Jawn's drive-under

[Jawn]

Hey y'all.

I'm just about to buy a house *fingers crossed*. Had the inspection today and there were no major deal-breakers, so as long as the appraisal comes back satisfactory it looks like I get my new-to-me garage in a few weeks. It should be a decent space for me for the next few years, until I decide to add a detached workshop/garage or move elsewhere.

I'd welcome ideas on how to improve it... specifically, the ceiling... I don't think there's room between the plumbing and the garage doors to fit any kind of proper ceiling covering. What about just spraying the underside of the floor, joists, plumbing, and all? If it's all the same (light) color, it might take away from the clutter of it and help make the most use of what light there will be. Also, had in mind drywall around the sides. That shouldn't be too difficult. In one corner, there's a few pieces of a metallic-finish pegboard... might could make use of that (perhaps to make a removable enclosure around the HVAC/water heater area?)

Here's some pics I snapped while viewing the house with the realtor.

Thoughts?

 

[64 lane]

Nice space. Make sure to only buy what you need or will use often. My neighbor and I trade out the use of larger tools. I love good neighbors. You might think about removing the shelf. That would increase your floor space. You could build upper shelves and have tool storage tool box below. You might get the biggest bang for your buck with white paint on the ceiling. Please keep the pics coming. Congrats

 

[kyle@hcb]

Great starting point! Congrats on buying the house!

 

[Jawn]

You might think about removing the shelf. That would increase your floor space. You could build upper shelves and have tool storage tool box below.

Yeah, I'll probably remove that space-hog shelf and recycle the materials into something else (shelving above toolbox and air compressor?) I had in mind parking the tool box (41" Homak top and bottom) in the "cubby" to the left of the HVAC stuff, and air compressor to the right of the HVAC stuff. The left bay (with the big shelf) is maybe a foot wider (wall to center columns), so I expect it'll be the main "workspace", with the right side being just "parking", or for just pull something in for something simple like an oil change.

So, white paint on the ceiling... anything up there that shouldn't be painted? Or just get a big sprayer and shoot it all?

Hold off on the congrats til the ink is on the paper... I may be soliciting ideas, but it's not mine yet! Thanks for the comments!

 

[dubber]

Interesting space, was the house built like this or was it added? This would be sweet all fixed up.

 

[Jawn]

Built like this, I would assume... probably 90% of the houses in the area appear to be the same drive-under style.

By the way Dubber, I like your garage!

 

[Taurus]

This space has the potential to really come out great. I personally would not cover the ceiling, just paint the beams.

 

[hicketts]

As a contractor, I would be worried about the ceiling not being "fire proofed". I see your in GA so I wouldn't worries about it freezing, but once you put a car in there is should be dry-walled to prevent fire spreading in to the living space and it also acts as a barrier against exhaust fumes. I hope you inspector says something. However don't let this get you down, it's a great place to start.

 

[Jawn]

The inspector did suggest adding some kind of fireproofing (must not have been code when it was built?) or a sprinkler system, but as mentioned it looks like it'd be difficult to impossible to enclose the ceiling due to the number and placement of overhead obstructions. I hit on the idea of some fire retardant paint... googled and found it does exist - apparently it goes on like a normal latex paint, but when heated it expands and becomes a fire resistant barrier. Might be a good idea for this situation - anyone have experience with it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intumescent <-- that describes the basic mechanism by which it works.

 

[dubber]

Built like this, I would assume... probably 90% of the houses in the area appear to be the same drive-under style.

By the way Dubber, I like your garage!

Very interesting design, and thanks man!

 

[Big-Foot]

Congratulations on your house!

I am a fan of suspended ceilings in basement areas rather than finishing them permanently. That would also give you the opportunity to add more light fixtures in recesses. Don't know much about the fireproofing though. You may also want to add some insulation up there to keep the house a bit cozier and reduce the noise from your working in your new shop!

P.S. i really like Tuck-Under garages and always ask myself why I don't buy houses like that. Until my wife reminded me that those homes are usually split-level homes and her knees are shot..

 

[Jawn]

Congratulations on your house!

I am a fan of suspended ceilings in basement areas rather than finishing them permanently. That would also give you the opportunity to add more light fixtures in recesses. Don't know much about the fireproofing though. You may also want to add some insulation up there to keep the house a bit cozier and reduce the noise from your working in your new shop!

P.S. i really like Tuck-Under garages and always ask myself why I don't buy houses like that. Until my wife reminded me that those homes are usually split-level homes and her knees are shot..

The suspended ceilings were my initial thought, but no ceiling will work between the garage doors and plumbing overhead. I'll have to take a closer look once I have the keys to the place. I wonder if I could do a suspended ceiling below the garage door tracks (using unistrut or something for support in the middle)? I'd then have to use some real ingenuity for the openers if I add any, but it sure would be a nice look, I think.

