Garage Bathroom with Shower

[Juice484]

In the middle of building my 24x52 stick built garage. Haven’t poured the floor yet. Looking for recommendations and suggestions from experience. Is it worth installing a shower into your garage? How much does it get used? Would it be worth my time? I’m an HVAC journeyman so I can handle the plumbing. Just wondering if it’s worth the floor space and trouble.

Thanks!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I suppose it depends on what you are using the shop for, any incidents that you could use the shower as a wash down emergency ?

Any chance that you could set up a small living space in the shop ? maybe not a normal thing but as a back up plan ?

What about adding a facet like a tub so you can use as a slop sink ?

 

[Juice484]

I suppose it depends on what you are using the shop for, any incidents that you could use the shower as a wash down emergency ?

Any chance that you could set up a small living space in the shop ? maybe not a normal thing but as a back up plan ?

What about adding a facet like a tub so you can use as a slop sink ?

I have thought about the tub and the emergency shower idea. I plan on doing a man cave area (tv, table chairs for pizza and beer) and a bay for my current project (motorcycle repair, tractor repair). Just don’t know how much I’d actually use it initially. U less the wife kicks me out there.


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[NUTTSGT]

A shower might be just enough to change the regulations on the entire building and require new guidelines for your build, or completely disallowed.

As far as cost equating to worth, the cost is a shower stall from CL and a hundred bucks of plumbing AND about 24sqft of floor space.

Worth is value to you. Cost is value of money.
Worth is not money.

24 sqft ? That's a huge shower, like 4x6?

 

[tomroblee]

A shower in the garage makes more sense if the garage is attached. Having a shower in the garage (or basement) was very common a generation ago. It kept a lot of dirt out of the main house and was very convenient for the father to use when his wife and kids had the only bathroom in the house occupied.

If your garage isn't attached, you will have to consider how you will get hot water to the shower. A small 120v heater may be fine for just a sink, but you will need something bigger for a shower.

It wouldn't cost much to install the rough plumbing before you pour the slab--especially if you are already planning a toilet and wash sink. Back in the old days, it wasn't uncommon to see a floor drain in the concrete floor with a shower head mounted above it. A round shower rod was mounted to hold a shower curtain.

 

[jp828108]

The previous owners and builders of my place planned a spot to put a bathroom with shower in. It isn't currently hooked into the septic, and there is no water run. I planned around using the location for a future shower and bathroom. I'm going to give up around 50 to 60 square feet total if it ever happens. Would just use a propane fired instant hot water heater. no need to use a large one and burn electric or gas all the time.

I think one would be nice especially on a detached structure if you are dirty and greasy you could shower before going inside, if you are in the middle of a project and its snowing or raining no need to go to the house if you need to use the bathroom. I also see my place as kind of a hangout to tinker and mess around. So that is driving my desire to have facilities hooked up.

 

[forAK]

In my detached addition, I'm putting one in but the whole room (toilet, urinal, shower) will be a wet room. That way I would be able to clean anything in there and keep the mess contained. Then just hose down the whole room.

 

[larry4406]

I have had showers in prior garages. One detached, one attached. I would do it again if possible. Hardest part is to remember to bring a clean change of clothes before working. Keeps the mess out of the house and wife happy when walk in clean and dirty clothes in a bag. On the detached garage, I had planned for a stacked washer dryer as well but never got there; plan was to keep the work clothes there.

 

[kelpaso1]

Geezus, how dirty do some of you get in a garage that you have to shower before going in the house Take your coveralls off, put runners on, and wash your hands in the shop sink. A sink and a toilet ya, but a shower? Really??

 

[bjcouche]

I have a bathroom in my detached garage and I love it. It has a toilet and single basin kitchen sink, mounted on a counter top with 18" on either side of the sink. It's been great to have the toilet in the shop. You always have to go just as soon as you get dirty or greasy and don't want to track the dirt into the house. The kitchen sink might seem out of place in a bathroom until you realize how often you end up using the kitchen sprayer to wash parts and other stuff. I have a largish under sink hot water tank and I prefer that because I don't have to pipe a gas vent through my wall for an on demand water heater. The bathroom is the only room in the shop that has water, and that room is separately insulated and heated with a baseboard heater. IF I were to build another shop, I'd certainly have the plumbing roughed in for a shower as well. I could just leave it capped off, but if I ever wanted to add the shower it's already in the concrete. I can definitely see how a shower, equipped with a shower wand, would be nice for cleaning pets, or larger shop parts....
Brian

 

[rburke65]

If I'd had to choose only one I'd vote for a toilet, but ya....how dirty do you guys get!?

 

[larry4406]

Geezus, how dirty do some of you get in a garage that you have to shower before going in the house Take your coveralls off, put runners on, and wash your hands in the shop sink. A sink and a toilet ya, but a shower? Really??

