Andrew's 3 Car Garage

whatuusay1 · Oct 16, 2011

Time has come for my own thread! Many hours of research and planning has finally come together in my garage renovation. Garage Journal has been a wonderful resource and I appreciate everyone taking the time to answer questions - post examples and I wouldn't have been able to come up with everything without everyones input.

Our garage is a fairly typical 3 car (2 full size stalls and a smaller 3rd car). I'm planning on putting in 2 workbenched, 4 upper cabinets (with under lighting), 2 large cabinets, additional lighting, mini-split AC/Heatpump, new outlets, garage door opener, paint, and an epoxy floor. I'll go ahead and thank my wife for putting up with the mess and interuptions now - best wife ever!

I'm not entirely sure I did everything in the right order.. but one of the first things I did was the epoxy floor.. I was getting into colder weather and didnt want to risk it not curing correctly. So we did that first

Step 1 - Garage Floors (Complete)

We had the floor done by a local contractor we found on ServiceMagic.com - I verified the materials and prep steps he was going to use and everyting checked out. He has 10yrs experience with doing floors, and they came with a 3yr warranty. We paid $2700 for the floors - which we found compeditive when getting quotes. Its a gray color with white, black flakes. I would have done the work myself but there's no way I could have done it in the time we allotted (and the time we had the uhaul). We rented a Uhaul to store everything from the garage while we were working on the floors. The uhaul worked really well btw - 150 bucks for the week. Didnt have to mess with putting stuff in the house, and didnt worry about anything being left out in the driveway. In total the floors took 4 days - we let the floors cure for 48hrs before walking / storing anyting on them. We'll wait at least a week before parking cars on them (as if my mess will be cleaned up in a week...). Our contractor also trimmed out the garage with smartboard trim, he included the trim for free to seal the deal. I think the floors came out great - it looks perfect once the trim is up. I was on the fence on doing the floors and it really makes the room. Next Post.. Electrical.

Aspen RT · Oct 16, 2011

Wow, the floor looks great.

whatuusay1 · Oct 16, 2011

Andrew's 3 Car Garage - Electrical

Next up - Electrical.

I'm planning on doing a few electrical items - We'll be adding additional lighting (can't have enough), additional outlets (on new 20A circuits), and a circuit for the LG Minisplit AC/Heatpump. The minisplit is the LSN240HSV / LSU240HSV - LG 24,000 BTU 18.9 SEER Heat Pump.

Step 2 - Electrical (Mostly Complete)

The first step was to tear out a lower section of drywall around the garage. This was to gain access to be able to wire the new circuits and mini-split unit. This will also let me hide the minisplit plumbing in the wall which makes it look a bit nicer (imho). I used a multimax tool to notch the drywall - it went smoothly - if you havent use one of those check them out, pretty versitile tool. I pulled 3 circuits - 1 (12-2) for the Minisplit and 2 (12-2) circuits for outlets. The builder put in 2 outlets (sharing a 15A circuit) and I frequently trip them using tools (quite frustrating). I don't have a compressor yet but I'm thinking ahead.

The rough wiring is mostly done - and the disconnect for the minisplit is mounted up. I used 14-3 to interconnect the minisplit outdoor unit and the indoor unit. I need to firm up the height and location for the outlets but otherwise the electrical should be about done. Next up - Finish electrical & Mini Split Install.

mike_s · Oct 17, 2011

what tool are you using to cut that? one of those vibrating ones or a spinning one?

RuDawg68SS · Oct 18, 2011

Floor looks great! Looking forward to the rest of the improvements.

whatuusay1 · Oct 18, 2011

Mike - the tool is a Dremal Multi-Max. It vibrates - not spins. Its pretty amazing how easy it it so use and control. There are several out there - this is just the dremal branded one. Its a pretty useful tool imo.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=Multi-Max

whatuusay1 · Oct 18, 2011

Quick update for anyone buying a mini-split system... line sets arent included. For all my planning i feel pretty stupid for forgetting the lineset. The lineset isnt all that expensive (~$80 bucks for 15')... the killer is that shipping is another $80.. geeze. I called acwholesalers.com which is where i bought the unit and yep they would have shipped the lineset for free if i had included it in the original order but since i didnt.. its now 80 bucks. Ouch. I ordered the lineset from alpinehomeair.com, the lineset was the same price but only $20 shipping. Lesson learned

Lineset will be there tomorrow. Any ideas on drainage? I was thinking of using PVC or PEX and running it inside the wall and out the back. Its a standard 5/8 drain.

