Florida Garage Project: 1,500 sqft Block

[Gentleman Adventurer]

LR;
Nice layout!

Looking forward to the build.

2. May want to consider a small roll up instead of a window from the show out to the yard just in case you are working on say a riding lawn mower and have the car part of the garage full. You would have to move at least one car to get it out of the shop. Maybe replace the window in the shop part that is facing the same direction as the roll up door so a sidewalk could be poured to connect the "driveway" up to the garage to this additional roll up.

Just a thought and easier to do these now rather than later.

Also a good idea. I had thought about this, but it's partially facing the house... And very visible from the living room. Want to keep it as "residential" looking as possible. Thoughts?

Instead of a roll up door in the side facing the house, Put a set of French style doors or Carriage doors in that wall. Would give you a 6-8 foot wide opening, but still have a residential look.

Keep up the good work!

 

[LilRichard]

Block gets delivered tomorrow AM, so I decided to use the downtime and get some crushed rock in place around the outside of the garage while I could still utilize the tractor to move it in place. Ordered 5 cubic yards - and filled the sides of the yard where I do not want to have to worry about grass / weeds / etc. Not super exciting, but was good timing as they will start blocking the walls and I would have had to wheelbarrow this all in!

My neighbor's tractor - which I absolutely love driving around. Makes me feel like a kid again!

"57 Rock", 3" deep:

Backside of the garage, and another shot of my "soon-to-be-very-cool" recessed bike lift.

Requisite dog picture:

 

[LilRichard]

Blocking the walls started today... albeit it was COLD for Florida!

Pictures speak louder than words:

Dog checking out the workmanship:

Wife openly stating "This thing is going to be too big"

View from the front - which is 9 courses tall as of this picture:

 

[dubber]

Its never too big.....

 

[LilRichard]

This thing is moving FAST!

Need to get some pictures tonight... got home too late last night. Walls will be complete when I get home. Lintels are already in place. Steel gets tied in tomorrow, inspected tomorrow afternoon / Friday AM, then we pour the header / blocks / lintels Friday.

Carpenter comes this weekend with a team to knock out framing / sheeting. Roofer comes next Friday. It's possible I could have a near-complete structure within two weeks. Wow.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Your build is coming along nicely, I like the idea of the crushed rock fill and have done a similar thing around my shed and yard. Keep us posted.

 

[78Bird]

"Wife openly stating "This thing is going to be too big" "

Ha, That's what she said!! (literally)

 

[LilRichard]

As promised, pictures of complete block from this evening. Will be inspected tomorrow AM, poured Friday. Then trusses begin!

Windows were drawn wider than they actually ended up being - and hence the cut where they had to add rebar:

 

[zappman]

It's looking good LilRichard. Did you have the shredded fiber mixed in your concrete?
I'm in the process of a bit smaller build on my 2-1/2 acres about 30 miles North of you. So we're in the same boat as far as all the sink hole activity in the area.

 

[LilRichard]

Zappman - yes, I added fiber to the concrete in addition to the standard wire mesh. It was $5 extra per yard - hard to pass up a little extra strength for that money.

 

[jimmie jam]

"Wife openly stating "This thing is going to be too big" "

It just looks "too big" because it was never there. In a few weeks the mind will get used to seeing it and that will change. It's never "too big". Hell, I added 600sq 3 yeas ago and I still look at it today and say "it could have been 30' deep instead of 27'..what was I thinkling? I have the room". You'll see. I can't believe that they let you use that long lental above your big door, That would never fly here in S. FL...I had to pour the entire front of mine...they did let me use a lental on the rear 7' door. I noticed that you have precast window sills, we have to pour them solid. I also poured every cell with 4000psi when the tie beam was pumped....it cost me an extra $270 in material and I have "solid" walls. When you get the roof on and dried in it will look smaller. Great progress!

 

[acronate]

man this is super nice!! where about in Florida are you? I am just north of Clearwater.

 

[Xporter]

Wow, that's going to be real nice when it's done.

