Offsetting or centering door?

[ilikedirt]

I've been pondering this for awhile... the size will be 20x30x12. It will have a 2 post lift. Yes a larger size shop would be better but I have to work with what I got here.

Would it be better to center the door/2 post to have equal space on all sides or off set to have a larger space off to one side? I feel like centering would be the best option but then again I feel like the lift would get in the way when not in use. IDK.

 

[930dreamer]

The thing about centering a door is it cuts the wall in half. If your talking about the picture id rather take up one wall with both doors.

 

[yeldogt]

It depends on how you are going to use the space inside .. also the outside topography. I never do the man door on the front .... like having the wide space on both side and I don't want the path that the door requires ... I use the main door going in and out.

I often do the door in the rear side -- that way I walk right tot he work area and the door does not take up space

 

[The Cobbler]

my original plan was a man door on the side wall with the roll up door on the front wall, another man door on the rear wall.
I changed the side wall man door to the front wall beside the overhead door and am glad I did

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Think about how close the overhead door is to the side wall. I ended up with 1ft which makes it almost impossible to have any storage (shelves or cabinets) or storage on that side of the garage.

 

[rsanter]

Depends on the width.
Based on the picture I would do an offset so I have one side for deeper shelves, pallet racks, work benches, stationary power tools, etc was n the one side and still have room to work on a car.

If wide enough to have shelving on one side and all the rest f the stuff on the other and have the lift centers and still have enough room to work, then centered

 

[510ebl]

I would look at it based on the dimensions of the lift you are considering and what you are working on. 20 ft wide building less two (generous) feet for the walls is 18. A 10K two post could be nearly 12 wide. Three feet on each side to walk around it while carrying stuff and the OH door needs to be centered.

A smaller (narrower) lift or scissor lift would change everything. That would mean center the door a minimum of 6-7 ft from the interior wall, leaving plenty of room for a man door on the front and toolboxes down the long wall.

What are you working on? Sliding an axle out of the rear of a pickup requires some width.

 

[BruceMc]

Offset. At only 20' width (figure 19' inside), even a couple of extra feet width on one side gives you a significantly better space to work on stuff while a car is on the lift.

 

[ford33]

Offset the door to one side so you have more space on one side for working. Get rid of the man door next to it. It is redundant when you can open the overhead door easily.

 

[BruceMc]

Keep the man door, but move it to the side. Opening a man door instead of the big door keeps things warmer in the winter, cooler (and less buggy)in the summer, and avoids showing off whatever is inside to the rest of the world every time you go in and out.

 

[Lessons]

I'd vote for offset, assuming the lift is as well it'd make it a lot easier to get a car or equipment by the lift (to the side) if you needed to.

 

[ilikedirt]

The thing about centering a door is it cuts the wall in half. If your talking about the picture id rather take up one wall with both doors.

I'm leaning that way now...

It depends on how you are going to use the space inside .. also the outside topography. I never do the man door on the front .... like having the wide space on both side and I don't want the path that the door requires ... I use the main door going in and out.

I often do the door in the rear side -- that way I walk right tot he work area and the door does not take up space

I think I would get annoyed having to walk all the way around the shop just to get in and out.

my original plan was a man door on the side wall with the roll up door on the front wall, another man door on the rear wall.
I changed the side wall man door to the front wall beside the overhead door and am glad I did

That's what i'm thinking. I didn't mention man door on the back wall because i'm putting one in period lol. Easier access to my shed in the back yard and another way out in case of an emergency.

Think about how close the overhead door is to the side wall. I ended up with 1ft which makes it almost impossible to have any storage (shelves or cabinets) or storage on that side of the garage.

Good point. They way I have it sketched now is 4' on the narrow side and 6' on the wide side. I think on the 4' side of the door I will store everything that is on casters.

Depends on the width.
Based on the picture I would do an offset so I have one side for deeper shelves, pallet racks, work benches, stationary power tools, etc was n the one side and still have room to work on a car.

If wide enough to have shelving on one side and all the rest f the stuff on the other and have the lift centers and still have enough room to work, then centered

I think all the tools and equipment I have is 2' deep and less. The extra floor space to work on that side would be helpful.

I would look at it based on the dimensions of the lift you are considering and what you are working on. 20 ft wide building less two (generous) feet for the walls is 18. A 10K two post could be nearly 12 wide. Three feet on each side to walk around it while carrying stuff and the OH door needs to be centered.

A smaller (narrower) lift or scissor lift would change everything. That would mean center the door a minimum of 6-7 ft from the interior wall, leaving plenty of room for a man door on the front and toolboxes down the long wall.

What are you working on? Sliding an axle out of the rear of a pickup requires some width.

90% of what would be on the lift is full size trucks. I have thought about the axle thing. I've never had to do it but I will eventually lol.

Offset. At only 20' width (figure 19' inside), even a couple of extra feet width on one side gives you a significantly better space to work on stuff while a car is on the lift.

That is very true. My last shop was 18x40. The width was frustrating at times.

Offset the door to one side so you have more space on one side for working. Get rid of the man door next to it. It is redundant when you can open the overhead door easily.

Definitely keeping man door. The shop will be climate controlled and moving a vehicle in/out will be minimal.