mike_s · Oct 18, 2011

whatuusay1 said:
Quick update for anyone buying a mini-split system... line sets arent included. For all my planning i feel pretty stupid for forgetting the lineset. The lineset isnt all that expensive (~$80 bucks for 15')... the killer is that shipping is another $80.. geeze. I called acwholesalers.com which is where i bought the unit and yep they would have shipped the lineset for free if i had included it in the original order but since i didnt.. its now 80 bucks. Ouch.

while in it end, it's your responsibility to ask these things when purchasging, you should have told them that a good supplier would have asked if you needed that at time of ordering.

whatuusay1 · Oct 19, 2011

I placed an order for 3 steel pegboard kits from seville. I'll be putting these over the workbenches. I'm using quite a few seville products in the garage - I've been really impresesd with them. They are sturdy, built well and an excellent value. Here's what I'm going with.

3 x UltraHD Pegboard set. https://www.sevilleclassics.com/products.php?pid=361

4 x UltraHD Storage Wall Cabinets. https://www.sevilleclassics.com/products.php?pid=89

2 x UltraHD Storage Cabinets. https://www.sevilleclassics.com/products.php?pid=88

2 x UltraHD Commercial Workbench. https://www.sevilleclassics.com/products.php?pid=95

I'm also using a stainless steel wall mounted shelf, which im hopoing will work well. I couldn't really find any durable single wall shelfs - aside from the typical cheesy particle board stuff. I could have just built one.. but while i don't doubt my abilities it wouldnt match very well.. and if i'm spending all this $ on the garage it better match the rest of the place :bounce:

The shelf is from webstaurantstore.com and technically designed for a commercial food service environment. It should be heavy duty and their prices were the lowest i could find.

48" Stainless Steel shelf (48x12) http://www.webstaurantstore.com/48-stainless-steel-wall-shelf-16-gauge/600WS1248HD.html

Thanks all for now

930dreamer · Oct 19, 2011

Very nice floor, can't wait for more pics.

seal killer · Oct 19, 2011

whatuusay1--

The floor is way-cool! That picture of Jim could easily be one that I took of him in my garage! (I am in Piper, right on Dub's Dread.)

Jim Bjorgo does a great job. Immediately after installing my floor, he installed one for a friend of mine. One of my friend's neighbors saw his floor and now Jim is going to do a floor for the neighbor soon.

Word gets around when you find someone like Jim that does super-quality work. I am now thinking about an epoxy floor in my basement . . .

--Bill

whatuusay1 · Oct 22, 2011

Well - a productive day, not a lot of visable progress but I'm hoping I'll have the mini-split up and running in a week. I'm hoping the new concrete pad will be in tomorrow. My dad came over to give me a had - much easier with some help

This weekend I replaced the 12-2 guage wire for the minisplit with 10-2. I had some concerns on the amperage in the manual vs what 12 guage should carry (the manual had a 25A breaker o nthe 12 guage wire). I picked up a great deal at home depot on an open package of 10-2 (47' of wire marked as 25'). woot!

I also had the AC unit for the home disconnected in prep for a new concrete pad (will fit both the main AC unit & the minisplit). I also wired up the disconnect which took some doing - 10G is a bit challenging to work with.

We mounted the minisplit bracket and opened up additional drywall to make the minisplit install easier (and cheaper since the HVAC tech wont be here as long). I've been quoted $135 to hook up the unit and ensure that the lines are correctly charged. This is a certified HVAC company familier with Minisplit units.

I also put together the upper cabinets (all 4 of them), measured where they'll go and ultimately put the Minisplit unit.

Not related to the Garage but I also put in a new shelf in the laundry room for my wife (she wanted more hanging space). I also rebuilt the steps going into the garage (they were less than building quality).

I've attached a few pics (you can thank my wife for the artistic pics)

- Andrew

Wiggum · Oct 27, 2011

Some people who install multiple wall cabinets like the Seville's next to each other like to attach them to each other before mounting so they are flush, are you doing this?

whatuusay1 · Oct 28, 2011

Wiggum said:
Some people who install multiple wall cabinets like the Seville's next to each other like to attach them to each other before mounting so they are flush, are you doing this?