 

[LilRichard]

"Wife openly stating "This thing is going to be too big" "

It just looks "too big" because it was never there. In a few weeks the mind will get used to seeing it and that will change. It's never "too big". Hell, I added 600sq 3 yeas ago and I still look at it today and say "it could have been 30' deep instead of 27'..what was I thinkling? I have the room". You'll see. I can't believe that they let you use that long lental above your big door, That would never fly here in S. FL...I had to pour the entire front of mine...they did let me use a lental on the rear 7' door. I noticed that you have precast window sills, we have to pour them solid. I also poured every cell with 4000psi when the tie beam was pumped....it cost me an extra $270 in material and I have "solid" walls. When you get the roof on and dried in it will look smaller. Great progress!

Thanks! I agree, part of the reaction is due to the new structure. The wife doesn't quite understand the need for height though. If I could have, I would have gone 14ft!

man this is super nice!! where about in Florida are you? I am just north of Clearwater.

I'm over in north Tampa. Thanks!

Wow, that's going to be real nice when it's done.

Gracias!

 

[zappman]

Zappman - yes, I added fiber to the concrete in addition to the standard wire mesh. It was $5 extra per yard - hard to pass up a little extra strength for that money.

Actually it's a lot of extra strength. I just busted up a section of sidewalk a couple of weeks ago (to re-route it) that I had used the fiber on. I was amazed with how well it held the cement together.

 

[viper522]

I thought I recognized that username. I took some pictures at PBIR in 3/2012.

 

[LilRichard]

Haha... very cool. I remember those pics!

So I got redtagged by the inspector for removing some windows. Odd... but it delayed me a few days to get through. Back at it last week on Thursday.

In a few of the pictures you may notice blue material at the ridge vents... have it tarped (supposed to rain tomorrow).

Got the entry doors installed today. This weekend will be windows.

Sheathing inspection tomorrow, then shingles... then electric! Woohoo...

 

[vtec?lol]

Looking good!

 

[ufvj217]

Awesome !!!

 

[jimmie jam]

Looking good! You will notice that it will start looking smaller when you get the ceiling up if you haven't noticed with the roof on by now. Keep us posted....

 

[LilRichard]

JJ - I am beginning to notice that. And agree it will definitely be smaller with the ceiling up.

 

[cdrewferd]

Great looking space. Looks like it's going up really quickly.

 

[LilRichard]

Been a busy week! Roof will be done tomorrow. Started placing electrical boxes last night. Got the garage door installed today. Now it's starting to get exciting!

 

[Bib Overalls]

Finishes? Stucco outside and paint inside or?

 

[LilRichard]

Yessir. Exactly.

 

[zappman]

I am still deciding between stucco and siding on my build. I'm having a hard time trying to get a good materials cost to go stucco though. So, the jury is still out on it.

What is the pitch on your roof? It looks like about 2/12?

 

[yab969]

wow subscribed

 

[LilRichard]

Zapp, it's 2.5/12. House is about the same, early 60s ranch architecture.

Re: stucco, I got a quote of $1 a square including materials. For me I'm only doing the front sides (don't care if the neighbor sees block) so it's a little over $500 after deducting windows / doors.

 

[LutzTD]

Zapp, it's 2.5/12. House is about the same, early 60s ranch architecture.

Re: stucco, I got a quote of $1 a square including materials. For me I'm only doing the front sides (don't care if the neighbor sees block) so it's a little over $500 after deducting windows / doors.

looks good, getting close to seeing it all come together

hey let me know how your stucco works out, maybe if you like their work ill ask you for their info

 

[jimmie jam]

Re: stucco, I got a quote of $1 a square including materials. For me I'm only doing the front sides (don't care if the neighbor sees block) so it's a little over $500 after deducting windows / doors.

I know that you are working with a budget but the price for the stucco is very good. You should really consider just doing the complete exterior at that price now and be done with it. Even though you're not going to look at the sides you will feel much better about the completed job and, it will look finished. The additional cost now will be well worth it, IMSO. I know that you are not thinking of selling but if you do in the future it will make a much better impression and keep buyers from thinking that you've cut costs elsewhere even if that isn't the case. My stucco cost me 4.5 times that but I did the inside and outside. Just my suggestion

 

[LilRichard]

Jimmie: Fair point. I will give that some thought. Quote was low on the stucco - It's gonna be a bit more... he didn't realize it was 12' tall and had six windows. Whoops.

