Chris' Garage Update

[conv440]

It's finally time to cleanout and fixup the garage. My starting point is a 24.5' x 26' detached 2 car garage that I built in 1997. I never finished in the interior and it has been a dumping ground for the last 12 years. The garage will serve as a combination auto repair shop and woodworking shop, not always compatible goals (e.g. sawdust). My plan is as follows:
- Empty everything out.
- Upgrade wiring for compressor, lighting, additional outlets.
- Add cable, telephone and wire for speakers.
- Install black pipe for compressor lines.
- Add some type of exhaust fan for painting and general ventillation.
- Add heat and A/C.
- Insulate and sheetrock ceiling and walls.
- Paint.
- Clean floor and apply sealer.
- Upgrade workbench and storage cabinets.
- Build a 10'x10' backyard shed to store yard tools and equipment.
- 4 post lift someday which involves raising garage door tracks.

Here are some 'before' shots:

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck. Does your user name refer to the Convair 440 and if so what is the connection.

 

[conv440]

No, convertible Challenger 440. It's hiding under the car cover.

 

[XR80David]

Why don't you want to epoxy the floor? Your just going to seal the cement?

 

[conv440]

I would really like to but I'm afraid that I'm too tough on floors. I weld, use engine stands and paint. I also use the garage for my cars so it will see hot tires, snow, ice and salt. From everything I've read on the flooring threads an epoxy finish wouldn't last. I could be wrong.

 

[PurdueSD]

I would really like to but I'm afraid that I'm too tough on floors. I weld, use engine stands and paint. I also use the garage for my cars so it will see hot tires, snow, ice and salt. From everything I've read on the flooring threads an epoxy finish wouldn't last. I could be wrong.

I hear you, i am in the same boat. Just heard (and seen) to many horror stories. I would love to have a nice bright floor, but the reality of it is...i dont want to be afraid to use it. I think in the next couple years somebody will finally come up with a better solution...

Looks like you've got a real nice place there!

 

[conv440]

Air lines are run. I can't believe how many leaks I had, 5 total and I thought I was being sooo careful. I ended up running a lot more line than I thought and adding a drop in the middle of the ceiling for future use. I created risers at the drops and added a water purge that dumps outside.
I also ran a mess of wire for 20 amp outlets and 15 amp lighting. I decided to go with plugs for the ceiling lights rather than hardwiring. This way I can change/move fitures whenever I want.
Happy but tired.

 

[conv440]

The site for the shed is cleared and leveled more or less. You can see that the location is a little tight with trees and a swing set on all sides. I'm probably a little inside the 5' setback required on the back side. [turns out I'm 6' off so no problem there] I'm still seeking a detailed design for a simple 10' x 10' shed that I can put on 4x4 skids if anyone could help with that.
I got a basic 18,000 BTU A/C unit and cut a hole up high on one wall. It sure was nice to work in a cool garage this weekend with how hot and humid it's been lately. I should be even more comfortable once everything is insulated. No word back from the contractor on an estimate for the insulation and sheetrock.
The last completed project was installing the whole house fan for cooling and ventilating exhaust, paint fumes, etc. Last thing on the HVAC punch list is a heater. I've got no ideas where to go so I'll go lurk on the heating/AC board for a while.

 

[XR80David]

The site for the shed is cleared and leveled more or less. You can see that the location is a little tight with trees and a swing set on all sides. I'm probably a little inside the 5' setback required on the back side. I'm still seeking a detailed design for a simple 10' x 10' shed that I can put on 4x4 skids if anyone could help with that.
I got a basic 18,000 BTU A/C unit and cut a hole up high on one wall. It sure was nice to work in a cool garage this weekend with how hot and humid it's been lately. I should be even more comfortable once everything is insulated. No word back from the contractor on an estimate for the insulation and sheetrock.
The last completed project was installing the whole house fan for cooling and ventilating exhaust, paint fumes, etc. Last thing on the HVAC punch list is a heater. I've got no ideas where to go so I'll go lurk on the heating/AC board for a while.

Hey how much was that LG AC unit? I had a Mitsubishi Mr. Slim and it is shot and I want to get a new one but don't want to spend more than a grand on one.

 

[conv440]

The AC unit was $349 at home depot. 220v with a remote control, nice.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...ductId=100527420&N=10000003+90401+503451+2647

I swear I should just have 1/2 my paycheck forwarded to them each week!

 

[conv440]

Major progress in the last week. I got started on insulating the garage ceiling. I'd like to get that done before the cold weather sets in. Also began construction on the shed. After pricing some pre-build sheds locally and from Lowes/HD etc I decided to go ahead and build it myself. It is 8'x12' and will have a standard gable end roof.

 

[zimpala]

Looking good Chris. I just wanted to ask about your insulation in the ceiling. You might want to staple on the inboard side of the joists. That way you can glue the sheetrock to the bottom of the joist. You can overlap like that on the walls, because you dont need to glue the wall board. Keep up the good work.

 

[conv440]

Hey zimpala are you saying that I should bend the paper sides of the insulation down toward the floor and push the insulation up into the joist cavity and then staple on the insides of the joists? I guess that makes sense in terms of leaving a nice flat surface for the wall board. What about the vapor barrier, won't that allow moisture to migrate up?

 

[Mikea57]

Chris,
Keep up the good work. It's looking great! I've got the same size garage so I'm watching your progress to get ideas. I'll be using it for the same type uses that you will also. I'm taking it that yours doesn't have an accessible upstairs. Mine does, which I'll also be finishing out. How far apart did you space electrical outlets?

 

[conv440]

Hey Mike,
Glad to have some company. The attic is accessible from a set of stairs around the back. The garage is built into a hill so the back wall is about 7' below grade. There is only about 5' height in the attic so I won't be finishing that space, storage only.
I did not install a ton of outlets because I've lived with the garage for so many years I've got a good feel for where I need the juice. I think code calls for an outlet every 6' but that may just be for a house. My main source of power comes from a retractible extension cord mounted in the center of the ceiling.
The framing for the shed roof went up this weekend in the rain and drizzle. I framed everything I could until I ran out of 2x4's. Someone miscalculated. Also got the T-111 siding on and cut out the window. Will post pixs soon.

 

[alkemyst]

Hey how much was that LG AC unit? I had a Mitsubishi Mr. Slim and it is shot and I want to get a new one but don't want to spend more than a grand on one.

The Mits. a/c's are sort of the cadillac of units. Usually a space one would use one would not be well served with a typical wall/window unit.

My wife had one in her place in Japan, we used one in our server room as a backup to main a/c.

 

[conv440]

The roof is on the shed! At least the roof decking is in place. It was amazing how rigid the whole structure became once the decking was attached. I had to rebuild the gable ends due to some minor angle miscalculations but it's done and looks good. Still left to go are gable siding, doors, corner posts and trim.

 

[jhn9840]

Great looking garage redo! Please keep the pics coming,

jhn9840
John

 

[russlaferrera]

Looks great. The shed will help greatly. Here in Virginia this is how we measure wealth. The more sheds the more stuff.

 

[conv440]

Sorry, been away for a while. The shed is done. The garage is all cleared out and insulated. I waxed the car inside the garage today. 46 degrees outside but it was a toasty 70 inside and I don't even have a heater in there yet. Next up is sheet rock, tape and spackle.

 

[cyclopsblown34]

That's one nice shed. You'd never get that with a prefab unit.