Double Garage in England

[gtr cook]

For some reason only just seen your build.

Very nice car.

Glad you got your roof on in the end.

Thank you, updates have slowed recently. Hopefully they will pick up in the new year.

Am really happy with the roof, they guy did a great job. Just need to get the door on to keep the damp out.

 

[155'Ringman]

Looks like a nice job, I'll bet you're looking forward to getting it finished.
The weather isn't helping anyone building at the moment unfortunately.
Love the R34, cool car. Hope to see a picture of it in your garage soon.

 

[gtr cook]

Looks like a nice job, I'll bet you're looking forward to getting it finished.
The weather isn't helping anyone building at the moment unfortunately.
Love the R34, cool car. Hope to see a picture of it in your garage soon.

Thank you,

I cannot wait to get started on the interior! Lots of plans, all in good time. First will be a tool cab and insulation, then painting and finally flooring- hopefully Race Deck.

I hope to add a few to the garages at night thread and featuring the car general.

 

[gtr cook]

Ok, so after a quiet period waiting for the garage door to arrive. I was finally able to get it fitted.

So we started off with:


Frame going up:








And from the outside:


Install was fairly simple, however i do need to level the floor where the door meets the floor. Over the gap there is about a 13mm difference.

Barely notices on a level in the middle but shows with a straight edge long enough to span the gap. I don't want my door closing wonky so i will address this.

I didn't realise when it was ordered but the door is already insulated- i had been looking into ways to insulate and its no longer needed, bonus. Cannot believe how much different the temperature is in there now. We went from freezing to sweating in minutes. Hopefully its not just because we were putting the door panels together!

Unfortunately i don't have any electric out there and very little natural light so the pics come out a little rough.

Another job ticked off the list and a good way to start 2015

 

[Cris B]

When we did the place in Norfolk the contractors also left us with an uneven gap under one corner of the garage doors after the concrete had been laid. It was only noticeable after the door was fitted and I think our difference was closer to 20mm so I feel your pain.

Wish we had gone with insulated doors too. Seems such an obvious thing to do with hindsight, but i don't think that they are well marketed in the UK.

Great way to start 2015, that is a good sized space to work with

 

[bazzateer]

Looks great! You really notice the insulation in this weather. I spent all day and most of the evening in my garage insulating the main carriage doors. All insulation is fitted now, just got to get some vapour barrier and a couple of sheets of OSB.

While I was in there the temp was 50F inside and 42f outside, no heating on - just me working. 50F doesn't sound too warm but it's an ideal temp to work in.

Also, I played around with my laser thermometer while the sun was beating down on the garage doors. Uninsulated doors internal temp was about 68F. The insulated door was 46F - so no heat was getting through. This should mean the garage will stay cool in the summer when the sun beats down on those doors from about 0900 - 1900.

 

[Hesketh]

you are making good progress, I was worried for your build when I spotted it was sans door with the winds due this week.

I was made up when after buying the new place spotted that the garage door was insulated it also has seals round all the edges which are so good that even with the wind we had last week there was no drafts.

When is your electric due to get fired in?

 

[minimowog]

turned out great in the end

 

[gtr cook]

When we did the place in Norfolk the contractors also left us with an uneven gap under one corner of the garage doors after the concrete had been laid. It was only noticeable after the door was fitted and I think our difference was closer to 20mm so I feel your pain.

Wish we had gone with insulated doors too. Seems such an obvious thing to do with hindsight, but i don't think that they are well marketed in the UK.

Great way to start 2015, that is a good sized space to work with

Hopefully i can sort it with self levelling, may end up coating the whole floor depending on how level the rest of it is.

The insulated door was a bonus, for some reason i didn't think they were. Maybe i should pay more attention next time?

Thank you, i cannot wait to spend time out there

 

[gtr cook]

Looks great! You really notice the insulation in this weather. I spent all day and most of the evening in my garage insulating the main carriage doors. All insulation is fitted now, just got to get some vapour barrier and a couple of sheets of OSB.

While I was in there the temp was 50F inside and 42f outside, no heating on - just me working. 50F doesn't sound too warm but it's an ideal temp to work in.

Also, I played around with my laser thermometer while the sun was beating down on the garage doors. Uninsulated doors internal temp was about 68F. The insulated door was 46F - so no heat was getting through. This should mean the garage will stay cool in the summer when the sun beats down on those doors from about 0900 - 1900.

I will get a thermometer on the wall, just to see the temperature difference from outside to inside. The rest of the insulation is a long way off but should help make it toasty in there.

