John in OH
Well-known member
I like the partially enclosed side porch, but if you want to reduce initial cost you could consider adding the porch later since the roof line can be discontinuous at the porch ... just make provisions in the original design to accommodate the future porch.
My walls are 12' high and I find them quite satisfactory for the work that I do, but I don't have a lift. Be careful about making the walls too high as they may look out of proportion to the building's end width (32'). Draw straight-on end and side views to make sure the building, door, and window proportions look right. Shame to spend a lot of money on a nice building and end up with something that is super-functional but architecturally ugly.
The scissor trusses are a better idea for gaining interior ceiling height without increasing sidewall height.
Make sure you install plenty of embedded stub-ups for electric, air, cable, low-voltage communication, water, misc. drains, sewer, etc. now even if you don't, at this time, think you will ever need them. Your wants or needs may change after the concrete is poured.
Again, consider architectural appearance. If your house is adjacent to the new building, you should use materials, style, and colors that match or complement your existing house. A bare-bones, utilitarian, out-of-proportion garage built next to a nicely featured house looks like ****.
My new garage has many design features similar to yours, although the O/H door configuration is totally different. I made provisions for a future porch 1/2 the length of the building and for future expansion on the north end rather than the side.
My walls are 12' high and I find them quite satisfactory for the work that I do, but I don't have a lift. Be careful about making the walls too high as they may look out of proportion to the building's end width (32'). Draw straight-on end and side views to make sure the building, door, and window proportions look right. Shame to spend a lot of money on a nice building and end up with something that is super-functional but architecturally ugly.
The scissor trusses are a better idea for gaining interior ceiling height without increasing sidewall height.
Make sure you install plenty of embedded stub-ups for electric, air, cable, low-voltage communication, water, misc. drains, sewer, etc. now even if you don't, at this time, think you will ever need them. Your wants or needs may change after the concrete is poured.
Again, consider architectural appearance. If your house is adjacent to the new building, you should use materials, style, and colors that match or complement your existing house. A bare-bones, utilitarian, out-of-proportion garage built next to a nicely featured house looks like ****.
My new garage has many design features similar to yours, although the O/H door configuration is totally different. I made provisions for a future porch 1/2 the length of the building and for future expansion on the north end rather than the side.
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