My Garage/Shop Build Thread

[MSPoirier]

Good Evening All,
I have been following this forum for a while, contributing here and there but I had some extra time this week so fugured I would post some of my garage build. I know there is many knowledgeable folks on here with great input that could help as I make this up as I go! Also to help others who are trying to build something similar. Thanks for viewing!

The building size I decided on was a 30'x46' with 3 Overhead doors and 1 walk in door.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

The location I decided on was at the end of the drive way but still required me to clear a large enough area to work in. Including around 30 Trees and removing stumps, brush and ground down to good gravel. The area is somewhat low so I needed to build up the ground to insure no flooding problems later.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

Once most of the area was cleared I could start building the raised pad. Compacting in 4" lifts. Started with 3" minus finishing with 3/4" minus.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[coljar]

Very nice. Did you do the work yourself or have it built?

 

[MSPoirier]

We quickly moved on to the concrete pad since the flatwork company I hired had a delay on another job and had a couple days to fit me in. I built a rebar cage for the spot where the 2 post lift will go and mesh everywhere else. The pad is 6" and 12-14" where the lift will be. It was very hot when we poured the slab so had to run a sprinkler on and off to keep it hydrated for almost a week.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

Very nice. Did you do the work yourself or have it built?

I am doing everything I can do by myself. I did all of the land clearing and earth work myself and just hired someone to do the actual slab pour that had all of the equipment. Also the company I bought the building from put up the frame and basic shell as part of the price.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

I have limited photos of the construction of the shell but it went up in only a couple days. I ordered with no windows with the plan to add better ones then what was offered later, and provided my own door which we added to the opening I had them frame out.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

Frame and Shell

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

I wanted to get the windows framed and installed on the east wall so I could start running the electrical as soon as possible. At least the windows provide a little light inside!

- Sam

New England Region

 

[zmotorsports]

Very nice shop. Looking forward to seeing the inside come together.

 

[captain14]

Nice shop so far. What will be going in the three overhead doors?

 

[MSPoirier]

Nice shop so far. What will be going in the three overhead doors?

The plan is to have 2 work shop bays and 1 parking bay

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

Once the windows are in, I trenched about 120' for the electrical conduits to finally get some light and power in the garage.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

I have always liked the look and ease of clean up of epoxy floors so I decided to try my own. It was a lot of work to get to my finished product but I'm pretty happy so far. It has gotten a few chips from dropping things on it and scratches from moving things around but I expect that because I do work in there.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

With the epoxy floor cured up, I got the new 2 post lift installed and finished the basic wiring. Installed the safety shutoff bar and my aux. Safety cut power switch for the lift. I also started the insulation process, starting with the r-5 xps air barrier I will be installing throughout the building

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

Just some more from the insulation process. Takes a while working an hour or two here and there but still making progress. Had a little more time this week

- Sam

New England Region

 

[wannabelikemike]

What material are you going to put on the walls?

 

[Bennydog]

Floor came out great... Nice Shop!!!

 

[Kevkx125]

Nice shop so far MSP, I have a 40ft long shop that extra 6ft sure would be nice.

 

[MSPoirier]

What material are you going to put on the walls?

I am still thinking it over but leaning more towards sheetrock. I am putting in r-15 unfaced insulation next and the drywall would allow the insulation to "breathe" to the inside the best in my opinion and be the most fire resistant. I do like the clean look of a finished painted sheetrock wall the best as well. My concerns are easily damaged, and I want to keep it as thin as possible for weight concerns. Not really to concerned about being able to hang shelves or anything from the wall or anything. I am for sure open to suggestions, but do not want to use corrugated on the walls, only the ceiling. It will will end up being around 24"oc. Any thoughts? Thanks

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

Had time this week to finish the main ceiling air barrier/r5 insulation on the ceiling. Still need to do a little framing to finish at the ends. It's been a long process but I'm glad the xps is in! Also started building a small retaining wall next to the garage so I can start to level the yard.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

The weather has been up and down so been working inside this week. Got a chance to get most of the back wall framed up and sealed and added some insulation and drywall, finally! I still need to figure out what primer/paint I should use over this moldtough drywall.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[Juiced06GTO]

Are you worried about condensation between the foam and the metal at all? Whereabouts in Ma are you? I am in the process of exploring options to do something similar.

 

[MSPoirier]

Are you worried about condensation between the foam and the metal at all? Whereabouts in Ma are you? I am in the process of exploring options to do something similar.

I am not too worried about moisture there as there is still airgaps where the ribs are and my hope is with r20 it's enough to keep the inside and outside temps from meeting at the dew point on the backside of the steel. I am in southern ma area, near Taunton.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[MSPoirier]

Started the framing on the east wall and got a little more insulation and sheetrock up.

- Sam

New England Region

 

[lethal-6]

What lift did you get installed? Place looks great.

 

[MSPoirier]

What lift did you get installed? Place looks great.

The lift is a Forward Lift I-12Pro 12k. It is a semetrical with 3 stage arms. Love this setup so far. Great for everything from a Jetta to a Dually truck.

Got some more done but I think I'll be getting back to work this week so I'm thinking it will be sitting like this for a little while...

- Sam

New England Region

 

[Kevkx125]

MSPoirier shop looks good, Hope you do go back to work , the garage will be always be there.

 

[rffiii]

That's an awesome building. Nice work.

I'm in the process of building a 3 car garage in MA. I purchased a Forward Lift too. It's a DP10A, 10K. I'm only lifting cars. I really like it so far. I'm definitely making a bench out of it now that I saw that pic.

You said you did your epoxy floor on you own. What product did you use?

rob

 

[MSPoirier]

You said you did your epoxy floor on you own. What product did you use?

rob

Rob, thanks I used the rustoleum (rocksolid) epoxy you can get from most home improvement stores. I used 2 coats grey epoxy and 2 coats clear with a custom color chips from a vendor online. Seems to hold up alright, some spots came out different shades and it does chip a little if you drop something heavy and scratch easy but I work in there and was mostly concerned about ease of cleaning oil and it seems to do well.



- Sam

New England Region