40x50 Double Garage Layout Feedback

[unspunthread]

Hey all, new to the forum and looking for some advice on a new build I'm planning. Looking at some plans online and found one I like and want to expand.

Right now planning a 40' L x 50' W with a 'double garage' setup. Main vehicle garage would be 40' deep, 30' wide with a lift on one side, vaulted ceiling 15' on lowest side. Second garage would be 30' deep x 20' wide, 10' ceiling with front ~200sqft area bath/entry to ADU above. Main garage for vehicle storage & wrenching, plan to use second garage for storage/lawn equipment initially and a future wood shop area. 2 12' wide doors on front vehicle garage and single 12' wide door on side for second space.

Never had a garage/workspace this big so want to get feedback on my planned layout. Living alone, likely won't have more than 3-4 vehicles (Suburban, Fbody, Jeep, maybe 1/2 more), future house on property will likely have additional attached 2 car garage. Want enough room to maneuver and work comfortably around vehicles, would like to have a future welding/work area behind the lift too (haven't decided on 2 or 4 post, won't make you all get into that!).

Side question, planning to have this garage a couple hundred feet away from main house site. Walk doesn't bother me & will likely have side by side or something, but curious if others think I'll regret that? Appreciate any feedback.

 

[dcg9381]

Side question, planning to have this garage a couple hundred feet away from main house site. Walk doesn't bother me & will likely have side by side or something, but curious if others think I'll regret that? Appreciate any feedback.

My shop is 200-300' away. It's not abnormal for to actually walk 1-2 miles between the house and the shop on a weekend day. Frankly, it's good for me.. Downside is in the summer that 1-2 miles means 2-3 shirt changes due to the heat here.

I've got a Polaris SxS, and I do use that when I have to grab "stuff" out of the shop. Without that "tool" it'd be a major hassle to bring things like the shop vac back and forth.

 

[carlaisle]

20' is too shallow for a garage parking space. Yes, a Subaru will fit, but many full size trucks won't, even with the front bumper literally against the wall. Even if this is not a concern for you with your current vehicles, your tastes may change, you may decide to move, etc. I would be inclined toward 50 x 60 based on your stated plans, but I'm not the one writing the check.

 

[dcg9381]

20' is too shallow for a garage parking space. Yes, a Subaru will fit, but many full size trucks won't, even with the front bumper literally against the wall.

This. Don't build a 20' deep garage. 24' minimum. 28' if you have a 4-door pickup truck. Even longer if you have a long bed.

 

[unspunthread]

20' is too shallow for a garage parking space. Yes, a Subaru will fit, but many full size trucks won't, even with the front bumper literally against the wall. Even if this is not a concern for you with your current vehicles, your tastes may change, you may decide to move, etc. I would be inclined toward 50 x 60 based on your stated plans, but I'm not the one writing the check.

My current attached 2 car is 20' deep and fits the fbody fine with room to walk around on all sides or get under hood if needed. Suburban fits too just very tight. I envision there may be a tractor or jeep in there at some point but probably anything else will be in the other garage.

A couple of extra feet wouldn't hurt, but part of keeping smaller size for the secondary garage is keeping the above apartment small enough to downgrade it to an ADU in the future.

 

[dcg9381]

A couple of extra feet wouldn't hurt, but part of keeping smaller size for the secondary garage is keeping the above apartment small enough to downgrade it to an ADU in the future.

What are the details on that in your area?

I'd think you could just plan / permit it showing more "attic space" instead of livable space to get the heated sqft down... Then finish it out later? We're taxed by sqft here, can't you tell? Attic space is not counted in sqft.

 

[firebirdparts]

that's fabulous. Way better than nothing, and way better than most shops.

As far as improvements, I am not understanding the space on the left that you can't get in and out of. It seems like you need another garage door there. 9 by 7 is gracious plenty. they make lawn mower sized doors, but a 9 by 7 is cheapest.

Your work bench in line with two cars nose to tail, make that the last priority. You may decide you don't want that there.

 

[unspunthread]

What are the details on that in your area?

I'd think you could just plan / permit it showing more "attic space" instead of livable space to get the heated sqft down... Then finish it out later? We're taxed by sqft here, can't you tell? Attic space is not counted in sqft.

I'll be building this garage before the house so will be finished & be primary living for a few years at least. ADU has to be max 50% square footage of house, it's already at ~1000sqft and not planning on a huge house so don't want to go much bigger.

Extra 5ft of width would only be another 150sqft so that would be pushing it but maybe okay...will think about it and try adding to the layout as I do know it would be nice to have the extra space, but still that space will likely not house any large vehicles.

that's fabulous. Way better than nothing, and way better than most shops.

As far as improvements, I am not understanding the space on the left that you can't get in and out of. It seems like you need another garage door there. 9 by 7 is gracious plenty. they make lawn mower sized doors, but a 9 by 7 is cheapest.

Your work bench in line with two cars nose to tail, make that the last priority. You may decide you don't want that there.

Good point on the work bench, would likely be really tight with two full size cars.

On the left garage there's a door for the rear side but wasn't thinking about a second door on that side since I plan for that to be a future workshop/woodshop area, but now that you mention it I guess it could be a pain not to have at least another smaller door there. I was thinking along the lines of having more wall & storage space on that side. Don't plan to store a vehicle in there at least full time that would block using the main door but still...hmm.

 

[dcg9381]

Extra 5ft of width would only be another 150sqft so that would be pushing it but maybe okay...will think about it and try adding to the layout as I do know it would be nice to have the extra space, but still that space will likely not house any large vehicles.

