New Shop Feedback

[matvoz]

Good morning. I am getting closer to building and was looking for some feedback on what I am planning to build. It is basically a 32’ x 32’ two story workshop. I live on a sloped lot so it will match our day-light basement house. We are located in the mid-Willamette valley in Oregon.

Some questions/comments I have:

• I am thinking of radiant floor heating upstairs and downstairs. Does anyone have experience with radiant floor heating where it is attached to the bottom of the subfloor with aluminum fins? I am wondering how effective that method is? I don't know if it matters, but I am planning on Advantech subfloor.

• I am planning on using engineered floor trusses to support the second story. Other than cost, is there a reason not too? And does anyone have an idea on the cost difference between engineered floor trusses and TJI’s?

• At this point I am not planning on attic trusses. I am up against a budget and the added pitch will make the shop look out of place with the house. If I can save some money elsewhere I will go with them, but at this time, it just is not in the cards. I also figure with close to 2,000 square feet, I don’t need more room to store junk.

• The plans do not show it, but there will be a gravel driveway from the west side of the shop to the road.

• This will have to be fully permitted.

Any other suggestions or comments are appreciated.

Thanks.

Matt

 

[seandm13]

Just built a new garage/shop. I put lots of 120 and 240 outlets in. Much cheaper and easier to do now than realize you want more later

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

“Radiant floor heating”? I’ll assume you are referring to “hydronic radiant heating”. The particular installation you mentioned is a “retro-fit” type of installation and isn’t as effective as a bedded system. Plus, if there’s a problem it will most likely be with the retro-fit system- statistically bedded systems rarely have problems. Of course, with bedded systems you are also limited to the type of finished flooring you can use.

Cost difference on any type of “engineered floor truss” depends on intended use, live load, and clear span.

Attic trusses are definitely more expensive- I’d probably just go with a “fink” style truss.

I can’t really speak to any other suggestions since you didn’t really say what this “workshop” is going to be used for.