Please Check Out My Plans

[matt60j]

Well my plans are taking shape. I live in Michigan and am almost ready to order my barn package. Its going to be 32'x48'x12' with a partial lean off the back. The lean will have a small overhead door and be used for general storage. I will have one 16'x10' main door.
I guess I'm looking for some initial guidance as far as my utilities are concerned. The one side will be partitioned off for use as a lounge and utility room. I have conduit buried for my phone/computer/tv cables that I forgot to put on the drawing. I need to figure out where everything should come in at and if they can come in at the same area.
Please tell me what you think and if you have any pointers or ideas before I get rolling. Thanks. -MATT

 

[Mr. Welsh]

Double the size of the main building and save the lean-to for later expansion.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Ill let you know i'm still thinking.

 

[Kevin54]

Get a seperate propane tank. Most places lease them for $1 if you stay with that company. If you buy from independents then you would have to purchase one. The reason I say a seperate tank is because if something happens to the house furnace in the winter you have backup heat in the barn. And your bill may be lower by having two tanks instead of going through all of the fuel from one tank. I am assuming the one you currently have is a 500 gallon? My garage is a 28' x 36' and in the dead of winter a 120 gallon tank will run me almost 2 months keeping it at 50 during the day and 70 when I am out in the garage.

 

[matt60j]

Kevin, I thought about another tank but decided against it to avoid clutter in the yard. Thanks for your opinion. -MATT

 

[rubadub]

If you could go with a lower ceiling and lower overhead door it will be a lot easier to heat.

Heres my reasoning, if you work during the day and then you think, well I'll go out and work a couple of hours, then you say to yourself, maybe it isn't worth it, to get it up to temperature, or comfortable enough to work, then you don't use it as much.

I went with lower ceilings for that reason, versus higher ceilings and a lift, and I know lifts are really nice, but my workshop is really easy to heat, and easier to light, and easier to exhaust welding and body work fumes out.

Anyway, just something to think about.

Rob

http://www.1969supersport.com

 

[Kevin54]

Kevin, I thought about another tank but decided against it to avoid clutter in the yard. Thanks for your opinion. -MATT

Check with your propane company. A 120 can sit right next to a building, not sure about the next size up. The 500 has to sit away from the building.