So I got the floor sealed last night. Used the Legacy 6600HD with the fine non skid. I was VERY impressed with how it turned out. Shame was the prep process.

I did everything in the instructions, and once the floor dried I was unhappy with how it looked. The problem was that during construction, the crew got mortar on the slab. While they were diligent about getting it cleaned up, it still left a fine layer - probably partially due to porosity of the concrete.

So I ended up renting a floor machine from Depot, and strapped 60grit sanding disks to it... and sanded the entire floor. What a chore! However it cured the majority of the footprints / track marks, so it was worth the effort. There is still some mottling of the surface but it's much better. Here are some shots:

This last one is a super close up. It looks more abrasive than it is. I ran my hand over the surface when it was dry and I think it's just right for non-skid... but not going to beat my mop up, nor my skin.

Now it's time to finish the electric!

 

[jimmie jam]

It's still a very fair price. I spent $4,600 to have the exterior 22 x 27 x 13h and the interior done. That was only three walls, front/back and 1 side with a 8x16 front and a 8x7 rear door, 4 2x3 fixed above the front door and two 30"x60" windows. The fourth wall was existing/finished. I have not sealed my floor as I had the finishers "burn" a very smooth/hard jewel like finish in. I did however cover the entire floor with plywood before the block guys started so the floor would not get ruined by them and the stucco guys. That's most likely too **** for most. looking good.......

 

[LilRichard]

I have not sealed my floor as I had the finishers "burn" a very smooth/hard jewel like finish in.

Can you explain this and / or provide a link?

I did however cover the entire floor with plywood before the block guys started so the floor would not get ruined by them and the stucco guys. That's most likely too **** for most. looking good.......

Funny you say that, this is my first project of this magnitude and did not know this was an issue.

However we're blowing out the attached garage next, and making it a master bed/bath... and I plan to cover the new slab there because I want to do polished concrete floors.

 

[dubber]

That is one solid build.

 

[jimmie jam]

Can you explain this and / or provide a link?


Funny you say that, this is my first project of this magnitude and did not know this was an issue.

However we're blowing out the attached garage next, and making it a master bed/bath... and I plan to cover the new slab there because I want to do polished concrete floors.

First, i used 4,000psi concrete. This guy was 3 times the normal finishing cost (i knew not to skimp here, you get one shot at it). After they got everything level he started with the rotary paddle and kept going over and over the surface and i noticed that he would slow the speed down and keep polishing until the surpace was hard and very smooth. I have a build thread, i'll send you the link - i think there are some pics.

I didn't really give it much thought either. The great Jamacian block guy figured out how "****" i was and said "we better cover this finished floor, mon". That's how it got covered. 3 mil plastic and then the plywood but you could even use cheap luan sheets.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Just checking in on your build, the floor is looking great, well done.

 

[LilRichard]

Thanks guys - again, I've been picking up the majority of my ideas from here. Consider it a reflection of the collective knowledge base!

 

[Sunbimmer]

Thanks guys - again, I've been picking up the majority of my ideas from here. Consider it a reflection of the collective knowledge base!

very well said !

 

[LutzTD]

First, i used 4,000psi concrete. This guy was 3 times the normal finishing cost (i knew not to skimp here, you get one shot at it). After they got everything level he started with the rotary paddle and kept going over and over the surface and i noticed that he would slow the speed down and keep polishing until the surpace was hard and very smooth. I have a build thread, i'll send you the link - i think there are some pics.

I didn't really give it much thought either. The great Jamacian block guy figured out how "****" i was and said "we better cover this finished floor, mon". That's how it got covered. 3 mil plastic and then the plywood but you could even use cheap luan sheets.

yeah the block guys ruined my floor too. between the sloppy morter falls along the wall to the streaks and drips when they grouted the block solid. then dragging steel scaffolding over the still relatively soft floor. The worst was a blowout on one of the columns then the GC nailed braces into the floor. I know its too late for the OP, but for anyone reading this if you want a super nice floor then cover it before the block. in the end for me it was not that important, just a little irksome as it was happening.

 

[KCarGuy]

That is going to be a Fantastic Garage.
Cant wait to see is as it continues to Progress.
Love the L Shape.
Makes me Kinda wish I did that.
(I wish I would Have found GJ before I built mine)