 

[gtr cook]

you are making good progress, I was worried for your build when I spotted it was sans door with the winds due this week.

I was made up when after buying the new place spotted that the garage door was insulated it also has seals round all the edges which are so good that even with the wind we had last week there was no drafts.

When is your electric due to get fired in?

I was worried as well, it been really windy down here aswell.

Electric.............. will have to wait unfortunately. Money is in short supply and i have some hefty outgoings in the next few months. I am hoping i can sort it by the end of March, finances permitting.

 

[gtr cook]

turned out great in the end

Thank you, i have had my doubts and still have a long way to go but it will turn out good in the end.

 

[gtr cook]

I haven’t updated this for a while, so I thought I would catch up with where I am currently at.

So since the door was fitted, I have cleared all the earth, ready for the drive way to be put down. I asked a mate to come over and help and we managed to finish it in a day. Earth has been removed to a depth of 30cm and the drive will sit 6cm above the grass (what’s left of it). This is slightly overkill but I want it to last without sinking. I also have a pile of rubble that I will break up and use as a sub base, saves me paying to get rid of it!

Started with this mess:




To this:






Having made it all nice, I then had to dig a further 20cm for a trench to bury the electric cable and water feed.



The electrician came and fitted the lighting and power outlet circuits as well as run the armoured cable to the house. Connection to the house will have to wait for a few weeks due to a knee operation and a tiny under stairs cupboard not being the ideal mix. I am happy though as I can now start to pour concrete for the gate posts and make a start on the drive way.

The thinner cable is for the eventual sliding gate motor. May as well lay the feed now while I can!





The cable is surface mounted in conduit and he has done a really nice job. I would have preferred it to be hidden away but that would have meant drilling holes in every joist in the ceiling, something were not too keen on.











I can hide most of the conduit when I plasterboard the walls and ceiling, there’s just two sections where the conduit overlaps/crosses its self that I need to think on.





My current thinking is to use insulated plasterboard approximately 47mm thick and remove the foam where the conduit is, allowing the board to sit flush and thus covering the conduit.

Any thoughts on this or ideas on a better way?

Oh and a good example of why I started this project. Trying to wash the better halves Civic was a nightmare.

 

[Brompty]

I hate to suggest this, but is it too late to put the wiring through the joists. You said you were reluctant, but it will give a much neater finish and way easier to fit the plasterboards. I have some exposed wiring in my garage and I don't really notice it.

Otherwise a great build. I'm a real fan of garages in England where space, planning and budget are real issues. I can only assume that building in much of the USA is far easier and cheaper.

 

[firecracker]

^^^^ditto^^^^ looking good so keep it up!!

 

[Cris B]

I hate to suggest this, but is it too late to put the wiring through the joists. You said you were reluctant, but it will give a much neater finish and way easier to fit the plasterboards.

This is good advice. Having had to deal with both, the hidden wiring is a lot easier to deal with when it comes to fitting ceilings

 

[daddy2coull]

out of interest, do you need to follow building regs and gain planning consent for a garage this size?

i only ask as i currently have a flat roofed single that i'd like to extend to a double

 

[Fredriz]

no protection for the electic network outside? no warning grid? no sheath? :Choquante:

 

[GBsnoopy]

out of interest, do you need to follow building regs and gain planning consent for a garage this size?

i only ask as i currently have a flat roofed single that i'd like to extend to a double

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/

Depends on size, height and location to boundry. The government website is quite easy to use. Have a look at outbuildings, common projects and the interactive house.

 

[gtr cook]

I hate to suggest this, but is it too late to put the wiring through the joists. You said you were reluctant, but it will give a much neater finish and way easier to fit the plasterboards. I have some exposed wiring in my garage and I don't really notice it.

Otherwise a great build. I'm a real fan of garages in England where space, planning and budget are real issues. I can only assume that building in much of the USA is far easier and cheaper.

This is good advice. Having had to deal with both, the hidden wiring is a lot easier to deal with when it comes to fitting ceilings

Thanks for advice, its good hear others experiences.

The electric has been connected up to the mains now, cables cut to length etc (could cause issues if there isn't enough slack to move it).

I could move it but i think i can cover the conduit without having to.

If i can't then i will look into running it through the joists or leaving it surface mounted.

 

[gtr cook]

no protection for the electic network outside? no warning grid? no sheath? : Choquante:

Its armoured (sheathed) cable burried 50cm under the ground. The immediate part leaving the garage will eventually be covered by a driveway, the rest will be under a path.