Mow the grass, weed whack the back40, rototill the garden, split wood, spill gear oil on yourself, etc. I’m sure the wife is real happy if you walk thru the house first on your way to the master bath after any of these activities. Shower in garage is not just for garage activity cleanup; it’s an extension of the outdoor projects as well.

Hell, I manage construction of houses day in and day out. When I came home from work, showered in the garage, all the **** on clothes and boots stayed in the garage, wife quite happy.

Your mileage may vary. OP asked for merits of a garage shower. If you do zero and never get dirty you probably could shower every 4-5 months.

 

[Mr. D]

Geezus, how dirty do some of you get in a garage that you have to shower before going in the house Take your coveralls off, put runners on, and wash your hands in the shop sink. A sink and a toilet ya, but a shower? Really??

Ever removed undercoating from the bottom of a car, that is one serious dirty job.

 

[Stellaontap]

I come home from work really dirty sometimes.....black pigment all over. The new house has light coloured tile so I will be using a shower in my shop when I get it done.

Eric

 

[kelpaso1]

Mow the grass, weed whack the back40, rototill the garden, split wood, spill gear oil on yourself, etc. I’m sure the wife is real happy if you walk thru the house first on your way to the master bath after any of these activities. Shower in garage is not just for garage activity cleanup; it’s an extension of the outdoor projects as well.

Hell, I manage construction of houses day in and day out. When I came home from work, showered in the garage, all the **** on clothes and boots stayed in the garage, wife quite happy.

Your mileage may vary. OP asked for merits of a garage shower. If you do zero and never get dirty you probably could shower every 4-5 months.

I do all that except spill gear oil on myself (careful that doesn't happen or else might as well throw those clothes away). Also welding, grinding etc. Coveralls and boots stay in the garage. Clothes are clean underneath. Maybe blow my hair off if doing a dusty job. Unless you're laying in oil and soaking your clothes, or working in a coal mine I don't see the point.

 

[dfiler2]

I have a bathroom and wouldn't be without it. I don't think i would use a shower, wouldn't want to go through the trouble of hauling clean and dirty clothes back and forth.

 

[driftpin]

One of the considerations for many of us is the happiness of the spouse, You don't want to be tracking god-knows-whatever through the house, or even if you remove your clothes and are in a pair of shorts, your body is still full of contaminants.

My modest 2-car garage has a full bathroom in the hall from the attached garage to the kitchen. Opposite the garage is the laundry. So, clean the body, and clean the clothes, and the facilities are directly next to the garage. Yes, I like the garage having a close-by bathroom and laundry. In a separate detached building, a bit more planning and additional expense, but you can fit a full bathroom in a 5' x 7' space easily.

 

[MushCreek]

I have a full bath in my barn. When I mow, I'll take a quick shower to rinse off the clippings and dust. I might not even go in the house if I've got a shop project after the mowing.

 

[Showkey]

I am the 4th owner of my 1000 sqft shop...........it was rough plumbed and permitted for full bath. The original owner nor the past three have bothered to complete the bath. I use it as my compressor and parts storage. The shop is 75” from the house which has a mud room entrance and full bath clean up area in the mud room.

 

[Voi]

Is it worth installing a shower into your garage? How much does it get used? Just wondering if it’s worth the floor space and trouble.

A local car guy has a wet room in his shop. No shower stall, just a shower head coming out of the wall and a floor drain. He told me how he did his walls and I don't recall the specifics but something like cement board coated with Red Guard or some similar product. I think there might have also been a skim coat of hydraulic cement or something like the because it had a neat textured look.

He garage sink doesn't sit on a wooden vanity and his countertop was a chunk of leftover granite from his house build. Everything in the bathroom can handle spray from the shower.

He said it wasn't worth spending the money on or giving up the square footage for a separate (and cramped) fiberglass shower stall.

 

[wirt]

I started with just wanting a toilet and a sink, but after really thinking about it I figured if I'm running the water and sewer I may as well go all out so I did. I figured even If I don't use all the facilities right away the hookups are there just in case.
Let me tell you, while some may think it was excessive or a waste of money it actually ended up being the best possible decision. Wether Im Working on the bikes, riding the mower for a few hours or need to give my pups a bath when I'm done I can hop in the shower and leave the mess out in the garage. I leave all the dirty clothes out there in the hamper, none of the oily or really dirty clothes even have to mingle with my wife's things. Lol
So IMO if you are gonna take the time to put in a toilet and a sink then by all means rough the rest in while you can.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Pretty cool idea (tho it looks WAY too clean to be in my shop)... I like the parts sink idea... think I know what's this spring's first project.

A local car guy has a wet room in his shop. No shower stall, just a shower head coming out of the wall and a floor drain. He told me how he did his walls and I don't recall the specifics but something like cement board coated with Red Guard or some similar product. I think there might have also been a skim coat of hydraulic cement or something like the because it had a neat textured look.

