Building a garage advice

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  • FrankOceanXray

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 29, 2008
    12,028
    Going back 11 years . our 30X40X14 pole barn was a little over 8k delivered. Finally cost was just under 20k . That was the flooring and new electric service from the pole. Floor is 6in deep 5k psi concrete with fiberglass.

    Only regret is I didnt go bigger!!! Saw the pic of another 30X40 garage here and thought wow that is huge!!!!

    Thank you for the insight.

    And real deal Frogman?
     

    mlj427

    Active Member
    Sep 28, 2020
    148
    Forgot to mention it is usually a cheap option to get them to install the insulation foil/bubble wrap under the metal roof . It helps keep from having condensation drip off of the metal on everything. You can still use regular insulation for hot and cold but the foil keeps it dry.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Metal is practically cheaper than wood these days! :thumbsup:

    Before lumber prices skyrocketed I had long since gone frame and stud in my shop; and, after I roll insulated between the studs I covered the walls in 1” thick polystyrene board - with “the wrong side” (white side vs the foil facing) intentionally facing in.

    I did so for the extra light and I have never regretted using it over drywall! (It not only increases light incredibly but I swear it does more for sound proofing than drywall over insulated stud spaces.

    Now that is damn nice messy shop! :party29:
     

    GSuders

    Active Member
    Dec 13, 2017
    148
    Keymar
    Build one larger than you "think" you need. If plan on a car lift in the future, figure atleast a 12' ceiling, possibly 14'. Spray foam insulate the inside. It will cost maybe twice as much as batt insulation, but will pay for it self.
     

    GTOGUNNER

    IANAL, PATRIOT PICKET!!
    Patriot Picket
    Dec 16, 2010
    5,492
    Carroll County!
    So by that definition it will be at least 40’ wide and 30’ deep with a 12’ ceiling..l




    My Lester building pole barn is 30x40. when I had in built 2002, I thought wow, this is huge. Fast forward to 2009. It is full. I have had 6 cars in it, albeit with 2 lifts. Fast forward to 2021 two cars inside and its still crowded.


    Get nice concrete floor at least 4" get insulation in the roof. Some things you can add or get to later.



    Use caution with ceiling height, most times that is measured before floor is added.
     

    keikosman

    Member
    Dec 4, 2019
    4
    Anyone do radiant floor heat? And 4 or 6 inch slab and why? What kind of finish?

    The additional detached garage is a primary reason I bought my house. 34x32, 2-car wide door. Plumbed, heated w/ thermostats, outlets every 6 feet at 40"high, insulated, storage in attic.

    I built two 8' tables for each side; 1 side standing work 37" high, the other sitting work 30" high with two shelves over each table.

    Wish I had: floor drain and taller walls.
     

    FrankOceanXray

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 29, 2008
    12,028
    The additional detached garage is a primary reason I bought my house. 34x32, 2-car wide door. Plumbed, heated w/ thermostats, outlets every 6 feet at 40"high, insulated, storage in attic.

    I built two 8' tables for each side; 1 side standing work 37" high, the other sitting work 30" high with two shelves over each table.

    Wish I had: floor drain and taller walls.

    How tall are the walls now?


    Seems steel buildings are commonly ten feet. With a gentle slope the middle is 15.
     

    Wsanner

    Active Member
    Sep 19, 2012
    254
    My first shop was a 30x40x12 pole barn that I had the amish build. It had two 6 foot slider doors in the front. It filled up fast. I learned a lot from this build. We moved and I got to build the new shop. This time I did a 40x52x12 with scissor trusses. I put 2 12 ft garage doors and a entry door on each side on this one. Few things Ive learned between both shops.... Buy insulated doors. If you decide to insulate them later, they are almost too heavy for the springs on uninsulated doors.... LED lights are a must if you want good lighting.... If you plan on insulating, do it before you start using the shop. Its a big headache to move it all again to insulate...You can never have enough receptacles. If you think its enough, add more...If you plan on having a lift, figure out where you want it before you do concrete. that way you can add roughly a couple 3ftx3ftx12 inch deep blocks that you can anchor the lift to for a little added piece of mind. but if you do a heated floor, make dam sure you know where the lines are...….
     

