24 x 28 x 9 Pole barn garage-Clean slate

[cobragrover]

Just had it built last fall and haven't done anything but park my trailer and p/u truck in it. I haven't even run the electrical service to it yet.
The main reason for building it was the 2 car garage attached to the house is not big enough for 2 vehicles and all the other "stuff" we have.
First I'm wondering if I should insulate some. I'm in Southern Indiana so it gets pretty cold here. Not Minnesota cold, but cold enough for me. The builder put a thin layer on before the metal went on. And it has the insulation under the roof metal to prevent condensation.
This spring I plan to run electric service underground in conduit from my house to the building. I'm not sure what amp service I should put in. 60 amp, 100 amp?
Any good ideas what to do for storage? I can build some shelving out of 2 x 4's and OSB but from what I've seen here there are much better and more expensive ideas.
Yes, money is an issue. If it's a must have I'll find a way to get it done but of course I'd like to keep the $$$ flowing out as low as possible.

Other than storage for a vehicle, a trailer, and junk I'm going to do some woodworking. I have a few basics like a delta contractors saw, which does a pretty decent job for a 110 table saw, a sliding miter saw, several air nailers, a jig saw, a circular saw, a kreg jig, just stuff you collect over the years.
There are a lot of other things I'd like to get but I usually get them as the need arises.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[cobragrover]

Did I ask a bad question?

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Yes you should insulate, best money you will ever spend. I have a shop nearly the same as yours. Before i insulated I could run my propane jet heater and the shop was still cold. No way to recover, cold air could move in faster than I could heat it. Number one rule stop bulk air infiltration, make the air still. Then install the insulation, with still air the insulation can do its job. Now I can turn on my heater and go from 45 to 70 degrees and in 10 minutes and it will stay there. I would also suggest tin on the inside. It is cheap, installs fast, is already painted, and is a pretty good air barrier.

 

[cobragrover]

I like the metal walls and ceilings. Wondering if it would be a little too much of the same thing. Probably not an issue with all the other things going on.
Is there a problem hanging storage cabinets and such with the metal walls?

 

[CJseven]

I have the metal inner walls too, really like it.

 

[bdbecker]

Did I ask a bad question?

No, not a bad question, its just hard to make suggestions based on that first post. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, buy you weren't exactly clear with what you intend to use this space for. Yes, you mention storage and woodworking, but do you mean a storage space for Christmas decorations where a few times a year you'll do some basic wood projects with an assortment of standard power tools?

If that's the case - don't insulate, 60 amps, build your own shelves.

Or do you eventually want a climate controlled, well equipped woodworking shop that you intend to spend dozens of hours a week in and you need room to store your collection of vintage floor safes?

If that is the intended use - insulate, 100 amps (or more may be needed), buy industrial duty pallet rack.

The more specific you can be when asking a question, the better answer you're going to get. Not trying to give you a hard time, just trying to explain the lack of responses.

 

[cobragrover]

Gotcha, thanks. I guess I was kind of general because I'm not sure what I'll do with the space. As I said mostly storage for things that came out of our last house which had a basement. Going from a house with a basement to one without is a shock realizing all the junk you have. I am approaching retirement in about 3 yrs so I would like to do a little woodworking. I don't think I will ever have a source of permanent heat so probably more of a 3 season shop but I know if I'm ever in a pinch and have to use a portable heater the insulation will make it much easier to heat. I could build some basic shelving out of 2x's and OSB but cabinets or something with doors will make it much cleaner looking.

 

[bdbecker]

Gotcha, thanks. I guess I was kind of general because I'm not sure what I'll do with the space...

Now we're on the same page...

I do think insulation is a wise decision. It's better to install it and not need it than wishing you had after you've moved in (speaking from firsthand experience/mistakes).

As far as storage goes, trying doing a Google image search for "family handyman garage cabinets". I find its easier to look through the picture results than trying to blindly click on the links to find what you like. I also like Family Handyman because they have some really good options and they actually show you how to build stuff instead of other sites that just re-post pictures they stole from other websites. Having doors is also a really good idea to keep the space clean looking, but also to keep your stuff from collecting dust (again, speaking from firsthand experience/mistakes).

As far as electrical goes, this kind of goes along the lines of insulation - better to do it even if you don't think you'll need it. Running 240v 90a service to the garage would give you plenty of options down the road should you ever decide to get a nice cabinet saw or a large air compressor. Heck, with the growing trend towards electric cars, you'd want it for a charging station.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169211

Finally, do you have natural gas service to your house? It might be worth having that line ran while they're tearing up your yard for the electrical. You don't need to have it hooked up, but it would give you the option to have a gas heater installed down the road (way cheaper than an electrical space heater). Same goes for having a conduit installed for cable TV or network access if you think you ever might need it.

All of this does increase the cost initially, but some careful planning now will save you more in the long run from having to redo it.