2400 sqft shop/apartment

[yankbuilt]

I am looking to build a 40x60 building, with living quarters up stairs.Going to be a hobby shop for hot rods. Got some questions. What ceiling height should I go with in the shop? 10 or 12 foot?And what would be my over all wall height, with a normal ceiling in the living quarters. And should I have a indoor and exterior entrance for the upstairs? And I am looking to do a steel building.Also I am looking for ideas for the living quarters. 1 person will be living there.

 

[Number22]

My old shop would have been perfect for this, I was going to build a second story in the back for an office/sleeping room, though not really an apartment. The shop ceiling was 20' total, so if I built an 8' high room on top, I'd still have 12' below. Then all the sudden I got a new shop and my plans all changed....

My new shop has 12.5" ceilings and I wish I had the 20' ceilings I used to have in the shop area. I have more square footage now though, but I definately wouldn't go below 12' in the shop.

 

[APEowner]

Since this is going to be a working shop you'll want to make sure that you have an exterior entrance to the upstairs to use as a fire escape. You may want an indoor access as well but you'll want an exterior fire rated door on it(Not just for fire safety but too keep shop fume out of the living quarters). The HVAC systems need to be separated as well.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Assuming you'll have a lift at some point, I'd say 12 feet is the minimum height for the workshop area.

 

[yankbuilt]

Great suggestions. I never gave having a lift a thought.I do want a lift 1 day,so 12 foot shop ceilings.And it sounds like a separate hvac.May look into floor heating for the shop, with the water lines run in the concrete.That would help keep dust down and with heating the floor upstairs as well.

 

[toxicz28]

I would suggest 22' at the eaves if you want a full second floor. Higher, if you want clear span on the shop level. Depending on how much you want to invest in your shop, I'm not sure a clear span would be practical. You would also need to take the upstairs flooring into consideration too.
And, if you're going to do a radiant slab, with a lift, make sure you plan out where the lift is going before the pex tubing is laid down. This way you'll be able to drill into the slab for the anchors without drilling through a tube.

 

[yankbuilt]

Thanks toxicz28, never gave lift position and water lines a thought.

 

[ponjohn]

Do a google search for "carriage house plans". This will give you ideas.

Depending on age and whether this will be your last home, I would suggest an elevator.

Good Luck.

 

[toxicz28]

Thanks toxicz28, never gave lift position and water lines a thought.

It ended up biting a good friend of mine in the ***.