deforest
Member
Hi folks! Reading all of the great threads here has been inspiring. Well, do I have a garage project for you guys.
Introducing The Big Red Barn.
We moved here about 4 years ago, and it was a place of possibilities. Well, as life sometimes goes, other things in life take priority. While the barn is a decent work space it has never been to the point where I really like spending time there.
I'm sick of having tons of space and poorly utilizing it. It's about time that changes.
Here's the setup:
The original 'main' barn is 28x40 with three level. The lower level is mostly dry, has a 7' ceiling, and access doors on each end (not large enough for a car to fit though). This will mostly be the 'yard and pool stuff' area but I may take parts of it for welding and sandblasting (as opposed to the main level). I also keep my air compressors down there and have flexible hose run to the main level.
The 'main' level has an OSB 'finished' office with gas forced-air heat. There is space for two cars.
The upper level is about 1/3 useable with the middle high bay being open and the ceiling of the office being under-designed to handle any weight.
The roof is in great shape with no known leaks. The tarp was put up by prior owner to protect the below levels from occasional bat guano.
At some later time, the 20x40 addition was added to the main level, with clear open dirt below and vaulted ceiling above. Like the main barn, the add-on has 1/3 of the area enclosed, finished (GWB) and heated from the same furnace in the front office. The remainder of the add-on has one poory working shop light, no outlets, plank floors with large gaps, and plenty of 'spare' wood and junk from the prior owner. There is a car-sized opening between the addition and the main barn so that a car can be pulled into it.
There's a large hay door on the back of the add-on which is neat for a few reasons. It's a good urinal, has a nice view of the back yard and stream, and is a fine place for a shooting bench.
Here's a quick scale floor plan of the main level:
Main work that happens out there are general automotive related repairs. I have a table saw and a miter saw for occasional decking/framing work, but those may end up elsewhere. I have to store a welder, folding engine hoist, engine stand, jack stands, and the usual automotive fluids, jack stands, floor jacks, etc.
Some initial goals of the project.
1) Organize and remove the junk and wood in the back room.
2) Button up the underutilized addition, esp floor.
3) Get some type of portable heat so I can spend more than 30 minutes out there without freezing.
4) Fix-up loose battens and odd holes in siding boards.
Longer term ideas:
Remove wall between right hand garage bay and addition area.
Move workbenches from right side bay to addition
finish one heated office into home office/lounge and use other for a 'cleaner/warmer' lab/shop space for engine assembly, etc.
insulate and finish add-on area.
I am fairly handy and have completed interior remodel projects but am by no means a 'master'. I will need your advice, expertise, and ideas. Thoughts?
Let's go!
Introducing The Big Red Barn.
We moved here about 4 years ago, and it was a place of possibilities. Well, as life sometimes goes, other things in life take priority. While the barn is a decent work space it has never been to the point where I really like spending time there.
I'm sick of having tons of space and poorly utilizing it. It's about time that changes.
Here's the setup:
The original 'main' barn is 28x40 with three level. The lower level is mostly dry, has a 7' ceiling, and access doors on each end (not large enough for a car to fit though). This will mostly be the 'yard and pool stuff' area but I may take parts of it for welding and sandblasting (as opposed to the main level). I also keep my air compressors down there and have flexible hose run to the main level.
The 'main' level has an OSB 'finished' office with gas forced-air heat. There is space for two cars.
The upper level is about 1/3 useable with the middle high bay being open and the ceiling of the office being under-designed to handle any weight.
The roof is in great shape with no known leaks. The tarp was put up by prior owner to protect the below levels from occasional bat guano.
At some later time, the 20x40 addition was added to the main level, with clear open dirt below and vaulted ceiling above. Like the main barn, the add-on has 1/3 of the area enclosed, finished (GWB) and heated from the same furnace in the front office. The remainder of the add-on has one poory working shop light, no outlets, plank floors with large gaps, and plenty of 'spare' wood and junk from the prior owner. There is a car-sized opening between the addition and the main barn so that a car can be pulled into it.
There's a large hay door on the back of the add-on which is neat for a few reasons. It's a good urinal, has a nice view of the back yard and stream, and is a fine place for a shooting bench.
Here's a quick scale floor plan of the main level:
Main work that happens out there are general automotive related repairs. I have a table saw and a miter saw for occasional decking/framing work, but those may end up elsewhere. I have to store a welder, folding engine hoist, engine stand, jack stands, and the usual automotive fluids, jack stands, floor jacks, etc.
Some initial goals of the project.
1) Organize and remove the junk and wood in the back room.
2) Button up the underutilized addition, esp floor.
3) Get some type of portable heat so I can spend more than 30 minutes out there without freezing.
4) Fix-up loose battens and odd holes in siding boards.
Longer term ideas:
Remove wall between right hand garage bay and addition area.
Move workbenches from right side bay to addition
finish one heated office into home office/lounge and use other for a 'cleaner/warmer' lab/shop space for engine assembly, etc.
insulate and finish add-on area.
I am fairly handy and have completed interior remodel projects but am by no means a 'master'. I will need your advice, expertise, and ideas. Thoughts?
Let's go!
Last edited:
Yet another blank canvas, keep us posted.