It's not a split level... but there are stairs up to the front porch.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

Good luck on your purchase. Just had (2) in a row go south on us. One had a 30x36 garage and the second a brand new 22x40 garage. The one we are looking at now has a tiny 1-car garage...lol.

 

[Jawn]

Good luck on your purchase. Just had (2) in a row go south on us. One had a 30x36 garage and the second a brand new 22x40 garage. The one we are looking at now has a tiny 1-car garage...lol.

Thanks!

I looked at one with a decent size detached garage (28x32, IIRC) but it was full of major issues. Most in my budget have had some kind of "WTF" or another. I think getting into a space like this now and then adding (detached) space later is probably my best bet.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd welcome ideas on how to improve it... specifically, the ceiling... I don't think there's room between the plumbing and the garage doors to fit any kind of proper ceiling covering. What about just spraying the underside of the floor, joists, plumbing, and all? If it's all the same (light) color, it might take away from the clutter of it and help make the most use of what light there will be.

That works, but hold off. Wait a few months or so until you are down with your improvements.

 

[Thruxton]

So, white paint on the ceiling... anything up there that shouldn't be painted? Or just get a big sprayer and shoot it all?

That works, but hold off. Wait a few months or so until you are down with your improvements.

I would not spray anything but the joists and ceiling, or future repairs won't be much fun.

And BTW had a setup very much like this in my previous house- worked very well. I also had shelving like that which I removed for more room, and a partition wall separating the car space from what became my small workshop. Very workable space, good luck with yours!

 

[metalhead212121]

fingers crossed for you Jon! keep us posted... does the house have a guest room? (for guys from up north?)

 

[cgall]

My Dad had a drive-under like that, we drywalled the ceiling up to and around the pipes and ducts. Didn't turn out bad at all. Painted all the pipes brown. He kept a CO detector in the hallway above the garage, but I don't think it ever went off.

 

[Jawn]

fingers crossed for you Jon! keep us posted... does the house have a guest room? (for guys from up north?)

Planning a trip to GA soon?

 

[DKerns]

I too have a Drive Under here in Ga..... I have been looking for ideas for it since we bought it. Has been rough going from a 2 car det. w/loft to a 2 car drive under. I am looking forward to your plans and ideas.

 

[Jawn]

I too have a Drive Under here in Ga.....

All too common of a style here huh?

BTW, interesting looking tractor in your avatar pic... what is it?

 

[DKerns]

Yes they are Jawn. I am in the middle of redoing the butcher job the previous owner had done on the divider wall between the garage and the finished basement. Then I plan to move on with the ceiling in one way or another.


The little tractor is a 1958 Wheel Horse RJ.

 

[m_dunnie]

Good luck with your purchase Jawn.

Acworth resident myself, 24x30 drive under with the same obstacles of ducts and pipes hanging down. I'll be watching this one and will get off my **** to start my own overhaul thread now. Nice to have some locals near me to learn from and possibly help.

 

[Jawn]

Now it's official... that is my house!

And now for the first major "WTF" discovery in the garage... During the inspection, the inspector did not open the second garage door (next to the man door) since it was screwed shut and lacked lift springs. Now that it's my house, I removed the block that held it shut and muscled it up, only to find it cannot possibly open due to the HVAC ducting and bathroom plumbing above it. This appears to be the result of somebody installing 9x7 doors in what appears to be a 9x6.5 opening... proper size doors (with similarly lower track) would probably work just fine.

 

[metalhead212121]

Planning a trip to GA soon?

Now it's official... that is my house!

I guess Im gonna have to make a trip down to GA in the future!! Congrats on the new house!! Looking forward to updates!

Dan

 

[Jawn]

A few months go by, and I'm just starting to make some headway.

Now, I'm in the midst of installing garage doors. I ordered a set of 6'6" tall by 9' wide 3-layer doors, pre-painted to match the trim, and I have begun installation... however, it seems the springs they included are too strong (pulls the door open when you try to close it). I tried the springs from the old door (painted light blue on one end - 90 pound?), and they work, but really should be stronger so it doesn't "freefall" when you lower it. I'll see if I can weigh the door and figure out what spring weight I need. I'll give the door manufacturer first shot to supply proper springs before I go and buy a set on my own.

Pics to follow... can't get them off my phone right now, for some reason.

 

[Jawn]

Pics to follow... can't get them off my phone right now, for some reason.

Took long enough... here's the pics. Dark brown door (right on outside pic, left on inside pic) is the new door. Oughta look pretty good, once I get the trim/weatherstripping squared away.

 

[Jawn]

Often I feel like I haven't made much progress, but comparing this picture from today with one from when I was first looking at the house, it makes me feel a lot better.

My poor truck is in the garage for a head gasket replacement and it's turning into a "replace everything else too" kind of job.

