Above 1200 Sq/FT The Lab [Latvia]
- Thread starter the lab
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
Not sure if I mentioned it, but the Lab has a basement, and it was flooded with water. It took some serious effort to pump it out, and then came the not-so-fun task of clearing out all the junk and dirt that had piled up over the years. It was a real grind, but we’re making progress.
M-technik-3
Well-known member
I hope you wore some type of mask while cleaning out that. I hear of people getting respiratory issues from mold.
The garage has seen better days—those old floors have definitely served their time. Every step felt like a reminder that this place needed a serious upgrade. So, I decided it was time to tear out the worn-out floors and start fresh. With every section cleared out, I can almost see the new possibilities coming to life. The new floors are going to bring a whole new vibe to the place—cleaner, sturdier, and more in line with where I want this project to go. It’s all part of the process, making things look worse before they get better. But that’s the beauty of transformation. Bit by bit, this old garage is getting a serious upgrade, and I’m excited to see it come together.
Got back from the Lab and made some big calls on how to keep this build moving. Spent some time figuring out the next steps, and now the vision’s really starting to come together. Progress might be slow, but it’s all about those big moves that get me closer to the end goal. Can’t wait to see this place transform. Big things ahead—stay tuned!
Sometimes the best way forward is to take a step back. What started as a simple roof replacement project quickly revealed deeper issues: while the metal plates were still in decent shape, the timber beneath was rotten and the beams were worn out. Initially, I planned to just apply a membrane and put down new metal. But after a thorough inspection, it became clear that a more comprehensive approach was needed. Removing the old metal, timber, and beams wasn't an easy decision, but uncovering the full extent of the damage was crucial. It’s all part of ensuring that the new roof will meet today’s standards and provide lasting durability.
Jayman17
Well-known member
Wow, that's a lot of work! Those are some big pine trees you had growing up there. Probably better to get a new roof up there that will be good for decades. 
rattle_snake
Well-known member
Wow. in deep!
littlebean
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2018
- Messages
- 759
at this rate you'll have stripped it back to the foundations but at least you'll know it's all sorted!
but at least you'll know it's all sorted!Cleared out all the old insulation from the attic to get a real look at what’s going on underneath. Had to check the ceiling beams and the overall condition of the ceiling. No more guessing—time to see if things are solid or if there's more work coming my way. Sometimes you gotta strip it down to the bones to figure out the next move.
Yeah, I’d rather do it right from the start and know it’s all sorted. It'll take longer to fix, but I’m not stressing about the time. The real goal is getting it done right the first time.at this rate you'll have stripped it back to the foundations
Making some progress — getting the building frame in place! For the main mancave space, we’re replacing two old doors with a fresh new entrance and a big window. Gonna open up the room, bring in natural light, and set the perfect vibe for my cars, bikes, vinyl records, and photos. The space is starting to come together.
Had to tackle the uneven top part of the garage walls to make sure everything lines up right. I’m going for consistent floor levels and ceiling height across all the garages, so this step was key. In some sections, added extra building blocks, and in others, built custom wooden forms for pouring concrete. Before the pour, put in reinforcement bars to make sure everything stays solid. Once the concrete cures, the walls will be strong and leveled out, ready to support the rest of the build. One step closer to making this mancave everything I’ve envisioned!
madison069
Well-known member
I know with concrete you can walk on it after 1-2 days, park on it after 7-9days, and the concrete is supposed to be fully cured after 28-30 days. But how long do you wait before putting the roof on the concrete? I assume it would be a 7-9 days wait just like a car. What's the price of concrete there?
Took down another inner wall, and now the main mancave space feels way bigger. The place is really opening up! I’m still on the fence about the old wooden frame—I actually like the way it looks, but it’s a bit too far gone. Probably gonna end up ripping it out and later rebuild something similar using old timber pieces to keep that vintage vibe. It’s all about balancing the old with the new and making this space truly one-of-a-kind.
That will be seriously cool when done. Are you thinking of installing glass panes set in the timbers, or would you leave it open air?
Jayman17
Well-known member
That upper sill concrete pour sure came out nice! You are really upgrading this building.
Tynee
Well-known member
I'm glad to see you're taking the time and spending the money to do this project right. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
littlebean
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2018
- Messages
- 759
best way to go, been really interesting so far
Tynee
Well-known member
I bet those beams weren't cheap in a country that requires a landowner to obtain permission before cutting down a tree hanging over his house.
