Garage in northern Norway

[T VETTE]

Great job! You almost have double the work to build with that ground.
I do feel lucky to just level a spot and build. I also have very little rain which now has turned out to be a real problem. Many months with no rain means less crops and trouble with water wells. Keep posting you do very well.

 

[Bib Overalls]

I have a 30 Kw diesel owen/canon thing but it consumes quite a lot of diesel and is very noisy, so I will probably not keep it heated all winter, just heat it up when I need to.

I think we call them "torpedoes" here. They put out a lot of heat very quickly. The also generate a lot of carbon monoxide. The heated area needs to be well ventilated. If you do chose to operate it inside (please) go to the hardware store and buy a carbon monoxide detector. That stuff can be deadly.

 

[wazzza]

Great job! You almost have double the work to build with that ground.
I do feel lucky to just level a spot and build. I also have very little rain which now has turned out to be a real problem. Many months with no rain means less crops and trouble with water wells. Keep posting you do very well.

Thanks. I can only belive how frustating it must NOT to have rain when you need it. I am just happy we have had little to no rain the last weeks. I am currently working on the roof. The moisturebarrier is on and a buddy an I started mounting the wood for the roofing.

@Bib Overalls; Thank you, I will keep that in mind.. I would really love to get the hold of a "kokoverk". Its mostly the same as the canon, but it has a heatexhanger and leads the exhaust iut but heats up the room just as fast...

 

[rixtrix1]

What a view! I have a couple of questions . Do you secure every roof tile , or do they just overlay each other held down by gravity? The latter is how they do it here in Arizona, which is fine 99% of the time as we have little rain here, but when the occasional high wind from a thunderstorm comes, they can be blown off the roof( they mainly use a Mexican curved style that doesn't lay as nice and flat as yours). Secondly, are the two homes in the pic from the garage roof prefabricated, or is that just the common style there.

Enjoyed the pics of the cruise ships. We watch a documentary about them just last month. I would assume the season for that is very short.

 

[wazzza]

Hi, the roofing is not tiles, its metal sheets, the same style and colour as on my house. It looks like tiles, but the plates are just as long as the roof and 120 cm (47") wide. They are overlapping by one "tile" and bolted down to the wood we started bolting down yesterday.

The houses are not pre-built, but they were built at the same time, along with many other houses around here and this was a typical way of building them. I think that the rules back then in the 70s allowed you to get cheaper loan if you built a certain type of house. They look very much the same outside but the room-layout inside is a bit different.

Foreign cruiseships are only here in summer, but the one in the pictures belongs to the norwegian company hurtigruten. They have ships going up and down the Norwegian coastline all year long and is very popular among tourists.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I have just read your entire thread for the second time, great job on the garage and in great detail, well done and thanks for posting.

Simply spectacular views as well.

Regards

 

[drivesitfar]

Wazzzza: I've been following your thread for a while now and amazed how calm you seem when you have some pretty interesting challenges or changes that were not planned. good for you and it looks like it is coming along nicely.

originally i saw the title which interests me because i'm 100% Norwegian and living in Seattle, Wa (USA). then i saw your view and want to visit Norway even more now because I've never had the privilege yet. I was a Realtor for 30 years (sold new and used homes) and you've got what we used to call location, location, location which is a good thing.

here's a couple things i can share with you that might help. since you have such a nice view are you sure you want to stick with that smallish window on the view side of the garage or was it designed that way because of potential heat loss? might be easier to put in a big window now, but that can be done later so you can remain on schedule. Maybe just rough in the framing for the bigger window while you have the wall open then if you ever want to put one in later all you have to do is cut out the siding to the rough framing.

also did you have the trusses changed from the ones that were originally delivered because you have storage up in that area? is it possible because we all can use more storage and a pull down ladder or even a hole that you can put a ladder up to that space might work. or if you need the insulation to keep the garage from getting too cold then that is understandable.

are you planning on bringing the grade of the gravel up to the garage floor or pouring a cement pad? since you did such a nice job on the garage's floor if you still have a budget you'll like the cement much better especially when you have nice weather and just want to work on your vehicles outside. or do the cement in the future if gravel and time are all that are in the cards for this season. i poured 6 inch sidewalks with rebar and other steel in them so it wouldn't crack when most contractors pour 3 or 4 inches, but your climate is a bit colder so not sure how thick you should pour yours.

if you want to make curves in the edging of your cement i used a recycled product called Trex that comes in 16 foot lengths and it's an inch thick. it bends fairly easily, but when you get close to 90 degrees you need to take your time and do that in stages. I was able to put cement stakes in at the bends to hold the curves and it worked out great.

