Converting a grainery into a garage

[Blue]

Anyone ever convert a grainery into a garage?

I have been thinking about converting our grainery into a garage. Right now, I am just concerned about using the center section, where the tractor is parked in the below photos. The grainery also has two “wings,” which were used to store grain, and a small upstairs section.

I figured I would cover up the vent holes in the wall with plywood. Again, this would just be in the center section. There's currently a grain conveyor going up the right wall, I figured I'd leave that in place and just work around it.

Anyone ever seen this done? Anyone have any advice? It seems like it would be simple to seal off this center section and make a nice garage, but I’m sure some problems will come up.

It’s 23x13, has 220v and 120v service, and a nice concrete floor. It also has big sliding doors in the front and back for pulling vehicles in and out. I figure if I can seal out the weather, it would be a nice place to work on a car. It's a little small (300 sq ft), but I'm getting tired of working outside!

 

[bmwpower]

Interesting...I assume the blocks with holes in them are concrete? If so, I would fill in the holes with concrete before covering them up with plywood, but it's probably not total necessary.

What's on the ceiling? Normal ceiling joists?

 

[Blue]

Yup, normal ceiling joists.

Fill in each little vent hole with concrete? Ugh.

 

[bmwpower]

The more I think about it, it's probably not necessary. I was just thinking about trying to "seal" it from the weather. However, if you're going to use the sides of the grainery (I see the door) then I would seal the holes on the outside. Are you going to heat it or not bother?

I would just plywood all the walls and ceiling and paint it if you so choose.

 

[MacTexas]

I know nothing about farming (you will be able to tell by my question). What was a grainery used for? If it was for storing grain what do you do with the grain now?

I would put a plastic sheet on the wall before I put the plywood up.

 

[bmwpower]

I would put a plastic sheet on the wall before I put the plywood up.

I was going to suggest that, but I wasn't sure what would happen if he was to heat the "garage", ie condensation between the plastic and the plywood.

 

[Blue]

The ceiling already is covered, there is a loft in the grainery, unfortunately it's really too small to use.

I plan to heat it with a torpedo heater. Maybe even A/C, if I can get my hands on a used window unit. Probably just open the doors and use fans in the summer though.

A grainery was used to store grain back in the day. There is a small grain elevator, which is like a conveyor belt, going up the right wall in the picture above. As near as I can tell, you would pull a grain wagon in, open up the door in the bottom of the wagon, and the grain would go into a hole in the floor, over to the conveyor, and up into the ceiling. I don't know how they got the grain into the "wings" on either side of the center alley. I'm not a farmer, but I've heard the whole process was pretty labor-intensive. Regardless, now a days farmers use metal grain storage bins, which I'm sure you've seen.

Should I use plastic under the plywood? I have been wondering about condensation issues between the wood and concrete. Also, between the wood and metal (all of the brown beams you see on the wall are metal (steel, I think).

 

[camarojim]

grainery

Quite the project ahead. I'm working on converting a double ear corn crib into a new shop. I'll post some pics sometime.

To answer your question about the operation of the building. you are correct about the wagon pulling into the center alley. I think the verticle elevator carried the ears of corn overhead where they were diverted to fall into the side storage where you see the concrete blocks with the 'slits' in them. The slits were for air flow transfer to allow the ear corn to breathe and to continue to dry.

Personally, I'd put some construction adheadive on some 4x8 ridgid foam board with a caulk gun and glue the sides and ceiling then get some plywood or steel and use tapcon screws to screw the plywood to the concrete blocks. Use screws or nails for the ceiling into the wood joists. Then you can temp heat with a torpedo or radiant heater and have a decent place ...you might consider cutting a door way into the side storage as a place to put your extra parts, etc. Sure will beat working outside

Good luck

Jim

 

[DynoDave]

I don't know the answers to your questions, but that's a cool project, and should make for a very unique garage. Be sure to keep us posted on your project.

 

[Thumper]

I like it! It's got character.