JonnyC's 2.5 car garage - need advice!

[JonnyC]

JonnyC's 2.5 Car Garage

I bought a house over a year ago in Wisconsin, and after finishing my basement workshop I'm finally turning my attention on the garage...

Wow, that is in need of some serious organization. Hard to see but there is a '83 Suzuki 650 back there down to the frame that I've been meaning to work on ever since I moved in

Here is what I'm looking to do:

1. Add shelving
2. Insulate
3. Heat
4. Add sub-panel
5. Coat floor

The garage is fully drywalled with batts in the exterior walls. This won't be a showroom garage simply because the drywall work is pretty shoddy.

The mudding on the walls is really bad in some places...

The ceiling taping is peeling in a lot of spots, and they must have used it as storage as around the attic access cutout the drywall is seriously sagging (well, hard to tell from this picture)...

The drywall has almost pulled down off of the screws. Man, what a mess up there...

Here's a spot that wasn't taped...

Well, the first order of business is to add some places to store things. For now I just built a really sturdy shelf that I will probably duplicate in a few places.

Next up I'm looking to add a natural gas heater which requires that I insulate the ceiling, get new entry doors (or fix weather stripping), and replace my 1-layer non-insulated garage door with an insulated one with windows (pricing that out right now).

So, I need advice for insulating the attic. There is no vapor barrier above the drywall, and I've read too many back and forth arguments on that.

This is a tri-level house with trusses 2' on center and loose fill insulation is used throughout with no signs of any vapor barrier.

What do you guys suggest? The ceiling looks like **** right now, but I really don't want to tear it all down if I don't have to. I've never done any drywall work in my life. I was considering fixing the sagging issues by nailing in cross supports and screwing up the drywall (it's only in a few spots where the previous owner must have stored stuff on top of the drywall). I was considering using aluminum soffit for a nice touch to conceal all of the drywall issues. And then there's vapor barrier debate, ugh.

I'd appreciate any advice!

 

[sprchrgd1]

Personally I would throw a couple of screws in the existing ceiling drywall and see if takes some of the bow out. If it doesnt you could always purchase or rent a drywall jack and redo it all.

Im in the same situation as you on your progress with the garage. Trying to tackle it a little at a time. All it takes is time, patience and "MONEY". I don't have any of the three!

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[jesse72]

That's a good blank slate, definatlly would be repairing the drywall issues but your lucky to have the space! How about some pics/info of the basement shop? Sounds cool, good luck with your project!

 

[madoc1]

check out xander's garage build. (do a search) he covered his ceiling sheetrock seams with 1x4s. it looks awesome and no need to tape and float. also adds some support to the sheetrock.

jim

 

[JonnyC]

Thanks guys. Yes, for me money is certainly the limiting factor. Xander's garage looks awesome, that is definitely an option now! As for my basement, its really nothing special. I just have a lathe and a few work benches. I use them to build/upgrade flashlights. Odd I know, but its fun. I'll get some pics up though once I finally get things organized.

I'm going to throw some screws up along with a few cross braces between the trusses, and get a quote for blown-in insulation and installing a heater. I wouldn't mind doing most of the install myself (minus gas pipe run), but I'd have to first figure out exactly what the code is here.

 

[JonnyC]

Well I had a guy out here to give me a quote on installing a Hot Dawg heater. It was $1,200 to set everything up. Considering I can get a 45k BTU Big Maxx with vertical piping (I think vertical would probably be better than having to extend it out past my soffit) for $500 + tax at Fleet Farm, I want to consider doing this myself.

I need to mount a sub-panel, which will be right below the heater, but that's looking really easy right now (only need to figure out what code specifies for running cable through the rim joist and up to the surface-mounted sub panel). Running the exhaust up through the ceiling and roof should be easy too. The gas line will be something I want to contract out. It should be easy because there is a branch right on the other side of the wall for my gas dryer.

 

[JonnyC]

Well I got the Beacon-Morris 45k BTU heater mounted. I already replaced the 1/2 black iron pipe running to my water heater with 3/4" with a T at the end, so now it's a straight shot out to the garage. I have everything for my sub panel install as well, it's just a matter of doing it. The big part will be cutting through the ceiling and roof for the vent.

The garage was actually somewhat clean...

 

[JonnyC]

Well my garage is a mess again, but I finally got the vent pipe installed...

I'm now going to install a subpanel to wire it up. After that, it's time to insulate...

Just going with R13 24x3.5 batts since I have 2x4 joists. I can always add more, but I wanted to have a crosswalk up there so I can lay existing OSB over the insulation/joists. Plus, if I ever have to redo the drywall it will be easier to pull out the batts then have to pay someone to **** out the blown-in. That's my reasoning anyway.

I bought attic baffles, but how the heck can you get into the corner to staple them up there? Making my way around up there even to get to the vent pipe is a royal pain (wish I was 30 lbs. lighter). I was thinking of making a creeper to roll on the joists

Also, I kind of regret not buying a more simple two story or ranch house. In the picture below you can see trusses blocking access to above the kitchen and dining area. I wanted to add recessed lights, but I can't imagine working in that area. In fact, I have no clue how the insulation guys were able to insulate over there (you can't see it, but it goes pretty far back before there's a wall for where the 3rd story starts (tri-level).

 

[JonnyC]

Not sure why, but I'll update this thread

R11 insulation went up over winter. Not much insulation I know, but it helped.

Installed a sub-panel

Replaced the back door (first time doing a door install, surprisingly square)

Patched the ceiling. First time mudding, so it's a learning experience.

Mounted hose reel

Cabinets up and electrical ran (first time running conduit)

Garage computer going with cheap Lepai amp and speakers, thread checker mounted next to parts bins, bought a dehumidifier

Oh and I picked up a Millermatic 140 welder w/ tank

 

[jbmatth]

It looks like the only thing left from your original list is to coat the floor. What are you planning to go with, and what sort of work do you plan to do in there besides work on the motorcycle? So far it looks like you have it pretty well sorted out and is in much better shape than it was. Also being that far north you might think about doing the blown in insulation you can get a lowes and the like, you buy *** amount of insulation and you get to borrow the blower for free. You need all of the insulation you can get in that climate. Keep up the good work, I'll tag along to see how it goes for you.
JB

 

[JonnyC]

Thanks JB. I don't know about the floor yet. The main work in there is on my motorcycle and car, using a jack and jackstands, fluids leaking/spilling, and some fab work including welding. I originally wanted to pretty granite looking floor, but it will get abuse and the garage overall will never look that nice so a showroom floor would be a waste. I just want it so that fluids and moisture don't soak in, like now when the humidity spikes and the floor is still cold. And I want it to look somewhat nice too.

I emailed a local company that does epoxy but haven't heard back. My original plan was to use the 7" Diamabrush I have with my grinder and shroud to do the grinding myself, then coat it with something like Rocksolid, or maybe a more basic Rust Bullet? But I'm leaning towards having a professional do it - I just spend too much time researching projects and it takes me forever to finish them.

 

[jbmatth]

I hear you on the time researching and then you have too many good options to choose from. Not to add another one it but how about either staining it or just sealing it without any color. The sealer should take care of anything soaking in so you should be fine there. I'm just dealing with the stains I already have in my shop floor, but if I ever do a bigger attached garage I'll probably go with stain and sealer.
JB

 

[Rodney Schultz]

For all the things you did for the first time, it all turned out great! Keep plugging at it, even the smallest steps are still steps... Would live to have a space that size.
Rodney.

 

[madoc1]

you have come a long way..heater, gas, air, insulation, electrical, mudding. I do think the blown in insulation is a very good idea. any shots of your lathe set up and your end results?

jim