Need help asap...

[DuluthMN]

Hi Everyone,

New member here from Duluth, MN. We just purchased our first home and my wife said I get to use the garage as I wish! However, if I ever wear shoes in the house or attempt to hang a deer head on the fireplace mantle inside our home, then in her words I am a dead man.

This is just so overwhelming, where do I even start. I am putting in insulation today and sheetrocking the walls. Any ideas on how to use the space? Here is what I need and here are the specs

Garage is 40'x40'
There is a sauna in the back left room and I am using the far right stall as cold storage.

I need a small shop area
park 2 cars during winter
sitting area with bar and tv for entertaining

Please help, getting in way above my pay grade!

 

[blue dog]

Is the garage going to be a work shop as well, make sure you have enough electrical plugs and possibly a 220 plug for a welder or bigger machine's before drywall. Insulate the walls, make sure you have enough lighting. Maybe add a window or 2 for some natural light and some cross ventilation in the warm summer. Speaker wires run in the walls for the future sound system.Oh, and do not forget the stripper pole in your entertaining area.
Hope that helps, good luck.

 

[blaze_125]

eh... how about we start by fixing your post first?

New member here from Duluth, MN. We just purchased our first home and my wife said I get to use the garage as I wish!

should read something like this

New member here from Duluth, MN. We just purchased our first home and I told my wife my garage would be my place and I could do whatever with it

Now that we got that rectified, go with "blue dog"'s suggestion. You never have to many outlets. So before you put the drywall up, make sure you got plenty of outlets, and also get the lighting done or at least pre-wired.

Since you got a sauna in the back left, I guess your "work area" should stay on the right side so debris, parts or projects are not on your path when you want to access the sauna.

 

[DuluthMN]

Thanks guys, I feel like i'm home. If you notice in the 2nd to last pic, the sauna is in the room behind the red wood furnace, and in the last pic, if you open the white door it goes into a 15' x 15' room and from this room you can access the existing sauna.

I was thinking of putting the shop area on the far right corner. If you notice in the last pic on the far right it goes back.

I am putting outlets on ever 3rd stud right now and I will start sheet rocking the walls by 3:15pm today.

 

[rockchucker]

Rock the Lid before the Walls...A common mistake of hanging Drywall. 5/8" Type X on the lid and 1/2" for the Walls.

 

[e-tek]

Wow - REAL TIME lottery happenings....and so what if it sounds like the wife "let you win"........

Run a couple wire across for a fan and/or dust filter too - so easy to do now! Just cut a couple lengths, drill holes through the studs/rafters and string it in, coming out at the switch area. Even if you never use them, it only took 10 mins!

Also, a couple (at least) plugs in the ceiling will help with roll-up lights, extensions, etc.
Sounds like a great way to spend a day!

 

[babzog]

Hi Everyone,

New member here from Duluth, MN. We just purchased our first home and my wife said I get to use the garage as I wish! However, if I ever wear shoes in the house or attempt to hang a deer head on the fireplace mantle inside our home, then in her words I am a dead man.

You tell her:

Honey, if you ever attempt to store boxes of clothes, shoes, kids toys, garden tools.... exercise equipment..... in my....



Yes dear.

 

[dmeadow]

Do you want to keep the sauna? Or would you rather have a toilet or shower in there? Think about doing any plumbing for that before you sheetrock, as well.

 

[DuluthMN]

Rock the Lid before the Walls...A common mistake of hanging Drywall. 5/8" Type X on the lid and 1/2" for the Walls.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm staring at 22 sheets right now of 1/2" for the walls. I was going to put it up today and the lid next week in 5/8"...

 

[ratdoggy]

The wall sheetrock holds up the edges of the ceiling sheetrock. That's why you do ceiling first. A better, neater and longer lasting job

 

[T1320T]

A couple things you may want to consider before hangin the walls.... Extra studs or horizontal 2xs for cabinetry supports?, hinged work benches? I hate building something then later wishing I'd put a 2x4 back there to screw in to.

 

[DuluthMN]

Do you want to keep the sauna? Or would you rather have a toilet or shower in there? Think about doing any plumbing for that before you sheetrock, as well.

We are keeping the sauna. Here in Duluth, MN. it would get used for a good 5 or 6 months. ok, the real reason I'm keeping it is because my wife said that in college her and her girlfriends would sauna **** and then run and jump in the snow! So needless to say, the sauna stays

 

[Falcon67]

I was also going to join the "kick that sauna to the curb" group, but you've given sound reasons for keeping. Maybe one of the sauna walls needs a plexiglass "upgrade".

