My new shop in progress

[Darren Thomas]

My new shop in progress (30 X 38 - 2 story)

Hi guys,

I've been a member for a while now but been so busy building that I haven't posted anything about my project.

I'm building a 30 X 38 two story shop. I upgraded my home electrical service to 400A and ran a full 200A panel to my shop. I'll have electricity, natural gas, network, security cameras, alarm system, and full plumbing with hydronic heat.

I have the shell complete and am about to start electrical and plumbing. I've hammered every nail and cut every board myself. I hired out the slab but dug and did the footing and stem walls myself and prepped for the slab with the PEX and insulation as well.

The shop will be a woodshop/metalshop for my hobbies. The upstairs will be a full apartment but used as a getaway for my wife and for poker nights

There will be a deck off the side with french doors opening outward. I changed the plan for 10' shop ceiling height as well. No posts in the interior which is great.


Some pics of the process and a few of the current state of the shop now.


Here are some pics.

How it looks now:

Some shots of the building progress:

 

[kbkna]

That sure looks beautiful. How did you get that upper beam in place?

 

[Darren Thomas]

That sure looks beautiful. How did you get that upper beam in place?

Thanks, it took a very large crane and a BFH. Surprisingly I cut it to the proper length the first time. The trick was lowering it in with correct placement, the brackets close in on it as it settles so you can't tap it one way or the other, just down.

 

[dittle fart around]

Very nice can I move in?

 

[rburke65]

That is some nice looking wood on those rafters! Very nice job.

 

[Sirducky9]

Nice build, I'm jealous.
Couple of things:
1) it looks like your using the foundation insulation as both an expander joint and a leveling guide for concrete??? Is that common in Washingon State? I'm thinking that'll tend to break up a little as the years go by, just around the edges obviously.
and 2) is that a low profile vent strip along the back side, just a couple courses shy of the ridge? I like the look of it if it is.

Thanks for sharing

 

[regguy1]

After seeing yours..I'm going to burn mine down......

Very Nice

 

[Darren Thomas]

Nice build, I'm jealous.
Couple of things:
1) it looks like your using the foundation insulation as both an expander joint and a leveling guide for concrete??? Is that common in Washingon State? I'm thinking that'll tend to break up a little as the years go by, just around the edges obviously.
and 2) is that a low profile vent strip along the back side, just a couple courses shy of the ridge? I like the look of it if it is.

Thanks for sharing

1. The insulation is just for insulation. Not intended for expansion joints or leveling guide. The 45 degree angle is so the concrete is insulated close to the top but it is shy about 1" from the top of the concrete. It is there to insulate it from the stem wall and from the ground below. I have 4" of gravel below the insulation which was the leveling agent. We don't do expansion joints in WA state in garage slabs for the most part.

2. Yes, that is Cor-A-Vent. I had to install it 2 courses down to get on either side of the 6.75" wide main beam. I like the look as well... nice and clean.

 

[Darren Thomas]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. I haven't had a free weekend in 18 months but it is finally paying off. I have my car project inside the shop now so I'm getting some use out of it as I plan for electrical.

 

[dave67fd]

I like it, it's quite different. What prompted this style of design?

Only thing i would do different is keep the upper loft area as my own and not the wife's.lol

 

[Darren Thomas]

I like it, it's quite different. What prompted this style of design?

Only thing i would do different is keep the upper loft area as my own and not the wife's.lol

The shop is visible from the street and I wanted to ensure it was in keeping with the surrounding homes. I found the design and liked it, just did some minor tweaking.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Beautiful! I love the shingles!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just how big is that ridge beam ?

Why did it have to so enormous ?

 

[Beaumont67]

Love the roof design...and 2nd story.

 

[Darren Thomas]

Just how big is that ridge beam ?

Why did it have to so enormous ?

6.75" wide, 27" tall, 38' long. That is what the engineer spec'd for the design. I agree that it is way above code but it wasn't much more expensive than a smaller beam so I went with it. Looks good exposed upstairs too so it gets design points with my wife

 

[Darren Thomas]

This is what is parked in the shop right now... the first project in the new space, even though it is already well into the build. Nice to have some space to work.

 

[tinbender 66]

Beautiful shop and nice project. I love those cars. The property reminds me of my own place in Arlington. Looking forward to more.

 

[Darren Thomas]

Some interior shots from early on. I'll try and get some of how it looks now that it is buttoned up outside.

First floor is 30 X 38

Second floor ends up being about 975 sqft

 

[truck7575]

If you don't mind me asking... How much does a dream project like yours set a man back? I gotta start saving!