    THier

    R.I.P.
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 3, 2010
    4,998
    Muscleville
    I just bought a property with some acreage in AA County, but it has no garage. I like my toys with 2 and 4 wheels, so I want to build a 3 car garage.

    Anybody have any leads or advice where to start? I would like it to have insulation and electric, etc. as I play to have it as a workshop that is somewhat insulated from the elements.

    Consider a heated floor, up front cost is more, but retaining the heat is so much greater.
     

    clint west

    Member
    Aug 29, 2015
    44
    maryland
    Post frame (po' barn) ( laminated columns not poles) is very efficient and in some ways better than platform (studs etc) framing. If I had to do it all over again, I'd build the garage using the posts but dropping structural insulated panels between them. And use Lam-Ply trusses ( starwood rafters) and 12" SIPs for the roof. I built a house out of SIPs but wish I'd have used them on the roof as well.
    Rather than a gable roof consider a monitor roof, using the higher center section to accomodate your trolley hoist, and/ or trucks, boats etc. Without having to heat excess height space on the side sections

    Rule of designing your garage/shop - figure out how much space you need, then add at least 50%.
     

    accokeek

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 4, 2013
    20
    Southern Maryland
    Anyone do radiant floor heat? And 4 or 6 inch slab and why? What kind of finish?

    Perhaps OBE, but consider a 6", 5k PSi slab, which will allow you to mount a lift and will stand up under both large vehicles and heavy machine tools. Consider a "broom finish" on floor as it will improve traction without interfering with moving equipment. If allowed by county code, consider floor drains in garage area.

    If you can afford it, strongly consider doing 1.5" of closed cell spray foam along with dense pack cellulose over it. the spray foam takes care of air infiltration and water problems, the cellulose adds to the comfort level of both the workshop and garage portion of the structure.

    Rather than radiant heating, price out and consider a mini-split for HVAC. Quite efficient and keeps the shop area "shirt sleeve comfortable" year round.

    One last thought, consider a "shed roof" overhang on one side of the building, maybe 8' as it will provide for easier access and lots of dry storage. The slab for this portion can be 4" rather than 6".

    Enjoy your new garage/shop they definiely add joy to your life
     

    FrankOceanXray

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 29, 2008
    12,028
    Perhaps OBE, but consider a 6", 5k PSi slab, which will allow you to mount a lift and will stand up under both large vehicles and heavy machine tools. Consider a "broom finish" on floor as it will improve traction without interfering with moving equipment. If allowed by county code, consider floor drains in garage area.

    If you can afford it, strongly consider doing 1.5" of closed cell spray foam along with dense pack cellulose over it. the spray foam takes care of air infiltration and water problems, the cellulose adds to the comfort level of both the workshop and garage portion of the structure.

    Rather than radiant heating, price out and consider a mini-split for HVAC. Quite efficient and keeps the shop area "shirt sleeve comfortable" year round.

    One last thought, consider a "shed roof" overhang on one side of the building, maybe 8' as it will provide for easier access and lots of dry storage. The slab for this portion can be 4" rather than 6".

    Enjoy your new garage/shop they definiely add joy to your life



    Good information, noted. Thank you for taking the time to chime in.

    Why spray? Really that much better vs foam sheets?
     

    Hippy

    Active Member
    Mar 11, 2008
    367
    Frostburg Md
    Build it BIGGER that U need@ this present time--I built mine 30 X 40 years bac and soon found out was not big enough--Place electric outlets every 8' as nothing is worse than having to drag extension cords that have a tendency to get caught on thing--MAKE room for a WALK up stairs rather than FLIMSY pull down . SOLID work bench florescent lighting 4 tube 6- 8 in ceiling
    Car wash type floor drain 2x2' minimum .Heat source -Gun type furnace from mobile home - HOT & cold water @ least 200 AMP service -future welder

    Ceiling high enough for a LIFT they are very handy @ least 5 hp air compressor with several outlets (4 +) on walls

    Good Luck

    Jim
     

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