New Build - Need Advice!

[polizei1]

Hello all, new member!

I'm fortunate to be building a new home and would like to get advice before starting to ensure that everything is prepped properly and the long-term use of the garage is met. I figured I would make the thread here, in an attempt to gain the most views and ultimately the best advice.

Here's my list of "what I think I need" from my research!

The garage will be a 3-car attached, 31'9" x 23'4"




Basics:

-Additional 2' bump-out
-Vaulted 3rd car bay (possibly entire garage, not sure yet)
-8' garage doors
-1/2" drywall finish with R-13
-Flat/level floor

Specifics:

-Concrete is spec'd at 5" thick, 4k PSI with 1/2" rebar.
-Separate 220v sub panel
-2 post lift (Bendpak XPR-10AS-LP)
-Liftmaster 8500 door openers with high lift/vaulted mount for the 3rd bay
-Reznor UDAP-60k BTU heater (w/dedicated gas line and roof vent)
-6 total shop lights (2 rows front-to-back, 3 per row side-to-side) (4bulbs per fixure) using Verilux T8 Natural Spectrum bulbs
-Some sort of flooring, I was thinking of going with Swisstrax or Epoxy, but the more I read about porcelain, the more I like it.

Anything I'm missing? There will be a dedicated outlet for the lift and some miscellaneous items like a ceiling mounted hose reel, etc.

A question about the flooring: can porcelain tile be laid after the concrete cures (30days) or is it best to wait a certain period of time? I don't really want to wait too long for the flooring, where it will get oil stains and other things that may affect adhesion later.

 

[vavet]

Have the lights put on at least 2, maybe 3 separate switches.

More electrical outlets than you think you'll need - every 4-6 feet at a comfortable working height for you - above workbench or toolbox.

The 2 foot bumpout is a nice feature. My attached garage has that. It's a great place for a rolling toolbox.

Use either a roll-up door or place the tracks tight to the ceiling in the bay with the lift.

 

[vekster]

I think vaulting the entire garage would make it feel more uniform and give a better look to the space than only vaulting the 1 bay.
then all doors can be tracked to follow the vault giving lots of headroom

 

[MScott]

Have the lights put on at least 2, maybe 3 separate switches.

More electrical outlets than you think you'll need - every 4-6 feet at a comfortable working height for you - above workbench or toolbox.

The 2 foot bumpout is a nice feature. My attached garage has that. It's a great place for a rolling toolbox.

Use either a roll-up door or place the tracks tight to the ceiling in the bay with the lift.

Having lights controlled by separate switches for different areas is a good idea but they should be controlled by master switches at the entrances so all lights can be turned off when leaving the garage. I have a bank of LED lights down the centre of my garage with area lighting controlled by sub switches for various areas that might need additional light. All can be shut off or on by switches at the entrance doors.

 

[polizei1]

Have the lights put on at least 2, maybe 3 separate switches.

More electrical outlets than you think you'll need - every 4-6 feet at a comfortable working height for you - above workbench or toolbox.

Use either a roll-up door or place the tracks tight to the ceiling in the bay with the lift.

Separate switches were not thought of, thanks! As for the garage door, they will be tucked out of the way and close to the ceiling.

I think vaulting the entire garage would make it feel more uniform and give a better look to the space than only vaulting the 1 bay.
then all doors can be tracked to follow the vault giving lots of headroom

I'll have to talk to the builder, I know it's not hard to do and I agree it would look nicer, it's just going to come down to cost. One thing I'm not sure of is where the attic access would go, I really don't want it in the house, but it may end up going in the master bedroom closet if I can't think of a way to keep it in the garage.

 

[bczygan]

Tall enough for a lift?

 

[tomroblee]

It doesn't look like much room between the garage doors and the side walls. Are you intending on having any "storage" along these walls? Will there be ample room to work on your vehicle when it is on the lift?

 

[rsanter]

Set it up for pull down cord reels and pull down hose reels.
In the high bay portion set it up to be able to install a chain hoist for unloading heavy stuff

Bob

 

[polizei1]

Tall enough for a lift?

The "normal" part of the ceiling would be about 11', the vaulted part would be much higher, allowing space for the 2-post lift. Like I stated, I am considering making the whole garage vaulted, which would allow plenty of space (anywhere I want it).

It doesn't look like much room between the garage doors and the side walls. Are you intending on having any "storage" along these walls? Will there be ample room to work on your vehicle when it is on the lift?

Each side has 2' of clearance, which should be more than enough room. The plan right now is that if I only go with the vaulted 3rd bay, the lift would go right on the edge of the bump-out (center-line of the lift would match the dotted centerline for the vaulted trusses) which would provide enough space to work around.

Set it up for pull down cord reels and pull down hose reels.
In the high bay portion set it up to be able to install a chain hoist for unloading heavy stuff

Bob

Reels are already planned, I don't know about a hoist though...not sure how I would mount that on a vaulted ceiling. I'll look into it!

Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to actually "use" this garage for a while, but I'm planning long-term!