Old Skool Layout Tool - I'm a computer guy, use all kinds of hi tech stuff. When it comes to shop layout, etc....yep, sorry - it's a pencil (aka L.E.A.D Word Processor) and a pad of graph paper. Sorry, I just think better like that.

The #1 deal that I'd do over (that is partially in the works now) - put in a larger electrical panel. And, run circuits using at least some conduit for surface mount. I no more got the walls up and the stuff in the shop then I was hacking a hole in the wall to get additional plugs, etc. As I add and upgrade machines, I'm constantly running new wire. (should have bought more wire when prices were down dammit). You can run "Romex" through the attic, but plug drops with conduit will let you move things a bit easier when you decide "X needs to go right there".

 

[E.rodz]

wooo slow down there just because you have the sheetrock in front of you does not mean you need to slam it up then plan later.as per other comments you can never have to many outlets..more outlets more wiring before sheetrock is even thought about,cieling first not walls! before you do the ceiling put up a attic access door and flooring up top keeps seasonal items from cluttering your work space.wiring for lights first.and make shure if you are going to run floresents that the ballests are HO. type are you going to heat it? gas piping and vent stack could be handy now.go get your self a case of beer and lay it out in your head a little pre planning now will save yourself alot of headache in the future!

 

[mmhouse]

I'd advise you to slow down.

Go back to your original thought...develop an overall plan first and then start working on one area at a time and doing it right depending on what's going to happen in there.

You're going to put a lot of time and money into the thing and then be constantly looking back and thinking "why didn't I do it a different way?"

Patience is indeed a virtue and can also save you a lot of time, frustration and money.

 

[Northstar9126]

Welcome from across the bay outside of Superior, WI.

 

[csp]

I've had my garage sheetrock leaning against the studs for three years now. Other projects have taken priority, but hope to get it hung this winter. One benefit is I have been able to nail down my wiring and plumbing needs and won't have to re-do any of it.

You should hang the ceiling first, as has been said already.

 

[stltikn]

You didn't mention a compressor. You may want to use air tools. This would be a good time to plumb air lines in the walls. Use copper or black iron, no plastic stuff. Also, hot and cold water wash area for parts and outside carwashing. Maybe an extra waterheater. What about heating/cooling and ducting? Central vac? Exhaust venting if operating vehicles on a cold winter morning? Right now, you have a clean slate, what are you going to be doing in 5 yrs, 10yrs ? Slow down and plan!

 

[DuluthMN]

You didn't mention a compressor. You may want to use air tools. This would be a good time to plumb air lines in the walls. Use copper or black iron, no plastic stuff. Also, hot and cold water wash area for parts and outside carwashing. Maybe an extra waterheater. What about heating/cooling and ducting? Central vac? Exhaust venting if operating vehicles on a cold winter morning? Right now, you have a clean slate, what are you going to be doing in 5 yrs, 10yrs ? Slow down and plan!

I have no water or hook ups in the garage. I just installed 20 outlets and 4 outlets on the ceiling. And I may have messed up because I have 4 guys over and we are almost finished with the sheet rock on the walls, but I did leave a gap at the top for the 5/8" ceiling sheets.

 

[DuluthMN]

5:00pm update:

Sorry guys, I never expected the quick replies and I guess I went on my own a little without checking back for this great advice. Here is what I know have completed:

1. 24 total outlets on walls and ceiling
2. Door installed where opening to third stall is

I did draw out my ideas like mentioned by most everyone, tonight I will be working with 3 friends on workshop area. I am going to hang cabinets and build me a work bench.

What about exhaust, is it necessary? I will have the garage heated so we will not be using remote start on cars while they are in garage.

Also, what about furnance? It is a lennox G60-36B-090 Down-Flow model. Should I mount it or hang it from the rafters?

 

[Scout Driver]

Just my 2 nickels today, but I'd be concerned about humidity from the sauna and its possible negative effects.

Scott

 

[ratdoggy]

You didn't mention a compressor. You may want to use air tools. This would be a good time to plumb air lines in the walls. Use copper or black iron, no plastic stuff. Also, hot and cold water wash area for parts and outside carwashing. Maybe an extra waterheater. What about heating/cooling and ducting? Central vac? Exhaust venting if operating vehicles on a cold winter morning? Right now, you have a clean slate, what are you going to be doing in 5 yrs, 10yrs ? Slow down and plan!

Damn that was my idea....just a little too late