What's a warning grid out of interest? I haven't heard the term before.

 

[gtr cook]

out of interest, do you need to follow building regs and gain planning consent for a garage this size?

i only ask as i currently have a flat roofed single that i'd like to extend to a double

Hi,

Yes there are building regs to abide by (that was left to the builder) but planning permission isn't required for this structure. There is a certificate that can be applied for but only if your not sure you fall with in the planning guidelines.

When i rang the local planning department to confirm what was permitted, i was told- as long as its less than 50% of the land in size thats ok. If its within 2m of the boundary line it can't exceed 2.5m in height. As mine is right up against the boundary, the height to the roof peak is 2.5m exactly. I can't go any higher with out the councils permission.

I ran everything past the planning department and they confirmed i am within the regs.

For your garage, i would suggest checking with the local building department to confirm what they allow and then as long as it confirms to building regs then you should be fine.

 

[gtr cook]

Fredriz,

I got the email with your reply but its not showing on here for some reason.

Looking at the images, i do know what you mean. Speeking to the elctrician this wasn't required due to the cable being armoured and the depth its buried.

 

[Fredriz]

in France, we use differents warning grids for different network for exemple.



GREEN for télécommunication
RED for low voltage, high voltage and street light
YELLOW for gas, liquid hydrocarbon transportation
BLUE for potable water
BROWN for sanitation


At home, i used yellow grid for gas. this is to avoid big problems later

 

[daddy2coull]

Hi,

Yes there are building regs to abide by (that was left to the builder) but planning permission isn't required for this structure. There is a certificate that can be applied for but only if your not sure you fall with in the planning guidelines.

When i rang the local planning department to confirm what was permitted, i was told- as long as its less than 50% of the land in size thats ok. If its within 2m of the boundary line it can't exceed 2.5m in height. As mine is right up against the boundary, the height to the roof peak is 2.5m exactly. I can't go any higher with out the councils permission.

I ran everything past the planning department and they confirmed i am within the regs.

For your garage, i would suggest checking with the local building department to confirm what they allow and then as long as it confirms to building regs then you should be fine.

reading on the government portal, i can only build up 30m2 without building regs which would only make my garage 16x20" which would be lot of expense to increase the width by just 6 feet. ideally i'd like it 20'x20'.

i'm loving your build by the way

 

[gtr cook]

Hi thanks, i appreciate it.

I was also under the impression it was 30m2 but the council said the rules have changed to allow more development. Give your local planning office a call for confirmation.

 

[daddy2coull]

good idea. i've been toying with the idea of making mine twice as wide as it already is, but after seeing yours i'm inclined to build a double to the same design as yours down the bottom of the garden and knock the existing one down once its completed. i've just got far too much in my garage to find somewhere else to store it whilst the work is going on.

i think an exact replica of yours would be perfect!!

 

[Shadowdog500]

in France, we use differents warning grids for different network for exemple.







GREEN for télécommunication

RED for low voltage, high voltage and street light

YELLOW for gas, liquid hydrocarbon transportation

BLUE for potable water

BROWN for sanitation





At home, i used yellow grid for gas. this is to avoid big problems later

That is a great idea! Wonder why we don't do that in the USA. We have to call a free service to come mark out where everything is run. Problem is, in my limited experience using the number, they put the markings in the wrong place several times. The best was when the telephone company hit a water main when replacing a pole in front of my parents house. The mark for the water main was about 10 feet off and my father and I, who did extensive renovation to the house and knew where everything was, even ran out and told the crew to stop digging because they were digging into the water main. They pointed to the marks and kept digging until they hit the main.



Something like this simple marker would let the digger know that the markings were in the wrong place before the damage was done.





Chris

 

[gtr cook]

good idea. i've been toying with the idea of making mine twice as wide as it already is, but after seeing yours i'm inclined to build a double to the same design as yours down the bottom of the garden and knock the existing one down once its completed. i've just got far too much in my garage to find somewhere else to store it whilst the work is going on.

i think an exact replica of yours would be perfect!!

Thank you, that's the best compliment I could get.

I am lucky to have a road on the side of the house for a side entrance so the attached single will be staying and re-purposed There's a lot left before a car can go in but the garage itself is almost finished. Just painting the outside at the moment.

Keep us updated with how you get on, especially with planning etc, always interested to see how others get on.

 

[gtr cook]

Hi , hope you all had a good bank holiday weekend?

