Best layout for 970 sq foot garage??

[deepstuff]

Hi,
My town will allow me to build a garage to a maximum of 970 sq feet. I want to get the most useful space inside this as possible. I'm thinking a rectangular shape with two, 9 or 10 foot wide doors in one end. I've been playing with 26x36, 28x34, 30x32, and 24x40.

My garage will be used for mechanic work, car and motorcycle storage etc... I plan to have the ceiling high enough in at least one bay to accommodate a car lift. I also plan to build storage space into a partial second story.

Any insight from those who have done this? Has anyone built a building 24 or 26 feet wide but wished it was wider? Keep in mind that I have to keep within my square footage restriction so if I add width I must lessen the depth of my garage. Any ideas or opinions?

Thanks!

 

[bczygan]

Welcome to GJ.

What's the maximum allowed height?

Build with a flat roof, to the maximum allowable height, and use as thin a system of structural roof members as possible, for the most interior height and volume.

To double the space, use a floor system designed to support the loads of vehicles and machines, and build an additional floor below it.

Simple.

 

[gtcs]

My last shop was 24x24, but only had one door offset to one side. That depth was fine working on my supra or 4 runner, but the wifes freestyle and even my Mazda truck was tight. Without the workbench in the car bay I could fit the f150 but I would get road rash on my back from the block wall it was so tight.

I think 28x36, with three single doors or a double and a single would be awesome. Still enough space to have some workbenches and storage on the sides and back, but big enough for three working bays.

Can't wait to see what you come up with, I need more ideas to pirate!

 

[bczygan]

What does your site look like?

Existing house?

Surrounding properties?

All the existing conditions?

We need layout and photos and easements and setbacks and all the zoning rules etc.

Design doesn't begin inside the building. It starts outside the lot and works it's way in.

Bill

 

[deepstuff]

Welcome to GJ.

What's the maximum allowed height?

Build with a flat roof, to the maximum allowable height, and use as thin a system of structural roof members as possible, for the most interior height and volume.

To double the space, use a floor system designed to support the loads of vehicles and machines, and build an additional floor below it.

Simple.

Height is not an issue but I have to build a pitch roof so that it matches my house.

 

[deepstuff]

My last shop was 24x24, but only had one door offset to one side. That depth was fine working on my supra or 4 runner, but the wifes freestyle and even my Mazda truck was tight. Without the workbench in the car bay I could fit the f150 but I would get road rash on my back from the block wall it was so tight.

I think 28x36, with three single doors or a double and a single would be awesome. Still enough space to have some workbenches and storage on the sides and back, but big enough for three working bays.

Can't wait to see what you come up with, I need more ideas to pirate!

OK, you're thinking two or three doors on one of the long sides of the building rather than two on one of the short sides? There are pros and cons to this.


One other thing to add. I'm on an acre lot, Garage will be next to a two story house. So far there are no small cars in my family.

 

[bczygan]

What is a pitch room?

Where are you located?

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Have you looked through some of the threads of garage builds here on GJ?

Bill

 

[deepstuff]

pitch roof and I've been looking at threads.

 

[bczygan]

Detached?

What kind of structure?

What climate?

Heat and AC?

Heated floor?

What equipment?

Etc.

 

[bczygan]

What is the lot like?

Soil?

Terrain?

Layout of house and existing drive.

The biggest difference in price for the same floor plan, is the lot conditions.

You can't design the interior of a building without reference to the lot it is going on.

Where are the spaces it can be located, and how will it relate to the house and other things?

Bill

 

[stikman56]

Hi,
My town will allow me to build a garage to a maximum of 970 sq feet. I want to get the most useful space inside this as possible. I'm thinking a rectangular shape with two, 9 or 10 foot wide doors in one end. I've been playing with 26x36, 28x34, 30x32, and 24x40.

My garage will be used for mechanic work, car and motorcycle storage etc... I plan to have the ceiling high enough in at least one bay to accommodate a car lift. I also plan to build storage space into a partial second story.

Any insight from those who have done this? Has anyone built a building 24 or 26 feet wide but wished it was wider? Keep in mind that I have to keep within my square footage restriction so if I add width I must lessen the depth of my garage. Any ideas or opinions?

Thanks!

Me ,I'd want wide enough so it has 3 bays. The one I'm having built is 34 wide and 30 deep. Just make it deep enough to be able to move around both ends of the vehicles you work on is what I was thinking when I chose mine. If you only want two bays you could go 26 wide and be fine I would think. More storage for bikes in the back that way.

 

[AndyCBR]

Hi,
My town will allow me to build a garage to a maximum of 970 sq feet. I want to get the most useful space inside this as possible. I'm thinking a rectangular shape with two, 9 or 10 foot wide doors in one end. I've been playing with 26x36, 28x34, 30x32, and 24x40.

My garage will be used for mechanic work, car and motorcycle storage etc... I plan to have the ceiling high enough in at least one bay to accommodate a car lift. I also plan to build storage space into a partial second story.

Any insight from those who have done this? Has anyone built a building 24 or 26 feet wide but wished it was wider? Keep in mind that I have to keep within my square footage restriction so if I add width I must lessen the depth of my garage. Any ideas or opinions?

Thanks!

I like the 28x34 option. In smaller shops wall space is a premium so the 28 will still be deep enough to get cars in and work on them while still having benches/tools/etc. along the walls. On the 34 side put in a 20 or 22 foot double door (18 is standard in residential). Center it and use the sides for tooling/pallet rack storage/shelving, or MC parking.

You could get a 3 car space with the 24x40 but I don't think 24 is deep enough (mine is 24 deep and my long truck won't fit with the storage against the wall). You want to be able to close up the space with the vehicle inside and still be able to work.

 

[Ray916MN]

Unless you need to accommodate a full size crew cab long bed truck, I'd build 24x40.

You can fit a 10' and a 20' wide door and have a comfortable 3 car garage if you like. 24' is tight to park and work on a full size crew cab short bed truck, but it can work. Figure the majority of space in your garage gets used for parking, and focus on making sure you have enough open work space, as opposed to allot of open space around parked vehicles.

My workshop is 24x48 has a double depth pallet rack mezzanine in the middle which basically divides the car and motorcycle work spaces and allows the 4 post lift to be used to lift stuff up/down to/from the second level. Take away the equivalent of a narrow bay, and you'll get a feel for what 24x40 will look like. If you're willing to make a 24x30 partial second story you'll end up with the equivalent floor space of a 24x70 building.

Of course I wish zoning had allowed me to build 30x50, which was my original plan, but given my zoning limitations and needs, I'm very happy that I chose to go with a 24' depth.