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First house = First Garage (3 car).

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mtmd11

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Been in my house 6 months. Spent the last 6 months getting a plain, all white, empty box up to speed, plus trying to finish the garage.

Mission accomplished... although the whole thing, house and garage, will always be a 'project' in one stage or another.

I have always rented, mostly small apartments and a townhouse. So now that I am established in this area for 3 years, was time to buy. Ended up deciding to build to get more house, and more of what I wanted, for the money. Went with a moderately nice residential builder. Not custom.

Just a 'SOLD' sign.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153629637/] IMG_4674 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]


I sure learned a lot going through the 'design' process and then watching day by day as it was built.
Basement excavated and footers poured.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155946890/] IMG_6028 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Foundation poured. Shot from the rear of property (half an acre). Garage is gravelled in. Egress window at rear left and opening for Bilco door at right.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155950692/] IMG_6160 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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mtmd11

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First floor framed in. I tried to get the single bay moved to the right and the double closer to the rest of the house thinking that a lift in the single bay would be easier and keep it away form the door into the mud room/laundry. Builder said no.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153731001/] IMG_6433 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Second floor going up. Seocnd floor library extends over single bay, but empty attic space over double. Would love to open that up for a garage loft perhaps. Also thoughts of a stand alone double in the future.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153732119/] IMG_6455 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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Zeke

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I see why the builder wouldn't move the single door. How were you gonna get height under the library anyway? You're better off the way it's built.

That is if the builder used scissor trusses over the double opening.
 
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mtmd11

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There is a beam that runs the depth of the garage (front to back, so to speak) over the left hand side of the double. If I had the openings switched, single door on the right, I could have lifted the door rails to the ceiling and had more height for a lift. The double door, as is, is raised as high as it will go, but the beam prevents it from going tight up against the ceiling, so it will be tight for a lift.
 
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mtmd11

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I know this isn't a DIY thread.... yet. But I truly enjoyed watching my hosue go up.
Being a first time home owner at 42 felt like getting a late start, but with moving a lot for school and training, it was how it worked out.

Garage framing.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153781157/] IMG_6908 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9156003258/] IMG_6909 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153782701/] IMG_6917 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Beam referenced in prev post. It's a shame they couldn't move it over just that 12 inches or so and then I would have been able to get the door quite a bit higher.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9156003950/] IMG_6915 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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mtmd11

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Slab poured and drywall up.
Builder insulates all walls of garage (everything except the doors themselves, that I'll do this fall) and then 'finishes' the drywall.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153735521/] IMG_7120 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Original rails and openers.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153738171/] IMG_7288 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Brick done, finishing siding.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153737659/] IMG_7279 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Came to find out that 'finishing' the garage meant slopping mud around the joints and 'most' of the screws.
Too lazy to even take the faceplate off?? Seriously???
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153745285/] IMG_8490 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155968256/] IMG_8491 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155969044/] IMG_8493 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

I spoke with the project manager and asked that the garage be remudded/cleaned up. He knew I was planning on really finishing it nicely and using it as 'another room' of the house, so when I showed him how it had been left, he asked them to come back. Was much better the second time around.

Another lesson learned about keeping a close eye on the progress of the build.

Got the driveway placed as well as the stamped concrete walks.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155969720/] IMG_8508 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153748275/] IMG_8514 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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dubber

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mtmd11 said:
Came to find out that 'finishing' the garage meant slopping mud around the joints and 'most' of the screws.
Too lazy to even take the faceplate off?? Seriously???

I spoke with the project manager and asked that the garage be remudded/cleaned up. He knew I was planning on really finishing it nicely and using it as 'another room' of the house, so when I showed him how it had been left, he asked them to come back. Was much better the second time around.
Click to expand...


I can relate to this....


I wish it would have been this easy for me. Maybe i should have tried :mad:

Looking forward to seeing what you do in there once its done.
 
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dd564

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I noticed that you don't have any spare room to the left side of the left garage door which will prevent entry into your garage walkthrough door into the house if you part a vehicle in that spot.
 
