Above 1200 Sq/FT Moving to the Mountains

[drivesitfar]

yes, occasionally it's sunny and warm after a big storm and my wife looks for beach glass which there hasn't been much of and while i'm looking for some for her i've found few interesting rocks and this little wood piece that looks like a bird or seal.

keep pondering that question i asked and if you have more thoughts i'd love to hear. i'd sure like to be around if they ever finish carving that mountain in South Dakota where the head of that Indian Chief is bigger than maybe all of Mt. Rushmore.

also I hope you figure out who's going to finish that cool garage cause I bet you'd like to be working out there this fall.

 

[paulsomlo]

Just seeing this thread now - welcome to the neighborhood!

 

[PA Slammer]

Just seeing this thread now - welcome to the neighborhood!

Thanks neighbor!

 

[Ak Jim]

Tanker driver?

 

[PA Slammer]

Tanker driver?

Yep... on the 737 now.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

I love how cleanly the solar PV was integrated into the roof on the garage. Awesome job!

 

[PA Slammer]

I love how cleanly the solar PV was integrated into the roof on the garage. Awesome job!

Kind of funny, but the solar and the shop was one of the last things we finished. However, the size and position of the shop was where we started when designing the house.

We came within an inch or so sizing the roof to fit the solar properly. The southerly direction is perfectly placed and the pitch is perfectly laid out.

We’re a bit broke right now, but very happy. [emoji1787]

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Kind of funny, but the solar and the shop was one of the last things we finished. However, the size and position of the shop was where we started when designing the house.

We came within an inch or so sizing the roof to fit the solar properly. The southerly direction is perfectly placed and the pitch is perfectly laid out.

We’re a bit broke right now, but very happy. [emoji1787]

We're planning to move to NW Indiana in the late spring and a new detached garage shop is on the list to add to the next house ASAP. I'm hoping I can orient the new shop to optimize it for solar too.

 

[lieutenant]

Whole place is fantastic! Why is there mesh between the roof and solar? I'm guessing critter control but haven't seen it before.

 

[PA Slammer]

We're planning to move to NW Indiana in the late spring and a new detached garage shop is on the list to add to the next house ASAP. I'm hoping I can orient the new shop to optimize it for solar too.

It’ll pay for itself eventually!

 

[PA Slammer]

Whole place is fantastic! Why is there mesh between the roof and solar? I'm guessing critter control but haven't seen it before.

Yep, critter guard.

 

[MileHighRover]

Guaranteed birds will nest under the panels if the mesh wasn't there. And they make an absolute mess.

 

[drivesitfar]

speaking of your solar roof getting birds, critters and such do you know how often you'll have to clean it?

is it pressure wash and how would you get up there to do that (maybe shoot from the other side or do tell?

doesn't your area come out of winter almost into summer around April or is it different every year?

as i recall one week in May one year I flew into Denver and it was a snowstorm on Friday and we sat on the runway while they de iced the wings before we could take off and when i came back through on Sunday it was 75 degrees.

 

[PA Slammer]

speaking of your solar roof getting birds, critters and such do you know how often you'll have to clean it?

is it pressure wash and how would you get up there to do that (maybe shoot from the other side or do tell?

doesn't your area come out of winter almost into summer around April or is it different every year?

as i recall one week in May one year I flew into Denver and it was a snowstorm on Friday and we sat on the runway while they de iced the wings before we could take off and when i came back through on Sunday it was 75 degrees.

I read somewhere washing your panels can add 10-20% efficiency depending how dirty they are. I’m sure that percentage has more variables than drinking a half full bottle of beer left on the bar.

What I’ve done twice now is used an Unger water purification system that hooks to the hose. That along with a telescopic pole brush cleans them nicely. It’s not that hard... and to be honest, it’s not that necessary. Rain along with snow, gets most of the dust off. However, I clean my own windows and have the equipment, so... why not?

As far as Colorado winter/summer... we had about 6 inches of snow a couple days ago. Today will be near 60°. Tomorrow it’s supposed to snow again. I truly love Colorado weather though! You never get tired of it! And when it does snow on the Front Range, it’s usually melted and gone within a day or two. The sun shines almost all the time and it is amazing. However, I have learned to ALWAYS carry a jacket or two in all my vehicles. The temperature drop in the evening is something to experience!

 

[MileHighRover]

Yeah, I don't clean my panels. As Slammer stated, really not necessary. I've had mine for three years and have cleaned them once. After the first year I realized its just not needed.

I also used to climb up on the roof and clear them of snow, but after the first year I realized that's also not needed.

 

[PA Slammer]

Finally got the interior finished!

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[PA Slammer]

 

[paulsomlo]

You're not actually going to park a car in there and get it dirty, are you?

By the way, what material are the panels on your garage door? They appear to be transparent from the inside, while blocking the view from the outside.

 

[PA Slammer]

You're not actually going to park a car in there and get it dirty, are you?

By the way, what material are the panels on your garage door? They appear to be transparent from the inside, while blocking the view from the outside.

Tinted glass.

And yes, I’m going to park a lot of things in there; toy hauler, tractor, 4 dirt bikes, an adventure bike, tools, tool boxes, ladders, yard tools, work bench, welder… the list goes on.

It may look too nice, but it’ll be a working garage.

 

[FTWingRiders]

Absolutely stunning!!

 

[tj675]

Beautiful garage!

 

[PA Slammer]

Absolutely stunning!!

I just had a few minutes... which turned into a bit more than a few minutes... to click on your signature line with your garage. I wish I had an afternoon to read every post and really get a feel for what you've accomplished. Beautiful job my friend!

