Help with garage plans - Newbie

[toanz]

Hey guys

New to the forum here, I've found great read ups on this site and decided to
sign up.

I'm in the process of getting a garage built, but have yet to settle on a set of
plans. Looking into a 26x26 for size. My height restriction is 15' and maximum
eaveline height is 9' 10".

I've had the local hardware store do some calculations for a package and results were 9' walls with scissor trusses (cant remember the actual pitch ). I would do a reverse roof facing and
I would have 12' clearance down the middle just enough to sneak in a 2 post hoist.

My concerns are with 9' walls, Am I going to be able to lift vehicles up high enough to work on from underneath? I'm 5' 10". I think I should be good with passenger size vehicles but SUVs i feel like ill be limited.

What do you guys think is best? Would 10' walls work out much better? or is there a better design layout I should go with?

Advice would be awesome here.

Thanks guys

 

[akdiesel]

Try a cathedral ceiling or a raised ceiling truss design. With 15' exterior height you will be loosing a lot of valuable space in the shop.

 

[rburke65]

I'm no help for your build, but welcome to Garage Journal. I am sure some one will help you out though. Good luck on the build.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lose the 26X 26 and go with multiples of 4. You save materials (full width 4 ft wide sheets) and a 24 X 28 (you only lose 4 sq ft in the deal) allows you a shorter roof truss allowing a slightly taller wall. (how much depends on the roof pitch of course)

 

[Motofixxer]

You have to make sure you ask/understand where/how they are measuring. Is the 15' the overall height to peak or median height(half distance from top of wall to peak).

I have 10' walls and can lift most vehicles full height. But the depth is where you will have the clearance issues. I have all the specs listed in the posts of my shop, below in my Sig.

 

[XS29L9B]

Try a cathedral ceiling or a raised ceiling truss design. With 15' exterior height you will be loosing a lot of valuable space in the shop.

 

[toanz]

You have to make sure you ask/understand where/how they are measuring. Is the 15' the overall height to peak or median height(half distance from top of wall to peak).

I have 10' walls and can lift most vehicles full height. But the depth is where you will have the clearance issues. I have all the specs listed in the posts of my shop, below in my Sig.

hey thanks for the reply. Your garage is basically the setup i would like to do, except shorter.

As for the height "The maximum height of a detached garage cannot exceed 4.6 metres, when measured from grade at any point adjacent to the building."

That is whats stated in the city's website

 

[camarotoolman]

You could go with a shed type roof, 15" in the front, 13" in the back. Gambrel (barn) roofs give alot of head room space too. Using rafters, instead of trusses will add more space and save money if you are doing it yourself. 2nd on outlaws comments

 

[ddawg16]

It helps to put your location in your profile. What works in one area of the country is not so good in another area.

It also sounds like you need an experienced architect.

 

[bazzateer]

Ask about a variation in the eave height from 9'10" to the full 10'. Hopefully the 2" won't be an issue and it will give you a little more to play with.

 

[toanz]

I live in Calgary, AB Canada.
I will be having an architect do the drawings for me to apply for the permit.

I just wanted to get some ideas so when the plans get drawn out, I can give some
feedback as to what I want and what has worked for you guys.

 

[Motofixxer]

hey thanks for the reply. Your garage is basically the setup i would like to do, except shorter.

As for the height "The maximum height of a detached garage cannot exceed 4.6 metres, when measured from grade at any point adjacent to the building."

That is whats stated in the city's website

Mine was measured from the floor inside but there was a discrepancy in the height where they measured not that they ever did measure at all. The same question came up when I was planning and I got the same advice, and I'm glad. By the wording it sounds like height is to the peak, but my locale it's the median height and was also 15'. I called and asked before I just ran with the description I read. I would call and ask specifically.

The other thought I had was, say one was to grade it nice and high then maybe after a while, you wouldn't like it so much so you lower the grade.

There is always the option of a variance, but you may be out the money and get turned down.

The other option as previously mentioned is cut your own rafters and spray foam the underside of the roof sheathing for your insulation. The other issue you run into with that is the ridge beam size for that width, it ends up being like a 4x14' beam or something like that. Unless you put a post in the middle, which would not be ideal.

 

[Outlawmws]

hey thanks for the reply. Your garage is basically the setup i would like to do, except shorter.

As for the height "The maximum height of a detached garage cannot exceed 4.6 metres, when measured from grade at any point adjacent to the building."

That is whats stated in the city's website

That is sure open to interpretation! under that wording you could go to a gable roof and have near 15' walls? I'd visit the building inspectors office and have a conversation and ask for clarity; take a sketch and get them to clarify it...

 

[OldTC]

In short; due to your height restriction, minimize the pitch on the roof in order to maximize the height of the walls.
Use scissor trusses at least in the area above the lift.

Or pour a floor with a sunken area under the lift that you can walk around in.

 

[Ray916MN]

A gambrel roof will give you more ceiling clearance than a gable or shed roof.

If you're going to go with a gable roof, consider using less roof pitch. A 5/12 pitch roof with a maximum building height of 15' implies a 24' wide building with 10' walls. A 4/12 pitch roof with a maximum building height of 15' implies a 24' building with 11' walls. Actual wall heights would be less when the thickness of the roof is taken into account.

 

[kbs2244]

Do some research into a ridge beam (not ridge board) roof.
You will get a wide open room, wall to wall and ridge to floor.
The only gotcha is you have to have supports for the beam at each end.

 

[96snma]

What area of the city are you in because around me there are a couple monster garages. Pretty sure they needed special permits though.

 

[toanz]

thanks for all tips guys, Ill take all of it into consideration and see what the outcome is.

What area of the city are you in because around me there are a couple monster garages. Pretty sure they needed special permits though.

I live in the N.E. ( Monterey Park )

 

[toanz]

Hey guys

A little update here, I had an Architect come out and did site visit.
We decided to go with 28x24 layout with 10` walls and a vaulted ceiling.

Let me know what you guys think

 

[marty_p]

Nice plans!!!

 

[Ray916MN]

Looks good. Going to be a bit tight for a lift, but it should work fine for most cars. Probably too tight for a full size truck though.

Given the roof orientation, you'll need to think about snow and water. Without a gutter it will drain on to the garage apron. If the front of the building faces north the drainage will make the apron perpetually icy.

 

[24X26]

I think it's a great plan and one that will anger my wife.
I'm building in Edmonton and my garage plans are not complete.

 

[rshadd]

Have you considered one wide garage door instead of two standard doors?

 

[24X26]

I think it's a great plan and one that will anger my wife.
I'm building in Edmonton and my garage plans are not complete.

 

[driver]

Have you considered one wide garage door instead of two standard doors?

I second the use of one wide door after having both types over the years. The single door allows for more space along the walls for storage or work bench.

 

[toanz]

Looks good. Going to be a bit tight for a lift, but it should work fine for most cars. Probably too tight for a full size truck though.

Given the roof orientation, you'll need to think about snow and water. Without a gutter it will drain on to the garage apron. If the front of the building faces north the drainage will make the apron perpetually icy.

There is going to be a gutter on the north and south side, just wasn't in the
drawings.

Have you considered one wide garage door instead of two standard doors?

I have, but have completely changed my mind on going with 2 doors. With the hoist on the one side and a fabrication side on the other.

 

[rshadd]

Consider some sky lights... I had a couple installed when I build my garage and I'm really glad that I spent the extra money. I opted against windows in the walls as I'd rather use the wall space for cabinets, shelves, etc.