I dedicated this weekend to finally getting some garage time in. Figured I should start with framing out the laundry room space I initially modeled in sketchup. I know in most cases, you build the framing flat on the floor and stand it up in place. However, my garage has all kinds of weird heights that decrease from the walls to the center, so it just seemed easier to build in place...
First thing was to lay out the bottom and top plates:
Then it was off to the races with studs:
I had to throw together a little blocking to get the ends done properly around the concrete footings of the garage walls:
I was too in the groove and forgot to take a picture of just the framing before the pegboard went up, but here it is from the back side:
and the front side facing out to the garage:
I also framed up the door side (looking from the inside):
The entire thing from the outside:
Last shot of the doorway sealed up:
In terms of covering the walls, I have been debating what to use for weeks. In the running (plus my commentary on each in this context):
- Drywall: NO, JUST NO... too much of a headache for a place where I don't care about the cosmetics as much.
- OSB: heavy but cheap. I've seen it used here on GJ, but I've also seen people complain about the chips delaminating.
- Particleboard: Similar to OSB, but has a much smaller particle and is actually cheaper. Also two sided like OSB, however the smooth side is much smoother than its equivalent side on OSB.
- Plywood: super heavy duty and give me the ability to forget about studs for most mounting applications down the line. To me this also has the most "woodshopy" look, but its very expensive and hard to handle.
- Pegboard: relatively cheap and easy to handle, but not very strong structurally speaking.
- Hardboard/Whiteboard: basically the same as pegboard, but no holes.
I choose pegboard and whiteboard for a few reasons.
Firstly, they were cheap, $17 and $12 respectively per 4'x8' sheet. With the exception of drywall, the only other material cheaper is 1/2" particle board.
Secondly, both come "prepainted" white. I like the idea of particle board because it is even cheaper, very smooth, and easy to work with, BUT I have to paint it and I didn't want to get into that right now. I will probably use partcle board for skinning the outside walls when I get there unless I find a really cheap 1/2" plywood. The clampwall got pegboard treatment as I figure any real clamp racks will be driven into studs and pegboard leaves me the ultimate flexibility for the rest of the wall. The remainder was skinned in whiteboard which gives me a really nice, well... whiteboard. I am always looking for a place to sketch/write down lists as I work, so now I have a BIG OLE whiteboard right there, built into the garage.
Everything is still in a very rough state--there is plenty left for finishing touches. I have to hang the new door in the framing, finish closing up the inside walls (probably the same whiteboard/pegboard combo in there), and then add some trim around the doors. I am also going to add a piece of aluminum right-angle to the outside corner to finish that up and protect it from being bashed. Finally I might do some simple baseboard/"crown" molding to help make it look a little more clean. I need to pick a shop color scheme and I was thinking white walls, grey trim/other, possible third color for
serious accenting only.
Anyway, the first cut is always the hardest, now that it is out of the way... should be down hill from here!
:
Upside... I exposed the sheet of walnut ply I have been saving for too long for another forlorn project. Given how easy it was to fill this single cabinet up, and how I have another full wire rack, I am thinking I might modify my plans and build another matching cabinet across on the left hand side of the bench.
Plus the corner is just the perfect place to mount this:
