dimensions for new build?

[sundevil64]

I am in the midst of planning for a garage build to begin in February. I have selected the site on my 2 acre lot. It will be at the back right corner if that makes a difference. I have been drawing different scenarios out on graph paper.

I initially got several bids on a 30x50 with 10' walls and 4/12 pitch roof. I have pretty much picked a contractor. I mostly do hobby car work in my garage. I need covered space for 4 cars. I was planning on having a 4 post lift for storage of two cars and a two post lift for working on a car.

I am settling in on a 35' deep by 45' wide with 12' wall structure. This would allow for three 10' doors or two 16' doors. I am leaning to the three 10' doors on the 45' side creating 3 what I consider to be long bays. The cars I tinker with are...let's say 15' long and 6' wide. Bay #1 would allow for a 4 post lift with parking behind it. Bay #2 would allow for work space and parking for 1 to 2 cars. Bay #3 would allow for the two post lift and my tool boxes, workbench and work space.

That's where I am at. I need to decide on dimensions to I can have plans done. Should I go wider or deeper? The other option was to go with a 24'x50' with an extension for a carport cover over the long side. The reason for this is to save on required stamped engineering drawings for a weld-up (local code). My max square footage for budget reasons is approx 1650 soft. I am allowing for spray foam, 200 amp service, lots of lighting, compressed air piping, possibly epoxy coating or concrete honing, and 15% contingency in the budget.

Thank you in advance for your input.

John

 

[astroracer]

3 10' doors on the 35' side will leave zero room between the doors and nothing on the sidewalls. 35-30 = 5'. And remember, the 35' is to the outside of the structure so subtract anonther foot (at least) from that. That's four feet left over to divide by three doors and space on the outer walls. This effectively leaves zero room for storage or benches along the entire depth of the building if you plan to pull a car all the way down. A hoist in one bay will take up more room then is available between the doors. Even opening the car doors all the way will be impossible on the wall sides of the two outer doors.
You need to get out the tape measure and lay out your garage with vehicles and door openings so you can see just how tight three doors will be.
You would be better off to put the doors on the 45' side. One 16' and one 10'. Put the hoist on the 10' door with that door at least 6' off the closest wall.
Put the 16' door 4' off the opposite wall and you will have 8' between the doors for working room around the hoist.
Mark

 

[sundevil64]

Thanks Mark. I edited my post after realizing it was vague on which side the doors would go on, but your point is taken with regard to little room between doors. I kind of like the idea of a 16' door or even stretch that to an 18' door then a 10' foot door for the 2 post lift. I have gotten so used to squeezing by in my 20x23 attached garage I didn't give it any thought.

I, like many on this forum have many extra parts that I was going to use pallet racks to store against the walls and 4 sets of rolling 5' vidmar cabinets (I love Craigslist).

John

 

[Falcon67]

Go wider/deeper than 24'. That's a hair over 23' deep on the inside. As a reference that's 276" and my F350 extend cab pickup is 240" bumper to bumper (try finding a car cover for one of those!). Assuming you'd put a 2 post between the 23' walls, it'll have to be almost dead center and you'd have to pick using car or pickup as to balance a big pickup you'll be too far one way or the other. I'm in the same boat, but when I put in a 2 post it'll be car only or small pickup backed into the lift. Measuring says no other options inside 23'.

I would put two 10' doors in one side, maybe in front of the 4 post and the other in front of the 2 post. Then maybe a 16' on the other side for "misc". Leave the rest for work area. At a minimum you'll need one side of a overhead door 3' off the nearest wall to have room to work around something.

 

[sundevil64]

Thanks Falcon67. I have a F250 ext cab and didn't consider that. The more I think about it, if I go deep then I can, with a 4 post lift stack two cars for storage and fit 5 cars (14' long and 6' wide) on the 16' door side because it is 35' deep or 34' feet inside. The 10' bay would be wide open for the two post with more than ample space to work.

 

[mebuildit]

My shop will have 3 doors 14' wide by 16' high. Never know how tight that is until you try to back into that in the dark.