Has anyone tried this for a work shop?

[wfopete]

Looking to see if anyone has converted one of these into more of a conventional building/shop:

By that I mean; studded walls, insulation, power, etc. I have a 12x16 unit and was considering converting it into a small work shop rather than putting up a small pole barn structure or buying a large shed on skids but I don't know if it's feasible.

 

[Notgrownup]

I have seen them but I haven't looked at them closely ...

 

[383 240z]

I've seen a lot of them turned into hobby barns. Like for goats and mini horses.
If I had one, I would have considered it. However, I don't think it would be cost effective, to buy and convert. If your going to insulate the walls, how are you going to insulate the roof?

 

[John in OH]

Actually, there have been several threads in the past here on GJ where guys have done just what you are suggesting!! I don't recall that I've seen any of those threads for a year or two, but if you want to go searching you should be able to eventually find them.

 

[John in OH]

Here's one of the threads:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170691

I know there are more, some with a lot more detail on how it was done.

 

[James-W]

I don't see how converting that structure to a workshop would be economically feasible.

 

[gearhead1]

My friend did it. The carport was $750, then used mostly construction site leftovers for the rest.

 

[dcmus]

I have three 12x20. The previous owner built them for horses. I've thought about building the uprights/trusses and repurposing the sheathing but haven't examined the cost effectiveness.

 

[wfopete]

There is probably a website/forum dedicated to these things.

Kinda like the tiny houses fad.

 

[Rogue1987]

Mine has walls and doors on it which we added. I havent gotten to power or walls yet, never enough time

 

[theoldwizard1]

... I have a 12x16 unit and was considering converting it into a small work shop ...

The biggest cost will be spray foam insulation for the roof, It will have to be 4" thick to keep the heat out.

Also check with local code enforcement authorities. They may have some special requirements for changing your carport into a garage.

 

[555]

Ironically a friend of mine just did this near Harrison, AR. He had the slab poured by a concrete contractor and then had the "carport" erected by the dealer. It looks to be about the same size as the one in your thread. He enclosed the sides with the aluminum composite material used on trailers (18 wheel variety). It's a nice roomy shop, he will insulate this fall and add a heating system.
555

 

[James-W]

If you look at the title of this thread it mentions "for a workshop". To make a decent workshop you need a concrete floor. Then you need walls to put insulation in, and a ceiling with insulation. Then you need to run electrical power to the building and depending on where you are located, you will need heat or air-conditioning, or perhaps you will need both.

The structure pictured has no walls, just posts to support the metal roof. To make a workshop, walls will have to be built and if you build walls you may as well have the walls support the roof. For all practical purposes the only thing you are getting with this structure is the roof. Problem is, applying insulation to the metal roof will most likely mean using spray foam, which, while a very good insulation, it is not exactly the cheapest thing to have done. With what it costs to purchase the structure you could probably build a conventional roof, or at least come pretty close to the cost of building it.

If all you want to do is have a place to store stuff, and if you don't mind having a dirt floor, you can maybe put up some sort of walls just to keep the wind and the weather out. I could see doing that, it would allow you to at least keep your stuff under some cover. But to make the structure into a really nice workshop, I would say that is not a very economically viable option.

That's my opinion, others may think differently, but that is the way I look at it.

 

[MarkG]

As with a lot of 're-purposing' projects and especially of this magnitude, my first impression is that I wouldn't be saving enough to make it worth it. I'd rather build a real building and do it right and have it the way I want, and it probably would end up being easier instead of doing endless 'work-arounds' to try to make the kit building work.

JamesW summed it up well!

 

[bazzateer]

The OP already has the car port so talking about the costs of the kit etc is pointless.

 

[sberry]

It would be ok where there are no snow loads and building codes.

 

[LXCam]

So several years ago when I poured my driveway I extended it all the way back to the end of my property. The last bit of pour was a 18 X 40 area located what was to become the outside slab to a 60 X 40 shop. When I closed my contracting business in 10, we had planned on selling and moving out of state and I needed a 6-8 month solution for storage, but everything tanked so bad, that didn't happen. Well I already had a couple of 40ft containers so this came about pretty simple. Poured some footings adjacent to the slab, built the framing for the side and end walls and ordered a rated awning that I just completed enclosed. I made it so I had a 13' 6" peak which provides just enough clearance for the hobby at full extension on my lift.