He garage sink doesn't sit on a wooden vanity and his countertop was a chunk of leftover granite from his house build. Everything in the bathroom can handle spray from the shower.

He said it wasn't worth spending the money on or giving up the square footage for a separate (and cramped) fiberglass shower stall.

We've discussed doing this to the half bath between the dining room (which is next to the door to the back porch) and the bedroom... doing something like stone tile throughout, mounting the commode like an RV unit, waterproofing (or ceiling mounting) the electrical, and putting a shower head in there. Give us a second shower room with no added space.

 

[gnpenning]

In my detached addition, I'm putting one in but the whole room (toilet, urinal, shower) will be a wet room. That way I would be able to clean anything in there and keep the mess contained. Then just hose down the whole room.

This is my plan. I'll have a raised cement foundation that the bathroom walls will sit on. The whole bathroom will be a shower stall. It may only get used once or twice a year,but the small costs will be worth it. You are already enclosing the space , so basically a floor drain and shower head. No major cost for emergency use.

The shower/bathroom combination I have in my RV is much smaller, but works great. Same concept. Why take up much space for occasional use.

 

[dw1]

I put a shower in my barn bathroom. I found a blemished 48" fiberglass unit for $75 at a local plumbing supply, my bathroom is 4' x 12' and has a toilet, urinal and a shower, washtub is right outside the door, I was trying to keep the bathroom small and not take up to much barn floor

 

[NorteCatorce]

I have pretty much a 3/4 bath, shower, toilet and vanity installed by the previous owner in my detatched garage. There is only a cold line going out the it with its own independent electric water heater
Honestly the only time I have used the shower is when the bathroom in the house was undergoing a gut job renovation, but I use the toilet and sink ALL the time.

 

[Juice484]

Great response to the topic. My overall feeling is that I’ll plumb the shower in and install later. Toilet looks like a must have. Sink will be outside the bathroom. I like the idea of laundry machines. If I end up not installing the shower, it could always be a mop sink!?


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[Juice484]

I started with just wanting a toilet and a sink, but after really thinking about it I figured if I'm running the water and sewer I may as well go all out so I did. I figured even If I don't use all the facilities right away the hookups are there just in case.

Let me tell you, while some may think it was excessive or a waste of money it actually ended up being the best possible decision. Wether Im Working on the bikes, riding the mower for a few hours or need to give my pups a bath when I'm done I can hop in the shower and leave the mess out in the garage. I leave all the dirty clothes out there in the hamper, none of the oily or really dirty clothes even have to mingle with my wife's things. Lol

So IMO if you are gonna take the time to put in a toilet and a sink then by all means rough the rest in while you can.

Looks awesome!! Thanks for the response!


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[dreamingmuscle]

I plumbed mine for a 3/4 bath. But I anticipate down on thier luck relatives needing a short time place to camp out.

 

[justinthurn]

I am putting a tub/shower in my detatched shop. I have 2 dogs that get dirty so I'll be using it for that. I still think I would put one in if I didn't have dogs.

 

[jp828108]

Great response to the topic. My overall feeling is that I’ll plumb the shower in and install later. Toilet looks like a must have. Sink will be outside the bathroom. I like the idea of laundry machines. If I end up not installing the shower, it could always be a mop sink!?


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May want to consider the sink inside the bathroom depending on your climate. Then you only have to keep a small area above freezing.

 

[barnee]

I put a full bath in my detached garage, mostly since it has an upstairs which could be converted into a bedroom/apartment and the bath would be needed. I have ageing parents and kids getting to the college age. Figured somebody would end up living there.

I also thought that it would be desirable for the next owner's potential uses (nanny suite, etc).

 

[bugnut]

I included a shower in the bath when I had a 30x40 built. Rough plumbing in and corner shower stall may not see a lot of use but the convenience of not taking the mess into the house is worthwhile.

 

[wirt]

I am putting a tub/shower in my detatched shop. I have 2 dogs that get dirty so I'll be using it for that. I still think I would put one in if I didn't have dogs.

Go without a Flying Pig dog tub, it is some of the best money I've ever spent.

 

[JD3020]

What are you guys using for hot water in you're garage showers? Buddy of mine is buying a farm with a large shop and a detached 15x15 office but no house. The shop currently has a tiny room with just a toilet and sink in the shop with an 120v instant water heater at the sink. We're talking about busting out the floor in the office to add a bath/shower/sink and washer/drier. Nobody will be living there, just want a quick way to clean up if you get covered in cow **** or oil. But hopefully not both at the same time.

 

[ard]

How about roughing in a drain for a 3x4 stall shower- but only install it when/if it makes sense?

Throw some storage/shelves over it if you never install the shower.

Ive got a barn/show with a bathroom- shower, sink, toilet- and also a tackroom with sink, refrig. Water filter, softener and heater.