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mtmd11

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dd564 said:
I noticed that you don't have any spare room to the left side of the left garage door which will prevent entry into your garage walkthrough door into the house if you part a vehicle in that spot.
Click to expand...

Too true. Kind of. There is very little room with a car in the single bay (see below) but even witht he Honda in there, it is possible to open the car door and exit the vehicle, and then to walk into the house. It is just a tight fit.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155978688/] IMG_8892 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

The further the car is pulled forward and to the right the more room there is, relatively speaking. It does seem to be a silly design. Not the first and not the last of this floorplan and this builder.
 
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mtmd11

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So, the big day: Closing, keys in hand. My first house.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153751061/] IMG_8650 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Time to work on the floor.

I can't find the step by step pics, but I ended up with this:

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9164060672/] IMG_1547 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

It is the UCoat It epoxy system.
I did an acid wash, pretty easy given the pristine nature of the slab, and then after neutralizing that and flushing it, I roleld on the first epoxy coat. The Medium Grey. Second coat went on with the 'Pacific' fleks. This was followed by a gloss coat, more fleks, and then a second gloss coat.
I found the overall system very easy to use. The only thing I'm not happy with in my application is the thickness. I ended up with excess epoxy and clear coat. I didn't want to end up short, so I put it on thin, thinner than I intended really, and it shows with the clear coat. It was also hard to tell how thickly the clear coat was going on when it was 'wet'.

I had gotten a quote from a local 'garage finishing' company for $3800 for a 2 step epoxy floor. I did it myself at appox 75-80% the quality of a pro (it WAS my first time) for $1400 (36% of the price). The end result is something that is durable, but not bullet-proof, very easy to clean, adds light to the space, and looks great.

Next up was raising the doors. I am planning on a lift in the future and wanted the maximum height. I bought a 2-pack of the Liftmaster 3800 Jackshaft Opener and had a local overhead door company extend the rails/doors up as far as possible (nearly flush with the single bay and up to the beam on the double side), remove the original openers and place the Liftmasters.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155975432/] IMG_8871 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Once the painting was done (more on that to come) I used a cable management system to keep things organized and looking clean.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9161839885/] IMG_1544 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

The original plan had a single incandescent fixture in the middle of each bay. I had another added so there would be a light over each car. The plastic covered light is the remote light that comes with the Liftmaster.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153754911/] IMG_8874 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

I took down the incandescenet fixture and placed a 4-bank flourescent at each site. Used a similar wire cover system. Also added a retractable 3-outlet cord.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9161839625/] IMG_1545 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9161839411/] IMG_1546 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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mtmd11

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mtmd11

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Walls primed and painted, time to start on the useful things.
After looking at a lot of cabinets ,all seemingly durable and functional and attractive, I decided, partly for availability and mostly for price, on the Gladiator series from Sears.
Here are the support rails up on the walls as well as some panelling that is going to go over the workbench.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9156827293/] IMG_9341 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9159050586/] IMG_9342 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9156827541/] IMG_9340 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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mtmd11

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mtmd11

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Next stage was getting the painting finished up. Designed the stripe to match and installed baseboard all around. The one thing I didn't do myself (no patience for the time it takes to do such a good job) was painting the walls and ceiling.

In the original plans there were two outlets and no other electrical in the garage. I had a cat5, coaxial, and extra outlets put in.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153770195/] IMG_9381 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

The gladiator cabinets were easy to install. They are certianly at a lower price point, as I've seen some folks spend upwards of 5K-10K on custom cabinets, but I think they are a perfect intersection of function, style, price, and DIY-ness. So just screwed the support rails into the studs and then hung the cabinets. Also put up some extra hanging space under the 'fold -away workstation'.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9153769723/] IMG_9374 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

A 6 foot work bench, nice solid maple. Not indestructible, but pretty close. I also put a power strip along the rear edge for more outlets as well as some 'hanging system' stuff on the wall above it. Got all the cabinets hung. Truly a work in progress.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9155991380/] IMG_9373 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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Montysmith

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though the overall structure is very nice and worth to appreciate yet i like the flooring of the garage most ..
 
