multip-purpose shop

[tomsop]

I am looking to build a detached shop, mainly for woodworking but would like to have a separate area for a model train layout or perhaps an activity room for the kids or even an exercise room - are there any garages on the forums that have a similar setup? I am thinking of limiting the size to 30 by 28. I saw one garage that had a loft upstairs that had another use compared to the main floor. I am not sure if this is a good idea or would even fit my budget. I think I will cramp my woodworking space if I try to frame out a third of the shop for another use and I am not sure just how a loft would add to the cost. Any suggestions? - Tom

 

[NUTTSGT]

Tom, Welcome to GJ.

Try scrolling through the Gallery section for about a week's worth of evenings. You will get plenty of ideas.

 

[Chitown_hillbilly]

30X28 is pretty small if you are going to have a dedicated section for the kiddos. I'd look into Attic trusses or Gambrel roof trusses with living space to give you extra space. As an added bonus when they get older, you'll have a ton of storage space to utilize.

 

[Falcon67]

When I was a kid, our Lionel setup was on a big board that folded up against the wall when not in use. There were shelves between the studs for train parts and such. Track, transformer, etc were fixed to the play surface. It was a pretty big layout - 4' deep and maybe 10' long. Not HO scale.

 

[PanelDeland]

I agree with the gambrel roof/loft for the space. Design it right and you could have all you want. Maybe add a small lean to for dust collection, shop vac etc. One of the things I would do with the idea of a train layout is to make it the ceiling in the loft area.Use a lift system to raise it up and allow the bottom to be the ceiling and then lower it for train use. One thing to keep in mind is that multi use areas seldom are idel, so you'll need to decide what trade offs you can live with. For instance the train layout may be limited in height of buildings mountains and other structures. You might want to check out "Tiny House Nation" to see some of the space saving ideas they use. A murphy bed if you need the guest space or maybe modify that concept for the train layout.
Good luck.

 

[John in OH]

30X28 is pretty small if you are going to have a dedicated section for the kiddos. I'd look into Attic trusses or Gambrel roof trusses with living space to give you extra space. As an added bonus when they get older, you'll have a ton of storage space to utilize.

+1 regarding the use of attic trusses to gain inexpensive second-floor space! I used attic trusses on my shop build (34 x 54) and ended up with a second-floor room 12 ft wide x 54 ft long x 8 ft ceiling height. You can see some early construction pics of this space at Post #49 on my build thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98038&page=3

I didn't finish the space and use it only for storage of junk. Allowable floor loading is about 40 lb/sqft and, if finished, would make a great play room for kids. The attic trusses are somewhat more expensive than simple trusses, but not all that much more and makes for really inexpensive floor area. Add a dormer or two and you could have a really cute building!

You will need to address all the issues of insulation, HVAC, etc. and will need to assure you have adequate fire retarding ceiling in lower garage space, etc. Also, if you make the second floor a living space, you should make sure that there is egress provided from the space that does NOT pass through the garage (this is a building code in my area). Basically, the stairs to the second floor can be built within the outer wall structure, but there must be a door directly outside rather than only out via the garage as mine is built (can not make my second floor living space without adding an additional exterior exit door from the stairway intermediate landing).

Anyway, check out attic trusses as they may be the solution to the extra space you need.

 

[AZ Pete]

I think the idea of an attic has a lot of merit. No matter how,good your dust control is in a wood shop, your train display will collect a lot of dust, if in a shared space.

 

[Nowater]

Look into providing positive pressure for the train area to help keep out dust.