rustic detached garage workshop to do

[masraum]

We are buying a home in the country. It's going to need work, and I'm going to be doing a lot of it including a bunch of wood work. There's a garage onsite that I think is probably 100-150' from the house. The garage is very "rustic," but it does have power (small subpanel, 4 breakers right now, don't remember how many circuits total) and it's on a slab.

The garage is basically a 20x23' slab with a frame with a corrugated metal roof, cheap knotty pine boards for walls a door (south) and a big manual garage door (east). The eaves are completely open, and the walls show light through the cracks and knots.

Is there anything that you think would be a must-do or must-have to improve the structure for it to be a workshop (not including the addition of workbench, tools, etc...). I'm not too worried about cold. We don't usually get that cold here.

I'm wondering about adding some sort of opening (door or window) to one or both of the remaining sides for ventilation through the place. Obviously, there will be better/more lighting and probably more outlets.

[Baz]

Nice to have, Steve. The concrete floor especially. I'm jealous!

[Nostril Cheese]

Um, what to do?

Use the damn thing. Build a robot that shoots flames.

[fanaudical]

If you're going to use that as a work-shop for renovating the house, I recommend the following structural fixes:

- Make sure roof is sealed (rain on your projects is no good).

- Make sure the walls and eaves are sealed from rodent/animal intrusion

- Consider a big shop vac or dust extractor that vents to the outside.

- Roof vents for ventilation?

- Gravel path from the garage to the house so you're not tracking mud into either?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

If you're going to use that as a work-shop for renovating the house, I recommend the following structural fixes:

- Make sure roof is sealed (rain on your projects is no good).

- Make sure the walls and eaves are sealed from rodent/animal intrusion

- Consider a big shop vac or dust extractor that vents to the outside.

- Roof vents for ventilation?

- Gravel path from the garage to the house so you're not tracking mud into either?

Thanks

I think the roof is good, but yes, I'll have to confirm that.

Rodents can absolutely get in. I didn't notice any traps, but then I wasn't looking. I think this would be a huge job as this place is about a sealed as a collander is water tite.

Yes, I'll have some sort of shop vac, for sure. Vented to the outside is a good idea.

I don't think roof vents are vital at just now, but I'll have a better idea once I get there.

Good call on the gravel path. That may be a good thing. Right now, there's plenty of grass between the home and garage, but I don't know how long that will be the case if I get out there and get busy.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

Nice to have, Steve. The concrete floor especially. I'm jealous!

Right, I think this is a nice setup. I'd like to eventually have it setup so we could put a car in it if we so choose. Right now, there's probably a 3-5" step from the ground to the door opening.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Um, what to do?

Use the damn thing. Build a robot that shoots flames.

That's the plan. Closing is next Fri. Then we've got to get out there, get stuff out there to make the whole thing more usable, and I've got to buy a bunch of tools. We won't be living there full time, at least not for several months. We're hoping to have a family gathering (us, kids and grandkids, 8 people) a few days before Christmas. We've got to get somewhere for people to sleep and ensure that we can feed people. I'm thinking a grill would be a good idea.

[look 171]

Roof vent of some kind. I hear TX can get Africa hot so HVAC? Minisplit would be my choice but you gotta shut the opening under the eves.

Personally, I re-frame the roof and insulate it with something and install ridge vents or better power vents (maybe those that run off solar?)

You aint moving out of your current house in 2 weeks? I got something coming to your old place. Dropping off at post office Monday morning

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

Roof vent of some kind. I hear TX can get Africa hot so HVAC? Minisplit would be my choice but you gotta shut the opening under the eves.

Personally, I re-frame the roof and insulate it with something and install ridge vents or better power vents (maybe those that run off solar?)

You aint moving out of your current house in 2 weeks? I got something coming to your old place. Dropping off at post office Monday morning

Yes, darn hot and humid. I think sealing and insulating this place would be a big task, especially when the missus has lots of plans for the main house first. That's why I was thinking, it might be nice to have another opening or two for a cross-breeze.

No, we won't be moving until at least March. We've got a lease until then, and I've got to try to get high speed Internet of some sort setup to ensure that I can work (job) out there which may take some work.

Did you ever find the Kampot peppercorns?

[look 171]

No Kampot. I called most of the Cambodian markets off the net within a 30 mile radius of me and they have no idea what I am talking about. I think its mostly language barrier. A few just told me, only chilies no peppers.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

- Make sure the walls and eaves are sealed from rodent/animal intrusion

- Gravel path from the garage to the house so you're not tracking mud into either?