Yes - I'll probably drill through them and secure them together with some machine screws.

whatuusay1 · Oct 28, 2011

Whoo Hooo - AC/Heatpump installed! I'll post pictures and a full write up when i get home (had to run into work). But the important thing.. its working great

SuperSocket · Oct 28, 2011

whatuusay1 said:
Quick update for anyone buying a mini-split system... line sets arent included. For all my planning i feel pretty stupid for forgetting the lineset. The lineset isnt all that expensive (~$80 bucks for 15')... the killer is that shipping is another $80.. geeze. I called acwholesalers.com which is where i bought the unit and yep they would have shipped the lineset for free if i had included it in the original order but since i didnt.. its now 80 bucks. Ouch. I ordered the lineset from alpinehomeair.com, the lineset was the same price but only $20 shipping. Lesson learned Lineset will be there tomorrow. Any ideas on drainage? I was thinking of using PVC or PEX and running it inside the wall and out the back. Its a standard 5/8 drain.

It depends where and what you buy. Almost every mini-split I have come across has included a line-set and was already pre-charged.

Caveat Emptor.

whatuusay1 · Oct 29, 2011

A couple of updates

3rd car garage opener is up - big thanks to my friends Michael and Josh for giving me a hand (or finger).. it may not look like it but they were a big help

The concrete pad is poured and both the AC unit and Minisplit are mounted and hooked up.

The minisplit is installed and working great - its so quiet (both inside and outside).

I insulated the cavity where the minisplit wiring and plumbing run - the rest of the garage is going to be insulated monday. I'm going with blown fiberglass (its not suposed to have the settling issue celulose has).

The wiring for the outlets has been slow going - I'm putting the outlets in the pegboard (sevile steel pegboard) which takes some time to carefully cut out the boxes. I think it'll look awesome when its done.

I'm hoping to put all the drywall back up tomorrow - and the seville cabinets if i'm lucky. The painter comes Nov 7-8th so I need to make sure I have everything ready for them

rattlesnakehoey · Oct 30, 2011

Great job, stick at it.

whatuusay1 · Oct 30, 2011

Another update

My father-in-law came over today and gave me a hand with the drywall and cabinets. Having 2 sets of hands makes everything easier. We cut and attached the drywall sections I pulled out to run the new wiring. We also hung the 4 overhead cabinets - and the center shelf. I set the stereo and wall clock up there just to get an idea how its going to look - pretty freaking sweet if you ask me

I can't wait to get the drywall mud/tape done (hiring that out) and the walls painted. I also have 3 additional overhead lights to put up.. but we'll worry about that once we can park the cars back in the garage. Pics attached - enjoy.

* edit - I also put the mounting bolts (and rubber pads) under the minisplit today. Now its solid

whatuusay1 · Nov 1, 2011

Well.. I may be mudding/taping and sanding the drywall myself.. I cant bellieve how expensive the quotes Ive been getting are. 650 for maybe 4 hours worth of work. Maybe i'm out of touch with pricing but no way I'll pay $650 for that.

e-tek · Nov 1, 2011

GREAT work so far! If you're that handy, do the drywall yourself. I know it's a $h!tty job (capital $ !!) but idiots do it for $100/hr.....

Of course once you know the trick to mudiing - it's get's 10,000% easier. Before I knew it I HATED it. Now that I do, not so bad!

Looking forward to see more!

whatuusay1 · Nov 2, 2011

I found a local company to do it for $250... much more reasonable. It'll be done in the next day or two. I cant believe such a large difference in prices.. always get multiple quotes. He was really interested in my mini-split, he said they've been getting more requests for them and liked the install

Anyways - progress! paint early next week and then i can put it back together. Not a moment to soon either, we're suposed to have snow tonight... ugh.

whatuusay1 · Nov 12, 2011

A few small upates. drywall repair is done - trim is all up, paint is underway. Its looking pretty cool

I cant wait to be done with all the mess.. the garage has a coat of drywall dust thats needs to go away...

I also decided to get a water tap and reel for the garage - to help clean and wash cars. I went with the moen hot/cold faucet and a harbor freight air/water reel.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WQYHBA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-ft-heavy-duty-retractable-air-hose-reel-46104.html

whatuusay1 · Dec 4, 2011

Ok - thread isnt dead

Its been a few weeks and a very busy couple of weeks at that. Between Thanksgiving and working everyday of the week - at times 10-14hr days I havent had a lot of time to work on the garage. I have however made progress and need to post a few new pictures (to keep people interested of course).

