up costing more than whatever raised floor concept you come up with. Plus it would just be much more functional. Many pics online, including several here for inspiration.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Jack Olsen would be that above mentioned member.

I deleted the other thread and edited this title to reflect that.


People do all sorts of things to their garages. How tall is that lift going to be ? Going to take some lumber to build up a floor to support the weight of a car.

Whether you want to or not, sinking it would probably be the easiest.

Thanks for reminding me of Jack’s name.
Here is a short video of the lift in his shop.

 

[afinepoint]

Jack Olsen would be that above mentioned member.

I deleted the other thread and edited this title to reflect that.


People do all sorts of things to their garages. How tall is that lift going to be ? Going to take some lumber to build up a floor to support the weight of a car.

Whether you want to or not, sinking it would probably be the easiest.

Sinking would be the cleanest although I have serious reservations about permanent alterations to the floor.

 

[afinepoint]

You could block out for lift and overpour concrete. Even bury utilities in it.

True. I considered that when looking at two post lifts as my concrete is currently to thin. There was the question of bonding old slab to new. Whether needed or not.

I abandoned those plans when I stopped looking at post lifts.

Also the scissor lifts will be full height.

 

[john.k]

used to be common to have a service pit in the floor with a cover so the space was usable .......Ive filled in several of them when they wernt wanted any more.

 

[afinepoint]

Inches not feet.

 

[red61cj5]

Seems like the thin existing floor works in your favor. Easier to cut out, dig as deep as needed, pour a nice thick pad for the lift. Side drill in the existing pad for some rebar to join the edges. A wood framed floor will at least look bad, if not unsafe, if you overpour the existing floor with concrete, you might as well then do a 2 post.

 

[75gmck25]

IIRC, service pits are no longer allowed because they would trap combustible vapors in the low point, and therefore present a fire hazard. Maybe you get around that by using proper venting.