Make the best of it

[jmswllm14]

Hey everybody. New member and I have been enjoying looking at everyone's posts, learning alot and getting tons of motivation to get working on mine even sooner.

I recently bought a house with an attached single car garage. I'm struggling with plans as far as arrangement, cabinets, flooring, etc. It's only 10x20 and my wife wants to put in two storage shelves that are 36"x72"x18" along the back wall for overflow from the house. I currently have a workbench but looking to get a tall freestanding cabinet and one wall mounted cabinet. My main concern and question would be for flooring. Because of the small size, the expense of getting tiles is not alot; while at the same time would it be just as simple and inexpensive to go with the epoxy paint? Need some guidance and suggestions from you, the wiser and experienced garage guys. Looking forward to ready your replys.

 

[wnstwolf]

Welcome JM

I used to live west of Philly and before relocation went to a swap meet where I picked up a pallet of F&H epoxy paint. I believe F&H brand is a philly thing? If it is still in business this stuff was the cats meow two part system with a base coat then a top coat. Floors looked like glass and with some flakes from H-D it can look even better. for your size a pail of base and a pail of top will be more than enough and not cost much. I a not a big fan of the Rustoleum stuff the box stores carry as it seemsto not last long under heavy use. Ucoatit is great but $$ The tiles are good and at $1 a sq/ft are cheap but any moisture under them will tend to lift them over time..

 

[bczygan]

Welcome to GJ!.

Where in Philly? I lived just east of Chadds Ford as a kid. Harvey Road. I miss scrapple, WaWa Dairy ice cream and Strawbridge and Clothier.

2 very important things.

First and foremost, your garage/shop is NOT a warehouse!!! Especially for house things!

Find her places around the house to store that stuff. Under the stairs, in the basement or attic, and even in cabinets disguised for other functions, like ottomans. Use decorative trunks and armoires re-purposed with shelves in them. Even get a shed and put all that overflow, along with yard tools in there and NOT in the garage/shop.

Next, don't furnish your garage and then put stuff in the cabinets. Do it the other way around. List the functions and uses you want to accomplish, list the machinery and equipment and tools and supplies needed, and then find the cabinets and workbenches that allow the storage you need.

Keep it very simple. Pare away anything not absolutely necessary.

I have a 9x19. You will probably have to decide on one function. Mine is metalworking. Automotive is all in another shed. Woodworking is in another shed. Yard tools.....you guessed it, elsewhere. No household items. In fact, besides tools and very minimal supplies, there is NO storage of any kind in this space. Not even a shop vac. I bring that in when needed.

Think of a workbench that folds against the wall for storage. This has he added benefit of making you clear the bench after each use.

Get the compressor outside on a pad with a roof over it.

Of course, nothing gets parked in there except a motorcycle, when being worked on, or a bicycle or two when wrenching on them. They also live in a different shed.

Put your big tools on wheels for versatility.

What uses will you have?

Oh, we love photos.....Lots of them!

Bill

 

[artrem]

I have a 12 x 24 garage, which is a converted 1-car carport. In that space, I've managed to squeeze a small (2' x 4') workbench, a tall rolling tool cabinet, an air compressor with wall mounted hose spool, an engine hoist, some free standing shelves including a set of 4' x 3' shelves, and a MaxJax lift. Oh, and there's room for my car, too.

It's not easy with such a small space. Sometimes it's a game of Tetris, fitting things in there and you have to maintain a strict set of priorities as to what you will allow in the space. You also learn to be good about putting tools away, since there's no room for clutter.

Regarding the floor, I went with a company that installed an epoxy-urethane floor. This is an epoxy floor with color chips and an overcoat of thick clear urethane. Anyone will tell you that the key to any floor job is getting the concrete properly prepared. This company used a diamond mill to get a good bonding surface, which I preferred to throwing acid around. After three years, the floor is still flawless, so it worked for me.

Good luck with your garage.

 

[jmswllm14]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Location is far northeast philly. Gotta have a wawa!! haha. I found the Ucoatit and still looking for F&H. I am hesitant to use the stuff you find in home depot or lowes or pep-boys. The condition of the floor now is harsh. I hear the same, prep plays a huge role in how the finish product looks. I don't think the tiles are going to happen, if I had a large space then it would be a consideration.

As far as the wife.... she has already taken up the understair space and two spare room closests. She's killing me. I do want shelves in the garage anyway, I just need to fill the space before she does. I do see what you're talking about in regards to the cabinets. The only think I have to say to you about that is she is willing to spend money on cabinets and I don't want to pass that up. I also plan on having a compressor in the garage with a wall mounted cool. Pegboards on the walls. Hose. I put a fresh coat of paint on the walls yesterday and finishing that up in the days coming. As I am still working on the rest of the house, the garage is cluttered with doors, trim, tools, and my sports equipment. So I would hate to show off the mess in there which is why I haven't posted any as of yet.

Uses for the garage are for car work (depending on the fit - if not in the drive way) and most other work can be done in the drive way/back patio. My wife wants to try and park her car in there eventually. I said we shall see. Especially if she wants shelves. She might give up her chance of putting her car inside.

 

[bczygan]

What sheds or accessory buildings are allowed?

I assume the single is attached?

 

[crewchief888]

with a small space, the best idea is get "storage" up off the floor.

free's up floor space for stuff that cant be up on a wall, like workbench, toolboxes, ect.


i'm guessing you dont have a basement?

 

[bazzateer]

How about lots of storage along one 20' wall for all your wife's stuff (eye-level cabinets/shelves). Same on opposite wall for your storage. Workbench tools etc along the 10' wall? Keep the 20' storage off the floor and you'll still park in there OK.

 

[radrush]

It's only 10x20 and my wife wants to put in two storage shelves that are 36"x72"x18" along the back wall for overflow from the house.

WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!

Do you go in the kitchen and offer up advise on storage of the contents therein?

Do you go in the kitchen and offer up advice on sandwich preparation?

Have yard sale and thus eliminate need for her totally inappropriate shelves.

You got to draw a line somewhere....

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Put in a workbench right now. Put your old computer on it, and a chair in front of it.

 

[Gernby]

If the ceiling will support it (the framing, not the sheetrock), then you should consider hanging shelving from above.

 

[jmswllm14]

Here are some updated photo's from this and past weekend of paint, running electric, hanging the 8 clip acc hanger and the air reel. Don't mind the mess.

 

[jmswllm14]

Some updates. Ran air lines w/ filter, reorganized the work bench and the mess of stuff in the garage presently