Garage height versus length and width

[Hardrider]

New to the group wanting to build a 30x40x10 or a 30x30x14 not sure which would be better or cheaper to build a 30x30x14I could have a mezzanine area for storage Any insight would help Thank you in advance

 

[WarDamnEagle]

30x40x14 of course.

Seriously though, I would go at least 12' on the walls. I have a 40x40x15 and the height is very nice. Gives you lots of flexibility but it's not a complete substitute for square footage floor space.

 

[glentre]

Bigger is almost always better provided the garage doesn't overpower the house from a visual standpoint. And, I'd go with a minimum of 13 ft ceilings but that depends on what kind of lift you have or plan for the future. With 13 ft, I can fit a full sized sedan on top with just enough room under for our Yukon. Best to plan on what vehicles you might have.

Regarding cost, the difference will be insignificant when spread over the years the garage will be used and you will kick yourself for not going as big as is practicable. There are always ways to economize or find money before construction starts but adding space later rarely happens.

Good luck an welcome to the Forum.

Glen

 

[larry_g]

Give us a clue on what the building is to be used for other than storage. A wood shop could get by with a 10' wall better than a farm shop. On my first shop I had a stepped roof with 10 and 14' walls. It served the purpose that I had for the building, and looked good on the site.

Form follows function.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Jackfre]

My shop is 30x30x10. It is my workshop, mostly wood and an area of welding. At an 8/12 pitch with attic trusses I have a 7x8’ area for storage, light storage up there. it is very useful and while accessed only with a fold down 350# ladder and a 4’x 22.5” trap hatch, that limited access keeps the load light. 10’ has been excellent and I rarely hit the ceiling with anything. If you intend to condition the space cubes are an issue, but your location is of limited value on that point. I service my equipment in there but do not have/want a lift. Do you?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd build the bigger shell first and worry about completing the interior later. It's cheaper to build the bigger shell now, than go back to add on later.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Some places might cost a little more with taller walls, at least that’s what my neighbor told me when he’s looking at getting one built because it has to be engineered different for the taller walls.

 

[ItsNemo]

1-2 foot concrete stem wall which keeps the moisture/critter problems to a minimum, 12 foot framed walls on top, giving you that sweet spot 13-14 feet interior height.

 

[zmotorsports]

First off, welcome to the forum.

If you are going to be doing automotive related work and thinking about adding a lift in the future you will be glad you went with 14' ceilings.

As far as footprint, I would go as large as possible, in your case 30'x40'x14 would be best. The cost to go vertical is usually minuscule vs. a larger footprint.

 

[HAP]

Taller walls require more materials and concrete engineering to offset wind heave loads due to larger sail area.

R,
HAP

 

[b-boy]

New to the group wanting to build a 30x40x10 or a 30x30x14 not sure which would be better or cheaper to build a 30x30x14I could have a mezzanine area for storage Any insight would help Thank you in advance

I'd go higher than 10'. 14' is perfect IMHO.

I did 12', and I wish I went higher. I built a 6'x40' mezzanine for storage, but it's only 5' high. The extra 2' would have made using it much easier to move around in.

However, if this limits your overall building size due to the extra cost, I'd probably go with the larger footprint over the height.

 

[dcg9381]

Depends. Generally going "up" is not that more expensive (with some limits) as it's largely the same labor and same foundation.

One thing that gives shops a lot of flexibility is door size. A 14' eve generally allows a 12' door.. That's great for most things, but if someone ever wants that shop for RV storage or big boat storage, you may want to consider a 14' door (16' eve). This clears anything that can drive on the road (or be towed on the road).



I have a 16' eve on my shop. My pitch is relatively low. There are parts where I'd like to put a mezzanine, but once you consider that the framing of the floor probably takes up 12" or so, you end up with pretty low ceilings at the eve... If was doing it again, I'd probably move to an 18' eve if I wanted 2 floors internally.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Could always use a scissor trusses to have it taller in the center.

 

[robb1887]

I'm in the pre-planning stage of my own similar build. Without knowing what your intent on use is it's hard to say.

My 28x40 will have a 28x28x14' interior ceiling with a 12x28x9.5' "workarea" off to the size with a second floor above and attic trusses planned over the 14' work bay to maximize space and storage for my car hobby focus with woodworking and metal work secondary.

A 10' ceiling height I would say is adequate for a work/hobby/non-lift required work shop.

A 12' minimum 14' desired is require for any reasonably sized lift.

12' interior height can be achieved with a 2x4 construction with the right stem wall height (in my area) using a precut 10' 2x4 stud. Anything higher requires moving up to 2x6 studs and typically aren't precut lengths ($$labor cost if not building yourself).

Rough numbers is a 20% material cost increase (again in my area) for 2x6 vs 2x4 stud construction and other than future planned insulation, the cost difference is minimal other than a few extra sheets of sheeting and sheetrock for the extra 2' in ceiling height. I also wouldn't require a huge stem wall which will reduce foundation costs, but I haven't run those numbers

 

[My Old Tools]

30x40x12 gives you enough headroom for a nice usable loft. My loft is 20x30 set at 9 feet off the floor.