 

[Lassen Forge]

Finally catching up (think last time I looked it was all in the planning stage) and wow... just wow! Not only the property, but man... that is one sharp shop!

Couple eye catchers - First, the terrazo floor looks awesome! What did you use, and wondering how slick (or not) it will be in the winter, how durable it is (or ends up being), and how it cleans up (after winters are winters, and leaking seals are, well, seals.)

Second is the solar... That is HUGELY impressive. I'm looking at having to replace the (ancient) metal roof on my shop... while a solar roof is definitely not an "authentic to the 1880's" roof material (then again, neither is the 1920's corrugated metal that's on nit now), it just intriuges me to no end... I understand PG&E (our power company out here, AKA Pilfer Gouge and Extort ) also buys back but they buy at the wholesale rate and sells at the retail... but I've also considered dumping and drawing power into and from either (a) a tesla-wall style bank, (b) an Edison Battery Bank, or (c) a conventional battery bank. Various plusses and minuses about each, but (like the shop) I'm edging toward the edison bank - more space and $$, but they have a silly crazy long lifespan, which conventional batteries definitely don't have, and the tesla wall system is still an unknown.

The other question I had is heat in the winter... Glass doors, while they let in boatloads of light, are notorious for bleeding heat (or at least those I've seen), wondering how you have (or are) combatting that?

 

[PA Slammer]

Finally catching up (think last time I looked it was all in the planning stage) and wow... just wow! Not only the property, but man... that is one sharp shop!

Couple eye catchers - First, the terrazo floor looks awesome! What did you use, and wondering how slick (or not) it will be in the winter, how durable it is (or ends up being), and how it cleans up (after winters are winters, and leaking seals are, well, seals.)

Second is the solar... That is HUGELY impressive. I'm looking at having to replace the (ancient) metal roof on my shop... while a solar roof is definitely not an "authentic to the 1880's" roof material (then again, neither is the 1920's corrugated metal that's on nit now), it just intriuges me to no end... I understand PG&E (our power company out here, AKA Pilfer Gouge and Extort ) also buys back but they buy at the wholesale rate and sells at the retail... but I've also considered dumping and drawing power into and from either (a) a tesla-wall style bank, (b) an Edison Battery Bank, or (c) a conventional battery bank. Various plusses and minuses about each, but (like the shop) I'm edging toward the edison bank - more space and $$, but they have a silly crazy long lifespan, which conventional batteries definitely don't have, and the tesla wall system is still an unknown.

The other question I had is heat in the winter... Glass doors, while they let in boatloads of light, are notorious for bleeding heat (or at least those I've seen), wondering how you have (or are) combatting that?

Epoxy floor. Some say it’s more slick than they would like. I’ve had it in my garage for three years now and I think it’s fine. Maybe a bit more slick than concrete alone. Wipes up and hoses out unbelievably easy. I love that about it. Keeps it looking new.

the solar is real dependent on where you live. Here in Colorado you get to bank any unused power (usually during the day), then use it at night at a DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR exchange. We’ve banked over two months of electricity usage over this Spring/Summer. Hopefully that will carry us through the winter. In May, if we have any excess in the bank, we are forced to sell it back at pennies on the dollar! So the key is to use it! This will be the first full year, so we’ll see how it goes. If we have leftover, I’ll by a few standalone electric (oil filled) baseboard heaters. We’re also considering a few electric vehicles. Every bay in our garage and the shop has a 220 line just for that. The break even point for the install should be just under 10 yrs… but that’ll depend on the cost of electricity over the next few years. It’s only ever gone up…

As far as the doors… yep, huge energy lose, but lots of natural light. In the winter when the sun is low on the horizon, they are amazing at letting in light and radiant heat. In the summer when the sun is high on the horizon, we have large overhangs, which shade the doors nicely. Colorado, here on the Front Range, we have roughly 300 days of sunshine. However, when it gets cold and snows… it’s really cold and really snowy. Something I can deal with.

 

[Pressingonward]

House and shop look amazing! Very cool design aesthetic.

Love the pallet wood on the shop wall.

 

[komalakustoms]

Wow I love the build and the attention to detail. Great job and beautiful scenery. Cant wait to see what you put in it

 

[PA Slammer]

House and shop look amazing! Very cool design aesthetic.

Love the pallet wood on the shop wall.

It's old barn wood. Should be pretty durable. My biggest concern has always been dents and dings into drywall.

My last garage I did diamond plate. That worked great, but when I hosed out the floors, I'd have to wipe it down or I'd have water spots everywhere. Hopefully the barn wood will be a good solution to durability and NOT having to be wiped down.

 

[Homebody]

Not sure how I missed this thread from the start but DAAAAAAYYUUUUM BOY!!!!
Congrats on Living a Great Life! I'm sure it has it's ups and downs like all of ours has but you've done well - Be proud of it.

My son just moved back to Illinois from Brighton in June with a transfer from Southwest. I loved it out there. I'd move to Ft Collins in a second if possible.

I can't like this house and shop enough. Thanks for sharing.

 

[PA Slammer]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all the kind words. You have no idea how fortunate I feel. It’s my pleasure to be able to share it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Great work as per usual. I could go back thru all your great pics and stories but instead wanted to ask how you plan to keep snow and water out of your pristine working garage?

You may have said already but I know a ton of guys that deal with water snow and slush in their garages that would love to hear. Seriously I wish I could afford to live snd even build a small 1500 foot rambler with a big shop in your neighborhood cause I think my bride is ready to leave the city.