Pelim garage Plans - What do you think?

[Stilwell]

Prelim garage Plans - What do you think?

Here are my prelim plans for a 28' x 42' with a 11' x 28' carport that serves a second function as a deck off the second story entertainment area.

The size is restricted by the county, 1,200 sq. ft. max building with an additional 300 sq. ft. of open-walled carport. Ceilings are 14' in the shop and 9' on the 2nd floor. The only changes I have so far, is the garage bathroom ceiling is going to be shorter, 7' - 8', as high as I can go and still have room on top of the bathroom to put the air compressor and hot water heater. I am also going to wall in the air compressor. I am also adding double door to the storage area from the deck. Large items can be boomed up and the deck furniture can be easily moved in and out.

I am currently planning on a two post symmetrical lift 13' or so inside the 10' x 12' door. Comments on lift placement are most welcome as I am not sure where to put it. I have to accommodate everything from an old cavalier to a newer crew cab, long-bed dually.

Again, as it stands now, I can't build it any bigger so any suggestions for layout, electrical, pitfalls or opportunities would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Dale Rogers]

What is a Hotel Style Airwall?
( I have only been to a couple of County Fairs.)

 

[Stilwell]

An airwall is a collapsible wall mounted on tracks in the ceiling. They are also referred to as accordion walls. The panels stack flat against one wall when not in use but when you pull them out it makes a "wall" that will separate dusty work, metal grinding in my case, from the clean cars parked on the other side.

Not sure I am going to have this feature yet. I am looking for a used one out of a hotel or school renovation.

Jeff

 

[R6 Racer]

Awesome plans, make that "storage" room into a bedroom & I know a few guys who would want to live in something like that.

I'm looking forward to watching the process!
Post Lots "O" Pics eh! LOTS!

Steve

 

[stingry]

A 14' circular stairway and an upstairs bar cannot be a good combination!!! If there is anyway possible to put in a conventional stairway with a landing, I would sure do so.

Otherwise, looks like a really cool shop!!


Cheers
Steve

 

[larry_g]

I'm going to sing my to many doors song. Why do you have a 16x12 door leading into the back of the building where you have restricted length? Is that for everyday parking? If so then I would get rid of the 10x12 door and make that area the 'shop' area and put the lift inside the 12x12 door. Think of how many shops/garages that you have been in that have one door that is useless because of all the **** that is behind it. I would prefer to have the wall space for storage or workbenches. Just my opinion and the way I work.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Stilwell]

Awesome plans, make that "storage" room into a bedroom & I know a few guys who would want to live in something like that.

I'm looking forward to watching the process!
Post Lots "O" Pics eh! LOTS!

Steve

Thanks Steve. I think you're right but the county is already trying to call it a dwelling even though there is no bedroom or other area designed for or intended to be used for sleeping.

Will try to post build pics in a timely manner, not sure when this will get off the ground though.

A 14' circular stairway and an upstairs bar cannot be a good combination!!! If there is anyway possible to put in a conventional stairway with a landing, I would sure do so.

Otherwise, looks like a really cool shop!!


Cheers
Steve

Yeah, definately a hazard. Fortunately (or not) my crowd isn't too wild. I would love traditional stairs but the space consumption is a killer.

I'm going to sing my to many doors song. Why do you have a 16x12 door leading into the back of the building where you have restricted length? Is that for everyday parking? If so then I would get rid of the 10x12 door and make that area the 'shop' area and put the lift inside the 12x12 door. Think of how many shops/garages that you have been in that have one door that is useless because of all the **** that is behind it. I would prefer to have the wall space for storage or workbenches. Just my opinion and the way I work.

lg
no neat sig line

I may take another look at this. I am actually planning on using the back area inside the 16 x 12 door as the main fabricating shop area. I put the extra wide door in because I can then get two cars in if one is not spread out all over the middle of the floor.

I also want this building to be able to accommodate a 35' performance boat which I can get in through the 12 x 12 door. If the lift is in that bay, it would make it much more difficult but not impossible...still a thought.

I also have enough rolling stock that I will need to keep a car on the lift and one underneath in order to have enough parking and project space.

In the end, I wouldn't mind having a door I couldn't use except for losing the ability to hang stuff on the wall that would otherwise be there but I really don't want to need a door I don't have.

Good stuff to think about, thank you.

 

[toddmcdong]

If you can relocate the W/D further away from the theater and game room, I would do that. Maybe into the storage? Then you never have to worry about sound problems.

Also, re: walled in compressor - will you have to have that vented or duct in some make up air?

It looks like a great plan, but with only a spiral stair, you won't ever be able to move things up or downstairs. I'm sure you've thought about how to get all the toys upstairs, but I thought I'd say it.

