[Blued and Painted]

Originally Posted by grivera

Option 1 is 864 sf (garage level) minus space for stairs and 432 sf attic level - (1296 total)
.

Sounds like my First House.

[roy381]

I'm ok with either one. I would be happy with something with just a little more space. lol

[Frank T]

Im with everyone here, Option 2
I had a 40x60x12 built with a standard truss on 4' centers.

More garage doors the better. Less moving of equipment when you have a larger building. I have a buddy that has a big building and only 1 door. He complains about all the moving around of vehicles to get them out. The stuff in the back rarely makes it out. I put 5 doors on my building including two 16x10 on the front and back so I can drive through. I have 7 vehicles in it plus a 729 Grasshopper mower, JD750 tractor, two GY6 GoKarts and misc wood working equpment. Its packed but I refuse to build another one. Someone above touched on the automotive hoarder thing. Im at the point where, when Im out of room I need to get rid of something!

Options I was glad I paid extra for:
the extra garage doors
Clear panels near the roof line to let light in
Windows in my doors so I can see out
Insulated doors
Garage door openers
4" cement floor with An area with 8" of cement for a lift (not in yet)
200 amp electric service
12" over hangs all the way around (Looks so much better IMHO)

Maybe the question that should be asked is: besides your Pontiac, what else are you going to use it for?

Frank T

[grivera]

Thanks All- great tips! I am wondering if they will do half attic trusses to keep awkward items up top and smaller stuff on shelves of first level.

I will keep my Bird, the factory engine on stand, 2 post lift, engine hoist. I won't rule out another project car someday but that may get me put out there permanently! I still have the 23x24 2 car garage attached to the house for the daily drivers. I also have a 12x16 shed for lawn equipment but gotta make it work in the yard so it doesn't look like I'm hoarding storage buildings!

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

HVAC?

[grivera]

Originally Posted by STEELCITYFIREBIRD

HVAC?

I wouldn't rule it out in the future but not in budget

[AdamIsAdam]

When comparing square feet versus other options, I assume it's like saying there's no replacement for displacement.

I'm jealous of you all! I've only got a deep, one car garage right now but am feverishly looking for ways to expand that.

[grivera]

I will only have driveway access from one short (30') end of the building. Should I do one large garage door (what size?) or 2 10' doors?

[AdamIsAdam]

I'll add my .02 here. I had a standard 20x20 garage with two doors in my last house. I replaced it one door that was about 18' wide and 8' high (for my lifted jeep to clear) and it was THE BEST think I ever did. Getting rid of the center post was great. Sometimes I wanted to pull a car into the center of the garage or put it on an angle to work on something like pulling the motor. One big door made a huge difference. It was like opening a wall!

Now, mind you, your much bigger garage may not have that issue, but I say one big door is better. Plus, less chances of whacking a mirror on the way in/out. Hmm, and what if you want to bring something in on a trailer or flatbed?

Go big or go home!

[Frank T]

Im with Adam, one big door for working on stuff wider than you expect. Nothing like room on both sides for doors to be open and still room to walk around it!

[AdamIsAdam]

Hey, good point. You might need to open the door while the car is partially in the doorway. Not an option with a single garage door.

[grivera]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

Hey, good point. You might need to open the door while the car is partially in the doorway. Not an option with a single garage door.

I don't follow?

[AdamIsAdam]

I see how that may be misleading. Let me insert one word...

You might need to open the CAR door while the car is partially in the doorway. Not an option with a single garage door.

[grivera]

Do you mean not an option with 2 garage doors and the center structure?

[AdamIsAdam]

Originally Posted by grivera

Do you mean not an option with 2 garage doors and the center structure?

Correct. I recall more than a few times where I just wanted the front of the car inside the garage and when I had the center post, I had to be VERY careful about how far in I parked the car so I could open the car door without hitting the center post.

Examples were: when doing some tuning work on a running engine in the very hot sun. I pulled the front in for shade, and also to be close to tools. Being inside also makes it easier to see timing light. All the while, the tail pipes are outdoors and not asphyxiating my entire family. Another example might be doing the same work in the dark or cold weather.

Bottom line is that I can't really see many advantages of having multiple small garage doors except that you don't have to open the entire garage for onlookers every time you are in and out. But aside from privacy, (which was not an issue for me at the time) I never regretted doing the conversion to one door.

[AdamIsAdam]

Originally Posted by grivera

Option 1: 24' W x 36' L X 12' tall wall with attic trusses. The attic will add 12' W x 36' L storage space.

Related question: If someone were to have this size 3 bay garage, where would you put a 4 post lift? Side? Middle? (Intended use is to both work on and store the cars.)

Specifically, how much space do you need around the lift to comfortably work on the cars (ie, be able to work on all sides, remove tires on lift, etc)?

I found this 28x36 garage pic on line once and stare at it often. Seems like an ideal 3 car garage size. So using this same width, I was wondering if it's a better use of space to put this lift on the side so free up more contiguous floor space. Thoughts?




Ok, so I just finally saw how the casters work on four post lifts. VERY cool! Looks easy to keep the lift tucked against a wall for routine use and only moving it out as necessary.

https://youtu.be/M0QLkzzRDCA

[grivera]

That is a nice garage. I am set on the 30x40 and will check price on the "half attic" as a 12x20 storage area would be great. I will go with a single garage door at least 18'W x 8'L. Attached are pics of where it's going (area behind shed- shed will be moved), building style and measurements for concrete. My better half wanted this style building even though it cuts into the budget...I can't complain cause I get to play inside!

[AdamIsAdam]

Cool. And for the record, I'M JEALOUS AS HELL! Have you been on Garage Journal? You'll want to start a build thread so more folks like me can be jealous as hell over there too. And I suspect you'll get a TON of good advice along the way.

[grivera]

Thanks Adam, et al. I have a long way to go as I had about 40 trees taken down so wood chips have to be removed to make area suitable for concrete. I haven't been on GJ- will definitely look into it.

[Frank T]

A couple questions on your plans...
1. what is the purpose to cutting down the drive to 12ft right off the street then widen it to 20 ? I think that neck down area is going to be cumbersome getting cars backed out (or in) and end up making mud on both sides. My building is necked down on one side because I had to due to another building near by. Its annoying as H-E double hockey sticks. Id recommend 20ft all the way to the street.

2. What is the purpose of the side porch? It looks cool but everyone ive seen has something stored under it and what ever it is, is still outside in the weather. Id rather see that as part of the inside of the building.

3. I only see a pad for the lift cement in the garage plan. What else is going in there besides your firebird? Shelving? Work bench area? table saw? Air compressor? Couch, bar, shuffleboard, TV??? You need to add that and plan that out so after you build it and you run out of room you can go back and figure what doesnt really belong in the garage.

I like the big double door on the side. Good for pulling in larger equipment to work on without opening the front door and pulling a vehicle out.

Frank T