Tell me what you think?

[jmscalf]

So I am getting ready to start the build of my shop, I am wanting some input on size ratio. Now first off i know the 30x40 will never be "big enough" but it will work for what I am wanting and I will have to make do. The actual shop will be 30x40 with a covered portion being 10x40 laying into the backyard. Does anybody have any comments on the porch portion? Do yall think it will be wide enough to serve as an actual gathering spot, lounging area? If you need to know any more info please let me know as I may be leaving something out.

 

[Novadiecast]

Forget it. Move the wall out that 10 feet and add the shop space. It will be less money also. Add a couple windows in the garage on the yard side. People will congregate at the house unless they are interested in garage stuff and then they will be in the garage.
Nice drawings of what you are planning. I like it, looks real nice and would work well with your yard space.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[larry_g]

I'm not seeing that your numbers add up. You start with 40x40, take off a 10x40 porch and end up with a 30x30 shop. Looking at the over head layout the numbers don't seem to add up either.

Any way it seems that you have a nice covered area and patio on the house, what is the purpose of the porch on the garage? Do you have lots of big yard parties? I have a 10x50' deck on the front of the house and it is a bit narrow when trying to set up tables and sitting areas I wish I had gone a bit wider. I would have you consider a 10x20 or 25' porch and enclose the rest for a compressor/utility room or even a 'garden bike toy' room for the family. Having an area set aside for family that is only accessable from out side the garage will go a ways to keep that stuff out of the shop.

All that said I like your concept if it fits your needs.

On edit have you considered movingthe fence so that it goes to the right side of the garage? This would put alot of the concrete drive inside of the fence for the kids bball or scooter riding. You could also extend the roofline toward the house so that there is a covered area in the front of the shop. This would get you a covered wash area, and could be party area if necessary.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[sams]

what about a covered Gazebo in the middle of the Yard instead? Then you would have the best of both worlds: a space for guests and more floor space.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazebo

 

[MadMechMaster]

If you have big parties, then I can see that being useful.

I would take the extra shop space. Maybe even add some double doors or a small garage door on that "porch" side to open up the shop for gathering space.

I'm no structural engineer, but I think that you will need more columns.

 

[nate379]

I think the "lean to" is a great idea for parking your trailers, boat, maybe cording firewood, etc.

 

[oldgoat]

I have to admit that I like the idea of a lean to, but considering that you started out my saying that it wouldn't be enough and would have to make do makes me believe that I wouldn't give up that much space. I would consider taking the back half and making a storage section for all the stuff that might get collected in the garage. Things like the lawn mower, snow blower hot tub stuff and so on. I'd also make a door from the garage into it so in case you decide to convert it to a office or man cave it would work. Might consider a ramp instead of the steps up to the lean to also.

 

[Stargeezer]

If you go with the porch-go deeper than 10 foot. I'd say 14 or a little more. That way by the time you add tables and chairs & BBQ grille-there is still room for humans to drink and eat under the awning. I just put in a 18W by 14 deep paver stone patio and it seems about the right size for all of that.

Mark it out on the lawn and then put your lounge chairs and a picnic table & Weber in there. You'll see!

Have fun

 

[jmscalf]

Well the "gatherings" is the whole reason for adding the lean to on this side, "I hate being inside!. I have plans for a 27X12 pergola off of the back porch area, so that would cover the idea of a gazebo. Not to mention I have a nieghbor with one of those eye sores lol. The idea of adding the back half into a storage area would work, but I have a friend who has offered to let me set up his smoker on the back part. So... I better not pass up this offer. Behind the fence is where my trailers will be parked So that the "boss lady" doesnt gripe about them sitting out in view. So with that being said, i guess I get yall's OK? lol
I guess some of you will say that it sounds like I have my mind made up, But I was just wanting some ideas from yall before I go ahead with such a big decision. I appreciate all input and hope for more ideas

 

[onewaydave]

Whether or not you entertain, go for the porch. 10' is minimal. A BBQ on the porch would make a day's work enjoyable about dinner time.

I find I like to work out there.

I would definately put windows looking into the yard. Light and view are well worth it. My 30x36x12 filled up real fast, but if that's your restrictions it'll do.

 

[SiGmA_X]

I'd consider a different door approach. Assuming you have at least one lift and ample work space/benches/etc, you might have an awkward time getting multiple vehicles/equipment in and out. I'd do a pair of 12x8' doors.

 

[blue dog]

First i would build a hand rail around the well so your hot rod buddies dont step off the porch and fall in after a few makers mark's while relaxing under your new patio. Ha ha
run some wiring for speakers under the patio cover.
Is there a patio built on the existing house allready? If so why a new one?
If you put the lean to on the other side of the shop you could have covered rv parking for your boat etc.

 

[Corvette Cave]

How about a bigger door from the shop to the porch? On a nice day you could move some tools outside, make sawdust and let the wind clean up.

 

[rburke65]

I thought that was a fire pit?

 

[jmscalf]

Come on now... Don't make fun of my firepit lol

 

[PurdueSD]

I like the idea! It makes the big garage transition well into your backyard. Perfect beer drinkin/ bar-b-cue'ing area! I agree you might think about putting in a bigger door/ doors to your shop from the porch. You never know when you might want to move the party indoors... I'd stick a double door and a couple windows in that wall. You wont loose any privacy being that your backyard is fenced in.

Only other thing you might consider is adding attic trusses. At 30' wide you could get a 6.5' tall room 12' wide running the legnth of the building if you step the roof up to a 6.5/12.

Goodluck!

 

[jmscalf]

Ok that's a good idea, but I have a question about the roof. Right now I am planning on having a 2:12 pitch with the peak being at 12 that should make my side at about 10ft well if I continue the same pitch on the lean-to that would put my side height at about 8ft correct?

 

[PurdueSD]

Yeah, but....

Here are some ideas for you...

 

[lupinsea]

I like your idea of the porch, too. But I wonder if you need the full 40 ft length? Maybe the back 1/2 to back 1/3 could be enclosed for some other use (yard equipment storage, compressor, or shop-accessible storage?.

Also, not too keen on the look of the gable end with the flat soffit over the porch area. That left over triangular piece of wall above the porch portion looks odd. Just take the wall all the way up to the bottom of the roof and vault the ceiling of the porch area.

Any thoughts to a covered breezeway between the garage and the house? it will help reinforce the back yard area that's also being delineated by the fence line. Or if not a breezeway then perhaps just a trellis. Give it a few years with some nice vines growing up on it and it would look great.

And I'll second the comments on increasing the porch width a bit. Experiment with some furniture arrangements for the proper proportion. Just take what you have, rearrange it so it has a good feel, then measure how big of a space you'd need.

And I'd do two 10 or 12 ft wide x 9 ft tall doors if you can instead of one centrally located door. With the current arrangement it'd be tougher to fit in additional vehicles and maneuver them to different work zones within the garage. Unless you need the central door to position a car lift.

While I can understand the comments on using the whole footprint for shop space I think there's a lot to be said for good aesthetic qualities with a balance between shop space and the porch.