Feel free to ask me anything if you have any questions or if you want to see a before and after of a front yard summer project i did building a Cedar Pergola with the sidewalks i mentioned.

keep up the great work and looks like you'll have it buttoned up before the weather turns which is awesome considering you are not able to do it full time.

 

[rixtrix1]

Thank for the feedback. I've always liked the look of a steel roof covering, but all I've seen is standing seam or corrugated in long lengths here in the States.

HurtiGrutin is the name of the company featured in the show we watched. Beautiful scenery there for sure.

The homes appear to be built very efficiently, which would explain the outside appearance.

I would assume you have to fly to get to and from work. Do you have to pay the traveling expense. With four weeks between shifts, I suppose the workers come from all over.

 

[jwith68]

Just wanted to chime in here and say how much I'm enjoying this thread! Great build, in a wonderful location. Wazzza, you could post half build pictures and half scenery pictures here, and I would be happy.

Also, I think this is the first build we've seen here north of the Arctic Circle. And you weren't kidding when you said northern Norway - you are way above the Arctic Circle! We've seen builds here from Fairbanks, AK and Iceland, but neither of those are nearly as far north as you are.

So, here's wishing you the best in finishing it out , and please continue posting your progress!

 

[wazzza]

Wazzzza: I've been following your thread for a while now and amazed how calm you seem when you have some pretty interesting challenges or changes that were not planned. good for you and it looks like it is coming along nicely.

originally i saw the title which interests me because i'm 100% Norwegian and living in Seattle, Wa (USA). then i saw your view and want to visit Norway even more now because I've never had the privilege yet. I was a Realtor for 30 years (sold new and used homes) and you've got what we used to call location, location, location which is a good thing.

here's a couple things i can share with you that might help. since you have such a nice view are you sure you want to stick with that smallish window on the view side of the garage or was it designed that way because of potential heat loss? might be easier to put in a big window now, but that can be done later so you can remain on schedule. Maybe just rough in the framing for the bigger window while you have the wall open then if you ever want to put one in later all you have to do is cut out the siding to the rough framing.

also did you have the trusses changed from the ones that were originally delivered because you have storage up in that area? is it possible because we all can use more storage and a pull down ladder or even a hole that you can put a ladder up to that space might work. or if you need the insulation to keep the garage from getting too cold then that is understandable.

are you planning on bringing the grade of the gravel up to the garage floor or pouring a cement pad? since you did such a nice job on the garage's floor if you still have a budget you'll like the cement much better especially when you have nice weather and just want to work on your vehicles outside. or do the cement in the future if gravel and time are all that are in the cards for this season. i poured 6 inch sidewalks with rebar and other steel in them so it wouldn't crack when most contractors pour 3 or 4 inches, but your climate is a bit colder so not sure how thick you should pour yours.

if you want to make curves in the edging of your cement i used a recycled product called Trex that comes in 16 foot lengths and it's an inch thick. it bends fairly easily, but when you get close to 90 degrees you need to take your time and do that in stages. I was able to put cement stakes in at the bends to hold the curves and it worked out great.

Feel free to ask me anything if you have any questions or if you want to see a before and after of a front yard summer project i did building a Cedar Pergola with the sidewalks i mentioned.

keep up the great work and looks like you'll have it buttoned up before the weather turns which is awesome considering you are not able to do it full time.

Hi, thank you for that great feedback. I will try to answer everything I am very calm and I have learned that it does not help to get mad and yell at people.