Workbench was built when I was still at my last place. To the left of it (on a red-painted block of MDF) is the start of a Rapidair system - not yet plumbed in (thus, the black rubber hose on the floor leading to the compressor). Above that is a new quad outlet I added. A simple 1x6 painted white for a shelf, bins and wall panel for them under the stairs just above the cart, and a $15 Ikea shelf tucked up against the back wall - it's very flimsy, but sufficient for its intended purpose here. I replaced the crappy old twin T12 fixture with a quad T8 fixture.

What do y'all think about pegboard mounted to the HVAC return (at far left in that pic?) I was thinking I might even use strong magnets to put it on there so I'm not drilling holes in the duct.

Also, I'm thinking of making a backsplash for the bench out of corrugated roofing metal... just attach it to a frame and make it so it doubles as a cover for the space under the stairs - I'd use that area for storing things I don't need to access often but don't want to get rid of (leftover shingles, flooring, house paints, etc). Something like a magnetic catch or maybe a wing bolt to hold it in place. It'd go from the floor to the shelf, and be the width of the bench top.

So overall, compare the pic above to this one from when I was looking at the house with the realtor:

Maybe I have made some headway.

 

[Faiz]

Great space with plenty of little cubbys to make great attractive storage spaces.

Just an idea I had but you could try painting the beams black and the roof white;

Then if you tidy up the finish of the ducts;

It'll look fantastic!

 

[Jawn]

Thanks for the suggestions. The ductwork is wrapped with insulation... not sure how I'd tidy that up, besides replace the insulation with some that doesn't have almost 30 years worth of getting bumped around, taped, patched, etc. Probably more work than it's worth. The black/white beams would be neat, but I'm thinking I'll stick with all white given the relatively low ceiling.

 

[0150carmac]

I like the style of these under house garages keep up the good work i would just paint the roof white as well

 

[Jawn]

Long dang time no updates I know, just been really busy for a while. Started making some progress. On the front-facing wall, I decided to cover the bare studs with the metallic pegboard that a previous owner left behind. Unfortunately, about a third of the pegboard was ruined by water leaking into the basement. But, there's still enough to cover the exposed studs on the wall that is mostly concrete block. I spent last weekend and today doing this:

Pegboard on wall, attached a 1x6 (with 1x3 trim under it) to use as a shelf where the frame wall meets the block wall.

Shelf wraps around the corner, continues to garage door.

RapidAir outlet mounted to a 3/4" MDF spacer. Red trim ring around the outlet was an afterthought (measure twice, cut once... I failed at that. Outlet cover didn't reach the edge of the pegboard). So I made the trim ring out of ~3/16" hardboard. Also, I cut a recess in the shelf around the water valve so I don't scrape my knuckles turning it on/off.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Good work so far!

 

[metalhead212121]

What do y'all think about pegboard mounted to the HVAC return (at far left in that pic?)

And you wonder why I call you a hillbilly.

All kidding aside progress looks good. I was wondering how you were making out with the new house. Still dreaming of making the drive down to see the new place. One day... one day I promise I'll get down there.

 

[Jawn]

And you wonder why I call you a hillbilly.

Damn yankee scum! (j/k!)




I did a little more re-arranging after supper tonight. Moved the workbench and parked the toolbox over there too.

 

[Mpower5266]

Looks great, where in Ga are you? I have a pretty similar set up in Newnan.

 

[dubber]

Often I feel like I haven't made much progress, but comparing this picture from today with one from when I was first looking at the house, it makes me feel a lot better.

Progress pics are essential, if for nothing else then your own satisfaction. Keep it up!

 

[Jawn]

Looks great, where in Ga are you? I have a pretty similar set up in Newnan.

I'm in Cherokee county, north metro ATL up I-575. I've seen your build thread, nice work.

 

[metalhead212121]

forgot to ask you about the drill press.... is it bolted down to the stand? If its not I'd be worried about knocking it off the stand while working in the garage. You can say that working in your garage isn't "cramped/tight" now... give it time... it WILL be.

 

[Jawn]

forgot to ask you about the drill press.... is it bolted down to the stand? If its not I'd be worried about knocking it off the stand while working in the garage.

It is. Still wobbly (cheap HF stand), but not in danger of falling. I have some scrap countertop material laying around, I may cut a piece to put in between the stand and drill press base to see if it stabilizes it (stand flexes with only two bolts holding the drill press to it).

You can say that working in your garage isn't "cramped/tight" now... give it time... it WILL be.

Oh it is now... but mostly because it's a clusterfsck. Cleaning/organizing it is a way to relieve some of that.

Next big task will be removing the wooden shelf in the corner (has paint cans etc on it, seen on the first page of this thread). I'm going to build large drawers into the space under the stairs, some of that stuff may go there, some will be disposed of.