Boosted1
Well-known member
Nice build.
Your lot / location looks very nice too.
Your lot / location looks very nice too.
Above 1200 Sq/FT Craig's Colorado Car Condo
- Thread starter Craig Balzer
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Shorty
That is a 7 1/2' by 7 1/2' room set aside as a future bathroom.
By hanging the manifold (and in the future the boiler for both the domestic water and glycol for the the floor in one unit) outside that room I maximize space in that small-ish room.
Recall that the Air Compressor and Water Heater (which is no longer needed since the above boiler also heats domestic water heater) will be in the loft. Saving space a few inches at a time.
Craig
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Sunday morning (at 9AM) and the owner (on the cutter) and his brother (with broom; who is the original owner of the concrete company) show up to cut the expansion joints.
Generally, these guys are very uncomfortable cutting grooves in floors with in-floor heating; too much risk of nipping a heating line. However, the way these Crete-Heat foam pads grabbed the lines -- and that the flooring crew used a special stapler to hold the tubes down (especially in the curves) -- they didn't have a qualm about cutting.
Dedication -- that and a cooperative weather forecast of 60°F -- made it the best day to do it. Forecast for Monday the 9th of December 19 is 31°F with temps in the 40's for the remainder of the week.
Generally, these guys are very uncomfortable cutting grooves in floors with in-floor heating; too much risk of nipping a heating line. However, the way these Crete-Heat foam pads grabbed the lines -- and that the flooring crew used a special stapler to hold the tubes down (especially in the curves) -- they didn't have a qualm about cutting.
Dedication -- that and a cooperative weather forecast of 60°F -- made it the best day to do it. Forecast for Monday the 9th of December 19 is 31°F with temps in the 40's for the remainder of the week.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
GTSGarage
LosDudes
Boosted1
Thanks guys, for the comments.
Boosted1 - I love the neighborhood. Mature subdivision with the smallest lot at 2.5 acres. There is an open common area in the center of the loop of 83 acres of wooded ground for walking or horseback riding -- only. That common area borders my lot to the north and east (see Google Map shot on my first post; you can see my fence line).
LosDudes
Boosted1
Thanks guys, for the comments.
Boosted1 - I love the neighborhood. Mature subdivision with the smallest lot at 2.5 acres. There is an open common area in the center of the loop of 83 acres of wooded ground for walking or horseback riding -- only. That common area borders my lot to the north and east (see Google Map shot on my first post; you can see my fence line).
MacTexas
Well-known member
Nice garage, I want to follow this thread to the finish.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
78SC4X4
Well-known member
Subscribed....
Just curious. What did your concrete guys do without a screed board? Just eyeball it?
Just curious. What did your concrete guys do without a screed board? Just eyeball it?
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
I am afraid I don't know what a screed board is. I can say they used a laser level in one corner of the garage during the pour. They also tacked a nail into both edges of the large garage door (which is where the last of the concrete was poured).
There were two guys working an aluminum 2" x 4" that was 12 or 15 feet long back and forth across the top of the pour.
Does that answer the question??
wasfast
Well-known member
usually a screed board is literally a 2 x 4 that is the first step in leveling the concrete after it's been dumped in place. The aluminum "thing" is a float and is the next step in working the surface. The next level of refinement is a "mag trowel" (magnesium) to continue working the "cream" on top of the pour. Last is a steel trowel used to make a "hard trowel" finish. For large pours, a power trowel is used. It looks like a large round lawnmower with 6 blades and a steel ring on the perimeter. Much faster than hand steel troweling but requires some experience to use.
shortykorte
Well-known member
This is the screed board. They screed to shave down any high spots and identify low spots that need filling.
Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
This fall/winter has had unusual weather in C Springs. There were 3-5 snow falls in both October and November along with unseasonably cold temperatures.
Therefore, it only stands to reason that there would be a "warm" spell just days before Christmas. Monday the 23rd saw temps in the high 50's °F and overnight lows in the mid- to upper-30's°F. Perfect time to apply the brown (or is it called a grey) coat of stucco on the exteriors walls. The application of the color coat will need another warm spell -- -- or wait until spring.
Last week my GC cut openings for the 6 lights on either side of the garage doors and the 2x man-doors as well as a coupla exterior outlets
To continue with my theme of matching the exterior appearance of my house, I had the 45° corners added to the tops of the garage door openings and the "bump-outs" applied on the walls facing the road.
