ScottC
Active member
I've been in the midst of my garage build for the last 4 months & finally got a chance to share progress and pics. We downsized almost three years ago to a house without a garage, so I've had all my stuff in storage while we remodeled the house and rebuilt the "garage budget".
I've had a long time to plan and have gotten TONS of ideas from GJ!! I designed the building myself, working within the towns offset requirements, codes, preferences, etc. They even require a PE stamp for anything over 700SF (good thing I’m a PE)! I've ended up with a 26x30 detached garage, with the following either completed or planned:
I only contracted out the tree cutting and concrete work. The rest has been accomplished by me, my dad and a bunch of great friends. The trees started coming down on 4/26 and I've gotten this far only working nights and weekends. I’m trying to at least get the outside finished and painted before Baby #2 arrives in early Oct. The triple-digit heat/humidity is surely slowing down progress.
It took me two full days to install all the required Simpson straps (can you say bomb shelter). I’m convinced that all this metal is only required by code because everybody’s forgotten how to frame with a hammer & nail.
I'm still trying to decide what to do with the floors. I like what I've read about the epoxy systems, but I don't want to waste that $$ with welding/grinding work. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.
Also, I still have a roll of Vaporblock 6 for sale. LINK
4/26/07: I had to have 3 large trees cut – 2 in the footprint of the garage.
5/3/07: Digging the foundation & setting forms.
5/5/07: Vapor barrier, rebar & plumbing drains in place.
5/8/07: Concrete was poured on 5/6 and the blockwork finished on 5/8.
5/11/07: Wood delivered and getting ready for framing.
5/12/07: I had 9 friends help me with the initial framing push – three walls up.
5/15/07: Front wall framing finished.
5/18/07: Wall sheathing mostly complete.
5/22/07: Trussed delivered & getting ready to lift the first one.
5/23/07: Further along with trusses. The bucket lift was worth every penny!! You can see the double trusses framing the attic hoist space.
6/5/07: Wall sheathing mostly complete, gable overhangs built, roof sheathed and papered.
6/22/07: Wall sheathing complete; facia and shingles on.
6/22/07: Another shot of the facia and shingles. Also block stucco work complete and you can see the pumphouse in the back corner (I have to pump the wastewater back uphill to the house).
7/26: Housewrap up, soffits built-out, windows and entry door installed and 5/4 treated trim going up. Garage door surrounds installed.
7/31/07: Vehicle doors installed (over-budget, but they look great!!) Clopay makes a very high quality door.
8/19/07: Front overhang supports completed and siding going up. The overhang will be finished off with green aluminum roofing.
8/19/07: Pumphouse roof and trim complete. This roof lifts off to gain access to the sump pump. You can see the potable water line in the foreground.
I've had a long time to plan and have gotten TONS of ideas from GJ!! I designed the building myself, working within the towns offset requirements, codes, preferences, etc. They even require a PE stamp for anything over 700SF (good thing I’m a PE)! I've ended up with a 26x30 detached garage, with the following either completed or planned:
- 8' stud walls on 3 courses of block (10' ceiling)
- two 9x8 entry doors
- 32" entry door
- 5 high-wall transom windows
- Hardiplank siding
- full bath (shower & toilet enclosed, utility sink open to garage)
- 100A subpanel
- Phone/internet/cable
- attic trusses
- 4'x4' attic hoist door
- pull down attic steps
I only contracted out the tree cutting and concrete work. The rest has been accomplished by me, my dad and a bunch of great friends. The trees started coming down on 4/26 and I've gotten this far only working nights and weekends. I’m trying to at least get the outside finished and painted before Baby #2 arrives in early Oct. The triple-digit heat/humidity is surely slowing down progress.
It took me two full days to install all the required Simpson straps (can you say bomb shelter). I’m convinced that all this metal is only required by code because everybody’s forgotten how to frame with a hammer & nail.
I'm still trying to decide what to do with the floors. I like what I've read about the epoxy systems, but I don't want to waste that $$ with welding/grinding work. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.
Also, I still have a roll of Vaporblock 6 for sale. LINK
4/26/07: I had to have 3 large trees cut – 2 in the footprint of the garage.
5/3/07: Digging the foundation & setting forms.
5/5/07: Vapor barrier, rebar & plumbing drains in place.
5/8/07: Concrete was poured on 5/6 and the blockwork finished on 5/8.
5/11/07: Wood delivered and getting ready for framing.
5/12/07: I had 9 friends help me with the initial framing push – three walls up.
5/15/07: Front wall framing finished.
5/18/07: Wall sheathing mostly complete.
5/22/07: Trussed delivered & getting ready to lift the first one.
5/23/07: Further along with trusses. The bucket lift was worth every penny!! You can see the double trusses framing the attic hoist space.
6/5/07: Wall sheathing mostly complete, gable overhangs built, roof sheathed and papered.
6/22/07: Wall sheathing complete; facia and shingles on.
6/22/07: Another shot of the facia and shingles. Also block stucco work complete and you can see the pumphouse in the back corner (I have to pump the wastewater back uphill to the house).
7/26: Housewrap up, soffits built-out, windows and entry door installed and 5/4 treated trim going up. Garage door surrounds installed.
7/31/07: Vehicle doors installed (over-budget, but they look great!!) Clopay makes a very high quality door.
8/19/07: Front overhang supports completed and siding going up. The overhang will be finished off with green aluminum roofing.
8/19/07: Pumphouse roof and trim complete. This roof lifts off to gain access to the sump pump. You can see the potable water line in the foreground.
Last edited:
). My future plans are to build a small addition on for a bathroom.... it would be very nice to have when throwing parties.