I dunno your authority, but here a plan that says that is "unfinished attic space" would not get counted in sqft.

 

[unspunthread]

I dunno your authority, but here a plan that says that is "unfinished attic space" would not get counted in sqft.

I assume it's the same here, maybe I'm not picturing it correctly but just thinking it would be weird to have 40x5 feet of empty space behind the walls is all. The lower space could be open or a closet but for the living area above given my current plans there would only really be one place to access the unfinished space to use for any storage. Guess it could be closed off entirely but again just feels odd in that case.

 

[dcg9381]

I assume it's the same here, maybe I'm not picturing it correctly but just thinking it would be weird to have 40x5 feet of empty space behind the walls is all. The lower space could be open or a closet but for the living area above given my current plans there would only really be one place to access the unfinished space to use for any storage. Guess it could be closed off entirely but again just feels odd in that case.

I get it, totally depends on layout and when/if they inspect as part of the permitting process.

 

[puttinonthekritz]

I'm inclined to agree with carlaisle. Given your layout with the main larger lift garage area being only 30ft wide you're not leaving much room around vehicles of placing things against the wall ie vacuums, welders, air compressors, shelving, cabinets, garbage cans, etc. With a 2x6 wall on each end you've burned a foot, two 12 ft doors, I'd assume 2 ft in between those doors, that only leaves 1.5ft for each end cap wall.

Its a well designed shop with nice work area/storage area designation though. Again, not writing the check, but I'd go 50x60 as stated. Or at least highly consider 40x60 and add 8ft to your existing design on the main lift side with double garage doors and the remaining 2ft to the other giving you a 22ft width. In this configuration your loft would only grow 80 sq ft as well.

Also, on the same wall as the bathroom sink I'd at a large basin style utility sink on the opposite shop side. Plumbing is right there. Nice for greasy hands, dirty brushes, filling buckets, etc.

 

[unspunthread]

I'm inclined to agree with carlaisle. Given your layout with the main larger lift garage area being only 30ft wide you're not leaving much room around vehicles of placing things against the wall ie vacuums, welders, air compressors, shelving, cabinets, garbage cans, etc. With a 2x6 wall on each end you've burned a foot, two 12 ft doors, I'd assume 2 ft in between those doors, that only leaves 1.5ft for each end cap wall.

Its a well designed shop with nice work area/storage area designation though. Again, not writing the check, but I'd go 50x60 as stated. Or at least highly consider 40x60 and add 8ft to your existing design on the main lift side with double garage doors and the remaining 2ft to the other giving you a 22ft width. In this configuration your loft would only grow 80 sq ft as well.

Also, on the same wall as the bathroom sink I'd at a large basin style utility sink on the opposite shop side. Plumbing is right there. Nice for greasy hands, dirty brushes, filling buckets, etc.

Appreciate the input. Definitely looking to put a sink like that in there.

I started out with thinking just 40l x 30w shop and now am at 40x54, gotta stop somewhere lol. I redesigned the second garage to be 30' long by 24' deep with 10x24 for entry/stairs/bathroom/etc. (with 10' doors in plan but who knows) which does give me a bigger living space but I really like the new apartment layout now.

Waiting on initial quotes so still don't know how deep I'm in yet (and site costs are $$$) but I realize I'd probably appreciate the extra 6' of width on the lift side if I went 40x60. Would be probably ~4ft on door sides and ~3ft in between in that case I guess.

 

[unspunthread]

Also not sure yet on finishing or insulating garages and maybe putting in mini splits. Was initially thinking 2x4 for cost but doing some research seems like 2x6 is the way to go esp. because this will be a taller building. Am in central NC so not crazy temps but still gets hot and sometimes pretty cold.

 

[ericm]

A lot of places now the standard frame construction is 2x6.

 

[puttinonthekritz]

Id highly suggest a 4ft wide stairwell going up stairs for carrying furniture, cabinets, storage items. I also made my own 42 in wide x 8ft tall door leading up the stairs made out of oak 2x4 framing and 2" xps foam with a 1/8 in. front/back backer. Makes things a breeze carrying up large, cumbersome items.

Also, I understand aesthetic design is important however maybe try reconfiguring your bathroom so its stacked with the first floor bath. Id imagine you would save a fair amount on plumbing/piping/venting etc. in that manner. Otherwise, as is, its still a really nice layout. Just something to consider.

 

[unspunthread]

Id highly suggest a 4ft wide stairwell going up stairs for carrying furniture, cabinets, storage items. I also made my own 42 in wide x 8ft tall door leading up the stairs made out of oak 2x4 framing and 2" xps foam with a 1/8 in. front/back backer. Makes things a breeze carrying up large, cumbersome items.

Also, I understand aesthetic design is important however maybe try reconfiguring your bathroom so its stacked with the first floor bath. Id imagine you would save a fair amount on plumbing/piping/venting etc. in that manner. Otherwise, as is, its still a really nice layout. Just something to consider.

Thanks for your input. I was initially thinking 4ft wide stairs but I think it's gonna be a little too tight with them with real world dimensions it looks like. Right now am at 42" so will be wider than normal at least..would be nice to have that big door though.

As far as the bathroom, does make sense but no reasonable way for me to move them around with the floor plan as is. Every bit counts of course but at this point another thousand or so compared to the overall cost is not gonna change much...will be happy when I've got it but I already know this build is gonna hurt!