 

[Darren Thomas]

If you don't mind me asking... How much does a dream project like yours set a man back? I gotta start saving!

Well, if you do all the labor yourself except for a few things like knocking the trees down and pouring the slab it sets you back about $35-40k at present. Hopefully $50k finished. The prices to have it built were outrageous although I've learned why they charge so much.

 

[Darren Thomas]

Managed to get it painted to match the house. I still need to build the second story deck/balocony and am currently working on wiring. Plumbing and natural gas are next.

Here are some photos of the final color combination.

 

[SuperSocket]

Nice build. Do you have any pictures of the inside upstairs area?


How high did you make the first floor ceilings?

 

[bacpacker]

Awesome build. The wood working looks very nice. Plenty of room and I love the roof (shingles and vent.)

The Cobra Ain't bad either

 

[Darren Thomas]

I'll get some pictures of the upstairs area soon. The first floor ceiling height is 10' which will allow for a lift for certain cars like my Cobra should I decide to buy a lift. Also it allows me to swing 4x8 lumber without taking out ceiling lights.

The garage doors are 8' tall with high rise tracks to keep the door tucked up against the ceiling as well.

 

[Toolfool]

I like to see another guy who prefers plywood over OSB. Great looking building. Where are you located ? (PM if you prefer)

 

[Darren Thomas]

I like to see another guy who prefers plywood over OSB. Great looking building. Where are you located ? (PM if you prefer)

I'm in Auburn but much closer to Maple Valley/Covington.

 

[Toolfool]

I'd love to see that Cobra when you get it on the road. Keep the garage pics coming. Check out my shop progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119571 .

 

[Darren Thomas]

I'd love to see that Cobra when you get it on the road. Keep the garage pics coming. Check out my shop progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119571 .

It is on the road although I just pulled the engine to replace the cam. Should be back on the road in a month or two but of course it will be too cold and wet by then.

Very nice shop! I'm looking for a good air compressor and have been looking at Quincy since I have a smaller one of theirs. Might have to get your advice on that.

 

[flybefree]

Darren,

Looks great and good on you for doing so much yourself. I love the way you ran rafters on the 2nd floor. Looking forward to more, more, more!

Shaun

 

[Darren Thomas]

Darren,

Looks great and good on you for doing so much yourself. I love the way you ran rafters on the 2nd floor. Looking forward to more, more, more!

Shaun

Will hopefully have some more pictures soon. Been really busy with the hotrod. Had to pull the engine and replace the cam so little progress has been done on the shop. Getting cold out too.

 

[Darren Thomas]

Still working on electrical and plumbing... been kind of burnt out lately, besides, it is damn cold out.

Got the Cobra on the road for the last part of the summer/fall driving season but as I mentioned ealier the cam had to come out. Here are a few pics of the Cobra until I have more of the shop progress. The last image is a link to the first start/drive video... it sounds good!


Entering the new shop for the first time and under it's own power

Engine just before mating to the ******

Parked out front by the house waiting for a day trip

Taking my father-in-law for his first ride

First start/drive video, I managed to kill it while testing the brakes before leaving the driveway

 

[Nighttrain]

O my! My dream car one day. The garage really looks good, don't blame you for slowing down this winter. You should be very proud of the work that you have done building it yourself.

 

[85YotaMan]

We don't do expansion joints in WA state in garage slabs for the most part.

We ALWAYS do expansion joints, it tells the concrete where to crack so you don't have a ugly diagonal crack going across your nice slab... We run a 1.5" deep jointer tool across the slab which separates the rocks, then 20ish minutes later we go back across the joint with trowels to fill it in with cream so when it cracks you'll just get a nice straight hairline crack

Did you layout spots for the lift someday? (thicken slab & keep pex clear) I'd hate to see the in-floor heat get punctured from the mounting hardware...

Shop looks great tho!!! Wish I could have done a 2nd story... stupid height restrictions! Looks like you got some nice douglas fir there and good choice on the real plywood I hate OSB. VERY NICE setup!

 

[Darren Thomas]

No spots for lifts. I don't intend on a lift but if I ever do I'll go 4 post so no need for any planning. The 4" concrete is plenty strong even for 2 post lift so I'm good there. I see the benefit of expansion joints but I prefer none and have never had the need for them in any of my previous homes. So far so good though, years an no cracks so I'm happy. If it was exterior decorative landscape concrete I'd of course use expansion joints. I think the fiberglass helps with that.

The second story is great but sure makes the wiring/finish/plumbing a lot more work. Trying to free up some time to get that all done.