I wish I had something like this in my backyard.

 

[Stilwell]

There will certainly have to be venting for the compressor, not sure what yet. I will probably locate a brand I like and talk to the manufacturer about what I need to do to properly vent it yet keep the noise down as much as possible.

The spiral stairs are a real PITA but I just don't want to sacrifice more floor space. I will have all of the big stuff that is on-hand during construction boomed up. The remaining I will have to plan carefully and rent something to boom stuff up when needed. Once it is all set up, hopefully there won't be much more of that.

Thank for your thoughts.

 

[toxicz28]

I love it! But I would ditch the circular stairs, and have second level entry on the exterior of the building. Keep the two spaces seperate.

 

[Stilwell]

I love it! But I would ditch the circular stairs, and have second level entry on the exterior of the building. Keep the two spaces seperate.

You know, not having stairs to the deck has been bothering me a bit and that side will be closest to the house. I kind of like the idea of just adding stairs to the deck and eliminating the indoor stairs.....saves about 50 sq. ft. of floor space. Going to have to discuss this one with the architect.

Thanks!

 

[John in OH]

Sure looks as if it will be a nice man-cave! Do you have any exterior sketches yet?

One thing to consider ... in my county, if you have "inhabitable" space (this definition does not necessarily mean sleeping space) above a garage, the egress from that space can NOT be routed through the garage. The county requires that egress from the second floor be separate from the garage. So, in your case, the spiral staircase has to walled off (as you have shown) but also there must be an exit door directly from the staircase to the exterior WITHOUT any exposure to the garage space. This is a safety issue since so many fires occur in garages.

Even if your county does not require this type of egress, the logic for such an arrangement is sound and reasonable. For the safety of your family and friends, you should consider some form of exit that is independent of the garage environment.

 

[cdenton]

If you want a non-spiral space saving solution do something like this.
http://www.elevestairs.com/alternated-tread.php
I read about them years ago and they say that they are really easy to walk up and down.
IIRC they are an old style from tibet or something like that.

 

[Stilwell]

John,

I do have some exterior renderings but did not post them. I may try to do that next week when I can scan them down to a size that I can post. Not sure on the exterior exit requirement, the county nor the architect has mentioned it. All the county has said to date is that there must be another egress like an egress window. The plans are currently with a couple of builders for preliminary cost estimates. Hopefully if it is a problem, they will know it. Also, I am contemplating getting rid of the interior steps completely and just having an entrance via the deck.

Thanks for input, either way I will be sure to check out the requirements before we go any further. I believe the way the stairs spiral, we could add another door directly to the outside.

 

[Stilwell]

The elevestairs are interesting. Not sure they will pass code here but something to look at.

 

[cdenton]

Ah, codes. I was able to build my shop without even Pulling a permit. No muss no fuss.

 

[Carl B]

I agree with toxicz28 - make the stairway an exterior feature.

In todays world, very few people are able to stay in the same house for more than 10 years. With an exterior stairway you would also add value to the building in the Future. That upper level could easily be converted to a rental apartment / Guest Apartment etc. So access to it without going though the garage would be a big plus in terms of both selling features and selling price.

Also make the 3'0 door - an out-swing rather than an in-swings. That way you won't hit a car when the door blows open...one of my lessons learned...

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[tfi racing]

I agree with toxicz28 - make the stairway an exterior feature.
Also make the 3'0 door - an out-swing rather than an in-swings. That way you won't hit a car when the door blows open...one of my lessons learned...
Carl B.

Both good points to consider.I would also move the W/D to a stacking unit in the washroom,eliminate the A/V closet in the Theater room and incorporate it into the now large closet where the W/D used to be.

 

[dwilliams35]

A 14' circular stairway and an upstairs bar cannot be a good combination!!! If there is anyway possible to put in a conventional stairway with a landing, I would sure do so.

Otherwise, looks like a really cool shop!!


Cheers
Steve

You're absolutely right. Any place with a bar upstairs really, really needs a fire pole.

Main thing I'd worry about is moving furniture, etc. up there: that's a boogerbear on a circular staircase, and you'll just about have to have a front end loader or forklift to put it up on the deck...

 

[Stilwell]

Thanks for all of the input. I am almost certain we're going to do away with the spiral steps and just have steps up to the deck for entry to the second floor. This change is mostly due to the inconvenience of spiral steps and the floor space. Having this be a rental space is a big no no in my county. This county puts the strict in restrictions. I also don't foresee any desire to want to do that anyway.

I'll have to take another look at the washer / dryer and equipment closets. Nothing struck me as odd about them but enough of you have mentioned them that I am going to look at the options presented and see if something works better.

Thanks again for all of the input, I appreciate it.