Today was a full day worked 8 - 5 and I'm beat ! :( Still hot and humid here , anyway I only have three full panels and a partial to install and the ceiling metal is done ! And I have half of it insulated so a very good day . Cutting this stuff lengthwise is a real pain in the butt . So I'll hit it early tomorrow , finish it up and return the rented lift . By the way when I got to the right side wall at the back of the garage the measurements for the piece I had to cut was dead nuts on front to back :D I ripped a piece 16 1/2 " wide by the length and it fit perfect .

The square opening is my attic access , I don't plan on storing anything up there but figured what the heck while I'm building lets have access . The cat walk allows me to shuffle along back to front . I even ran one outlet up there to add a light just in case . So the ceiling will be done tomorrow and the insulation will be complete by the weekend . Then I can turn my attention to installing the mini split . I feel really really good to be at this point and quite proud that I have done it practically all by myself ;) Anyway here are pics of today's progress .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535583867.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535583867.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535583867.jpg

Well boys and girls :D today at 11:30 I installed the last ceiling panel !!! Man it feels soooo good to have the ceiling done , in my opinion it looks great and very clean . I still have to insulate half of it but the hard work is done . I took the rental ceiling lift back so that's done to . When I bought the metal I got one extra just in case and as it turns out I cut up that extra piece for smaller edge filler panels and had just enough :eek: . I literally have one piece that's about 6 " by 13 ' long that's it I got real lucky ;) .

I need to make a cover for the attic access that will just be plywood with foam insulation glued to it . Next week it looks like I'll be working 3 days at my part time job so probably won't start the mini split install until next weekend . After the mini split is in and running I will clean out all the tools and ladders and start hanging wall cabinets , posters , pictures and work the final details . An example is I have to trim out all the windows and purchase/install a storm door for the entry door . My goal was to be done by the end of the year , it looks like I will make it with time to spare . Here is a pic of the last section of ceiling that was installed today . Cold beer is flowing nicely :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535658907.jpg

That looks awesome. Thanks for taking us along for the journey.

Dave

Yes indeed, that brings a very nice finished look to the ceiling. Good choice and pre finished too.

Cheers Richard

Thanks guys this is the 2nd garage I have done with metal panels for the ceiling , in my opinion it has several advantages over drywall .

1.Panels are already painted so once installed you are done .
2.Much lighter in weight vs. sheetrock so not much stress added to the trusses .
3.In theory installed on the inside of a building it should never need repainting.
4.The sheen on the panels reflects light very well .
5.No taping of seams , overhead sanding and painting .

It's not for everyone but I like the way it looks and installs , to me it has a little bit of an industrial look to it :D . And with my plywood walls the interior of the building has a solid sound to it vs. a tinny sound . Oh and for cutting I gave up on tin snips and went with a metal cutting blade for my circular saw ............. like a hot knife through butter ;)

Now some fun work :D I was not in the mood to crawl around the attic installing insulation :( so decided to start the mini split install . In a perfect world I could have installed it centered over the window on the back wall but it's not to be . Between wall stud spacing , electrical wires , raised ribs on outside siding , attic opening etc. I finally decided on a spot that works best . So I have the inside unit mounting plate installed , the 3 " hole inside and outside wall drilled and the vinyl chase mounted on the outside that conceals the copper pipes and drain line . Had to stop and come inside to watch football ........... GO DAWGS :D .

So tomorrow I am going to install the outside unit , I have wall brackets to get it up off the ground which will keep it cleaner and better air flow . Today I realized I forgot to order the 220 volt pigtail , the 4 conductor wires to go from inside unit to outside so will get them ordered today ;) . Even with that slight hiccup I expect to have this up and running in the next two weeks . I realized today that the metal ceiling is already making a difference in the amount of heat getting into the building . After I get the remaining half insulated I believe this building will be very easy to cool/heat . Here are two pics of today's progress . Hope everyone has a GREAT holiday weekend !!!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535831861.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535831861.jpg

I've never seen metal ceiling panels before, the finish looks very neat, great work

I'm always changing small details as I go along with my build, as what you think works in your head sometimes doesn't in reality and I'm not one for 'that'll do', it's all part of the fun!

