Single car garage in Indianapolis

allinon72 · Oct 29, 2011

Just bought my first house here in Indy. Looked at some houses with bigger garages, but we loved this house. Only downside is that it only had a single car garage. I was willing to compromise though, I like the challenge :bounce:

This garage, as you can see in the pics, has a flat roof even, so I'll have to get real creative! I didn't get any before pictures, but the wall facing the house was finished with 1 plaster layer and 1 cement board layer, which was fun demoing. The rest of the garage was lined by the previous owner with really cheap 1x1 wooden tiles. Not sure what the heck he was thinking but it was hell removing those, along with about 200 nails.

So far I have demoed everything, ran a dedicated circuit to the garage, added 6 outlets (now 7 total), added 3 florescent light fixtures, and added a Craftsman screw drive garage door opener.

Here are my plans:
- Fix damaged concrete at the front of the garage
- Build soffit shelf at the front of the garage
- Add recessed lighting in soffit
- Insulate with R13
- Drywall
- Racedeck or similar type of flooring

I am hoping to have the drywall in and mudded by the time it really gets cold.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Oct 29, 2011

What are the dimensions? 12' X 20'?

allinon72 · Nov 2, 2011

Built a shelf at the front of the garage for storage. My plan is to put some lighting underneath (recessed or pendant, haven't decided). That's where my workbench will be.

bradroe · Nov 2, 2011

Looking forward to watching this come together. Im in Martinsville. Good Luck.

Lawson4450 · Nov 2, 2011

my mom lives in indianapolis so i am familiar with some of the houses out there this should be a cool build.

ridestreet · Nov 3, 2011

i love seeing single car garages done up nicely

Kevin54 · Nov 3, 2011

Just a word of advice and to save you some time....before you put up a shelf, toss up some insulation and either drywall or OSB and run some electrical outlets and a run of wire. That way the shelf wouldn't have to come down to do it. Indy gets cold in the winter.

LoRollinLS · Nov 3, 2011

i like it, its all small and cozy, lol jk. looks like it will be fun to start modifying it to your liking, i like raw garage revamps like this! good luck

Jack Olsen · Nov 3, 2011

Nothing wrong with a small shop.

But the reason there was sheet rock along that wall was to meet fire code. Any wall that butts up against living space has to have a certain fire rating. You already have plans to replace it, so it's not a big problem. But you'll run into trouble in the meantime if an inspector sees it torn down, and (of course) you'd want it in the event that something in the garage catches fire.

Rich H. · Nov 3, 2011

X2

Definitely replace it if it's not to your liking, but please use fire rated sheetrock to comply with local building codes on the wall facing the house.

allinon72 · Nov 3, 2011

Don't worry guys, I'll be insulating it and using fire rated drywall on all walls.

LoRollinLS · Nov 7, 2011

I like how you have a small man door out the back for easy access instead of having to open the roll up door. I'm always more attracted to out of the ordinary style homes / garages that aren't cookie cutter.

allinon72 · Nov 8, 2011

Installed some work lights.

onemore · Nov 8, 2011

NIce I also have a 1 car shop, a mess right now, but planning on a 10x8 storage shed for all the kids and lawn stuff. Enjoy!

allinon72 · Nov 8, 2011

Today I replaced the screen door with a real exterior door. I can actually lock up my stuff now!

five0jo · Nov 8, 2011

I have to admire your desire for a challenge and willingness to put in the work! From what I have seen on this site, I sometimes think the smaller spaces force people to be more creative and keep their spaces cleaner. I would like to see the house that makes this worth the effort, though!

TurboCup87 · Nov 8, 2011

Is there room to expand? I've expanded two garages. First was to extend a 1 car into a two car inline garage. My current garage was extended to a 25'x41' deep garage with room for 4 cars and more.

If there isn't sufficient room, kudos to you for making your garage as functional as possible.

allinon72 · Nov 8, 2011

There is room to expand forward only, and vault the ceiling. That's a couple years away though.

Blackbomber · Nov 8, 2011

Awesome - another garage like mine in size. I'm subscribing.

