40x40 post frame help!

[Corybens11]

I’m looking at doing a 40x40x14 post frame this year with a 12x12 and 10x10 doors. I’m looking for tips, advise, and pictures! I want to be able to visualize the space. I’m going to use it for auto repair/work shop and storage for my toys.

What I’m think for the main wall is a service door within the first 5 feet from the corner, then the 12 foot door, then 5 feet, then the 10 foot door, and then 8 feet to the corner if that makes sense.

I will eventually have a two post lift at the 12 foot door

Thanks guys!

 

[rok_hunter]

I've got a 30x40x12 that is being built as we speak, in the FL panhandle. It's got a single 10x10 roll-up, a walk through door and two windows. On the next one, I'm going to move the drive-through door further over instead of on the end so I have working space on both sides of my vehicle without having to "angle" it in. I am getting a 4" fiber reinforced slab rated at 3,000 psi, which the builder said is more than adequate for my planned use (heaviest vehicle will be a 3/4-ton truck once in a while, otherwise small tractor/ATV/boat/etc.).

My design is using 12' post spacing for the drive-in bay (to make room for the roll-up door), 10' post spacing for the middle, and 8' post spacing on the "right" side.

I just ordered a 36k BTU MrCool DIY Mini-Split unit for temperature control, and will be using closed-cell spray in foam for insulation.

Lighting was my hardest choice....I've finally settled on either 10 or 12 8' Lithonia LED light strips, suspended at a 12' height, in either a 5x2 or 6x2 configuration. Using the visual-3d.com illumination tool for this specific light, I'll either have 72 to 86 fc of illumination on my 36" work plane. There's a great lighting thread that's a million pages long here that a guy named Platonic Solid has been working that is an incredible wealth of knowledge. He advocates for 90fc of illumination at 30", and other resources I've read say a good workshop is between 50-100fc so I'm satisfied I'll be in the ballpark with whichever light setup I finally buy. I should be doing electrical in 3-4 weeks or so, and I'll follow back up then.

 

[Corybens11]

Looks nice! Rok_hunter

 

[astroracer]

Get some graph paper and do some layouts. Keeping the doors 5 or 6' off the interior walls is the best thing you can do. Leaves room for working and benches with a car parked inside. Also keeps the hoist off the wall for pass-by with a car on the lift.
Grizzly has a decent shop planner you can use to layout your shop as well, it is here:
https://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner
Mark

 

[Corybens11]

Ok thanks. Anyone have any pictures?

 

[Awag]

Why put in a 12' door then limit your drive through to a little over 8' with a lift. I would think putting the lift in the 10' bay would be better. Then if you ever need to pull in a camper or trailer you'll have room in the 12x12 door.

 

[brownbagg]

if you havenot poured the slab yet, you need to go 4000 just for the lift requirement. remeber the finisher going wet the mud so your 3000 is now a 2200 and that wont hold a lift

 

[forAK]

Attached is my 40x40 stick built shop. It's actually an addition to a 32x26, I added to the front..... I've got 3 doors - 2 10x8 and 1 12x12'6" in the center to accommodate my class C. The right bay is the lift bay snugged up towards the front so i can still use the space behind it.

 

[Corybens11]

Attached is my 40x40 stick built shop. It's actually an addition to a 32x26, I added to the front..... I've got 3 doors - 2 10x8 and 1 12x12'6" in the center to accommodate my class C. The right bay is the lift bay snugged up towards the front so i can still use the space behind it.

very nice shop!

 

[Corybens11]

Why put in a 12' door then limit your drive through to a little over 8' with a lift. I would think putting the lift in the 10' bay would be better. Then if you ever need to pull in a camper or trailer you'll have room in the 12x12 door.

i want the 12 foot door for the lift so i can fit cube vans and dump bed trucks in for the lift

 

[bobj49f2]

Keeping the doors away from the walls is a great idea. My 30'X50' was built by the previous owner who used it mainly to store his RV. I don't think he did much work in it. I was uninsulated and the doors are only about a foot from the walls on one side and less on the other. Makes it a bit difficult to pull anything straight into the building. But it's still a lot better than not having a shop.

I have storage lockers on the left side of the building and a desk with computer on the right side. I have my lift about mid way on the right side, not much room between the lift post and the wall. I would like to have more but again, better than nothing. I really like the place and the little problems are nothing.

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