new pole building shop, few questions

[mooch]

I just had a new shop built, its 48 x 60 pole building, I am going to section off 20 feet of it to complete my shop which will be heated. It has 16ft ceilings. My final shop dimension will be 20 x 48 with one 10x12 door on the 20ft end. A few questions:

1. Insulating the walls. I was initially going to stud it out with 2x6 and use drywall but now am thinking of just running 2x4's horizontally on the front of the posts the same as on the outside. I would then put insulation behind them and attach metal roofing or drywall to the 2x4's, this seems like it would be a lot quicker and cheaper. Any downsides to doing this?

2. Lighting: With 16 ft ceilings does this change my lighting options/requirements? I was thinking of just putting up 8ft flourescent lights.

3. Lift: I will be putting a 12k 2 post lift in. I am trying to decide on placement. since my shop is 48ft deep, I can put it closer to the door which would leave room behind the lift to leave a project car or such, and then I can still get cars in to the lift for routine maintenance. the downside is I had originally planned to have my workbench against the far wall, i would have to have rolling tool carts I imagine. I can also put the lift further in which would leave more room infront of the lift to work on other projects. Not sure either one is really better but just looking for opinions.

 

[rburke65]

I don't see any down side to finishing the walls as such. Will the outlets be surfaced mounted on the metal? You may have issues with the finished plug covers landing on the ribs of the metal. Lighting.....I have 13' 4" ceiling and used the T8 fluorescent fixtures and I feel I have plenty of light. How much money do you have? How bright do you want it? The T5 are very bright but are about twice that of the T5s. The lift....with only 20' of width that will be a judgement call.I would think where ever you put it you will be limited. Good luck.

 

[Diesel Dan]

I've seen many shops use white or galvanized steel for finishing off the interior walls. Very bright and durable but a little harder to work with.

 

[K-Guy]

Poor Man's Spray Foam

Hi - new member - first post. This may not be a new idea on this forum but it's new to me. I was researching DIY spray foam and found an article on the Popular Mechanics website (giving credit where it's due). You cut foam board a little smaller than the cavity and then spray Great Stuff around it to hold it in place. To see the video, Google "poor mans spray foam." Interesting idea.

 

[Jmatlock88]

1. Insulating the walls. I was initially going to stud it out with 2x6 and use drywall but now am thinking of just running 2x4's horizontally on the front of the posts the same as on the outside. I would then put insulation behind them and attach metal roofing or drywall to the 2x4's, this seems like it would be a lot quicker and cheaper. Any downsides to doing this?

This was discussed at length in a previous thread. The main idea was that there is not a good way to attach insulation to the horizontal 2x4s, and the insulation will settle without support.

2. Lighting: With 16 ft ceilings does this change my lighting options/requirements? I was thinking of just putting up 8ft flourescent lights.

These will be great.

3. Lift: I will be putting a 12k 2 post lift in. I am trying to decide on placement. since my shop is 48ft deep, I can put it closer to the door which would leave room behind the lift to leave a project car or such, and then I can still get cars in to the lift for routine maintenance. the downside is I had originally planned to have my workbench against the far wall, i would have to have rolling tool carts I imagine. I can also put the lift further in which would leave more room infront of the lift to work on other projects. Not sure either one is really better but just looking for opinions.

I would definitely keep the lift near the door so you can use it for your daily drivers as well as your project car. The tool boxes and work bench need to be located so you can use them for both the project car and the lifted vehicle.

 

[larry4406]

On your insulation, you want it tight to a surface on all sides. Not compressed, but touching. No channels for air movement. Placing insulation behind a horizontal 2x4 then your wall material on the front of the 2x4 leaves a 1.5 inch gap between the insulation and back side if wall surface material.

 

[mtwaterguy]

Why not just put the girts inside the posts horizontally at 24" that way you have something to attach the insulation to and it will be flush with the post making it easier to hang inside wall and electrical outlets.