We small garage guys ARE forced to be more creative.

ddl2004 · Nov 9, 2011

Room to expand forward only? I'm assuming the first photo is misleading? I thought you had room to the right...

ddl2004 · Nov 9, 2011

Saw you removed your Explorer's roof racks... I did the same with mine.

allinon72 · Nov 9, 2011

ddl2004 said:
Room to expand forward only? I'm assuming the first photo is misleading? I thought you had room to the right...

Yes it is misleading...the property line is right there so no room to expand into a 2 car.

Falcon67 · Nov 9, 2011

Jack Olsen said:
Nothing wrong with a small shop.

X42 - some space better than no space. Lots to be said for a compact work area. Like Alan Jackson sings, it's OK to be little bitty. :thumbup:

allinon72 · Jan 9, 2012

Haven't updated in a while, but here are some updates! Started insulating, had to do some reframing due to studs that were not 16" on center (whoever built this just eyeballed it, says my neighbor). Also found some termite damage. I also redid my fluorescent lights. I just need to finish insulating the ceiling and drywall will begin.

usafmora · Jan 9, 2012

Near Columbus here, watching your work. Small places make the mind be more creative.

JoeM5127 · Jan 9, 2012

Looks like you are off to great start.

LoRollinLS · Jan 10, 2012

Love what your doing with the place man. I don't believe that you ever told us what your dimensions are. Those over head shelves REALLY come in handy.

HSpencer · Jan 10, 2012

Looking Great!!

redlinetoys · Jan 10, 2012

Hey! Great to finally see a garage smaller than mine!

I am in a decent size 2 car now (still too small), but my first house was a 1928 bungalow with a very small 2 car garage (as in a pair of Model A cars would just barely fit). My solution was to build a LARGE mini barn next to the garage and attach it with a small walkway through the existing side window location (maybe you could do the same in back if you don't have property on the side.)

I kept my workbench, bench grinder, vice, drill press, air compressor, roll around tool box, etc all in the mini barn and the loft was great for storage. It had a conventional 36" insulated door on the front instead of barn doors and made a great cozy fab shop and good storage for "stuff". And it was very easy to move between the two buildings while working on projects.

I am about an hour north of you with similar weather. I think you will find that after it is all insulated and drywalled, it will take very little to heat. I have found that one of those small $40 110v oil filled radiator style heaters will keep a space like this warm all winter on a very low setting (that is if you are keeping the overhead shut).

Subscribed!

allinon72 · Jan 10, 2012

LoRollinLS said:
Love what your doing with the place man. I don't believe that you ever told us what your dimensions are. Those over head shelves REALLY come in handy.

The garage is 20x11.

Insulation is DONE as of today. Drywall will start hopefully in a couple weeks. After that, look out for some unique storage projects!

tuner4life · Jan 11, 2012

Indy is a very nice city. I end up down there at least once a month. Nice project. Looks like it's coming along quite nicely!

LoRollinLS · Jan 11, 2012

allinon72 said:
The garage is 20x11.

Insulation is DONE as of today. Drywall will start hopefully in a couple weeks. After that, look out for some unique storage projects!

Oh ok, so we are not much different. I run my operations in a 25 x 12. I can't wait for the new storage projects, I need some new ideas, lol. :thumbup:

Keep us updated friend. :beer:

allinon72 · Jan 11, 2012

Won't be doing much parking inside the garage...I drive an F150 and it won't fit. But my gf occasionally parks inside.

allinon72 · Jan 14, 2012

Started my workbench today. HF 13 drawer cabinet will be integrated into it.

USMCdodge · Jan 14, 2012

cant wait to see the workbench. I have a single car garage too. i just wish i had a little more space. but it is nice and easy to keep clean.

allinon72 · Jan 16, 2012

More progress on the bench. Yes my floor is incredibly unlevel.

jksmith · Jan 16, 2012

looks good, i live on the South Side of indy

in the middle of remodeling our basement, then i get to start the work on the garage.

allinon72 · Jan 16, 2012

HF 13 drawer cabinet will go here:

I'm putting doors on this side for storage:

JoeM5127 · Jan 16, 2012

Like the workbench.

allinon72 · Jan 21, 2012

Made a few changes to the bench. Finally got the top on, decided to go with 3/4" MDF. Next I'll be making doors for the right side.

Single car garage in Indianapolis

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