crw

I am building a second gararge.

I do alot of my own car work - brakes, tune ups, etc.

Any suggestions on things not to over look:

- heat
- 220 V line
- extra electrical outlets (110/220)
- lighting (what type is best?)
- adquate space
- flooring (finish?)

jdstew

Have you thought of a closed area for the air compressor /vacuum?

RBP

Am doing the same.

My garage plan is for 24 x 24 with a office/sitting area on the side at 16 x 12. The ceiling will be 12' in the garage to accomodate my lift.

In floor heat is best with seperate control for the offfice area, There are numerous options for the floor but I am opting for epoxy finish.

CHRIS WU

Big flat screen TV, a couch and a full bar.

vincer77

...or at least a good fridge

Here are things I have wanted/thought of while working on cars...

- Internet connection - though with wifi may not be necessary.
- Good sound system
- Run air lines in copper piping.
- I keep thinking that a workbench on wheels would be a handy thing.
- Lift
- place to store jack and jack stands
- multiple paper towel dispensers
- washer/dryer for towels and rags
- task lighting around where you are working on cars including drop down lights

matt777

I built a 24x26 a few years back. The garagejournal.com is a great resource. Some good ideas have been mentioned already here. This is what I did:

- 11 foot ceiling - barely enough for low slung cars on a 4 post lift
- a lift will take a big bite out of a garage. It made mine small.
- copper air lines in the walls. 1/2" lines with 3/4" headers
- the more defined you can be on the layout of storage/working areas the better you can place lighting, air outlets, power outlets. I installed a whack of cabinets which covered up a bunch of power outlets.
- I ran 800 feet of cable w/lots of outlets. Some of it was for 220 volt outlets I didn't end up using because they ended up being in the wrong place.
- invest in some GF breakers
- I ran speaker wire in the ceiling but didn't need it either
- love the pushbutton man doorentry pad instead of the key lock
- I really liked the wall mount door opener (Chamberlain 3800)
- Go on the high side of lighting requirements (lumens/sq ft). IIRC I have 14 fluorescent fixtures (4'x2 bulb). I wouldn't do any less. Lighting is weak along the sides.
- epoxy floor is nice. Use a good 2 part epoxy. Even these won't last forever.
- Make sure the floor slopes down to the front. A friend of mine has multiple slopes for drainage into a sump but he complains that there isn't a flat spot in the garage which makes some things difficult.
- drywall walls are pretty delicate but I didn't come up with an inexpensive alternative other than OSB which I hate.
- I use a Modine Hot Dawg HD45 nat gas heater which works very well. (2x6 walls w/R20 insulation)
- built in vac is nice but I ran the tube along the wall (it was an afterthought)
- My trusses incorporate a small loft which is nice for stuff rarely needed. Initially a small compressor lived up there and was plumbed into the header.

skl2

• Definitely heat
• Depending on space, do as many practical rows of flourcent lights as you can
• Epoxy floor is what we went with
• Drains - you can wash the car inside
• Hose reel location
• Sink w/ hand cleaner
• If you have an attic or upstairs storage, put in a large "trap door" that you can close when you want insulation and open when you want to move stuff up/down...we also put in a large hoist to make it easier to raise and lower wheels, transmissions, etc

arcteryxbird

Be cautious when selecting a floor paint/ epoxy , some will peel up when you park hot tires on them. Back out and off comes the paint !
My brother built a sealed concrete pit next to the garage to put the compressor in , can't hear a thing!

993/907

Use T5HO fluorescent lamps.....incredible amount of light, long lasting lamps too.

mike cap

Second the T5 lighting - the only way to go. Lamps last forever, never degrade output, energy efficient and bright like the sun. They are a MUST !!

bbs993tt

+1 on floor drains - especially if you live in snow country or the PNW.

ETW

Look into a polished concrete floor. You can add stain or dye to darken it or change the color. Looks good and it's durable. For cabinets Moduline makes nice stuff but it's $$$

Bruce SEA 993

Second on the ceiling mounted hose reel for air and electric. I use mine a lot and they are easy to get to but out of the way.

You can also go with black iron pipe for your compressed air. Dunno the relative cost of copper vs black iron. I have heard some arguments against pvc pipe for compressed air. I hear one bump that causes a crack and the whole garage looks like a war zone!

Cheers!

jo-hans

vincer77

PVC is NOT GOOD for compressed air.