I did not really think much about the window when I ordered the garage. If I had spent more time thinking about it, I would probably go for a larger window. Still, windows a basically lost wallspace for shelves and such.. The window is isolated so I am not worried about heat loss.

I ordered the garage with "A-frame" trusses wich creates a loft yes. The garageproducer messed up and ordered what I think you call scissor-trusses with no loft. My trusses are built very strong is designed to handle 600 kg/sq meter (132 lbs/ sq ft) of snow, PLUS 100kg/sq meter on the loft. I will build stairs outside on the back wall with a door to the loft, plus I will have a winch up there and hatch so I can lift tires and spares etc..

The driveway is not finished, but the neighbour (the contractor) is busy so he has not been able to deliver any more gravel to me yet. I will fill up with 0-120 with subbus on top. That should make a good foundation for asphalt later.

I would assume you have to fly to get to and from work. Do you have to pay the traveling expense. With four weeks between shifts, I suppose the workers come from all over.

I fly to Bergen and take the helicopter from there. The company pays for my travel yes We live all over Norway and travel to the heliports when we go to work.

Just wanted to chime in here and say how much I'm enjoying this thread! Great build, in a wonderful location. Wazzza, you could post half build pictures and half scenery pictures here, and I would be happy.

Also, I think this is the first build we've seen here north of the Arctic Circle. And you weren't kidding when you said northern Norway - you are way above the Arctic Circle! We've seen builds here from Fairbanks, AK and Iceland, but neither of those are nearly as far north as you are.

So, here's wishing you the best in finishing it out , and please continue posting your progress!

Hi, thank you for those kind words.. The polar circle is a 9 hour drive from me.

The gutters with hardware was finished yesterday.

We made good progress today and finished half the roof. We were only two people and handling those plates was a real pain. They are so thin and ease to warp, so you must be very careful and actually be more than two people.. We found a good technic for getting the plates up by using a ladder and two lenghts of 2x4". The roof is secured with one millions screws ...atleast... My fingers and knees are sore, but my fear of heights is gone

I started the rest of the woodwork after the roof was on..

 

[drivesitfar]

Wazzza: Sounds like you have most everything figured out so i'll just sit back and just keep watching the pictures get posted of your progress. don't forget to keep adding the ones of the views and of any wildlife to really make us jealous.

also nice progress on the roof install. the gutters are a nice simple design and i'm going to look for that style the next ones i order. i'm a little more than curious how you are going to protect the ends of the wood framing on the sides and if you are going to put in any venting. please ask if your have any questions and many of us would be glad to help if we can.

good luck

 

[rmalkow2]

The roof looks great. Different from the metal roof panels we typically get here in the states but I really like the finished look. Has that appearance of tiles with the durability of steel.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Congrats on the great Garage Project!

 

[wazzza]

Thanks guys. I am very pleased with the looks of the roof. I am glad it has the same style and colour as the house.

We got the other half of the roof on today. Bcause of the height we were unable to use the same technic as on the first side, so we had the get creative! I just let the pictures speak for themselves.. The rig worked perfect and we was able to get the plates up at just the right angle without bending or lifting them..


The orange straps was probably not nescessery but we used them just as and extra precaution.

 

[wazzza]

Hi guys

I need help with lights. I am offshore now and I am wondering how many light-fixtures I need. I am thinking about 3 or 4 row of 3 or 4 pcs of 2x28w armatures. With 4x4x2x28w, that should be 900 watts. I can also add extra lights above the workbench if needed. What is your opinion? Remmeber that the sun dissapears in a few months are is gone until earliy spring..

Here is a few pictures my friend took when mounting the last roof-plate.

 

[Lord Vader]

You have an amazing view! That must be a fantastic place to live!

I love the design of your garage. It looks very nice, and the size is impressive.

 

[Piece-it Pete]

Wow! Now if anyone mentions Norwegians to me I'll say 'They are very hard workers and live in incredible scenery.'

Nice work. I've never seen a steerable truck trailer, except for a really, really long one, never a 'regular' one. Very neat.

I've always wanted to see the northern lights.

