Ceiling height for a garage with a lift?

[ErVikingo]

Guys,

Final stages of quoting for build of my new home here. Last chance to review items.

Concern, how high should I make the garage ceiling? Currently at 11 feet internally. Thinking of going up to 12 feet.

BackYard Buddy and Eagle Lifts list their lifts at 82 inches high approx (to the top of the pillars). My tallest cars are a Yukon and a 47 Cadillac Sedanette. The Yukon is 77 inches high but I'm not planning on lifting it (but there is that what if devil on the left shoulder).....

Feedback?

[cstreit]

Be sure that you validate that this isn't just the "retracted" height of the lift. Some have posts that rise out of the main post as it lifts. You'll really want the bottom of the lift arms to clear your head if possible. (For comfort and safety reasons.). I think 12 feet would be better. You could also modify that part of the celing later with strong 'collar ties' to bank the ceiling in that area.

[billybek]

Make sure that your concrete is thick enough and able to take the pressure. Most lift manufacturers will have the required specs online.
What type of lift?
12 feet of ceiling height will be good but make sure the bay door tracks don't interfere with your plans.

[David in VA]

Figure out which lift you want and build around that. If I remember correctly, most non baseplate two post lifts are around 12ft. I ended up around 12.75 and it worked out great. You might also consider a thicker slab, at least around where the posts will be. Spec for mine was 4 inches and I think we went with 8 where the posts are. Also, run 220V in the ceiling where the power unit for the lift will connect, makes for a clean install. I also ended up running speaker wire and more light and outlets than you think you need. Fun project.

[Jim Richards]

That's a nice garage you have, David.

[David in VA]

Thanks Jim, I had the pleasure/luck of working with a great builder. It gets a lot of use, a bit more dirty than when that picture was taken but that's a good sign right?

[ErVikingo]

Slab considers the lift. So far looked at a couple of 4 post mfgs (recommendations welcomed).

Roof with be a poured in place concrete (using the Hambro system of joists) so moving it later is not an option.

Garage doors will be extra tall !

Workshop dimensions will be 45 by 35

[greglepore]

If you're going to put a truck or suv on it at any point, I'd consider taller-I know its an added expense-my roof was 12, and it wasn't tall enough to get uner the truck comfortably.

[ErVikingo]

Thanks Greg.

I figure at some point in time I might put my truck up there to do some work on it.

[ckelly78z]

Build your lift to lift the tallest and heaviest cars you have. With this in mind, I think the two post lifts scare me a bit on larger vehicles. A buddy has a 4 post lift for his Jaguar, and after seeing it, I would most definately build a 4 post.

You need to be able to walk underneath the lift without hitting your head, so if you got a 77" tall vehicle raised up 6' off the ground, 12.5' would be a high enough ceiling, but with nothing to spare.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You will likely never regret going a little higher, but you could very likely regret not going higher. I was only able to get 11' in my new 3rd car addition, but I also only plan on a compact 2-post and only working on and storing sports cars using the lift.

[911boost]

My current garage is close to 12 I believe and I have my Mustang up there pretty high (either on the highest or second highest saftey stop). The primary use for my 4 post i(Greg Smith Equipment) s vehicle storage. My F350 or previous Excursion would not fit on the lift so having a high enough ceiling for them wasn't a concern.

At my previous house I installed a Liftmaster side opening garage door opener and was very happy with it. The ex still has not had any issues with it, so reliability has been good. My current house is a rental so I just had the single door (double and single garage doors) raised to the ceiling. It is still manual, but my two 45+ year old cars are over there so it doesn't get much use.

I can take some measurements and pictures if you would like. My three car garage has 3 cars (911, 68 Buick and 66 Mustang) as well as 3 motorcycles, two work benches and other random stuff an there is still room to move around an work in there.

Bill

[VincentVega]

Good point about SUV's and especially diesel trucks. You'll need more than a 6k lb lift and 11' to walk under one.

No issue with a good quality 2 post lift, you can actually work on your car and park under it if you want. You usually dont need a bigger door, but a side opener is key. More $$ but they work.

12' gives plenty of room, much more shelf space too.

[ErVikingo]

Im thinking of going with a 7 or 8,000 lb unit.

Regarding the door openers, i was considering the Wayne Dalton IDrives wgich i guess are not available anymore but the Liftmaster 3800 achieves the same result ( it is a side door opener ). What i will have to see is if has the capacity to handle a large, insulated and hurricane reinforced door. I'll need 5 of those plus a bay ( my workshop ) will have barn type doors.

I appreciate everyones feedback!!!!!!!

[72doug2,2S]

What about the garage door? You will make it roll higher towards the ceiling for the extra height? How would that work with a four post? Seems like the door and it's position retracted would be a major concern.

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by David in VA

Also, run 220V in the ceiling where the power unit for the lift will connect, makes for a clean install.

That is very good idea.

Also, we've had a Liftmaster 3800 for over a year and it works great.

[911boost]

I have heard nothing but bad things on the IDrive....

The Liftmaster should handle the doors no problem.

My lift has a 7,500 capacity...

Doug, witout the need for space for an opener, the rails run vey tight to the ceiling. Here is a picture from my old house.

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by BSiple

My F350 or previous Excursion would not fit on the lift so having a high enough ceiling for them wasn't a concern.


Bill

I was wondering if my F250 diesel 4x4 would even fit on the lift, let alone if it could lift it off the floor, the truck is 7100 lbs empty.......not something I would want looming over my head.

[911boost]

I have picked up my 68 Buick Sportwagon a number of times and its pretty dang heavy.

Bill

[gint]

My ceilings are 11' and I have no issues using my lift. Tons of room. 11 might be pushing it if I wanted to put my Titan on it. Haven't tried that yet though. I would make it work regardless.