Building a gararge - need some input & ideas
12-08-2010, 11:56 AM
#17
Nordschleife Master
depending on where you live, I would consider heated floors a must
12-08-2010, 03:40 PM
#18
Even if you don't do the lift, get the jackshaft opener and run the door to the ceiling. You be glad you did when you do get the lift. (It will happen.)
A quick lift pic to convince you that you need one:
A quick lift pic to convince you that you need one:
12-11-2010, 06:51 PM
#19
Instructor
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: KS
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rec's: Make sure slab thickness can accommodate a lift - think you need at least 6". I did 7" plus.
Height, at least 14foot so if you decide to do a lift you arent limited to the type I got. Lifts are also rather wide. Like 144" wide. I dropped 220v in to run the lift. I wasnt smart like CBnAT and had to add a jackshaft style opener and rerun my garage door track closer to the ceiling. I also had to move my ceiling up a bit more and put tray style lighting in it, would have been cheaper if I would have done it when we built 4 years ago rather than when I installed the lift last year.
If you are where it gets cold, as others said, insulate and put some electric 220v heaters w/ a Tstat. I also ran cables for a HDTV 5.1 surround w/ speakers around the garage, PS3, sink, wifi & tele. - Chuck
Height, at least 14foot so if you decide to do a lift you arent limited to the type I got. Lifts are also rather wide. Like 144" wide. I dropped 220v in to run the lift. I wasnt smart like CBnAT and had to add a jackshaft style opener and rerun my garage door track closer to the ceiling. I also had to move my ceiling up a bit more and put tray style lighting in it, would have been cheaper if I would have done it when we built 4 years ago rather than when I installed the lift last year.
If you are where it gets cold, as others said, insulate and put some electric 220v heaters w/ a Tstat. I also ran cables for a HDTV 5.1 surround w/ speakers around the garage, PS3, sink, wifi & tele. - Chuck
12-11-2010, 11:31 PM
#21
I used to belong to a Dream Garage website that had some of the trickest garages I ever saw......
Do some surfing and see if you can come up with the site... I'll try from this end..
Do some surfing and see if you can come up with the site... I'll try from this end..
12-13-2010, 05:33 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Don't forget to add a bathroom with shower so you don't have to traipse through the house with greasy hands, shoes, etc. Plus, it's a great place to store your car magazines and catalogs, like the Griot's Garage catalog.
12-14-2010, 10:45 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
High enough ceilings for lifts (so you can both stack and work on cars)
Lift(s)
Epoxy floor with drains so you can use a hose inside and don't need to worry about spills
As many outlets and lights as you can get in there
Place for air compressor and rolled hose mounted on a swing arm at ceiling height
Built in workbench with niche for rolling tool racks next to it and a mud sink at one end
Channel with drain and grate across entire width of door
Fridge for frosty beverages
HVAC appropriate to your region
Nice stereo system
I may have thought about this a bit
Lift(s)
Epoxy floor with drains so you can use a hose inside and don't need to worry about spills
As many outlets and lights as you can get in there
Place for air compressor and rolled hose mounted on a swing arm at ceiling height
Built in workbench with niche for rolling tool racks next to it and a mud sink at one end
Channel with drain and grate across entire width of door
Fridge for frosty beverages
HVAC appropriate to your region
Nice stereo system
I may have thought about this a bit
12-18-2010, 03:29 PM
#25
High ceilings including underneath the overhead garage door (10' if you can swing it), HVAC, do an epoxy floor before you get your cars and stuff in there, good lighting, and plenty of wall outlets (in home, these days, there are plenty of wall outlets, but that strategy hasn't filtered to garage builds on new homes).
12-18-2010, 03:50 PM
#26
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Heat,light,alot of outlets,one reel extension cord center of ceiling,cable from house,window that opens,windows in garage door,one heat vent from house...
12-23-2010, 08:04 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
One thing is certain you will need or want air. A good air compressor is worth it's weight in gold. I use a Kaeser SX6 from Germany. It is one of the quietest compressors I have ever owned since it's a screw compressor ( think supercharger) and not a loud piston compressor. I have had my Kaeser for well over 8 years now and it has never let me down. I have 6 air stations around my shop, plus I use it for air tools, motorcycle lift and Miller Plasma cutter.
12-23-2010, 09:28 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
Lighting is an issue I see many are talking about. I can't agree more. This summer I replaced all my old HID MH( metal halide) lamps with T5 florescent lights in my building. One benefit was T5's use way less energy than HID's and the re-strike is instant as appose to waiting the 4 to 5 min. on the HID's. At the same time I replaced all my lights I installed a brand new black floor ( rubber tiles ). I was concerned about how much this new black floor would absorb the light. When I turned the new T5's on for the first time my worries were put to rest as they throw more than enough light around my shop even with this new black floor. I think it turned out pretty good in the end.