Pete

 

[drivesitfar]

Wazzza: i'd like to help you with your lighting, but not sure about that myself so i'll just watch and learn. i do know a few questions that are going to be asked if you want to get the guys up to speed that might know the answers.

what if any crane or beam type activity do you have planned that might interfere with hanging lights or do you just want all the lights and wiring to be in the ceiling? do you have any choices so far that you are thinking about because you are in a different shopping market than a lot of us on GJ?

a magnifying glass with a light around it is a great thing to have clamped or installed to your workbench and they come in all shapes and sizes and costs. that will help a lot for your close up work. i hear that the dark for so many months is hard on a man even if you are from that part of the country since birth so have you thought of adding the high intensity or i think they call it blue light to keep the mood up?

you did a great job rigging up the framing to get those roofing pieces up to the other side of the roof and happy to see it worked out.

when does the rain and then snow season start? are you going to have roof done and maybe the garage doors on by then? it looks like you will so i'm crossing my fingers for you while the weather looks decent.

cheers and best of luck

 

[wazzza]

You have an amazing view! That must be a fantastic place to live!

I love the design of your garage. It looks very nice, and the size is impressive.

Thank you very much! I live in northern Norway. The landscape is mostly mountains and fjords, so you almost have to be unlucky NOT to get this kind of view

I am very impressed with some of the garages you guys have over there. Some of them are insanely large!

Wow! Now if anyone mentions Norwegians to me I'll say 'They are very hard workers and live in incredible scenery.'

Nice work. I've never seen a steerable truck trailer, except for a really, really long one, never a 'regular' one. Very neat.

I've always wanted to see the northern lights.

Pete

Thank you! I appreicate those kind words. Steerable trailers are a "must have" for some applications. We call them "city semis".

Wazzza:

what if any crane or beam type activity do you have planned that might interfere with hanging lights or do you just want all the lights and wiring to be in the ceiling? do you have any choices so far that you are thinking about because you are in a different shopping market than a lot of us on GJ?

a magnifying glass with a light around it is a great thing to have clamped or installed to your workbench and they come in all shapes and sizes and costs. that will help a lot for your close up work. i hear that the dark for so many months is hard on a man even if you are from that part of the country since birth so have you thought of adding the high intensity or i think they call it blue light to keep the mood up?

you did a great job rigging up the framing to get those roofing pieces up to the other side of the roof and happy to see it worked out.

when does the rain and then snow season start? are you going to have roof done and maybe the garage doors on by then? it looks like you will so i'm crossing my fingers for you while the weather looks decent.

cheers and best of luck

Hi, thank you. The rig worked great. The only problem was a leaking boom-cylinder so it sagged slowly while we were working so I had to lift up the plate, climp onto the roof and move the plate over to the roof, then climb down and "park" the rig on the ground..

I have not planned for any steel beams or cranes inside the garage, although I want a beam on the loft with a small winch to lift things up to the for storage.

I have not figured out how I will group up the lights yet so the wiring is not planned fully yet. I have done the calculations on the intakecable and main fuse and will do the rest when I know how long the other cables will be.

This is the type of lights I will be using.

Some people get whats called "winter depression", a total lack of energy etc.. I dont suffer from this, but I can clearly feel more energetic at summer when the sun is up 24/7. You can get special lamps yes wich emits light that looks like sunlight.. I have not tried it, but people say it works..

We dont really have a rain season. It can rain all summer but this summer has been very good with little rain. I belive it was the warmest summer in 50 years or something. It gets dark in a month or so and snow can come as early as late septmeber, but usually late ocktober or early november. We are allowed to install studded tires 15. October and run them until 1. May. That period can of course be extended if roadconditions demand it. Because of the weight of the truck I have to bring tireschains in that period.

 

[Ajustable]

Great build to follow, I'm enjoying the show very much!! Give a big thumbs up to your Dad, for helping out. My Dad and I did plenty of projects together it was always fun to have the older guy's knowledge there when you needed it most!

Chris

 

[sean Buick 76]

Hi there!!

Do any of you guys use cable chains instead of traditional chains? I have a set of cable chains for my SUV but never needed them with the Nokian winters on there.

I am curious is there a rule about chains and certain weight trucks?