Hey Captain nice to hear from you I am following your build as well . The metal I used on the ceiling is multi purpose , it can be used on a roof , or as vertical or horizontal exterior siding or as an interior wall or ceiling finish . And I agree with you sometimes what you have in your head doesn't translate to real world application so being able to adjust on the fly has its merits :D You and I are living the dream of our versions of the ultimate man cave builds :D there are no right or wrong decisions just what works for our particular situations . You keep going on yours I lift a cold one in your direction :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat6.gif cheers and time for an update on my man cave

Cheers to both of you for sharing you wonderful projects with us so well!

You may have noticed how closely I've been following along.

I hope when I get started on my shed rebuild into a man cave that I can muster a fraction of the where with all, energy, and talent that you both are showing us in your efforts, impressive! And inspiring.

Cheers Richard

So last night as I'm watching football I decided to add up my receipts to date ......... not sure that was a wise decision :D . Hey it is what it is but as of yesterday I am all in @ $27,151.66 :eek: That is from site clearing through pole barn install to every nail,screw and lumber . It also includes the mini split and two post lift . I have accounted for everything to the best of my knowledge . My original pull it out of my butt guestimate was 25 - 26K so we blew that away ;) But by me providing 90 % of the labor ( cost savings ) I have NOT cut corners and have the building I always wanted . My guess if I had a contractor stick build a building it would have been 50K or more .

So at this point I would say I'm 95 % complete and the balance of money to be spent is on the outside of the building , the inside I'm pretty much done . So here's what I have left to do .

1. Complete the mini split rough install then might have a buddy of mine who is AC certified do the final connections and pull a vacumn ( no cost ) . Or pay someone that is " licensed " to make sure I maintain the 7 year factory warranty . Would have to pay someone probably 300.00 - 400.00 to complete .

2. Have seamless gutters installed and the downspouts , I will have to install 4 " PVC piping first to have the downspouts drain into and have the water carried away to front of garage . Maybe another 500.00 - 700.00 ?

3. Purchase and install the retaining walls this is the biggest expense left to go but has to be done . This will be in the 3K range I'm sure if not more .

4. Purchase and install storm door for entry door . Will be 200.00 or less .

5. Finish small details inside like insulate compressor room door and add a door handle . Build attic access cover and insulate . Trim out all four windows this adds up to another 100.00 - 200.00 .

6. Install all interior cabinets , posters , pictures etc. but these have all been purchased at previous garage so no additional cost .

7. Install 3 light traffic light and 2 head parking meter in front of building , again already purchased so no additional cost . The traffic light will hang down from the roof overhang up front so once that's done I can complete the underside of the roof overhang .

And that will complete my man cave build ! :D I expect everything to be done this year except the retaining wall , I'm going to have to save up some money to purchase the material I am strongly leaning towards stackable stone blocks . I will keep updating comments/pics until I'm done . SmileWavy

I really like the metal ceiling panels, they look great. If I decide to frame in unheated/cooled part of my shop I think I will go that route.

Painting the ceiling in the finished side was a huge pain!

Today I wanted to install the outside unit of the mini split . Started with the wall brackets I must have measured 50 times :D before drilling the first hole I did NOT want to make a mistake :eek: . But all worked out great and it is level/plumb but I'm not happy with the strength of the mounting brackets :mad: So as a temp fix I have some 2x4's adding some support but I think I'll take some 3/4 galvanized conduit tubing and make two supports that will bolt to the end of the brackets and screw to the building to provide some REAL support . So now I have to wait for a few ordered items to be delivered so I can complete the install . I am very close to checking off the AC/heat install ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535919309.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1535919309.jpg

