Silly Garage roofing question

[jgbrueck]

All,

Been lurking on here for a couple of years - great site and info! I am finally potentially going to do a housing remodel, which may be a good time to get more ceiling height in my shop (depending on cash flow, etc).
I've got a 30x40 cement block shop in the backyard with an engineered truss ceiling, height is 9'. I'd love a higher ceiling in order to comfortably put in a lift, etc. My question is: I've gotten 2 different possibilities to give me more height - 1) pull the roof off and replace with scissor trusses, or 2) lift the current roof off with a crane, add a few more block courses, then put the roof back on.
Either sounds relatively plausible, and I haven't looked into what city permits/approvals I'd need to raise the height 3-4'. Any opinions as to which is better/easier/more cost effective?

Thanks!

JGBrueck in AZ

 

[ryaninmichigan]

I would tear off the old, add blocks and scissors.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

If you are going to remove the existing roof and replace the trusses, probably most cost effective, and add a few corses. have your truss company design the trusses so you can have a ton of attic storage. I had mine do this and I now have a 14x40 attic for storage. Center height is around 5'.

 

[1320stang]

I'd lift the existing roof by making some temporary walls near the exterior walls and add the block and lower back down. Shouldn't need a crane and you can use the temporary wall material to make shelves and benches later. Probably the cheapest route too.

 

[kbs2244]

I would go with lifting the existing roof.
Look into having a "house moving" company come in to do it.
They will not use a crane, but will bring in a bunch of "cribbing" (4 or 5 foot 8x8's), put a long timber across the bottom of the trusses and use jacks to lift it up.
The advantage compared to a crane is the time you have work once it is up.
With a crane you would have to work fast. With it sitting on cribbing you can work a little slower.
You could do it your self, but the cribbing is a bit expensive and cumbersome for a one time use. The company will take it with them when they leave.
Instead of adding more block, think about a frame wall covered outside and inside with translucent fiberglass panels. It will give you a band of light around the whole shop. Almost as good a skylights, but not the weather problems. The inside layer is to keep birds from nesting, etc on that shelf.

 

[5wndwcpe]

I would go with lifting the existing roof.
Look into having a "house moving" company come in to do it.
They will not use a crane, but will bring in a bunch of "cribbing" (4 or 5 foot 8x8's), put a long timber across the bottom of the trusses and use jacks to lift it up.
The advantage compared to a crane is the time you have work once it is up.
With a crane you would have to work fast. With it sitting on cribbing you can work a little slower.
You could do it your self, but the cribbing is a bit expensive and cumbersome for a one time use. The company will take it with them when they leave.
Instead of adding more block, think about a frame wall covered outside and inside with translucent fiberglass panels. It will give you a band of light around the whole shop. Almost as good a skylights, but not the weather problems. The inside layer is to keep birds from nesting, etc on that shelf.

I like this idea but would frame out for awning windows instead. You'll have light, ventilation and security. You can pre-build the sections ahead of time as well.

 

[1320stang]

I like that idea too, you can have the framework built ahead of time and have it in in a weekend likely.

 

[Beegs]

I don't know if this helps but I had a house moving company give me a price to move a small house about 50' on to a new foundation. House is SMALL at approx. 14' x 30'. He said it would be around $2000.00

 

[6768rogues]

There is also a ratio for the total height of the wall compared to its thickness. If you exceed the ratio, your wall is too slender and needs pilasters, reinforcement, or some other means of strengthening. It might be worth consulting a professional for ideas.

 

[wilbilt]

I don't know if this helps but I had a house moving company give me a price to move a small house about 50' on to a new foundation. House is SMALL at approx. 14' x 30'. He said it would be around $2000.00

That's not much more than a trailer. You could move it yourself in an afternoon.

 

[jgbrueck]

Thanks for all the ideas, folks! I'll definitely consult a professional - I'll have our remodeling contractor do it (he knows people who know people, etc). It's great to have all the potential ideas to talk with him about, though. The walls of the shop are 8" thick concrete block, so I don't think adding a few feet in height will be an issue.

THanks again!

Jeff

 

[kbs2244]

Send us a PIC when you have done!
Or, even better, of it in progress.