Building a garage...

[rs2315]

2 broken lawn mowers
1 that works
1 strimmer
kids bikes
empty paint pots
rusty weight training bench
tumble dryer
old bullworker (posh chest expanders)
birds nest
deflated football
fly buzzing around flourescent
bits of wood that might come in handy
big spider that leaves those big !uck off webs.:mischeif:

LIGHT SWITCH NEAR DOOR< VERY HANDY.
Mines a real garage
rs2315

[T2Andy]

Electric door is a must .

[spink]

Its 3 phase, Don't you need a convertor

Topsparky !!! help us

you could always borrow the other 2 phase's from your neighbours!

[topsparky]

Its 3 phase, Don't you need a convertor

Topsparky !!! help us

if it's a hydraulic lift just change the motor to single phase , they use 3 phase to keep the current demand low
otherwise you'll have to get an invertor




don't forget the pool table that's a must in the garage



hoping to start mine after the new year 10m x12m and 2 floors

[raymor]

Well, I've just done the extension /garage bit... well, garage was done first and now I'm completing the internals.

I used a buff colour(2 pack) for the floor after much thought, had red in previous garages, but was too dark and the fallen bits were never found until too late

Workshop up the back/ car space at the front. Lighting set up different for the machine shop bit... found a calculator for light intensities on the web, but can't remember the URL.

Now need to finish the bit for the missus and I might even get some time to enjoy myself!

[raymor]

and the machiney bit...

[220bhp]

Insula'tion, insula'tion,insula'tion, keeps in noise heat and your mates,keeps out cold,in the winter and heat in the summer, and O? a fridge full of beer

[ctolladay]

Another day of digging complete. Only the other trench (2' x 2' x 25') to go, oh yeh and the slab to connect them (6" x 10' x 25') . It's amazing how much dirt you have to dig out. God knows what I'm going to do with it all .

Cheers for the ideas. So far I will definitely be sorting out:

- A big bench
- A big vice
- Running water
- Lots of lighting
- Electric doors front and back (drive through garage)
- Lots of storage
- Insulation

and possibly:

- A fridge
- A PC (to access the forum)
- A two post lift

Keep the ideas coming

[HPmuirt]

Agree with the low level/floor lights, lessens the number of times you have to hold the lead lamp in your mouth. I would add : -

Power points all the way down both sides
Pillar drill
Bench grinder
Beer fridge (I have 2 in mine )
TV/Radio
Phone line
PC (with Ethernet connection to house)
Seating (comfy for lads meetings/reading manuals)
Stool for those long tedious jobs at the bench
Wheely tool box, so the tools all come to you when you work at the other end of the garage
Invitations to us to come and share your facilities ;-)

Cheers n

Si

[Alistair C]

Or how about this for those of us with normal height garages:



and if you want garage inspiration...... try the Garage forum (no joke! - click HERE)

Don't look too much though - anything less than a double is considered 'tiny!'

[Dpicariello]

That's fantastic!

We moved into our first house in June and whilst my better half has been busy with DIY in the house, my efforts have been focused on the garage.

It's quite a strange layout but it's a double with a single sized door. Unfortunatley i can't manouvre the burly hulk of the S2 into the corner but I can get my girlfriends C2 in no probs. Having both cars inside particularly during weather like we've been having is a major plus point.

I agree with a lot of the reccomendations here but i have to add the most important feature..... a paper towel dispenser! Honestly, it's a god send!!!

I've painted the floor but the S2's tyres just keep peeling it up whenever I leave it on there or more than a few minutes. It was expensive floor paint as well and i sealed the concrete properly. I have to resort to parking the car on strips of carpet!!I painted the floor a light grey and so far haven't had any problems with seeing things on it.

I've put in 4 fluerescent lights (make sure you don't block the light when you have your bonnet up though).

Put up lots of shelving (off of the floor) and a nice long workbench with a vice. TV was useful when the grand prix's were on and I wanted to work on the car as well but I mainly just have the radio on.

My main aim is to get as much stuff off of the floor as possible to maximise the space that I have.

I have the advantage of being under the house so it doens't get too cold in there but there is a little heater that may come in useful.

[4WheelDrifter]

Obviously the basic construction of your garage is very important.
This will depend on your budget, requirements and how much time you are planning to spend in there.

Adequate damp proofing would be a high priority. Combined with the size of your project, I guess you will be going for a cavity wall construction.
Does the outside of the garage have to match anything else around? I'm guessing the proposed garage isn't adjoining your house if you don't need building regs or planning approval. If you want a ramp and need the roof to be higher than 4m, then it maybe an advantage to seek necessary approval. It will be easier to get it right in the first place.

How warm you want it to be will influence your choice of materials and what insulation to use, if any.
You also need to decide where you want the opening(s), what size and type of door to use. Sticking to a common sized opening could make the job easier/cheaper, but again it depends on your budget.
If you want a level floor, then you need to make sure water isn’t going to run into the doorways. It sounds obvious, but I see so many garages ruined by poor driveway construction and/or door placement/fitment.

Have you got any plans drawn up? If you have already started the foundations, you must have a good idea of where you’re heading.
What’s the ground like? Nice a solid?

[S2central.net]

I can't even bear to read this thread - my patient waiting with local planning to get permission on fantastic site with scope to build a decent house and dream garage are all but shafted. Totally hacked off with life in general now - why me ?

But good luck to anyone else doingthis - I was gonna have some steel beams in the garage to provide better load bearing capability / bigger spans so I could squeeze in a 2-post lift. You can get them with single phase.

Talk to a concrete expert to get the right brew for the floor - to ensure you get that beautiful shiny but not slippy finish. You don't want that dusty/wrinkle finish.

Carpet pads and foam backed creepers are a must if you don't go for the lift.


Paul

[ctolladay]

After reading that garage forum I have decided not to build a garage... I'm going to build ... a MAN CAVE!

I've decided not to go for the lift due to cost. I might build my own version of the low-lift picturerd above though.

Paul - Really sorry to hear about the planning permission. My only advice which I got from my dad is do not take no for an answer. Keep plugging away and eventually they get fed up and comprimise.

[s2dude]

After reading that garage forum I have decided not to build a garage... I'm going to build ... a MAN CAVE!

I've decided not to go for the lift due to cost. I might build my own version of the low-lift picturerd above though.

Paul - Really sorry to hear about the planning permission. My only advice which I got from my dad is do not take no for an answer. Keep plugging away and eventually they get fed up and comprimise.

Good plan! Err..what is a man cave?!
Can you also post a link to this garage forum please ??!!
Im curious now

I can't even bear to read this thread - my patient waiting with local planning to get permission on fantastic site with scope to build a decent house and dream garage are all but shafted. Totally hacked off with life in general now - why me ?

But good luck to anyone else doingthis - I was gonna have some steel beams in the garage to provide better load bearing capability / bigger spans so I could squeeze in a 2-post lift. You can get them with single phase.

Talk to a concrete expert to get the right brew for the floor - to ensure you get that beautiful shiny but not slippy finish. You don't want that dusty/wrinkle finish.

Carpet pads and foam backed creepers are a must if you don't go for the lift.


Paul

Paul

Sorry to hear this mate.

I totally agree with ctollday on this.....
Going on info from a friend who works in my local authority planning department as a planning officer I would emphasise the point NOT to give up on the application unless it has been shot down completely!...

If they refuse it resubmit it with some compromise modifications.....and they refuse...and a few more tweaks and resubmit etc etc >>>>>>>!

In the end they got tired of a neighbours repeated applications and just gave in and gave them the consent for a crazy extra floor ontop of an already big house!! (not in keeping witbh local area etc)

it seems persistence is the key from what Ive been told and if they have downright refused it...Im pretty sure you can appeal the decision......(unless you've already gone down this road!)..

Normally one planning department individual deals with the case and then their boss has the final say so Im told but on bigger building projects it goes to the more senior planning officers to deal with.

hth

//Im presuming it works the same over where you are!