32'x32' - Lake Garage & Loft Workshop - New Build

[Backlight]

I’ve finally started my garage build – it’s a 32 x 32 with a second story loft/shop.

There is no way I could ever build anything like this in the city where I am at the moment, so I've decided to build it at the lake/cottage. It will serve me well there and will provide space to keep the boat/toys. The unfortunate part is I will not have use of it during the week.

The plan is to get the shell up and water tight before the snow flies. The floor, electrical and whatnot will be done in the spring. I have longer term plans for heat and a number of other items but that will come over time and as funds permit.

Here is the design – it took a while to finalise on this, I'm hoping it turns out as I expect it to. I had to make a few compromises to meet township height restrictions and other planning laws.

Thanks too all on GJ for the inspiration and ideas!

 

[Backlight]

Before the excavation could start I had to get the hydro pole swapped out,. There was not adequate clearance under the lines to get all the equipment in.

I cut down a number of trees and cleared the area before I had the excavator in.

The excavation look a fair amount more than I was expecting. Everything was solid rock. We got down 4 feet where there was soil and bedrock everywhere else.

The trench down the middle is for utilities – water, sewer, power and comms.. Tried to get down 4 feet here as well, to keep the water below the frost line, but it would have taken days to do it everywhere with the breaker on the excavator. I could not justify the cost so will heat trace the pipe. It’s down 3 + feet which is not bad considering what we were up against.

 

[Hugo L.]

Nice plans!

Quite a lot of rocks there, excavation must've cost a pretty penny!

How far is your cottage from your home?

 

[Backlight]

Nice plans!

Quite a lot of rocks there, excavation must've cost a pretty penny!

How far is your cottage from your home?

Thanks Hugo!

It was more expensive than I would have liked... The crushed stone and clean fill added to the cost as well.

Cottage is about 3 hours from the house - I tend to work from there on Friday or Monday so that helps stretch the weekends out a bit.

 

[Backlight]

The foundation went in a few weeks ago. The footings took 8 yards of concrete as a result of all the steps. A pump truck was needed for the footings and the walls due to the terrain.

Unfortunately I was only there to see the last day of the work and the crew stripping the forms.

I added R10 Dow foam as a thermal break between the foundation wall and the future heated slab. I will install R10 foam under the slab as well.

 

[Backlight]

Here is where it is as of today, backfill is done, trees with allot more colour then when I started.. I've got the truss and floor packages on order, hoping to start framing in November! Hope the weather holds out.

 

[Backlight]

Framing started in late November - these photos are from about 2 weeks ago. It's going to be nice having 9' doors (I'm used to the standard 7' suburban doors)...

 

[sunsation288]

Subscribed , i like the dimension , please keep the picture coming

 

[MacTexas]

I like the dimension also, same size as mine. I like the steel beam also.

 

[Backlight]

Thanks for the comments gents!

I made it up to the lake today, the crew is progressing with the framing. It's taking them a bit longer than it would in the summer due to the weather.

I'm pleased with how things are looking so far! Too bad I won't really get to use it until the spring.... That said I've been able to get my ATV inside which is nice.

 

[48windsor]

Nice job . Appreciate all pictures . When you were in planning stage how did you come up with size ?I would like to build a small two car garage /shop . With one side for my 48, and the other workspace .Contemplated steel building ,my only concern is insulating it and mold .

 

[Backlight]

Nice job . Appreciate all pictures . When you were in planning stage how did you come up with size ?I would like to build a small two car garage /shop . With one side for my 48, and the other workspace .Contemplated steel building ,my only concern is insulating it and mold .

Thanks 48Windsor..

I suppose there were a few factors that determined the size:

1. The number of items I wanted to store in the garage over the winter.
2. Size and lot coverage restrictions imposed by the township.
3. The fact this was the biggest clear span my designer could certify without having to engage an engineer and have the plans stamped.
4. Cost -I really could not afford or justify (to the wife) going much larger.

 

[KCarGuy]

Im curious on how the joist hangers and the beam are joined.
I cant really tell by the photo.
I did my setup a little different, a 2x8 on top of the I-Beam (Laying Down) and my 2x10's overlap the I-Beam by 2 feet (off set).
So, the entire Beam is exposed.
I didnt go with the engineered Joists, like you went with. I used 2x10 lumber because my Brother-in-law used those for his New Living room floor (long Run), and he has a Bounce in the middle of the floor.
But, your run doesnt look as long.
Looks Great so far. Cant wait to see more progress.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Nice work, keep the pics coming,

 

[kyle@hcb]

Great space!

 

[Backlight]

Im curious on how the joist hangers and the beam are joined.
I cant really tell by the photo.
I did my setup a little different, a 2x8 on top of the I-Beam (Laying Down) and my 2x10's overlap the I-Beam by 2 feet (off set).
So, the entire Beam is exposed.
I didnt go with the engineered Joists, like you went with. I used 2x10 lumber because my Brother-in-law used those for his New Living room floor (long Run), and he has a Bounce in the middle of the floor.
But, your run doesnt look as long.
Looks Great so far. Cant wait to see more progress.

The beam has a 2x8 wood plate on the top of it, a top flange joist hanger is affixed to this and the joist hung. This Link shows a good example.