Therefore, it only stands to reason that there would be a "warm" spell just days before Christmas. Monday the 23rd saw temps in the high 50's °F and overnight lows in the mid- to upper-30's°F. Perfect time to apply the brown (or is it called a grey) coat of stucco on the exteriors walls. The application of the color coat will need another warm spell -- -- or wait until spring.
Last week my GC cut openings for the 6 lights on either side of the garage doors and the 2x man-doors as well as a coupla exterior outlets
To continue with my theme of matching the exterior appearance of my house, I had the 45° corners added to the tops of the garage door openings and the "bump-outs" applied on the walls facing the road.
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wasfast
Well-known member
Shop looks great! Brown coat is correct. Order is Scratch coat/Brown coat/finish coat.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Thursday / Friday the 26th/27th of December saw the garage doors being installed.
Did I mention I had the mounting hardware, rails, hinges, and struts powder coated? My GC knows a place in town with powder coating ovens that are 23' long -- they specialize in powder coating wrought iron railing. I like the look.
Long-term plans call for red tool chests, staircase, lift, etc. The interior walls and ceilings will be painted white.
The meter will be installed next week on my separate power feed to the garage. It's becoming a garage . . .
Did I mention I had the mounting hardware, rails, hinges, and struts powder coated? My GC knows a place in town with powder coating ovens that are 23' long -- they specialize in powder coating wrought iron railing. I like the look.
Long-term plans call for red tool chests, staircase, lift, etc. The interior walls and ceilings will be painted white.
The meter will be installed next week on my separate power feed to the garage. It's becoming a garage . . .
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dykstra
Well-known member
Looking great!!
wasfast
Well-known member
Great idea on powder coating the rails. The rails, hardware, etc. as sent always look so "unfinished" next to a fully finished garage.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Thanks dykstra
Thanks losdudes
wasfast - I couldn't agree more. IIRC, I saw this approach on an article on Richard Griot's personal garage. He had garage doors that were all 2'x2' glass panels (sure can't afford that) with red frames. I liked the look -- so I copied the concept.
csp
Well-known member
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
csp -- if you refer back to posting #39 you'll see all the tools used to pour the floor except for the power trowel that was brought out at the end of the pour.
I don't know the names of all the concrete tools but they are all captured in a single photo. I think the 15' long 2"x4" is the screed they used to initially level the pour.
Craig
I don't know the names of all the concrete tools but they are all captured in a single photo. I think the 15' long 2"x4" is the screed they used to initially level the pour.
Craig
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
A minor -- but significant -- step forward: the local power company connected the meter and started the flow of electrons. No photos
The one outlet in the garage (of the 70-80 that are gonna be in there as well as the ~40 lights/lamps) has power.
Next up - wiring the building followed by the rough-in inspection
Then
Future: epoxy flooring, final bench placement, and finally garage art.
Down the road: plumbing and Air Compressor/air liners install
The one outlet in the garage (of the 70-80 that are gonna be in there as well as the ~40 lights/lamps) has power.
Next up - wiring the building followed by the rough-in inspection
Then
- Insulation
- Interior walls
- Final Electrical Inspection
Future: epoxy flooring, final bench placement, and finally garage art.
Down the road: plumbing and Air Compressor/air liners install
Jayman17
Well-known member
Very nice shop in a beautiful part of the country. Well done! I really like the idea to powder coat otherwise ugly garage door hardware and rails. Subscribed!
Jay
Jay
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Guys -- it's been nearly 4 weeks with nothing much to post. My GC took a break after 7 days/week construction throughout the summer. He spent a few weeks in Phoenix thawing out.
In the last few days:
Electrical items still needing to be installed - likely after the rough-in inspection.
Coupla happy snaps of the progress. The wall outlets are 4' off the floor and are spaced every 4' except where a window gets in the way.
The Hi-Bay lights are 18,500 lumens each. The walls / ceiling will be painted white and the epoxy on the floor will be a light color (tan or grey or white -- still not decided). I'm gonna like having that dimmer. The difference isn't so obvious in daylight. I'll try again tonight.
Last but not least: since they didn't finish with all the circuits, they put the 4x interior lamps on the same circuit as the 9x in-soffit LED cans on the front and rear of the building (total 18). To have the lights inside working, the LEDs are currently lit all the time. So -- My first "garage at night" photo!
In the last few days:
- Installed/Wired 2x Garage Door Openers
- Installed/Wired 6x Exterior Outlets
- Installed/Wired 29x Interior Outlets on 5x 20-AMP, GFIC Circuits
- Installed/Wired 4 of 7 Hi-Bay Lighting Fixtures in Main Bay (these LEDs will be on a dimmer switch)
Electrical items still needing to be installed - likely after the rough-in inspection.
