New Garage Project, Size?

[rroberts]

Hello GJ....I really enjoy this site and all the knowledge floating about.

I am about to embark on a garage addition project on my home. I am really needing some feedback on different construction ideas. I guess the first thing I need to figure out is how big of a garage do I need? I am wanting to build a 2-car garage to fit a full-sized crew-cab pickup truck and a midsize to large SUV (currently have mid-sized crossover but planning ahead). I would like enough room to have a nice workbench somewhere in this project where I can work on something without moving out a vehicle. Been looking around and seeing 26 deep x 30 wide. In your opinion, does this provide adequate spacing between vehicles (i.e. where doors won't ding, get between vehicle and workbench, etc.) and still give you room for storage?

Also, planning on building a loft above garage where one day can make additional living space. Walls will probably be 2x6 stud. What would you recommend for concrete slab depth, and footing depth? What kind of wire in concrete for support? No lifts just spots for vehicles to park and tinker. Ceiling height? Want 2 single garage doors, but what height and width? Sorry for all the questions upfront but I don't know really where to start Thanks!

 

[HOTFR8]

Interested to see how you use your loft.

 

[Strouty]

A couple of questions for you:

Do you ever see yourself installing a lift?

What part of the country do you live in?

When you say full-size is that long bed crew cab or short?


And Welcome to the GJ!

 

[PAToyota]

Been looking around and seeing 26 deep x 30 wide. In your opinion, does this provide adequate spacing between vehicles (i.e. where doors won't ding, get between vehicle and workbench, etc.) and still give you room for storage?

My garage is 24' deep. With my regular cab, 8' bed fullsize pickup it is extremely tight with a workbench against the wall in front of the pickup. I think 26' deep is going to be pretty tight with a crewcab pickup. I'd consider 4' of space all the way around the vehicle sizes a generous starting point and then work back from there. Also good to keep building dimensions to 4' increments - easier to lay things out that way.

Also, planning on building a loft above garage where one day can make additional living space.

If you're looking at living space above, you'll have to look at fire separation between that and the garage space. Make sure you consider that up front.

What would you recommend for concrete slab depth, and footing depth? What kind of wire in concrete for support? No lifts just spots for vehicles to park and tinker. Ceiling height? Want 2 single garage doors, but what height and width?

A lot of the specifications are going to depend on your location. Frost depth is going to influence footing depth. Soil types are going to affect bearing - which affects footing size and reinforcing.

Even though you say no lift, I'd plan on it. I didn't when I built mine about fifteen years ago - before everyone was posting all these great builds to the internet - and it is the single biggest regret I have. Put in 12' ceilings and you can put in a lift later if you decide to.

My overhead doors are 9' x 9'. The height is nice, but again, it is tight for the fullsize pickup. A 10' wide door would be a lot nicer.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Others have already made several good points in response to your query. There are many variables that affect usability of space, including type of work you wish to do, tools you may acquire, your proclivity to hang onto things, etc. None of us is an expert at predicting what we may want to do in the future, but spending some time on that will have a big impact on how long you remain happy with your area. Personally, if limited to the dimensions you mentioned, I would go 30 deep and 26 wide. I prefer to have tool boxes and workbenches in front of the vehicles with room to move around between the bench and vehicle.

 

[rroberts]

Interested to see how you use your loft.

"Loft" may not be the word. I would like living space in the attic space above the garage, much like my house is built.

A couple of questions for you:

Do you ever see yourself installing a lift?

What part of the country do you live in?

When you say full-size is that long bed crew cab or short?

I have access to a bigger shop off-site so no need on the lift. I live in rural Arkansas, not far from Memphis, TN. Short-bed truck.

I am unlimited on the size as far as property goes. Now my pocketbook....thats a different story!

 

[scab]

I'd think about a single garage door instead of two. The mirrors on my Dodge have to be folded in to fit through one of my garage doors. I didn't build the house but I wouldn't have built it that way. Don't know what kind of crew cab you have, just food for thought since trucks these days have gotten so much bigger.