The Monnkey's Shop

[zekeymonkey]

I'm in the process, very early process, of building a building to use as a workshop. This thread will document the build. I'm sure I'll also be asking for opinions about some of the building details too. In fact I already have a few questions.

After much debate, I've decided on a 40x64x13 building. Basically, I'm going as big as I can reasonably afford. This size will allow me to wall off part of the building for a fully heated and cooled workshop. The rest of the building will be used as a garage for working on my cars.

Today is the first of many exciting days to come as the excavator is planning on breaking ground.

The kids and the dozer were ready yesterday for today
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We spent Monday and Tuesday afternoon emptying and stripping an old shed that's in the way. You can also some of the trees that must go too.
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And here's my basic thoughts for the layout.
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Insulation and a Request for Help

I need to decide how I'm going to insulate the building. One option is to have the building built using bookshelf girts at a cost increase of approximately $1200. This would allow the use of standard roll insulation in the walls. I've looked through the forum some and found a bunch of different options. I think I like the idea of using those 93" wide insulation batts like Morton uses. Can these be purchased easily somewhere? Or, is there a more cost effective option?

As for the roof/ceiling, I'm going to have the building built with vented eaves and a vented ridge. Then, just have blown in insulation on top of the ceiling. Do I need to be concerned condensation from the roofing? Or, is the ventilation enough?

 

[zekeymonkey]

Progress is being made on the excavation.

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Now, I need to get a contractor to start on the building.


I think I'm going to drop the length to 56' to leave a little more space around the building. I may also drop the width to 36'.

 

[Madhatter10-6]

Really cool area for a shop!

 

[jcinga]

I really like the idea of separating the workshop from the garage area. Keep the photos flowing. Hopefully I'm a year or two away from moving forward on a garage myself. There are so many options that it's overwhelming! The more garages and garage layouts I see, the more I change my mind. Good luck with yours, and we'll be patiently watching!

 

[zekeymonkey]

Well after taking some measurements and discussing it some. I think a 36x56 will fit better where we are putting it.

Here's the updated layout.
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[JohnK007]

Looks good! But I would have that man door open to the left, towards the wall. Looking forward to following your build

 

[MacTexas]

Why did you decide on 13' walls? I would do one 18' door instead of 2 10' doors, but that's just me.

 

[zekeymonkey]

I want at least 12' finished ceiling. The builder I'm considering using quoted the building as 13' for whatever reason to ensure the ceiling height was above 12' when the concrete gets pored.

As for the garage doors, I'm still debating this. I need to be able to pull two cars in next to each other since I have two first gen firebirds that need completely rebuilt.

If I can find a really airtight overhead door, I'll just heat the entire building and leave out the wall.

 

[sean Buick 76]

I vote for leaving out the interior wall and heating the whole thing... Otherwise the space will seem small due to the wall....

Cool yard! I like the old fence, it has a lot of character! Can you sneak in a pic of the house?

 

[zekeymonkey]

If I were to go with block construction, I could push the building up against the dirt. This would allow me to go with the 40x64 size.

Anyone have an idea of what it costs to have block laid?

 

[zekeymonkey]

I'm still working on getting a contractor to build the building. I met with one Friday that looks promising as he actually showed up.

Looking at the above layouts, where would you put floor drains? I was thinking just one between the two garage bays.

Thanks

 

[Bob Hall]

Hi neighbor! We are just across the river and way up on Blennerhassett Hts. Looking forward to watching your build. Nice size, and I like the separate shop room. What kind of shop will it be, woodworking, metal working, everything? I like the new layout's door arrangement better, but it still seems like the shop should have an outside door (fire escape?) I don't really know much about big garages like this, but I have a couple of thoughts. You are so near the height of an RV garage, do you think you might ever want to use it for that? If so, it might pay to add a little height for the future. I like concrete block buildings in general, but so many in our area are cracked, I think we have a fair amount of movement in the ground. Big walls like that will be even more prone to cracking than basements and such so if you use block it might be best to only do what is needed for ground contact on the high side. Of course a real builder can advise best. Keep those pictures coming!

 

[zekeymonkey]

Nice band saw Bob. You wouldn't know any contractors in the area would you? I've found several pole building companies from around Ohio that will build a building. But, I'd prefer to have someone local build it. I'm not even stuck on a pole building. The contractor that stopped by Friday night is going to quote a stick built. Hopefully, he'll get a quote to me by the end of the week.

I'll post more pictures when something starts happening again.

 

[Bob Hall]

I think all of the builders that I know are retired. My buddy up near Marietta just had a Morton building built. I've only seen pictures, but it's nice. Seemed a little high, but it's probably a "get what you pay for" situation. I have done some building, just for myself, and plan to stick build mine if indeed we ever build another one.

 

[zekeymonkey]

I've considered Morton. But, they are a bit pricy and they're booked up for a few months.

I would stick build it myself, but I really don't want to set the trusses. And, in all honesty, I'm not sure I have time to get it done.

As for what the shop will be used for, It'll be a mixture of wood a metal. I'm wanting to get into making some big bore air guns. So, I'll need some metal and wood equipment.