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LutzTD

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you are definitely a garage journal kind of guy, not one single picture of the finished inside of the house. we're all very proud :) I like the colors :) nice job
 
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mtmd11

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Montysmith said:
though the overall structure is very nice and worth to appreciate yet i like the flooring of the garage most ..
Click to expand...

Thanks. I love the flooring. I would kind of like a 'do over' with it, because I could get it closer to perfection, especially with the gloss coat. But I contacted the UCoat It guys and they said that after roughing it up with a 60 grit I could do another gloss coat and it will be nice and clear. Might do that later as a touch up.

This weekend I need to change the pads and front rotors on my Pilot (2004 w 140,00 miles) and so we'll see how the floor holds up to some automotive work. It has done great with the stationary power tools for the house projects, but this will be a better test. Also of the ease of clean up.

LutzTD said:
you are definitely a garage journal kind of guy, not one single picture of the finished inside of the house. we're all very proud :) I like the colors :) nice job
Click to expand...

Well, the inside of the house looks like a house... but the garage.... well, let's just say all the neighbors out walking stop by when the garage doors are up... the guys stand there with a twinkle in their eye... the ladies slowly shaking their head mouthing 'noooo'.

I do have some pics of some interior projects that were done in the garage (and in the driveway for some of the 16ft crown molding pieces). Pics to come of some of that work.
 
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55cadillacking

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Welcome to the GJ! What an amazing garage you have created. Nice cars, too.

I spoke with the project manager and asked that the garage be remudded/cleaned up. He knew I was planning on really finishing it nicely and using it as 'another room' of the house, so when I showed him how it had been left, he asked them to come back. Was much better the second time around.
Click to expand...

I can definitely relate to this. The only difference, was my site supervisor rolled his eyes when I complained. I had to do a lot of fix ups once it was my space.

Best of luck with the continued progress.
 
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mtmd11

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Floor, walls, and ceiling done... tools put to use on some projects inside... time to get to some goodies in those cabinets.

Car detailing and what not:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9217586179/] IMG_1321 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Electrical, adhesives, compressed air tools, etc:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9220356820/] IMG_1552 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Had 4 tires and 2 wheels so I had some glass tops made and now I've got two great tables ready made for cigar smoking and scotch drinking:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9204806482/] IMG_1334 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

The car shelf with The Stig watching over everything:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9217596911/] IMG_1323 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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Firering

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I converted my garage door to a high lift just like you have and was curious if your door catches on the drywall edge or did they use some type of flashing to make it clear. I adjusted my top roller to leave enough clearance but don't like letting heat/cold air in.

Great job on the garage/house/toys. You'll love having the lift once it's in.
 
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72Anthony

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Very nice start, looking forward to see your progress.

If you do decide to add another layer of clear coat, I would recommend the non-skid grit, if you haven't added it already. Even with the flakes, the floor can be very slippery when wet.

Anthony
 
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mtmd11

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Firering said:
I converted my garage door to a high lift just like you have and was curious if your door catches on the drywall edge or did they use some type of flashing to make it clear. I adjusted my top roller to leave enough clearance but don't like letting heat/cold air.
Click to expand...

When they extended the vertical rail on either side of the door (red lines), they cut the bottom on the new piece at a slight angle to bring the door away from the drywall that is above the door opening (red arrows in pic). The upper most part of the door itself has plenty of space to clear the drywall (yellow arrows).

The placed the horizontal rails as close to the ceiling as they could but far enough to keep the door from scraping on the ceiling (green arrow, for the single door) or on the beam (blue arrow, for the double door).

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9213790743/] x1 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]


The only problem now is that, when closed, the doors have a small gap at the top (yellow arrows) that rattles in the wind and is an energy leak as far as insulation. I think in the fall I'll get some vinyl or foam to fill the gap and then get insulation for the doors themselves.
 
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mtmd11

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72Anthony said:
If you do decide to add another layer of clear coat, I would recommend the non-skid grit, if you haven't added it already. Even with the flakes, the floor can be very slippery when wet.
Click to expand...

That's what she said!

I did get silica beads that can be placed with the upper most coat. The reason I didn't use them was that I had heard that it can dull the gloss coat a fair bit, and I didn't want to mask the colored flecks.