So to recap - paint it done, trim is done, cabinets are mounted, AC/Heatpump is done (and working very well in our 30 degree weather), Electrical is done except for a few new overhead lights. I also put out the stereo - much nicer working with some tunes

I also finished up the under cabinet lighting today - which i think looks awesome

They are 40" LED strips from www.ledwholesalers.com. Very reasonable compared to some of the LED undercabinet lights i found online.

Anyways enjoy the pics.

Nick DL · Dec 4, 2011

Looks great, thanks for sharing the update.

Ryan_C · Feb 16, 2012

Does anyone know if the Ikea Dioder LED light kits support a dimmer switch?

I am really leaning towards this 4 strip set that you can set the color:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50192365/ - $39.99 (recent price drop)

If these don't, can anyone provide any examples that are not hard on the wallet? I do like the Cool White or 5000 K - 6500 K colored light.

JakeKohl · Jun 6, 2012

whatuusay1 said:
Well - a productive day, not a lot of visable progress but I'm hoping I'll have the mini-split up and running in a week. I'm hoping the new concrete pad will be in tomorrow. My dad came over to give me a had - much easier with some help

This weekend I replaced the 12-2 guage wire for the minisplit with 10-2. I had some concerns on the amperage in the manual vs what 12 guage should carry (the manual had a 25A breaker o nthe 12 guage wire). I picked up a great deal at home depot on an open package of 10-2 (47' of wire marked as 25'). woot!

I also had the AC unit for the home disconnected in prep for a new concrete pad (will fit both the main AC unit & the minisplit). I also wired up the disconnect which took some doing - 10G is a bit challenging to work with.

We mounted the minisplit bracket and opened up additional drywall to make the minisplit install easier (and cheaper since the HVAC tech wont be here as long). I've been quoted $135 to hook up the unit and ensure that the lines are correctly charged. This is a certified HVAC company familier with Minisplit units.

I also put together the upper cabinets (all 4 of them), measured where they'll go and ultimately put the Minisplit unit.

Not related to the Garage but I also put in a new shelf in the laundry room for my wife (she wanted more hanging space). I also rebuilt the steps going into the garage (they were less than building quality).

I've attached a few pics (you can thank my wife for the artistic pics)

- Andrew

I know this is digging up an older thread, but in most cases you are allowed to run a 25 amp breaker on a 12amp line that is dedicated for that HVAC unit. The reasoning behind that is that the peak amperage draw is only for a very short time while the unit starts up and is not long enough to create any stress on the 12gauge wire. The nameplate data on the outdoor unit should display the peak amperage draw and you can use that information to double check the manufacturer's recommendation vs. code.

EmptyWallet · Jul 19, 2012

whatuusay1 said:
Ok - thread isnt dead

Its been a few weeks and a very busy couple of weeks at that. Between Thanksgiving and working everyday of the week - at times 10-14hr days I havent had a lot of time to work on the garage. I have however made progress and need to post a few new pictures (to keep people interested of course).

So to recap - paint it done, trim is done, cabinets are mounted, AC/Heatpump is done (and working very well in our 30 degree weather), Electrical is done except for a few new overhead lights. I also put out the stereo - much nicer working with some tunes

I also finished up the under cabinet lighting today - which i think looks awesome They are 40" LED strips from www.ledwholesalers.com. Very reasonable compared to some of the LED undercabinet lights i found online.

Anyways enjoy the pics.

I really really like these lights, do they provide enought light output underneath the cabinets?

whatuusay1 · Jan 18, 2013

The lights are great - very pleased with the light output

whatuusay1 · Jan 18, 2013

JakeKohl said:
I know this is digging up an older thread, but in most cases you are allowed to run a 25 amp breaker on a 12amp line that is dedicated for that HVAC unit. The reasoning behind that is that the peak amperage draw is only for a very short time while the unit starts up and is not long enough to create any stress on the 12gauge wire. The nameplate data on the outdoor unit should display the peak amperage draw and you can use that information to double check the manufacturer's recommendation vs. code.

I went with 10/2 so it's not an issue

55cadillacking · Jan 18, 2013

I'm just seeing this thread for the first time, but I like what I'm seeing. Is there any chance of seeing where things are at now? I applaud all the hard work you have put in.

whatuusay1 · May 17, 2013

Newest addition to the garage is 2 fold.. I added an irrigationcaddy and an automation controller (Vera3 Z-Wave) to monitor the garage door status (among other things). I can also open/close the door and track its status. The irrigation caddy is a network connected sprinkler system (with iphone/andriod apps). I can open/close the garage and water the lawn from anywhere in the world

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