Mezzanine/Loft Man Caves

skyfli · Sep 20, 2015

Looking to build a new shop, either a 30x40 or 40x40 and I would like to put in a loft/mezzanine in part of it for a man cave area. Hoping to see what others have done along these lines to get some ideas. Thanks for your input.

WWShop · Sep 20, 2015

If I had a shop that size the entire place would be a man cave.

theoldwizard1 · Sep 20, 2015

Remember the posts that are supporting the mezzanine floor joist should sit directly on top of 4x4 post. No "thru bolting" of joists to posts !! These post really should rest on top of a full depth "foundation" not just on top of the floor ! Your life depends on this !!!

Just like build a deck that people are going to be standing on.

skyfli · Oct 4, 2015

Anybody? Looking for ideas on a finished loft space in a shop. THanks

AMCguy · Oct 5, 2015

I built a mezzanine a couple of years ago. I posted the build on here and am I ever glad I did. I got lots of comments, recommendations and help along the way. This is such a cool place.

Here is a link to it.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234134

Cyberbear · Oct 5, 2015

Years ago I had a 30' x 80' shop built with 12' walls. At one end I had a 15 x 24 storage room, a 10 x 15 office and a small 5 x 7 washroom, all with 8' walls. Over these spaces I installed 2 x 12 floor/ceiling joists at 16" o/c for heavy storage. In this mezzanine/loft area I have my man cave and a small living area. In this area I used standard rafters with a lam beam for the ridge leaving me plenty of headroom for most of this space. The remainder of the shop uses truss roof support and I have another 8 x 24 misc. storage therein. So far, there has been no problems and I have plenty of room to be comfortable.

marksland · Oct 5, 2015

I'm just starting to finish the interior of my 30 x 40 garage. The front half of the garage has attic trusses which created a 12 x 22 loft/office/man cave area on the second floor.

Ironcrow · Oct 5, 2015

theoldwizard1 said:
Remember the posts that are supporting the mezzanine floor joist should sit directly on top of 4x4 post. No "thru bolting" of joists to posts !! These post really should rest on top of a full depth "foundation" not just on top of the floor ! Your life depends on this !!!

Just like build a deck that people are going to be standing on.

Structurally, I hate to add columns in my work space. Either support the loft with clear span beams or hang it from the rafters.

As far as what to put in the loft, we don't know the OP's passions. TV? Wet bar with beer on tap? Model railroad? Knitting?

skyfli · Oct 5, 2015

Ironcrow said:
Structurally, I hate to add columns in my work space. Either support the loft with clear span beams or hang it from the rafters.

As far as what to put in the loft, we don't know the OP's passions. TV? Wet bar with beer on tap? Model railroad? Knitting?

LOL
All of the above! Just a hang around room, pool table, tv, kitchenette, 3/4 bath. A place to get out of the house and if I am in to much trouble with the wife I can spend the night out there.

larry_g · Oct 5, 2015

I designed mine in from the get-go. See build below. I wanted the 'clean' shop area below and the room above, which is my wife's craft room.

lg
no neat sig line

Cyberbear · Oct 5, 2015

We've been married 32 years and from the very beginning it was established that the house was her domain and the entire shop is mine. She is a hoarder and the house looks like it, and it is good to be able to get away from chaos when I need to. This arrangement has worked very well, most of the time.