I have found that when it's wet or has a light covering of sawdust it gets quite slick, but the flecks themselves act as a bit of an anti-slip.

If I do another clear coat, I might try the silica beads in a hidden area, see how it looks, and then possible put them along the 'walk ways' so to speak if not the whole floor.
 
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Kevin54

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mtmd11 said:
When they extended the vertical rail on either side of the door (red lines), they cut the bottom on the new piece at a slight angle to bring the door away from the drywall that is above the door opening (red arrows in pic). The upper most part of the door itself has plenty of space to clear the drywall (yellow arrows).

The placed the horizontal rails as close to the ceiling as they could but far enough to keep the door from scraping on the ceiling (green arrow, for the single door) or on the beam (blue arrow, for the double door).

x1 by mtmd11, on Flickr


The only problem now is that, when closed, the doors have a small gap at the top (yellow arrows) that rattles in the wind and is an energy leak as far as insulation. I think in the fall I'll get some vinyl or foam to fill the gap and then get insulation for the doors themselves.
Click to expand...

9155969720_679bc73eb7_c.jpg


I think your contractor did something wrong with the rails. That is why the doors don't close properly. The rails should run vertical to the radius, then horizontal after the radius. The vertical rail will let the door go against the jamb properly. Also he cut corners by not installing insulated doors. That house is not a low end house or neighborhood by all means, but he's pocketing some extrra coin in his pocket by cutting corners.

The doors for one. Second is the wasted space above the two bay area, and thirdly, the house looks odd to me because it has eaves on front or the gable ends in front along with birds-mouth returns, eaves above the garage , but yet, the very top roof where the siding is has no eaves at all. It just leaves it look like something is missing.

Don't5 take it wrong, I like the looks of it, but myself, I wouldn't be satisfied. Especially with the garage doors fitting like that.
 
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mtmd11

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Kevin54 said:
I think your contractor did something wrong with the rails. That is why the doors don't close properly. The rails should run vertical to the radius, then horizontal after the radius. The vertical rail will let the door go against the jamb properly. Also he cut corners by not installing insulated doors. That house is not a low end house or neighborhood by all means, but he's pocketing some extrra coin in his pocket by cutting corners.

The doors for one. Second is the wasted space above the two bay area, and thirdly, the house looks odd to me because it has eaves on front or the gable ends in front along with birds-mouth returns, eaves above the garage , but yet, the very top roof where the siding is has no eaves at all. It just leaves it look like something is missing.
Click to expand...

I think that the door guys started to swing the doors out to keep the upper edge of the door from hitting the drum-roller if the 'turn to horizontal' was left to the last minute. Maybe. There is also some hardware from the side-opener that is just below the drum (see post #14, 4th pic). When closed the door is up against the jam, but it isn't tight, so it rattles a bit with a stiff wind. I also realized that the gap looks like it's letting a lot of daylight through because the door is raised a bit off the floor. Was letting the epoxy air out.

This builder, Chater Homes, given they are a 'tract home' kind of outfit (albeit 'nice' tract homes) doesn't do much customization from their floor-plan. I asked about the space above the garage being made into something useful and was shot down. Heck, I couldn't get them to spray paint in the garage after it was finished because ''we don't do that''. I didn't see insulated doors on any non-custom built house. Thankfully it is an easy DIY thing.

As for the look, this is a ''look nice from the front'' elevation but ''keep it cheap'' kind of builder and that is the kind of house they make. See below. The sides and rear are from the 'big box' school of design. Like so much modern construction it is about big square footage and cheaper finishing, in my opinion. They certainly don't go above and beyond, at all. But again, for not custom and given the price point, it's a lot of fairly well put together house (thus far).