 

[wazzza]

Great build to follow, I'm enjoying the show very much!! Give a big thumbs up to your Dad, for helping out. My Dad and I did plenty of projects together it was always fun to have the older guy's knowledge there when you needed it most!

Chris

Thank you. My dad has been helping out a lot. Experience and knowledge is very important! The guy in the photos is not my dad, but actually an older friend of mine.. He has been helping me since I started digging this spring and really have many man-hours on this build. I dont have the money to pay anyone to help me so everyone who has been helping me on this build will be given axess to the garage for maintainencework on their cars etc.. Especially the guy in the latest photos. He is also interesseted in old cars and dont have a real garage of his own. Since I am away for 14 days at the time he can use the garage for bigger projects than just an oil-change etc that period. I trust everyone who has been helping me, so I dont see any problems with that.. This will be the biggest garage among my friends

Hi there!!

Do any of you guys use cable chains instead of traditional chains? I have a set of cable chains for my SUV but never needed them with the Nokian winters on there.

I am curious is there a rule about chains and certain weight trucks?

I have never seen cablechains? What do they look like? We have some chains for small passengercars wich have some parts made of cable, but they are very weak and cant handle any rough use.. I also have Nokian hakapellita LT2 studded tires so the chains are never in use. Only when I need maximum grip hauling my trailer on extreme conditions..

Cars with a total weight above 3500 kg ~ 7700 lbs must bring 3 chains in winter, two drives and one for steering. I have 4. If you also haul a trailer heaviver than 3500 kgs you need 2 chains for that also. heavier trucks with trailers must bring 7 chains if they have dually wheels on the driveaxles.

 

[4AudiQ]

I have never seen cablechains? What do they look like? We have some chains for small passengercars wich have some parts made of cable, but they are very weak and cant handle any rough use.. I also have Nokian hakapellita LT2 studded tires so the chains are never in use. Only when I need maximum grip hauling my trailer on extreme conditions..

Here: http://www.tirechain.com/CABLE_MOUNTING_INTRUCTIONS.HTM
I have used them in the past to go snow skiing. Easy to install.

 

[600SL]

Nice build. Very unique construction techniques compared to what were used to in the states.

 

[wazzza]

Nice build. Very unique construction techniques compared to what were used to in the states.

Thank you


Long time since my last update. I have been very busy with my two jobs and extra time away from home, but I have managed to do some work..


I have finished the back-wall and roofing with all woodwork on that side and have painted the first coat of paint.. The paint is oil-based and crawls good into the wood. I will need a coat or two extra.. When that is done I will remove the scaffold and build it in front of the garage to finish that side roofing and woodwork.

My doors arrived, but unfortunatly I got some wong hardware, so I was unable to complete the install of the second door. To my surprise the doors are a american brand.. Anyone else have these?

A friend scored me some free lights. The the prettiest lights but they were free..

Had some company here the other day

 

[gilr]

Hi and very nice build. I've been to Norway a couple of times and it is a beautiful country. I'd love to come back again, in the summertime with the long days. It gets dark very early there in the winter. The Wayne Dalton door is rather commonly used here in the US. I have three of them on my garages and the only problem I have had is with the torsion springs which were unique to this brand. My large door spring failed this summer and it was replaced with the external style spring that I see on your door. That one should be more reliable than the internal spring system that Wayne Dalton uses. Other than that, these are good doors and it appears that yours is insulated which should help during your long and cold winter.

 

[skyking]

DAM......you get a YOU **** just for the view.

 

[drivesitfar]

Wazzza: great pictures again. i do like the color you have chosen and best of luck getting it all painted before the wet or cold weather starts. just a warning about your "free" lights. sometimes those will go through bulbs like crazy so a newer unit might be less expensive in the long run. try them for now and think of maybe changing them out later if they burn up bulbs and your money. or they might not use as many as some of mine did in the past and they will last you for many years to come.

Great to hear you have friends to help and that they are trustworthy enough so you can let them use your garage and maybe house while you are gone. friends like that are not easily found in ones life so hopefully things will remain the same with the garage sharing.

thanks for the pictures of the critters too.

good luck

 

[KariFS]

Greetings from Finland That really is a nice garage. And the view... Wow.