- The other 3x Hi-Bay Lamps
- 5x Lighting fixtures in 24x24 room
- 5x 220 Circuits
Coupla happy snaps of the progress. The wall outlets are 4' off the floor and are spaced every 4' except where a window gets in the way.
The Hi-Bay lights are 18,500 lumens each. The walls / ceiling will be painted white and the epoxy on the floor will be a light color (tan or grey or white
-- still not decided). I'm gonna like having that dimmer. The difference isn't so obvious in daylight. I'll try again tonight.Last but not least: since they didn't finish with all the circuits, they put the 4x interior lamps on the same circuit as the 9x in-soffit LED cans on the front and rear of the building (total 18). To have the lights inside working, the LEDs are currently lit all the time. So -- My first "garage at night" photo!
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wasfast
Well-known member
That's going to be a fabulous shop when finished (and already is!). I did wonder why you have the duplex receptacles installed before the wiring rough in is done.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Thanx wasfast.
Regarding the receptacles -- it's a work in progress. If they stay on schedule, the rough-in inspection ought to be next week.
Speaking of staying on schedule, if the weather cooperates as forecasted (with weekend temps in 50's - low 60's for this weekend), I should have the color coat applied to the stucco walls. Yippee-Kay-Yaay
csp
Well-known member
That's correct, it's a screed board and not a float as was suggested to you.
Hope they get your color coat done this weekend. It will be the typical Colorado swing back to winter Monday morning.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Super Bowl Sunday (02FEB20) was warmer than forecast in C Springs.
At 0900, when the crew arrived, it was already in the 40's. The day time high was 68°F.
The color coat (matching the color of my house) took 6 hours to apply. By 3PM, they were breaking down and loading the scaffolding.
Tomorrow's high is forecast at 25 -- that's in 40°F swing in 24 hrs. Snow starts tomorrow between 3 and 5 PM.
Tuesday's high is gonna be 13°F with low's below 0.
At 0900, when the crew arrived, it was already in the 40's. The day time high was 68°F.
The color coat (matching the color of my house) took 6 hours to apply. By 3PM, they were breaking down and loading the scaffolding.
Tomorrow's high is forecast at 25 -- that's in 40°F swing in 24 hrs. Snow starts tomorrow between 3 and 5 PM.
Tuesday's high is gonna be 13°F with low's below 0.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Nothing much visual to update -- on Monday 10FEB20, I passed the rough-in electrical inspection without a defect.
As a precursor to that inspection, all the sconces were installed on the exterior walls.
Next up insulation and interior sheathing to lead up to the final electrical and framing inspection. Nearing initial occupation.
As a precursor to that inspection, all the sconces were installed on the exterior walls.
Next up insulation and interior sheathing to lead up to the final electrical and framing inspection. Nearing initial occupation.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Well -- ya gotta love new inspectors. The electrical side of things passed without a hitch (I like the way the electrician using a 2" length of the insulation to label each circuit).
The final frame inspection, done by a young inspector, failed an aspect that was passed by a previous inspector (after which the trusses, roof, and shingles were added) that ultimately needed a revision to the plans to pass. Stupid. Waste of GC's Time. Waste of my Time. End of Rant.
The Frame re-inspection passed on Tuesday after President's Day. Wednesday the crew was at it. The plans were just for the frame. With that behind me and the regional board satisfied, we started "personalizing" the interior.
The crew started the build / frame the walls for my dirty room (where buffer, grinder, blast cabinet, etc will reside) and the bathroom. I'm am risk adverse so the studs will be 2x6's on 16" center and the joists 2x12's. That loft will be able to handle my pet elephant. With 14' walls I can have a 7' ceiling in the Dirty Room, the floor joists and plywood decking and still have 5' 10" in the loft.
The stringers for the staircase ought to be here early on next week -- I think you guys are gonna like what I am using. <Teaser>
And a happy snap of my latest Craig's List find
The final frame inspection, done by a young inspector, failed an aspect that was passed by a previous inspector (after which the trusses, roof, and shingles were added) that ultimately needed a revision to the plans to pass. Stupid. Waste of GC's Time. Waste of my Time. End of Rant.
The Frame re-inspection passed on Tuesday after President's Day. Wednesday the crew was at it. The plans were just for the frame. With that behind me and the regional board satisfied, we started "personalizing" the interior.
The crew started the build / frame the walls for my dirty room (where buffer, grinder, blast cabinet, etc will reside) and the bathroom. I'm am risk adverse so the studs will be 2x6's on 16" center and the joists 2x12's. That loft will be able to handle my pet elephant. With 14' walls I can have a 7' ceiling in the Dirty Room, the floor joists and plywood decking and still have 5' 10" in the loft.