Nice:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9219360950/] IMG_8627 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Not so nice:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9219193216/] IMG_8574 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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mtmd11

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First, an overview:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9219386884/] IMG_1332.0 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Most all of the pictures are photos that I took in the last 2 years of doing 'car stuff' in the DC/MD/PA area. A few, like the rolling shot of my car, I got from others.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9216616857/] IMG_1324 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

Have a 27inch LCD TV c a cable box and a DVD player. I have found that I use it faily often just because it's there. When I'm working on a project I'll put a concert DVD in or sports/racing. Occasionally sit out there for lunch and a beer and flip through.
The upper-most panoramic pic is a Ferrari F40, F50, and Enzo at an Italian car show in the Poconos.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9216614789/] IMG_1335 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

I love having the storage space of the cabinets, and to get them up off the floor was great. I have a halogen light under each shelf over the workbench.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9219390964/] IMG_1320 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]

More pics along the front wall and the banners. The little stop signs are an easy parking set-point.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/66364456@N05/9219395580/] IMG_1343 by mtmd11, on Flickr[/URL]
 
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Todd.Brock

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Nice house, build, etc. but I cAnt get past the lambo. That was sneaky, dude. Oh here's my nice 3 car in the burbs....BAM. Lamborghini in the garage!!! So , what it's like to really own one of those? how many mile do you drive it a year? Do you have a shop do the oil changes and such, or can you maintain them yourself? Have you had to replace anything major ? I was reading the DuPont Registry and see ads for Ferrari, 2002, 18kmiles, new gear box, new clutch, etc. Do things that major really go south that soon?? That is a beautiful house btw!!
 
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mtmd11

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Todd.Brock said:
...So , what it's like to really own one of those? how many mile do you drive it a year? Do you have a shop do the oil changes and such, or can you maintain them yourself? Have you had to replace anything major ? I was reading the DuPont Registry and see ads for Ferrari, 2002, 18kmiles, new gear box, new clutch, etc. Do things that major really go south that soon?? That is a beautiful house btw!!
Click to expand...

Thanks, man. :beer: It has all been a treat. Long time coming at 43 yrs old.

The car is just insane. It is such a blast to own and drive.

It's a 2006 Gallardo SE, #143 of 250. I got it 6/11 with 7,500 miles, currently 23,000 miles. I drive it a lot, especially the first year. There is a ton of car stuff going on in the Northern VA/DC/MD and even PA areas. Cars and Coffee on Saturday mornings, meet-ups, charity stuff, small group drives in the country (spirited driving!).

I take it to the 'local' Porsche/Audi dealer for fluid changes and those run about what you'd pay for a 911 or BMW M car. For the bigger 15,000 mile service, took it to a guy in VA, but there are shops around, both dealers (DC and Philly) and independent shops.

So far, for me, it's been pretty bullet proof. The older Lamborghinis are known for the 'hand-crafted' Italian idiosyncrasies, but this was the second car produced after Audi bought the company in the late 90s, so it has a bit more reliable engineering and better fit-ment, but still the great Italian design and feel. Some people bemoan the 'German Influence', saying the cars have lost their 'craziness', but I think they are still amazing. Some earlier cars had transmission and clutch issues, but they got sorted pretty quick.

It gets a fair bit of attention, but so far all positive. Can't get gas or run into a place without people asking about it and taking pics. Lots of pics and video on the road. Lots of folks who want to race or have a 'loud exhaust' contest. Again, mostly all positive experiences for me. Some folks in bigger cities get more flack.

The thing I love the most, other than having wanted one since the black Countach in The Cannonball Run in 1981, is that it is such a single purpose car. It is made for the pure enjoyment of driving. Not for commuting, or cargo, or passengers, or long distance... just to get in and drive the wheels off. And it is an amazing machine: 5.0L V10, stock 520 hp, all wheel drive, 0-60 in 4.0, top speed of 196 (I haven't quite seen that), the E-gear transmission.

People knock Lamborghinis or the Gallardo for various reasons, opinions such as: ''the GTR is faster, the Corvette is cheaper, the Ferrari handles better, the Porsche is a better daily driver, etc." And they may be right... but this car, to me, is a one-of-a-kind combination of all of those things, a hand built Italian masterpiece, and it is unlike all the others. Plus, it's a freakin' Lamborghini!! in MY garage! It totally brings out the 15 year old boy in me.

After 2 years I still love every single time I get behind the wheel.
 
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D

Dennis93

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
319
Location
Va Beach, VA
What brand cord reel did you go with? Can't find one here that doesn't have bad reviews for a decent price.
 
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