Structural ideas?

[Spottty]

So I'm about to get started on my garage/shop. I'm on a major time crunch so I'm having a contractor do the major structor and then I will do the interior stuff like wiring and finishing touches.

My question is, does anyone have any tips on things I should do to the building before we get started?
It's a 24x40 with 10' interior height. Most of the tips I have found are mostly on the interior but I don't want to miss something on the initial build that will be a pain afterwards to redo.

 

[COgarage]

Re: Structral ideas?

So I'm about to get started on my garage/shop. I'm on a major time crunch so I'm having a contractor do the major structor and then I will do the interior stuff like wiring and finishing touches.

My question is, does anyone have any tips on things I should do to the building before we get started?
It's a 24x40 with 10' interior height. Most of the tips I have found are mostly on the interior but I don't want to miss something on the initial build that will be a pain afterwards to redo.

Spottty,

You are doing the wiring yourself so I won't get into any of the things you might desire with that but depending on where you live and what your intentions are, you may want to consider heating/cooling provisions so that your contractor can at least rough in for those.

Water source? Always nice to have access to that initially instead of having to put it in after the fact.

Just a couple of thoughts! Good Luck!

 

[akdiesel]

Re: Structral ideas?

Spottty,

You are doing the wiring yourself so I won't get into any of the things you might desire with that but depending on where you live and what your intentions are, you may want to consider heating/cooling provisions so that your contractor can at least rough in for those.

Water source? Always nice to have access to that initially instead of having to put it in after the fact.

Just a couple of thoughts! Good Luck!

Exactly.
Do you plan on in floor heating or a lift? Placement of a lift can determine if you need extra concrete in that area.
Placement of the shop in conjunction with the trade winds. When you open the doors it can create a problem if windy, as well as congestion with your existing parking configuration.

 

[MTS940]

Re: Structral ideas?

Backers for cabinet wall hangings etc.

 

[darkk]

Re: Structral ideas?

If you are going to work in it, plenty of electrical drops, computer data ports, cable, phone (if you use a land line) water..including hot if you can.

 

[Chevy72pu]

Re: Structral ideas?

If you are going to work in it, plenty of electrical drops, computer data ports, cable, phone (if you use a land line) water..including hot if you can.

All of the above plus small outside pad and shed for your compressor. And a bathroom.

 

[Kevin54]

Re: Structral ideas?

Go 12' tall if you can. Plan for a future hoist. If you go 10' high, use Scissor trusses. If possible, go 28' deep instead of 24'. You'll really appreciate the extra 4'. Trust me on that. Add a floor drain if you can. Extra thick concrete for a lift. Also if possible, add an overhang on the front where the garage door are. I have a 6' overhang and I have never had water hit the door. It can be pouring down a major rain and I can have the doors open.

 

[kbs2244]

Re: Structral ideas?

Figure out where your electrical panel will be and have them put underground wiring sweeps through the slab and up into the wall there.
Same thing for water if you are going to put it in.
A extra one for phone, TV, Internet or whatever.
Have them pour a 3 or 4 inch curb around the outside edge for the wall to sit on.
Or at least one row of block as a curb.
Go with scissors truss, or even better, a ridge beam roof instead of the usual top plate joists.
Even with tall walls you will love the room up there.
When you put in the doors have the tracks follow the angle of the ceiling instead of going horizontal.

 

[barks]

Re: Structral ideas?

48 x 80 x 12.

 

[bad_idea]

some windows up high to let in light but keep prying eyes out.

 

[Spottty]

Great ideas, thanks guys!

I can't do most of them but I do appreciate it. I'm stuck on that size due to my lot and the height is at the max due to it over whelming the backyard if I go up another 2 feet.

Thanks again though!

 

[brownbagg]

if you have not pour the slab yet, install a couple of pull pots

 

[Spottty]

Pull pots?

 

[Sureshot]

I ran some black plastic water pipe under the pad into the space between the overhead doors and under one of the walk in doors. I then just pushed rubber air hose through instead of plumbing up to the ceiling and over. Looks good. Also run some extra "sleeves" through the pad by you utilities for unknown expansion. If you bury lines between your house for power run double of anything not overly expensive like phone, ethernet, air. I ran an airline to the house and is one of the best things ever. Can fill tires, balls, etc at the house as well as use airnailers, and all the assorted power tools.

One of your underground wires or cables will fail and at the worst time.

 

[Spottty]

Gotcha. Sounds like a good plan. I forgot about cable, I think it's because my wife will never remind me about that!

I wish I could get running water out there but it's just not feasible. Mainly because I can't afford it right now. I think I will just make a wash station with good rags and good hand cleaner.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Great ideas, thanks guys!

I can't do most of them but I do appreciate it. I'm stuck on that size due to my lot and the height is at the max due to it over whelming the backyard if I go up another 2 feet.

Thanks again though!

Cannot do it because you don't want to, or cannot do it because zoning/code people won't let you?

If its just you, and what you think it will look like, get over it and go higher anyhow, you will never regret it.

Charles

 

[Spottty]

Well it's not me, it's my wife. I kinda agree with her. I can't really argue with her about it, she gave up a kitchen Reno to let me build this thing so I can compromise over some things.

 

[kbs2244]

For full access to your above the wall space check out a "ridge beam" roof framing system.
It eliminates the need for any interior joists.

If you are talking a 40 foot ridge you will probably need a center post.

 

[1320stang]

Just because you can't afford water now, doesn't mean you can't rough it in for the future.

Also, you don't post your location, you might consider running some pex for in floor heating if you're up north, slab insulation as well.

Pull pots are pieces of pipe with a chain in them. They allow you to tie a project down to the floor to pull maybe a bent frame horn or attach an electric winch to pull a project up a steep drive into the shop so you don't have to push it.

 

[kert]

Just because you can't afford water now, doesn't mean you can't rough it in for the future.

I'll second that. Hell, ask your excavator what he'd charge to run the water line for you. The pipe isn't that expensive, and if he already has his equipment there it won't be that much extra labor involved. I originally wasn't going to have a drain and figured I didn't need a water line, but the drain was only $100 extra. then after the footing was poured, I had the water line run into the building and coiled up outside so I can run it when I'm ready. Cost me $100 plus the cost of the pipe, but would have just been the cost of the pipe if I'd done it before the footer was poured.

Anyway, the points are: it may not be as expensive as you think, and it's a lot easier to do now than it will be later.