The stringers for the staircase ought to be here early on next week -- I think you guys are gonna like what I am using. <Teaser>
And a happy snap of my latest Craig's List find
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shortykorte
Well-known member
Gotta have a traffic light. Cool deal
Please wire a height sensor into the light so it monitors tall people going into dirty room. Lol.
Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
Please wire a height sensor into the light so it monitors tall people going into dirty room. Lol.
Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
With the Regional Inspection behind me, the crew is moving forward pretty quickly.
In one day, they framed and erected all the interior walls of the garage: for the bathroom and my Dirty Room. They are using 2x10's on 12" centers for the floor joists and then 3/4" plywood for the loft deck.
Talked for an hour with the boss-man about the layout of 110 outlets in the Dirty Room, in the loft and bathroom. Also talked lighting and 6x 220 circuits. He and the electrician meet me at 0800 tomorrow morning.
In one day, they framed and erected all the interior walls of the garage: for the bathroom and my Dirty Room. They are using 2x10's on 12" centers for the floor joists and then 3/4" plywood for the loft deck.
Talked for an hour with the boss-man about the layout of 110 outlets in the Dirty Room, in the loft and bathroom. Also talked lighting and 6x 220 circuits. He and the electrician meet me at 0800 tomorrow morning.
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shortykorte
Well-known member
From experience, get all the outlets you want now or you’ll regret it later. I didn’t learn from first shop and I’m kicking myself the second time around.
Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST
Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Shorty -- good comment. I think ~I hope~ I have enough of these yet to be installed.
These are in addition to the 27 outlets on the main floor and 6 exterior outlets.
Any recommendations for more??
- In the Dirty Room = 12x 110v outlets on one circuit plus 2x 220 (welder and oven)
- Outside the Dirty Room beneath the landing on the loft = 4x 110v outlets for computer, phone, lamp at a standing desk, plus microwave, coffee machine and 3x DeWalt battery chargers to the side all on one circuit
- In the loft = 7x 110v outlets on one circuit plus 220 for air compressor
- In the ceiling above the southern proposed lift post 1x 220 plus 1x 110 outlet
- In the bathroom 1x 110 and, for the baseboard heater, 1x 220
These are in addition to the 27 outlets on the main floor and 6 exterior outlets.
Any recommendations for more??
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Shorty -- good comment. I think ~I hope~ I have enough these yet to be installed.
These are in addition to the 27 outlets on the main floor and 6 exterior outlets.
- In the Dirty Room = 12x 110v outlets on one circuit plus 2x 220 (welder and oven)
- Outside the Dirty Room beneath the landing on the loft = 4x 110v outlets for computer, phone, lamp at a standing desk, plus microwave, coffee machine and 3x DeWalt battery chargers to the side all on one circuit
- In the loft = 7x 110v outlets on one circuit plus 220 for air compressor
- In the ceiling above the southern proposed lift post 1x 220 plus 1x 110 outlet
- In the bathroom 1x 110 and, for the baseboard heater, 1x 220
These are in addition to the 27 outlets on the main floor and 6 exterior outlets.
Ak Jim
Well-known member
Simply outstanding! Have you done this type of thing before? It looks like you really have your act together! Also did you draw up the plans?
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Jim
Thanx for stopping by. You ask if I have done this before: no. This is the first garage (and last) garage I am/will plan(ning). I have been on Garage Journal for more than 15 years and have taken note of other's great ideas -- and, just as importantly, other's failures/errors. I have been planning this garage for 12 years -- but was denied building it. That stumbling block was removed via divorce several years ago.
If you are asking if I have built a garage before -- emphatically no. I wouldn't know where to begin, what planning factors to consider at each stage, nor which stage needed to come before which stage. I researched carefully various GCs and am either a very good judge of same or extraordinarily lucky. The GC is Amish and the crew are his four Amish sons. They are expert at converting what I want into what you see.
Did I draw up the plans? Yes and No. I am not an architect nor an engineer. My GC took my "plans" and notes to an engineering firm and had building/architectural plans drawn up and filed with the regional building office. My plans consisted of near to-scale Power Point (PPT) sketches (the file has 17 slides one of which is on post #1).
My inexperience and lack of knowledge were just recently (3 days ago) revealed: on my PPT design I had the dirty room at 20' by 8' -- a bit skinny but workable. I wanted to maximize the open floor space. In reality, it'll end up being 19+' by 7' 3". The "wall" in PPT in just a line. In reality that wall, supporting the weight of the building or loft, and roof/shingles and any snow, has thickness; a coupla inches in each wall. Since I have in-floor pex lines for heat, I couldn't enlarge the room by simply shifting the wall a foot or so to reclaim lost width -- guess I'll need to reduce my waistline.
To anyone following these footsteps, PPT is good as far as it goes; others have used eXcel with each cell set equal to a square foot. Use Sketch-Up or a simply CAD program to get your dimensions correct -- account for the thickness of walls and other features. Second most-important thing: be flexible and KNOW what you want. While the 36x48 box hasn't changed in my head for years, I have needed to make several (6-7) significant changes in the last 4-5 months to accommodate reality and adapt to changes, last minute recommendations, and building codes.
Thanx for stopping by. You ask if I have done this before: no. This is the first garage (and last) garage I am/will plan(ning). I have been on Garage Journal for more than 15 years and have taken note of other's great ideas -- and, just as importantly, other's failures/errors. I have been planning this garage for 12 years -- but was denied building it. That stumbling block was removed via divorce several years ago.
If you are asking if I have built a garage before -- emphatically no. I wouldn't know where to begin, what planning factors to consider at each stage, nor which stage needed to come before which stage. I researched carefully various GCs and am either a very good judge of same or extraordinarily lucky. The GC is Amish and the crew are his four Amish sons. They are expert at converting what I want into what you see.
Did I draw up the plans? Yes and No. I am not an architect nor an engineer. My GC took my "plans" and notes to an engineering firm and had building/architectural plans drawn up and filed with the regional building office. My plans consisted of near to-scale Power Point (PPT) sketches (the file has 17 slides one of which is on post #1).
My inexperience and lack of knowledge were just recently (3 days ago) revealed: on my PPT design I had the dirty room at 20' by 8' -- a bit skinny but workable. I wanted to maximize the open floor space. In reality, it'll end up being 19+' by 7' 3". The "wall" in PPT in just a line. In reality that wall, supporting the weight of the building or loft, and roof/shingles and any snow, has thickness; a coupla inches in each wall. Since I have in-floor pex lines for heat, I couldn't enlarge the room by simply shifting the wall a foot or so to reclaim lost width -- guess I'll need to reduce my waistline.
To anyone following these footsteps, PPT is good as far as it goes; others have used eXcel with each cell set equal to a square foot. Use Sketch-Up or a simply CAD program to get your dimensions correct -- account for the thickness of walls and other features. Second most-important thing: be flexible and KNOW what you want. While the 36x48 box hasn't changed in my head for years, I have needed to make several (6-7) significant changes in the last 4-5 months to accommodate reality and adapt to changes, last minute recommendations, and building codes.
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
I just figured out I could post a photo progress report of the major construction phases of my build.
25SEP19 - Starting Point
06OCT19 - Clearing Trees
18OCT19 - Setting Posts
25OCT19 - Attaching Girts/Installing LVLs
08NOV19 - Trusses and Roof
19NOV19 - Garage Sheeted
05DEC19 - Crete-Heat Installed
25SEP19 - Starting Point
06OCT19 - Clearing Trees
18OCT19 - Setting Posts
25OCT19 - Attaching Girts/Installing LVLs
08NOV19 - Trusses and Roof
19NOV19 - Garage Sheeted
05DEC19 - Crete-Heat Installed
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Craig Balzer
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Ak Jim
Well-known member
Thx for the reply. I think it looks great with a lot of good ideas. As far as your dirty room being a little skinny, I guess nothing can be perfect. I did a garage addition and should have included a storage room to keep all of the **** in. After all of the work and expense it would not have been that much more to add a little more sqft. Looking forward to more updates!
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Craig Balzer
Well-known member
Another day and the loft is complete except for the staircase (stringers are due 24-26Feb20).
Not much to say - photos tell the story.
While his sons finished construction of the loft, the father/GC owner ran cabling for more power circuits both 110 and 220 and the last of the ceiling lamps. The electrician is due to work Saturday/Sunday 22/23FEB20 to finish it up.
Next week: the boiler/manifold is finalized and propane tank delivered and hooked up. Heat in February -- good idea.
Not much to say - photos tell the story.
While his sons finished construction of the loft, the father/GC owner ran cabling for more power circuits both 110 and 220 and the last of the ceiling lamps. The electrician is due to work Saturday/Sunday 22/23FEB20 to finish it up.
Next week: the boiler/manifold is finalized and propane tank delivered and hooked up. Heat in February -- good idea.
