Basement Garrage Ideas

[arbadacarba]

My lovely wife and I are looking at a couple of houses, and though they each have decent garage spaces, they also have large unused basements. (2200 square feet in one case)

Since my primary addictions is motorcycles, and I live in a part of the world that is COLD 5 months of the year, I'm fantasizing about a work space that is warm.

I currently have a tiny one car garage that is beneath our guest room, so this seems possible.

My thoughts are to build a sealed up garage in a section of the basement with a smallish roll up door to get bikes in and out. Perhaps install some kind of evacuation fan system just in case, though I don't intend to have much if any petrol in the building.

I'm wondering if anyone has done this, and if anyone has any tips or things to look out for.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jawn]

That's very common here, older ones like mine are not even sealed off very well from the rest of the house.

You didn't say what part of the world you're in, but look at your local building codes - there may be very specific requirements on how it's closed off from the rest of the house. Also in the same vein, consider future access to plumbing/etc for the areas above it. Will putting up a drywall ceiling impair that access?

 

[HoosierMark]

I built a house last year with a large basement area accessed by a garage door. Code required I install 3/4 drywall in the entire garage area as a fire stop. No hvac outlets from the house furnace. I think it depends on your use. I will use mine for washing the car, storing and tinkering with a collector car, etc. No welding or fumes will be generated there. A lot of raised ranches or bi-level homes in this area have garages that are about 4 feet under ground and under living space. I think you have a great idea, I love my basement garage area but I also am very aware that I need to use common sense in what I do down there.

 

[arbadacarba]

Sorry, Southwestern Ontario.

No Vents? Hmm, if I can find the money I could do in floor heating with the waste water (about to recycle) from the geothermal system.

the plumbing etc is a good point. But one I'm willing to deal with.

Thanks

 

[Cyberbear]

You can only do what you can with the tools you have to work with area wise. Insulate as best you may for a warmer work space environment.

 

[vetron]

A friend of mine added a basement garage when he built his house in Utah. Solid concrete walls meant it was safe for welding, fabricating, even shooting small caliber rounds. Yeah he's a neat guy, not as weird as it sounds lol

 

[jimgood]

My basement shop is around 1100 sq ft. I'm into cars but I'm on the fence as whether I want to bring my project car in for long term. Still trying to decide. Lots of pros and cons but mostly cons. I would do bikes in a heart beat though in this space.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286260