Now don't laugh too hard guys, it works and was a down and dirty quick solution to a temp problem, 5 years ago..hahaha.

The container was turned into a machine shop and clean assembly area. The best part about this whole deal is when I move, I'll just buy another 40ft'r, load all my personal **** and bring in three semi's and a 30klb forklift and off I go. Hopefully next year.

 

[MagKarl]

You read it here folks, you can't have a real workshop without insulation and concrete.

LXCam, that looks like an extremely well thought out setup you have there. Excellent use of material and space.

 

[theoldwizard1]

He enclosed the sides with the aluminum composite material used on trailers (18 wheel variety).

Interesting. What is the proper name for that material and where can you buy it ?

 

[LXCam]

You read it here folks, you can't have a real workshop without insulation and concrete.

LXCam, that looks like an extremely well thought out setup you have there. Excellent use of material and space.

Thanks Mag and it was that comment that prompted me to post.

 

[Scott3236]

I understand it. If ur income is like mine and you would tackle parts at a time

 

[wfopete]

You read it here folks, you can't have a real workshop without insulation and concrete.

LXCam, that looks like an extremely well thought out setup you have there. Excellent use of material and space.

LX CAM has that Southern California insulation I think some folks need this kind of work shop levity from time to time. It doesn't always mean you have to have a high end set up to get the job done. Build for today, plan for tomorrow.

 

[astroracer]

Sheath it in just like a pole building. 2 x 4 girts on 2' centers, screwed to the existing up-rights (studs?). I would sheath it with 2" foam, over the girts, wrap it with Tyvek and cover the whole thing with T-111. (reclaimed barn siding would be cool also).
I would also "probably" raise the structure about a foot to gain some headroom to those "head knocker braces" at the sides. Build a 2 x 4 PT riser of whatever height you want and set the structure on that before you sheath it in. The ends are easy enough to frame in conventionally.
Mark

 

[rieferman]

Assuming the roof is capable of snow loads in your area, I'd:

- stick frame the walls and attach sheathing/siding material of choice (probably rolled steel, as used in pole barns, but oriented horizontally for ease of installation). This could add some wall strength, be easy to do, and allow easy interior finishing when you're ready to do so.

- For the ceiling, it appears to me that you have about 4 foot spacing in those types of structures. I'd slip rigid foam in between those spaces. If you want a finished ceiling, some light furring strips and vinyl or aluminum soffit material would be easy to install.

The project as I describe it here, and assuming your starting point is in good shape and can handle snow loads, would be inexpensive to do, and could be done in phases to suit your budget.

 

[James-W]

Nobody said you can't have a workshop without insulation and a concrete floor, I have no idea where that came from. You can have whatever kind of workshop you want. But the thing is, if you plan on heating or cooling your shop without insulation, you are throwing a lot of money away for no reason, especially if you have a thin sheet metal building.

As far as a concrete floor is concerned, if you have a concrete floor you can make provisions to put in a lift, it's rather difficult to do that if you have a dirt floor. With a concrete floor you can use a push broom to sweep it and get rid of anything that gets on the floor. You can mop up any water that gets on the floor, or you can use a squeegee to push the water out the door. Try doing that with a dirt floor and tell us how well that works for you. You can have a wood floor in your workshop. Wood floors can work reasonably well for some types of shops. But wood floors aren't all that great for shops where fluids like oil can potentially be spilled or leaked.

In my opinion, in most parts of the country, in order to be usable (comfortably used) year around, a workshop needs to be insulated and it needs to be heated and/or cooled and that means insulation in the walls and the ceiling. If you don't have insulation, then you are spending a whole lot more money that you need to spend for heating/cooling the space. You also need a floor that will stand up to the type of work that you do in the workshop. In most cases, and especially for automotive type work, a concrete floor is the best bet. You may want to cover the concrete with epoxy or something else, but properly poured concrete provides a strong floor that will hold up and serve you well for many years to come.

To sum this up, you don't HAVE to insulate the building and you don't HAVE to pour a concrete floor. But if you don't insulate you will be throwing a lot of money away and if you don't have a decent floor you will wish that you did.

 

[555]

Interesting. What is the proper name for that material and where can you buy it ?

