Garage/Workshop Wish List Advice

[NGOT8R]

Consider a hoist on a rail system too, as it will be a huge asset to your shop. It can be used to pull engines or even heavy objects from side to side in your garage/shop.

Another idea is installing the 36” X 60” opening without stairs (which would be cheaper) and you could add and a second hoist (centered above that opening on a rail system as well) for getting things off the garage floor, into the attic and then moved to either side of the access opening for storage.

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[FKE SNK]

Did you have a custom attic access opening and stairs installed? My attic access is a measly 22” X 54” with no stairs. There’s no way I can get anything up and through that opening for storage. A 36” X 60” with pull down stairs would be perfect for getting things up or down from the attic.

I put a 22x52 attic ladder in. The opening is pretty small, but you can size your bins/totes to walk it up the steps. I've got a 1/4 of a fox body up there currently lol.

Installing it was a shit show however. Ladders, ratchet straps, shims the whole bit

 

[NGOT8R]

I put a 22x52 attic ladder in. The opening is pretty small, but you can size your bins/totes to walk it up the steps. I've got a 1/4 of a fox body up there currently lol.

Installing it was a shit show however. Ladders, ratchet straps, shims the whole bit

Sounds scary! I dread having to deal with a huge hassle of an install. I have looked up there though and there’s lots of space for storage. Of course I’d have to add decking.

 

[LSchicago]

Sacrifice everything for size. 40x50-80. You will never have to much space. It fills up quick. 12ft eves are also a must. You can fill those walls up with shelves and every inch counts years down the road.

Sometimes you just have to accept that you can only build to the size that fits. My Garage is 24'X40' and is the largest residential garage in my town. Only 8.5' between the house and garage, and 5' on each side of the house and garage to the property line on both sides. The town requires 8' between the house and garage, and 5' from the property line.

 

[Strokerswild]

Sometimes you just have to accept that you can only build to the size that fits. My Garage is 24'X40' and is the largest residential garage in my town. Only 8.5' between the house and garage, and 5' on each side of the house and garage to the property line on both sides. The town requires 8' between the house and garage, and 5' from the property line.

Truth.

I recently learned that the geniuses staffing the county offices dropped the square footage restrictions for detached permanent structures. So instead of the aforementioned shop I built in 2004, I could now have built whatever I want. Boneheads. They could have been taxing me more all this time, plus I'd have more room.

 

[Homebrw]

Here’s what I use for a shop vac. The holder mounts to the wall, just lift and go and then stow again when done.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...VdAytBh0_aQ9vEAQYASABEgJQUfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've had one of these for at least 20 years and it is awesome. I just have a normal attached 2 car garage and it is tucked into the front corner by the garage door rails out of the way.

I cannot recommend it enough!

Chris

 

[galaxy]

WOW...great thread. I'm just now running across this one. No matter what you do, you'll learn from it and figure out more stuff you want for the next one. I thought for sure I nailed my dream sheet with this build...but, NOPE. Always more. I read through this thread and I know some of these are repeats, but here goes. Oh, and I do have a new one on my list that I noticed wasn't mentioned yet. I got this one right, and is also a must have. So without further adieu...

What I got right...

> 8' door frames!
> min 12' ceiling
> runnign water
> great lighting (you cannot have too much)
> sloped floor for detailing/wash water runoff (my builder flat out refused to install any type of floor drain on a slab, thus he added extra slope)
> insulated
> ceiling fan

What I missed...

> An office - yes, I want a small office in the garage; desk, computer, chairs, lounge area, etc
> small bathroom/urninal
> sink (maybe)
> BIGGER. I have 26'x36' limited by property line.
> some type of heat/AC
> more electrical power and outlets - see lighting; can't have too much
> shaft drive garage door openers

 

[NGOT8R]

@galaxy, the heat/AC is still very easy to do. I installed mine after the pics that you see on page 1 of this thread. I settled on a mini split and ran the line set on the inside garage wall, to keep a cleaner look on the exterior of the house.

The one thing I haven’t done yet is insulate the attic space above my garage. Even without the insulation, I can still get it too cold out there. That may have something to do with the radiant heat barrier that we had added to the roof.

 

[2016S550]

WOW...great thread. I'm just now running across this one. No matter what you do, you'll learn from it and figure out more stuff you want for the next one. I thought for sure I nailed my dream sheet with this build...but, NOPE. Always more. I read through this thread and I know some of these are repeats, but here goes. Oh, and I do have a new one on my list that I noticed wasn't mentioned yet. I got this one right, and is also a must have. So without further adieu...

What I got right...

> 8' door frames!
> min 12' ceiling
> runnign water
> great lighting (you cannot have too much)
> sloped floor for detailing/wash water runoff (my builder flat out refused to install any type of floor drain on a slab, thus he added extra slope)
> insulated
> ceiling fan

What I missed...

> An office - yes, I want a small office in the garage; desk, computer, chairs, lounge area, etc
> small bathroom/urninal
> sink (maybe)
> BIGGER. I have 26'x36' limited by property line.
> some type of heat/AC
> more electrical power and outlets - see lighting; can't have too much
> shaft drive garage door openers

That would be a dream garage for me!!!

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