These two would be top of my list. I would also make sure that whatever electric you have out there is going to suit your intended use, you can never have enough lighting and running a compressor or a 220 welder means amps. This depends a lot on your envisioned use, though.

I've never lived in your neck of the woods but have had a project car that got some mice in it and I curse the day I told myself that the car was sufficiently mouse proofed... I knew the shop space (which I was renting) was not. Here too depends on use... if you're using the shop to store and maintain your tractor then who cares.

I have my own shop, and the gravel is a great benefit and one of the first things i added. Without it I'm driving whatever vehicle through my backyard and straight into the shop along with whatever grass, leaves, dirt etc wants to come along. In my case I made a ~8' deep patch of gravel (with some landscape timbers to keep it tamed/make mowing easier) directly in front of the shop door, works great for my needs.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

No Kampot. I called most of the Cambodian markets off the net within a 30 mile radius of me and they have no idea what I am talking about. I think its mostly language barrier. A few just told me, only chilies no peppers.

Stop looking, some are on the way. They are shipping from the east coast, so they may take 5-7 days.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by masraum

Stop looking, some are on the way. They are shipping from the east coast, so they may take 5-7 days.

Hahaha. You are good, dude. Thanks you. Will report back once I try them.

[Bill Douglas]

Perfect. Just perfect.

Will look even better with a hoist for the Porsche in it.

[rfuerst911sc]

My 2 cents: short term just use it as is . As you live there and go through various rain/cold/hot/humid cycles you will start to see the buildings short comings. You will also determine if rodents are an issue .

To me it all revolves around the siding . If the existing siding is in good shape and you like it then that is one path moving forward . If the siding is not in great shape and/or you don't like it that is a different path forward .

Keep the siding I would look for used sheets of foam insulation and cut to fit in between studs . This helps seal/insulate and helps with rodents . If you decide to replace siding then you plywood the exterior and house wrap then siding of your choice.

I wouldn't do either until you use the building for a while , you may find its perfect as is.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by masraum

I'm wondering about adding some sort of opening (door or window) to one or both of the remaining sides for ventilation through the place. Obviously, there will be better/more lighting and probably more outlets.]

I like killer robot idea. Go build robot. Use the space. See what works for you. See what doesn't.

Like- layout- Where workbenches/outlets were intuitively placed my garage weren't necessarily where I needed them.

Beef up electrical as needed - lighting and outlets while the interior is so open/ not cluttered/ covered over. Once you use the space, you'll have a better idea where outlets are needed. I like at least some outlets next to the garage door- so I can get a line to outside project easy.

I have two out garages. One has finished white drywall. The other, unfinished walls like you have. It is amazing how much darker the unfinished garage is. It's sucks up light like a black hole.

Definitely add some 240v lines if you can. Compressor. Welder. Etc. Also some heavy duty 120v lines.

Extra doors- I'd sure like to have a door between the main space and the covered overhang, but I'd want to make sure it's swing path doesn't eat into storage space on either side interfering with where things are parked. So maybe. Maybe not.

I'd also spent some time out there when it's damp so make sure the walls are dry. Looks like previous moisture was on inside. I'd want to make sure the walls aren't still seeping. Id powerwash/strip the damaged paint on the exposed side to evaluate condition before doing much on inside.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Actually, forget the garage.

Focus on the robot. Use the cooker you have as the frame. Make a steam powered, fire breathing, robot of death, programmed to patrol the perimeter of your new yard. Don't introduce yourself to your new neighbors.

No. That's exactly what they will be expecting.
Let them talk to the robot.

[flatbutt]

If not AC then how about some big honkin' ceiling fans to move air around?

[Seahawk]

I have two old tobacco barns. I turned one into a work shop, one side with ac/heat, the other side with two large doors for ventilation. I run large fans as well.

I concreted the floors and insulated/covered the a/c side and added tons of lights, improved the electric panel, etc.

I went with metal sheeting that I applied directly over the old barn wood. I re-roofed both as well.

The large barn is for equipment storage only.

I waited about 12 years before I did all of the above and can't believe how stupid I was for waiting so long.

During:



After (backside)


Frankly, I'd get the shop sorted first since stagging our of there will be a big deal as you move forward.

Great place!

[Seahawk]

BTW, for insulation I used this stuff: https://www.ecofoil.com/pages/pole-barn-insulation

Very easy to install and works great.

I also sealed in rat poison as I insulated and paneled the inside of the shop.