Made some more progress today but nothing pic worthy :( Made a run to box store to pick up AC power line/flex conduit , 3/4 metal conduit for support braces and some misc. lumber to trim out the attic opening . I hooked up the 220v flex conduit/wiring from the outside disconnect box to the outside unit . While I didn't try it in theory I now have power to the unit :D . Next I turned to making the support braces to replace the temp wood braces . I purchased a 5 ' piece of galvanized 3/4 " metal conduit and cut two pieces 26 " long . Then pounded the ends with BFH until I had flat ends about 1 1/2 " long . Drilled a 5/16 hole on one end and a # 10 on the other and then primed and painted them satin black . Had them dry in the sun for about an hour and they are now hanging inside the garage .

Oh I also bought the storm door and some grey paint , painted the already primed steel door framing with two coats of exterior semi-gloss . Will let that dry for a few days and then I'll install the storm door . I'm at a point where it doesn't feel like work anymore :D , really just having fun now and taking my time . I'll snap a few pics when I install the braces and the storm door . SmileWavy

Looking good, rfuerst!

Regarding your outside unit - I took this pic at one of my accounts which is undergoing a renovation. I like the idea of having the condenser units up high and on a sturdy table.

They have a new unit for the first floor and a split for an extra room added on top...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1536017297.JPG

Hey Baz thanks for chiming in , I spoke with our youngest son in Orlando yesterday he said it's still hot as hell there ! http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...s/fork_off.gif

I'll be happy with my setup once I bolt/screw the support braces into place . In my situation I still have some site prep to do before I install the retaining walls and I have dirt and gravel to backfill , I would not want any wood to be buried under any of that . Plus with my braces there will be air flow from underneath the unit in addition to the top and both sides . But I totally agree with you that getting them off the ground is a good thing .

Another baby step forward today :D as I installed the storm door . This will help with weather protection and provide another spot for outside air flow when the AC or heat is not needed . Install went as expected and is 100 % done so another box checked ! :D The remaining parts I need for the mini split install are showing out for delivery so should have in hand today . So with a little luck I might be ready by Monday to call in a pro to complete my " rough install " of the mini split . That will be a nice step forward for the man cave ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1536440127.jpg

Today I installed the inside unit of the mini split , that requires you " straighten out " the factory copper lines , wire the 4 conductor wire that goes to the outside unit and insulate/tape/push all of this plus the drain line through a 2.5 " hole :eek: . But with the assistance of my wife it is done . So the first pic is of the inside unit hanging on its mounting bracket , as of today it is installed . In the 2nd pic you can see the " stuff ' :D protruding to the outside of the building . That stuff is the low and high pressure copper lines , the condensation drain line and the 4 conductor wire that goes from the inside unit to the outside unit . So I have completed the " rough " install it's time to call in a pro . He will bend/massage the copper lines to fit in the vinyl chase , hook up the copper from the factory lines to the outside unit , wire in the 4 conductor wires and that's it . Then pull a vacumn and as long as no leaks release the pre-charge of R410 and we'll be cooling :D .

I am so close I can taste it :D It's been a long journey to get to this point and it feels great . With working AC/heat it turns the man cave from a hostile environment to a nice place to be . http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1536525662.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1536525662.jpg

Nice work there, R.

Having a climate controlled environment to work in is HUGE!

I admire your dedication and appreciate your sharing with us - the photos are especially informative and helpful for many of us who hope to follow in your footsteps one day.

Thanks again for all your updates and good luck with the rest of the ductless mini install.

Just got off the phone with an AC dude our realtor recommended , he will try to swing by today or tomorrow he has to work around jury duty :( I explained what I have already done and sent some pics ........... now we wait :D Today I will start cleaning up the garage of anything that isn't needed for further work so I can do a good cleaning . I've decided to hold off on the balance of ceiling insulation until its cooler out ........ I have sweat enough !! ;) I have three wall mounted fans to install and then the wall cabinets so still plenty of work to go , plus build the attic opening closure . Pics to follow as required :D