Building a garage. What do I need?

[billh1963]

Just bought a new house and it only has a carport. I don’t have enough room for my toys so I’m building a detached garage! This will be my first “built for me” garage so I’m looking for ideas on features that I need to build into the garage (things that can’t be added later). I plan to start building at the first of the year.

Thinking about a 3 –car garage measuring 36’x22’. The house was built by an architect who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright and the garage will be built to match the house.



The garage will definitely have the following:
• HVAC
• Plenty of outlets
• Lift (still debating 2 or 4 post)

What am I missing? Thoughts on lights, floor finish, built-ins, etc. are welcome.

[GWN7]

I don't see Palm trees in your picture so in floor heating might be considered.

[Zeke]

A membership on the Garage Journal Forums.

See ya there.

[ErVikingo]

The list for mine (soon to start hopefully) includes:

- plenty of outlets
- 110 and 220
- air lines
- closet for compressor
- exhaust vent
- provisions for a lift (slab, power and height)
- drainage (in case you want to wash car inside)
- some light fixtures on the walls
- provisions for parts washer
- HVAC, intercom, telephone, internet and tv
- Alarm and cctv
- full bath and closet
- Rolling work table (thinking of making it using rolling tool chests and butcher's block)
- mezzanine area for storage of spares (you will have take offs...)
- storm windows (did I mention I'm in SoFla?)
- Insulated garage door
- polished + sealed cement floor; I have not seen an epoxy product that does not peel yet
- retractable extension cords and work lights

I have more ideas listed at my office.

[kaisen]

Heated floors
Thicker slab than you're thinking
Taller ceiling than you're thinking

[URY914]

Floor drains maybe a problem depending on where you are and how much the building dept. will get involved. Some building dept. will require a floor drain in a shop to be routed through a oil/water seperator which is big bucks. Some could care less but need to ask the question early on.

[URY914]

Internet access
Covered/paved outside storage
microwave
refrigerator
Calender with girls on it.

[ErVikingo]

Paul, very true on the drain. Not easy.... (or cheap)

[Radioactive]

+1
A membership on the Garage Journal Forums.

After reading Garage Journal Forums, you will be to tired to ask............

[john70t]

Two or three seperated bays are nice.
One with lift for greasy mechanicals. One for grinding/sawing/fabing/etc. One for clean room painting.

Heat what you need in-floor, and foam insulate the sides of slab down past the frost line.

In-floor lighting next to the lift would be a dream feature of mine(shoplight cord vs. creeper).
Perhaps channels of smooth glass block.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Bigger is better. Mine is 28x 50 and I can barely walk through it. You want it deep. That way you can have a car, shelves and still room to move around. I have shelving on almost every wall possible except where there are benches, tools and if course don't forget a slop sink. I also have a bathroom which is nice. Heat, AC, big screen, full stereo, lift. - you know, the standard garage stuff. Add on a shed for the lawn tools and bikes to get them out of the way.

[Radioactive]

36' x 22' is to small

I don't know what you drive but a Chevy Suburban is about 19'

After you put in cabinets (you can never have enough storage) you won't be able to walk around.

I am thinking min 48' x 28'.

[jorian]

Nice looking house. Look forward to seeing what you end up building. Agree with all posters re size. Its the same as budgeting construction: take your estimate and double it.

- Lots of natural light is also very nice. Too many garages have no windows at all.
- more than one entry/exit
- if you plan to put a man door in make it wide enough to roll a motorcycle in/out
- place to store spent oil/fuids
- over head retractable air hose
- in wall/ceiling sound system

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

36' x 22' is to small

I don't know what you drive but a Chevy Suburban is about 19'

After you put in cabinets (you can never have enough storage) you won't be able to walk around.

I am thinking min 48' x 28'.

Dosen't matter how big you build it, when you get 'er done you'll go, "Damn! should of made it bigger!"

Minimum 12' ceilings, 14" is better. 12/2 20amp wiring on all the outlets, two post lift is a must.

I love my man cave

[Joe Bob]

A crapper, 220V, high ceiling for a lift, shower, dishwasher for parts, lockable storage....

[URY914]

I almost forgot.......stripper pole.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

36' x 22' is to small

I don't know what you drive but a Chevy Suburban is about 19'

After you put in cabinets (you can never have enough storage) you won't be able to walk around.

I am thinking min 48' x 28'.

36x26 is better. Garage Journal is a must, but yoiu are going to need engineered drawings to start. You might get a book of garage plans from HD or Lowes. Cheapest way to get plans, and peruse your options.

[billh1963]

Thank you for the comments! The house is in mid-state South Carolina and A/C is more critical than heat (although I do want heat). No frost line here.

Now is the time to decide size so I like the idea of a little bigger versus smaller. I am a little constrained on width by setbacks. However, I can go deeper (26' or 30') on depth.

I'll check out the Garage Journal Forums.

[Jim Bremner]

Power vents to draw air OUT

Large tub to wash battery acid off of skin or the dog on a fair day

Beer fridge

MOAR room!

To get around the floor drain you need to have one floor area that is the wash area that's slopt to drain well!


Please post some pics of your home on my random home thread

[Evans, Marv]

+100 on more size. I thought 32X25 would be just fine - it isn't. Also more height is good. I made mine 10' and could have easily gone 12', which I should have done also.