From what I understand this provides additional rigidity and also gives additional height (as opposed to the joists sitting on top of the beam).

I'm hoping I don't end up with a bounce in the floor, the span is only 16' and I've used 3/4" T&G plywood (glued and screwed)..

 

[Backlight]

Nice work, keep the pics coming,

Thanks!

Hopefully I'll have a picture of the garage doors installed this week. If not the next time I'm going to make it up is just after Christmas. By then it should be water tight with just the siding to go... The siding will be done with Hardie Plank.

 

[KCarGuy]

very Nice.
Thats what I thought, but the link confirmed it.
Your setup is alot like my setup...30 wide...a 2 car door and a single car door...Sandwiched 2x4 column instead of steel columns holding up the Beam.
I have mine between the two Doors...Leaning more toward the 2 Car side.
So I have a (20 foot span on one side and a 10 on the other side)
what was going to be storage, wound up a small storage area and a Bar/Poker/Music?TV/Cigar area.
a second level is Great!
Good Luck.

 

[flippin]

Hey Backlight what lake are you on?

 

[Backlight]

very Nice.
Thats what I thought, but the link confirmed it.
Your setup is alot like my setup...30 wide...a 2 car door and a single car door...Sandwiched 2x4 column instead of steel columns holding up the Beam.
I have mine between the two Doors...Leaning more toward the 2 Car side.
So I have a (20 foot span on one side and a 10 on the other side)
what was going to be storage, wound up a small storage area and a Bar/Poker/Music?TV/Cigar area.
a second level is Great!
Good Luck.

Awesome - do you have a build thread? Would like to see it if you do.

Looking forward to the second floor as well. It's a clean slate, not sure what it's going to be yet. It has 9' ceilings in the middle which is a good height.

I asked the designer if I needed jack posts, he said it was not required and the sandwiched 2x6's met code and would work just fine.

 

[Backlight]

Hey Backlight what lake are you on?

Bob's Lake - in the Land of Lakes district just North of Kingston. It's a pretty big lake as they go in the area.

 

[flippin]

Figured you were close by when I saw the CRS sign at your jobsite. Bob's is a great lake, fished it a few times. Great build and don't fret about only weekend access. It'll make you enjoy your weekends even more and think about your retirement dream home!!

 

[toofart]

Great build! I have roughly the same setup -- 32x33 albeit with a smaller loft -- 12x33 -- but the extra space is really nice. Keep posting pics!

 

[dubber]

Awesome project! Definitely going to be keeping tabs.

 

[msgross]

We love Bob's Lake... head up there once a year to visit friends...

 

[Backlight]

We love Bob's Lake... head up there once a year to visit friends...

Nice! I've been on the lake since I was a kid. What area of the lake are your friends on?

 

[Backlight]

Figured you were close by when I saw the CRS sign at your jobsite. Bob's is a great lake, fished it a few times. Great build and don't fret about only weekend access. It'll make you enjoy your weekends even more and think about your retirement dream home!!

Thanks Flippin!! It's my long term intent to winterise (read re-build) the cottage and make it a retirement option!

I've never had much luck fishing, guess I don't have the patience. That said I've seen some decent size fish come out of the lake!

 

[jesse72]

I like your plan and design, look forward to seeing the progress!

 

[justin1795]

neat design

 

[edgars23]

I love the design.

 

[Backlight]

Garage doors are in!

Doors are from CHI - Carriage House, model 5916 - R 16.55

They are quite hefty however I plan to install a pair of LiftMaster 8500's in the Spring so it's really not a concern.

 

[Backlight]

Second floor is now framed, remainder of the trusses are in, roof is sheathed and shingles are on. However you can't see them due to the snow! I'm actually surprised the snow is sticking considering the 10/12 pitch.

 

[Backlight]

Second floor interior photos. Insulating the sloped sections could be interesting if I want to get R50.

 

[Backlight]

Finally made it up to the lake this weekend, still lots of snow..

Outside the garage is done! Now to get services installed, the floor done and start on the inside.

 

[Gentle_Ben]

What a beautiful location. Love the design of the garage. I would have loved to have a loft just like this.

 

[Backlight]

What a beautiful location. Love the design of the garage. I would have loved to have a loft just like this.

Thanks! I'm pleased with the design and how it's come together so far.

I wish I had more time to work on it, it's limited to the weekends. It will take a while to get it to where I would like it, however I guess that's half the fun!

 

[Gentle_Ben]

Thanks! I'm pleased with the design and how it's come together so far.

I wish I had more time to work on it, it's limited to the weekends. It will take a while to get it to where I would like it, however I guess that's half the fun!

Is your cabin further down the hill towards the lake?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Looking great, i just love it.

Thanks for the update.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Nice, love the design and colors green/white always a great combination

Fantastic loft !!

 

[Backlight]

Is your cabin further down the hill towards the lake?

Yes, just down the hill, you can see it in this picture. It's the one with the green roof. Everything is a bit sad looking in the winter, I'll have to take a few more photos when summer arrives (if it ever does)..



At some point I hope to renovate the cottage and turn it into a four season property, it's a three season at the moment. When I do I'll stay with the garage style/colour combination.


On a side note I've taken a look through your build thread, your garage is amazing! I especially love the ceiling, interior and exterior lighting. Good work