40 x 60 Garage Build on hillside ideas.

[fastbak7]

Hi. I'm looking for ideas for constructing a 40 x 60 shed/garage/shop building.
I'm looking for any recommendations. Here are a few details of what I would like to do as well as a few drawings:
- 16 ft walls (to enable an 8 ft loft area in the back and 12 x 14 ft tall doors)
- porch on one corner where man-door would be
- room in attic 8/12 pitch roof trusses (to allow 18 x 60 room/storage area above)
- operational roof dormers (to match existing house)
- no in-floor heat (will not be used everyday so don't think I could justify extra cost)
- back 12 x 40 area would be elevated above hillside (this would allow porch area below hill for chicken coop /dog houses/etc.) The floor would be insulated 2x12 floor joists that would be level with the concrete floor of the rest of the 40ft x 48ft main level.
- separate back room(s) in the 12x40 area with floor joists. Bathroom, wash tub, and all plumbing would be on interior wall to heat easier in winter. (I'm in the midwest where I need to worry about freezing water lines.)
- red tin, white trim, black shingles
- I'm having trouble visualizing the sizes and am wondering how it will look. I haven't been able to find a 16 foot tall building this size with an 8 pitch roof to compare. The building on the back side will be 38 feet tall (8 ft "walkout" porch, 16 ft wall, 14ft tall roof trusses @ peak)
- I'm interested in hoist system ideas to lift items into the attic.
-Lastly, interested in estimates for total cost to have built and ways I can save $ by doing some things myself with friend/family assistance/tools.
- Any and all thoughts/suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

 

[matt_i]

I would suggest eliminating the "built on stilts" idea for the lower side. That looks like a way to really drive up the cost of an already expensive build as you are into concrete piers and steelwork to support the building above, plus engineering services to design it all. Even if you had to do what would amount to a partial basement area there with concrete walls, you'd be farther ahead in my mind, or simply build a lean-to wood framed porch on that area if it needs to be just a sheltered but open area.

To answer your question on the radiant heat, you have to decide how much you intend to work there and what kind of work is going to go on. I didn't see any info about the intended useage of the building.

 

[fastbak7]

Thanks for the suggestions Matt! I've considered what you mentioned and discussed it with several architects/carpenters who have constructed similar projects. They all claim that with 6x6 posts every 8 feet around the back, below the hill, the back room subfloor and building walls can be supported just fine. The posts would each sit on a substantial 3x3 or so footing to provide a firm foundation. The plan is to use 2x12x12ft wooden floor joists for that back room area, like a standard home subfloor. I could avoid the complexity all together, but this way I have the benefit of additional room to back trailers in off the driveway on the other end of the building and get the sheltered area underneath, and I'm hoping it will add some benefit visually by breaking up the tall 38 ft. wall on the back side below the hill.

As far as usage, it will be primarily used for covered storage and workshop usage occasionally. Since it will not require significant heat on a daily basis, I'm thinking I'd rather fire up a wood stove or gas furnace when I had larger projects going on in there. I'm thinking of running a small propane wall heater to keep at least the small room & water supply lines above freezing.

 

[fastbak7]

I attached a few examples of red/white color scheme & dormers, front garage door & window layout, and porch design.

 

[NUTTSGT]

As far as usage, it will be primarily used for covered storage and workshop usage occasionally. Since it will not require significant heat on a daily basis, I'm thinking I'd rather fire up a wood stove or gas furnace when I had larger projects going on in there. I'm thinking of running a small propane wall heater to keep at least the small room & water supply lines above freezing.

This is why I marked "no" on your poll. Considering the possible future use of all the time, then it would probably make it worth it. I'd consider that you are partially built into a hill and insulate the outside wall, I believe it should help hold the heat in and have no air infiltration on those sides.

Once you get that concrete floor warm, it'll help hold the heat as well as your continually maintaining the heat with a wall unit. Wehn you go out there to work, it shouldn't take long to bring up the temp to a nice comfort level and no cold feet via a cold *** concrete floor.

 

[fastbak7]

Here is the final product. Thanks to everyone on this forum for advice and ideas...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=5292

 

[cheechi]

View media item 64641
This is awesome

 

[NUTTSGT]

Here is the final product. Thanks to everyone on this forum for advice and ideas...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=5292

Just a link to the gallery ? No build thread ? aww man.