My GAB in the UK thread

[roger440]

Long time lurker and occasional poster here.

After many years of talk and procrastination, i have finally decided to get on with building my GAB (gentlemans activity bunker).

I already have one garage (30 x 20 split 1/3rd 2/3rds) which has been both storage and workshop for nearly 20 years.

My main problem is that i have too many cars, and also, i find my self compromised in doing any "proper" work as i always have a completed car or two in there, which means no grinding, welding or spraying can take place.

So, the plan is to build another next to it. It total it will be 660 sq ft, but its a bit of an odd shape as im using all the available space. Just to make life complicated.

This will allow 3 cars plus a smallish room for "man" stuff.

It will be a steel framed structure and butted up in part to the existing garage.

I have extended the existing retaining wall of the original garage and have nearly finished a new fence at the back.

Anyway, here are the pictures before the guy doing the base starts work.

 

[roger440]

More

 

[PugetDude]

Subscribed for updates!

 

[gtr cook]

Sounds good, looking forward to future updates.

 

[Aaron P.]

im gona keep an eye on this build....im in the same boat as you with room to build but not enough cars...lol.....like your collection of motors

 

[roger440]

im gona keep an eye on this build....im in the same boat as you with room to build but not enough cars...lol.....like your collection of motors

Errr, yeah. Must update that, just bought a stag..........

 

[Ozwelder]

I am really interested in what a pair of Holden SS Utes are doing in Pommie land.

Crikey!,where do you keep all those vehicles?

 

[roger440]

I am really interested in what a pair of Holden SS Utes are doing in Pommie land.

Crikey!,where do you keep all those vehicles?

Click on the link in my signature and all will become clear!

As for keeping them, yes, thats a challenge. I do have another garage 18 x 18 that i have posted before where i can keep some of the non-functioning fleet

Its not very good though

 

[bonecrrusher]

Holden's in the UK - hell yeah!

I'm into my second Holden - 2014 Chevy SS.

 

[Lippyp]

Theres quite a few Holdens over here and I've seen the odd Ford Falcon too, gives you the feel of an American car with the steering wheel on the correct side of the car!

 

[roger440]

Theres quite a few Holdens over here and I've seen the odd Ford Falcon too, gives you the feel of an American car with the steering wheel on the correct side of the car!

Good summary that

 

[1/2 Cup]

G.A.B. I like that one.

Looking forward to following your build.

 

[Hesketh]

with building my GAB (gentlemans activity bunker).

I think I might just have to pinch this phrase as the often used "Man Cave" grates me just a bit.

looking forward to seeing the build. Fingers crossed you can get some good progress before the weather turns.

 

[roger440]

Ground works start tommorow, though the weather has been pretty poor last couple of days.

Hopefully get some progress pics at the weekend. Its dark by the time i get home during the week

 

[roger440]

I think I might just have to pinch this phrase as the often used "Man Cave" grates me just a bit.

looking forward to seeing the build. Fingers crossed you can get some good progress before the weather turns.

No problem with that. Be my guest. I too find the "man cave" phrase mildly irritating. I think GAB is much more apropiate over here.

 

[roger440]

Well, its really not gone to plan at all!

It seems that digging a hole is a step to far for the groundworks guys. After a couple of attempts, i decided to finish it off myself, confident that i could do far better.

On the upside, the serious material movements were completed, but apart from that, ive had to get it ready.

Cue, mini digger, ride on roller and a wacker plate and much physical effort (that im no longer really up to).

After 5 days of hard graft, i think im ready to put the insulation down.

Though there was some in the pics, it was the wrong type, so now just waiting for a delivery of the right stuff.

The stuff in the base was to create a recess where the half height scissor will do.

Now got to hope the concrete guy is rather better than the groundworkers. Needs to be as i cant do that bit myself.

 

[roger440]

Made a little more progress last weekend. Got the sand blinding done across the whole of the raised area and 2 sides of it too. Then ran out of sand. Doh!

So we took the opportunity to get the first part of the DPC down. Started with a section for the ramp recess and then cut the insulation to fit. Packed in more sand under the dpc, then laid it out flat. After than the big sheet laid out and cut around the recess area and the joints taped and sealed.

Since the pictures, the concrete guys have been and put up the shuttering. Ive got to finish the insulation and then they will crack on with the rebar. So far they seem pretty good

No pictures until the weekend as it is dark

 

[MG David]

Is the sand blinding to stop the DPC being damaged by sharp edges on the stone (MoT2 ? scalpings) underneath it?