I don't know. It is a lamanated product and appears to be a sandwich of aluminum plate, some type of insulating foam, and a very slick plastic material. I'll have to ask my friend, he worked in the commercial trailer industyr for many years and would save the panels from the rebuilding process.
John

 

[bimmer1980]

Depends on your overall goal and expectations for a workshop.......

Keep in mind that those carport packages are designed for a purpose and may not be engineered for the interior "finishing" touches....

That said, it may certainly be a quick and easy way to get a basic building set up and usable.....

Depending on the span of the vertical tubes, you would probably want to use the horizontal purlins as mentioned in one of the previous posts. I would also think about doing something for the roof and figuring out how to insulate it.....

Some ag-style roll formed steel sheets would also work wells for the walls.

Keep in mind that certain parts of the build are where the costs add up--concrete, insulated doors, electrical, etc....

Best of luck!

and.....a usable workshop is better than one that isn't built and only talked about......

 

[hangfirew8]

The structure pictured has no walls, just posts to support the metal roof. To make a workshop, walls will have to be built and if you build walls you may as well have the walls support the roof. For all practical purposes the only thing you are getting with this structure is the roof.

...

If all you want to do is have a place to store stuff, and if you don't mind having a dirt floor, you can maybe put up some sort of walls just to keep the wind and the weather out.

The photograph shows (what appears to be) a concrete slab.

Nobody said you can't have a workshop without insulation and a concrete floor, I have no idea where that came from.

OK....
I think I know....

 

[James-W]

The photograph shows (what appears to be) a concrete slab.



OK....
I think I know....

Did you actually take the time to read the opening poster's remarks? He wanted to know if anyone had tried to convert one of those metal carport things into a workshop. He wasn't sure if it was feasible and he wanted some opinions on the subject. Myself, and several other members here, are of the opinion that it isn't really economically advantageous and we explained why we said what we did.

What the opening poster has for a floor in his carport is of no consequence because it doesn't change anything. Getting back to the opening poster's question, if someone buys one of those carports and wants to convert it into a workshop, they need to do certain things, one of which is put in a floor of some sort. Then comes the walls, the insulation, etc, etc, etc.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I think it's a nice idea and good luck with it. Make it work for you. I don't know if its been said, but I wouldn't plan on hanging a lot of weight on the walls or truss when you seal it up. That kind of thing might fold. But it'll keep most of the weather off of you and keep your stuff outta sight, which I assume is what you are going for.

 

[555]

I don't know. It is a lamanated product and appears to be a sandwich of aluminum plate, some type of insulating foam, and a very slick plastic material. I'll have to ask my friend, he worked in the commercial trailer industyr for many years and would save the panels from the rebuilding process.
John

I found out it is "Duraplate", a Wabash product
http://www.wabashcomposites.com/duraPlate

 

[rkevins]

Looking to see if anyone has converted one of these into more of a conventional building/shop:

By that I mean; studded walls, insulation, power, etc. I have a 12x16 unit and was considering converting it into a small work shop rather than putting up a small pole barn structure or buying a large shed on skids but I don't know if it's feasible.[/QUOT

We enclosed one for a garage. built stud walls between the metal post and covered the outside with vinyl siding left to over from the house. there is a place north of Greenbrier and one at Mayflower that sells the metal that should match. You may also be able to get the material from coast to coast in Knoxville.

 

[suzuki 650L]

I always thought that one of these would be cheap and easy.I want to get one but will not work on my lot. It is cheap for the area you get.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DuroSPAN-St...hash=item43e41f9e2e:m:mu85tDYbDwGERA3J6-txG_A

 

[bczygan]

Looking to see if anyone has converted one of these into more of a conventional building/shop:

By that I mean; studded walls, insulation, power, etc. I have a 12x16 unit and was considering converting it into a small work shop rather than putting up a small pole barn structure or buying a large shed on skids but I don't know if it's feasible.

What kind of work shop?

What kind of tools and materials?

4 season or just in good weather?

What kind of floor do you have?

You can do work in a tent, as the military does when on maneuvers or in a mobile situation. The question is how comfortable an environment do you require?

Is this stop gap, or a permanent solution?

etc. etc........

Bill

Photos of yours?

 

[wfopete]

I was just exploring the possibilities. I have one on a lot I bought and the nice thing is you can use the existing framework to upgrade as money allows. You can get into a relatively weather (rain/wind) proof work shop quickly. IF you want to go further studded walls and the rest can be phased in.

Or you can just make payments on a more conventional structure.