Upgrading unfinished storage area to work studio

[1965gp]

This website has been fantastic helping me build my my garage and garage addition. I’ve done what I can and am very happy with the space I have, but I haven done anything with the unfinished apartment above the original 3 car garage.

the hotter it gets and the older I get I’ve decided I need an air conditioned work space. Being in Houston it just takes the fun out of car restoration when you cant stop sweating.

I want to turn my unfinished apartment from a parts storage area to more of a work studio. A place where I can work on smaller projects. Seat reupholstering, trim polishing, building brackets, etc.. A few window units should be able to keep it comfortable.

the apartment is about 600 sq ft. Here’s what I feel I need:
-smooth floor with easy clean up. I need to be able to sweep up dust, debris, metal shavings, etc.
-bandsaw, belt sander (or similar), polishing wheel, grinder
-area to spray paint
-parts storage. CLEAN parts storage. Possibly using shades/doors/etc to cover up shelving.
-seating, TV, fridge, etc.
-work table(s) on wheels
-fold down work benches?

I thought I would enjoy having a big tv in my shop, watching Mecum, Barrett Jackson and drinking beer while I worked. Quickly found out it just wasn’t comfortable and I ended up getting **** all over the cars. I need a place where I can work, spray paint, spray glue, and basically make a mess without worrying about getting anything on my cars.

Right now I’m not looking to spend a lot of money on this, but I don’t think I need to. I need a smooth floor and I need to get rid of a lot of old ****. Don’t want to toss valuable parts, but I’m done storing big body parts that take up a lot of room.

I was thinking about using adhesive backed 5” vinyl plank- it’s about $2 a sq foot. Do you think it will lay down over the floor shown below? Also- will I need to worry about debris falling between the planks? Am i better off going with 12’ sections of linoleum? It would be easier to clean up, cheaper, but won’t look as nice I don’t think.

The apartment is on the top right of the garage.

any suggestions? Ideas? Warnings?

thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[ZRX61]

and the pic?

 

[1965gp]

First pic is of the loft exist floor I want to cover, second is the front of the shop where the loft is.

 

[CraigStu]

I don't think linoleum will work on that floor. The linoleum I have used is very thin and I think it would be sagging into the joints and knot holes. A quick search for adhesive vinyl plank shoed that a lot of it is either 1.2mm or 2.0mm. The thicker 'might' work out for you. But I would get away from adhesive completely and go for luxury vinyl flooring. The type that interlocks together and is not glued down. It is a floating floor like this.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/SMARTCORE-11-Piece-5-in-x-48-03-in-Shady-Pine-Luxury-Vinyl-Plank-Flooring/1001046258

It is 6.5mm thick and even the inexpensive ones are in the 4-5mm range. It comes in many styles and is as close to industructable as you can get. You can always buy one box of it, slap it down and use it for a while to decide if it will work. It also works well for a work bench top.

 

[1965gp]

We have that in our house which is what made me think of it. Your probably right- worth spending the $$ to get the thicker planks.

 

[Zeke]

You mention a lot of tasks from spray painting to upholstery. I certainly would not think of those 2 sharing a space. I would divide the apt into dedicated areas and cool as needed. Make an area for dirty jobs and cover the floor with plywood or even metal. Paint area can be 3 sides with filters and the floor should be continuous. You might ruin vinyl sheet but so what?

I would think that other cleaner jobs could all be done around a large table. No reason this can't be in the largest portion of the apt with the couch, fridge and whatever. Carpet sounds about right for that. Plenty of used carpet available and not hard to seam at all. Commercial carpet vacuums up very well and that is one of the easier cleaning tasks.

Stumpy Nubs on YT has a complete woodshop that is carpeted. Cuts down on noise and is easy to work on, not to mention the ease of cleaning. He also has most of his machines and benches on casters. >4" work well on tight carpet.

 

[Stuart in MN]

As a Pontiac enthusiast, I'm impressed with your collection.

 

[Zeke]

As a Pontiac enthusiast, I'm impressed with your collection.

Not to mention his garage.

 

[CombatNinja]

A General Lee and Bandit's car!? I'll come build your fricking studio if you lend me the keys for a day.

 

[rayra]

First pic is of the loft exist floor I want to cover, second is the front of the shop where the loft is.

" I’m not looking to spend a lot of money on this"

looks at that. Looks at the pic. Looks at that. Looks at the pic.

Your 'not a lot of money' probably has two more zeroes on the end than mine. Maybe three.


You'll probably want good ventilation or dust control if you are talking about small projects in the upstair space. Maybe a form of paint booth workspace with a vent hood.

 

[f121]

This website has been fantastic helping me build my my garage and garage addition. I’ve done what I can and am very happy with the space I have, but I haven done anything with the unfinished apartment above the original 3 car garage.

the hotter it gets and the older I get I’ve decided I need an air conditioned work space. Being in Houston it just takes the fun out of car restoration when you cant stop sweating.

I want to turn my unfinished apartment from a parts storage area to more of a work studio. A place where I can work on smaller projects. Seat reupholstering, trim polishing, building brackets, etc.. A few window units should be able to keep it comfortable.

the apartment is about 600 sq ft. Here’s what I feel I need:
-smooth floor with easy clean up. I need to be able to sweep up dust, debris, metal shavings, etc.
-bandsaw, belt sander (or similar), polishing wheel, grinder
-area to spray paint
-parts storage. CLEAN parts storage. Possibly using shades/doors/etc to cover up shelving.
-seating, TV, fridge, etc.
-work table(s) on wheels
-fold down work benches?

I thought I would enjoy having a big tv in my shop, watching Mecum, Barrett Jackson and drinking beer while I worked. Quickly found out it just wasn’t comfortable and I ended up getting **** all over the cars. I need a place where I can work, spray paint, spray glue, and basically make a mess without worrying about getting anything on my cars.

Right now I’m not looking to spend a lot of money on this, but I don’t think I need to. I need a smooth floor and I need to get rid of a lot of old ****. Don’t want to toss valuable parts, but I’m done storing big body parts that take up a lot of room.

I was thinking about using adhesive backed 5” vinyl plank- it’s about $2 a sq foot. Do you think it will lay down over the floor shown below? Also- will I need to worry about debris falling between the planks? Am i better off going with 12’ sections of linoleum? It would be easier to clean up, cheaper, but won’t look as nice I don’t think.

The apartment is on the top right of the garage.

any suggestions? Ideas? Warnings?

thanks in advance for the advice.

No comment on flooring (I would obviously use new tongue and grove oak), but that is a fantastic garage and collection.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I'm only interested in the SD455- or I hope it is????

As for the floor- yeah, the floating click together vinyl is the way I'd go. super durable, waterproof, easy to clean- mop&sweep.

 

[Metal-Marc]

From looking at the floor plank picture, I would just sand it and stain/oil the floor and call it a day.