 

[roger440]

Is the sand blinding to stop the DPC being damaged by sharp edges on the stone (MoT2 ? scalpings) underneath it?

Yes indeed. Also i guess to spread the load evenly through the panel. Its specified even if using insulation that does not need a DPC.

Its MOT 1 under that.

I "think" ive done it right?

 

[roger440]

A little bit more progress today. Got all the sand blinding down, so now ready for the insulataion

Just a bit chilly today. Im not really suited to this kind of work! Once again i ache all over

A few pics, though rather dark sadly.

 

[minimowog]

looking forward to this

Roger is one of the foremost tuners for late model Holden cars in the UK, probably why he has 2 of them, although it looks like he has a soft spot for Triumphs as well, i've seen two of Rogers/monkfishs cars, a green ute at santa pod a few years ago running 13 sec 1/4 miles and a blue maloo at the ace cafe

 

[roger440]

looking forward to this

Roger is one of the foremost tuners for late model Holden cars in the UK, probably why he has 2 of them, although it looks like he has a soft spot for Triumphs as well, i've seen two of Rogers/monkfishs cars, a green ute at santa pod a few years ago running 13 sec 1/4 miles and a blue maloo at the ace cafe

Well, thats very kind. But give me a clue who you are? Right now, its eluding me.

 

[minimowog]

lol, you wont know me, but i have a HQ ute an a XBGT (got a mini pick up as well), so i've been to the ace cafe a few times, and have been a member on hsv.org for years, also read the mma forums been to moparnats a few times as well, also remember reading about your charger as well on there, but i cant remember if you got around to finishing it.

im aussie hence the interest in aussie muscle cars

 

[roger440]

Ahhh, OK.

Yes, i did finish the charger in the end. Should be at the nats again this year. Be sure to come and say hello.

No Ace cafe for me tommorow. More insulating work on the base First time ive missed it for years.

 

[minimowog]

so, your base should be finished now then?

was a good turnout, i went along as i heard someone in a newly restored hk monaro was making the trip, i saw it leaving

 

[roger440]

Sadly not yet. I got all the insulation done and the DPC laid though.

Hopefully the concrete will going down on Monday all being well.

Shame you missed the HK though

 

[roger440]

Finally finished the groundworks a couple of weeks ago.

All the insulation, cut, fitted, jointed and taped where necessary in preparation for some actual concrete.

The concrete guys have started the steel work and will finish it off this week with a view to pouring the concrete on Wednesday (supposed to be quite mild).

So fingers crossed it gets done!

Heres a few more pics.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Your base work and insulation work looks like those artist's visualizations in product literature. If you are this particular about work that no one sees when you are done then the vertical construction will be awesome.

 

[nkidl]

Hi Roger.

Great build so far. I'm just about to seek building permission for my garage, and wondered about the details the authorities wanted for the insulated floor. Do you have the insulation above or below the damp proof membrane? How thick did they want the concrete floor?

I have read the pros and cons about which side of the membrane the insulation should be on, but wondered if in the UK we had to have it one side or the other?

My build is likely to be below 30sqm so I don't need building regs, but want it nearer a property boarder so will need permission.

Thanks for your help.

Nathan

 

[roger440]

Hi Roger.

Great build so far. I'm just about to seek building permission for my garage, and wondered about the details the authorities wanted for the insulated floor. Do you have the insulation above or below the damp proof membrane? How thick did they want the concrete floor?

I have read the pros and cons about which side of the membrane the insulation should be on, but wondered if in the UK we had to have it one side or the other?

My build is likely to be below 30sqm so I don't need building regs, but want it nearer a property boarder so will need permission.

Thanks for your help.

Nathan

Ahh, the insulation is mildy complicated.

What i did for most of it and should have done for all of it, was EPS board straight on the ground/base. No need for a membrane as its waterproof. This is the single best reason for using it. Its Britain afterall and it WILL rain. Then put the DPC/membrane over the top of it prior to concrete.

In reality, the groundworkers i got rid of left a heap of PIR type insulation. This cant be in direct contact with the ground, so there is DPC under this AND over it. Its the foil faced stuff you can see on the top of base. No chance of that ever getting wet as its well above ground level. I only used to to save money. The EPS stuff was nearely £1k for what you can see. Would have been nearer £2k if i had binned the PIR stuff

I went with a non-local authority Building inspector who is a touch more pragmatic than some. He wasn't that bothered where the DPC went, so long as it had one, but realistically the choice should be based on the board you use. The PIR manufactuerer said above AND below to keep it from getting wet. So a poor idea, but its a lot cheaper than EPS. Which is why it gets used. By the time it fails, the builder will be out of buisness and it will be your problem!

