General Garage Refurb Question (and first post!)

[Thrakintosh]

Hi all,

I live in a c.1926 Sears home in Dutchess County in NY with a detached garage. I have dreams of refurbing the garage and using as a woodworking shop as I am really cramped in the basement shop.

A few questions... Please keep in mind I am new to this - just starting my education.

First, the building has no sheathing. Exterior Doug Fir clapboard is nailed directly to studs. There's a number of small holes and spaces where air and weather can make it in to the garage tho' overall it is a very dry space. If I was to insulate and hang OSB or ply on the interior what else would I need to consider in order to make the building drier and more structurally sound?

Second, the floor is four concrete slabs one of which has lifted in heaves. I'm thinking that the floor needs to be torn out and repoured. Any opinions?

Last ... There is a second "floor" that consists of joists with shiplap flooring nailed directly to the studs - basically floating.

So, is this space worth salvaging or would the costs to make things right equal (or be reasonably close to) that of a tear down and start from scratch (recognizing that start from scratch would be a new building)? Can I even work with what I have?

I can post photos if it would help.

Thanks again!
Adam

 

[HTGTS350]

Any enclosed, undercover and relatively dry space is worth saving in my opinion, just don't spend a fortune fixing it up if YOU really want to tear it down and start again at some point. Maybe just make it workable for now for whatever purpose you require and then look into a replacement building down the road a little.

 

[Thrakintosh]

Thanks, Mr. HP,

In order to make the space useful I'd need to run electrical (none currently there) from the main house - sub panel, etc. and heat/AC the space to make it year round and control,the humidity (wood and tools don't love humidity).

Thanks,
A

 

[G_P]

What condition is the exterior wood in? If its starting to rot then consider removing it and putting up sheathing and siding.

As for the heaved floor it will depend on if you have footers or if its just a slab laying on the ground.

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[rancherbill]

and heat/AC the space to make it year round and control,the humidity (wood and tools don't love humidity).

Thanks,
A

I live in a cold area and we have building practices for the cold. In 'warm areas' they do it differently, for heating and cooling. I don't know which climate your are in.

The exterior siding has to be 100% waterproof and as airtight as reasonably possible. Insulate the garage and then install a poly moisture barrier and use acoustic sealant to get a 100% air barrier. Put up OSB or drywall.

Don't worry about the floor, it is probably a slab type and will continue to heave no matter what you do to it.