I managed to get out In the Garden to make a start on the fencing.

Went well, I now have a defined entry and some fencing that doesn't resemble a venetian blind!

We did think about changing the fence colour to the golden stain. Think we will change it back to the dark brown having seen it in the flesh.

The tatty fence and make shift gate:

Garden exposed:

Fence going up after a new post was installed:

Finished new section with golden stain, definitely think we'll go for the dark brown:

The better half getting stuck in:

Oh and the lights! Nice and light in there now. Also nice to have a work bench, even if it is a pasting table!

 

[Bib Overalls]

Coming along nicely. Will the "Council," or whomever is responsible, cut the curb for you or let you do it?

 

[gtr cook]

Coming along nicely. Will the "Council," or whomever is responsible, cut the curb for you or let you do it?

Hi thanks.
I will have to pay the council to put a drop curb, has already been agreed with them before I started. As its over a year, I am sure they will need to re check and put the price up accordingly.

 

[gtr cook]

Well, its been a while. If your still checking in on my thread, thanks for sticking with it.

I have made some progress over the last few months, culminating in time off from work to hopefully get the drive finished.

So whats new, I first poured a concrete plinth for the sliding gate to move on, this also makes a nice sturdy entrance on to the pavement.
i want to put a note in to say this is my first attempt at either concrete or brick work. please if you notice any glaring mistakes, please point them out, i am happy to take on board any advice/criticism.



Filled the hole with the left over ********:



I have installed charcoal edging blocks on a bed of concrete, making a perimeter for the drive and path:









We even tidied the garden a little, we have a second Beagle shaped helper who likes to spread wood and rubbish so needed to clear it up. We wondered where the two of them had disappeared to and found them in on the spare bed!



On Monday we had 10 tones of type 1 (sub base) delivered to back fill the nice hole we excavated. Turns out we needed one more jumbo bag which arrives tomorrow.

End result from Mondays efforts:



And where i finished today. Drainage all but finished apart from a soak away pit that will come later down the line:



So tomorrow i will be cementing in the drainage channels and forming the slope away from the garage entrance with sub base. In readiness for the black slate slabs that have been ordered. These will be laid on a bed or black mortar for added strength.

I will keep the progress updated over the next week or so and hopefully i will have the drive completed by the time i go back to work. Just need the slate to arrive early next week.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Grizz1963]

Nice brickwork.

Pity you did not make the parking a bit bigger, so you can work out front.

Also, based on my mate Martin's car port, you may still have time to reconsider, but the plastic soak away grids are not very strong, so if you pushed something heavy over it, they can break

Beagles are Lovely.

 

[gtr cook]

Nice brickwork.

Pity you did not make the parking a bit bigger, so you can work out front.

Also, based on my mate Martin's car port, you may still have time to reconsider, but the plastic soak away grids are not very strong, so if you pushed something heavy over it, they can break

Beagles are Lovely.

Hi, thank you.

It should be big enough to wash a car but that's about it. I have orders to keep it to a minimum. Something about not ruining the garden.....

I know what you mean on the plastic grids, they're not shown but I have the metal grids - or were you referring to the actual channel part?

 

[xtremek]

Looking good so far.

 

[Grizz1963]

Hi, thank you.

It should be big enough to wash a car but that's about it. I have orders to keep it to a minimum. Something about not ruining the garden.....

I know what you mean on the plastic grids, they're not shown but I have the metal grids - or were you referring to the actual channel part?

Nope, the covers, the channel in plastic should be fine.

Martin has destroyed his by rolling an engine on a bakers trolley as well as his engine hoist over his.

So if you have metal, you will be good.

If you look on my thread, you will see in the pics recently when I cleaned the engine bay, there is extra concrete between the strips, I was told not to overdo it either, and still should have done a bit more, but it's better than before.

 

[Water Boy]

Looking forward to seeing some cars in that garage!

 

[dubber]

Nice progress. You can count on a beagle finding the absolute most comfortable spot possible, always!

 

[gtr cook]

Nope, the covers, the channel in plastic should be fine.

Martin has destroyed his by rolling an engine on a bakers trolley as well as his engine hoist over his.

So if you have metal, you will be good.

If you look on my thread, you will see in the pics recently when I cleaned the engine bay, there is extra concrete between the strips, I was told not to overdo it either, and still should have done a bit more, but it's better than before.

Funnily enough, whilst out walking the dog, I noticed plastic grids and they were a mess, really glad I went for the metal.