My "dimensionally challenged" 11x18 sq ft garage has a Wayne Dalton door also, bought from a Finnish distributor maybe 7-8 years ago. No opener on it, and I just installed the lock on it a couple of months ago, before that it had always been unlocked.

 

[wazzza]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I appreciate it. I really need to get the elcetrical system hooked up so I get lights in the garage. It is getting darker and darker for each day going by now

I am thinking about changing these free lights for newer units, but right now I cant afford it, so they will have to do for now.

I have made good progress the last few days. 3 walls have 2 layers of paint and the rest of the woodwork on front wall is allmost done.. Just a few pieces left.. I removed all scaffold and build a new scaffold in front . So much easier to work when you dont need a ladder...

I am awaiting the rest of the hardware for the last door so I can complete the install..

 

[jwith68]

Wazza, it's looking great! Sounds like you're on track with your plans as well. Getting the exterior done and doors completed should be first priority, especially given your location. Getting the electric hooked up and some rough-in done is a good next step, before you have to deal with continual darkness. I'd use the free lights. They should be okay at least for a while, and it looks like you have plenty of them. You may just want to hang them in a way that allows them to be replaced easily in the future, and consider what LED options may work for you when you do.

 

[drivesitfar]

Wazza: i agree with JWith's comments 100%. i hope those free lights work great and just wanted to mention that free isn't always the best in the long run.

i know you want to just turn on a switch and have power to lights, but with your weather i'd finish the outside 100% before starting the electrical. maybe buy or borrow a few standing flood lights that are not expensive (at least here in US they are only $30 or so if you can't find them on Craigslist for less) and you can always use them later for jobs outside or where you need more light than the ceiling will give you.

also if possible move in all the gravel you can and get it on the ground before the rains and snow so you won't have all the dirt and mud to deal with. i'm betting you have already planned for that if funds and material are available.

the garage is looking awesome and I love your location which might make it easier to take those dark winter months. by the way do you get the northern lights and please share any pictures you have of them appearing over that wonderful water view you have in the pictures you post if you have a minute.

good luck

 

[rmalkow2]

The exterior finish work looks great and you can't beat free lighting. But upgrades someday are always a nice thing to look for so hopefully they can serve the purpose well for now. Great progress overall.

 

[hoho98925]

Very nice build, really enjoying your view! Thanks

 

[1/2 Cup]

Just checking in, thanks for the update.

Your build is looking fantastic.

Regards

 

[Dividing Creek]

Dodge truck, webber grills, those things common in Norway ?

 

[Codename85]

I would say Webber grills is, grilling in the summer here is very popular but not Dodge trucks. They do exist but not that common

 

[rixtrix1]

Garage is looking great . Good luck getting the rest going. Thanks for the updates!

 

[MacTexas]

I have to ask about the ?clothes dryer? in this picture. I am asking about the free standing metal pole with arms that point upward with the line between them. I can remember those in use during the 60's but have not seen one in a long time.

 

[wazzza]

Wow, thanks for the response people!

@Dividing creek, I wish they were genuine webbers, but they are just cheap copies. I belive that style grill is the most common type around here. The 2. gen dodge truck is quite rare in Norway due to they were not imported by any dealers.. Only a handfull trucks were privatly imported. Mine came from Texas in 2003 when the american owner moved to Norway.. Mine is especially rare because of the HO-package with the 6-speed manual. A rough gestimate would be between 5-10 trucks with that setup in Norway and less than 5 trucks with that colour. The 3.rd gen is much more common since it was sold new through dealers, although there are not MANY of those either. New rules about documentation and testing put a complete stop to all fullsize truck import, so no 4.th gens in Norway..


@MacTexas, hehe, yes it is a clothes hanger/dryer. I came with the house. My parents have one aswell, but I have not seen it in any stores, not that I have been looking for it either There is nothing like drying clothes outside, especially in icy cold winter. The clothes freezedries and becomes extremely soft and smells nice! ---> Moms words!