Base is 150mm across the centre and 450 deep at the sides with the deep section 600 wide. We didn't do a drawing, (which was a mistake) so its probably over engineered, but without a drawing and supporting calc, that will always be the BI's default position.

Have you checked planningportal.gov ? Even this garage doesn't need planning. No higher than 2.5m, more than 5m from the house so no planning required. Mines within 6 inches of the boundary. Though there is nothing but wasteland next to me.

Hope this helps?

I trust there will be a build thread

 

[roger440]

Your base work and insulation work looks like those artist's visualizations in product literature. If you are this particular about work that no one sees when you are done then the vertical construction will be awesome.

Thanks

Im not putting up the building, so we shall see.

My thinking on the base was, voids etc under the board, can, in the long term, only lead to settlement. This cant be good. So it HAS to be done right. Still things im not happy with, but lifes not perfect.

 

[nkidl]

Hi roger

Thanks for the reply, that was really helpful. When I spoke to a builder he was uncertain as to what would be required for an insulated garage floor. But i was told it was possible.

I have looked on the planning portal, i think its because I want a pitched roof wand the tiles that I need to match the house need a higher roof. Hence why I need planning.

Cheers and good luck with the rest of the build. I might have a question or two later.

Nathan

 

[roger440]

Hi roger

Thanks for the reply, that was really helpful. When I spoke to a builder he was uncertain as to what would be required for an insulated garage floor. But i was told it was possible.

I have looked on the planning portal, i think its because I want a pitched roof wand the tiles that I need to match the house need a higher roof. Hence why I need planning.

Cheers and good luck with the rest of the build. I might have a question or two later.

Nathan

Well, a proper pitched roof over 2.5m will indeed require planning. But if your not blocking anyones light you "should" be OK.

Ask away when your ready. Ive spent hours, maybe days, making sure i dont make the mistakes i made on my first one!

Tommorow IS concrete day..................

 

[nkidl]

Hi

Thanks for the offer of advice, I will take you up on that. Can I pm you my email address? Funnily enough you are probably not that far away from me, I live in Berkshire. My parents lived in Chesham when i was at school.

Good luck with the concrete.

Nathan

 

[Bib Overalls]

Did you get your concrete placed today as scheduled? Once you have a foundation the vertical can go forward in most weather. Looking forward to seeing more progress pictures and your running commentary.

 

[roger440]

Did you get your concrete placed today as scheduled? Once you have a foundation the vertical can go forward in most weather. Looking forward to seeing more progress pictures and your running commentary.

Yes indeed it did

No pics yet though

Its cold here and slow drying, so at the moment its been finished off with a bull float. They are coming back in the morning to attempt to power float it and wake the neighbours up!

The last part they did is still wet now (6:30pm)

 

[roger440]

Hi

Thanks for the offer of advice, I will take you up on that. Can I pm you my email address? Funnily enough you are probably not that far away from me, I live in Berkshire. My parents lived in Chesham when i was at school.

Good luck with the concrete.

Nathan

Yes, by all means send your e-mail address.

 

[nkidl]

Hi Roger

Hope the floor looks good. I ve Sent you a pm.

Nathan

 

[roger440]

Somewhat belated posting of pictures.

Sadly, it didn't get power floated as it set-up quick.

But never mind. Got some pricing for tiling it from a guy i know. No contest. Tiles it will be

Since the pics were done, the shuttering has been taken down. Next job is to install the insulation on the sides, protect it with some black UPVC and drag all the soil back against it.

 

[roger440]

Bit of a lack of updates, mainly because i have been away on a sales trip for 2 weeks.

But we have still managed to do a few things.

Got the shuttering down and gone, (well the concrete guys did).

Since then, i have installed the outer edge insulation, as well as the protective black plastic at the 2 exposed sides. Once that was done, it was digger time to frag back the displaced soil up against the sides. Sadly there is not enough to complete the task, so i wil have to get some shipped in

In order to get the digger up there, we had to build a ramp to get up there. My body doesn't cope well with manual labour!

Once the extra soil is in place, its time to get the building up. In the meantime i need to start sorting out the approach to the garage. Easter should e a busy time.