THSCC Forums

OK, so we're getting our stuff together as far as building a place to stay for a long time. Part of the plan is a separate 4 car garage w/ lift (for all the toys). However, we're not sure how big to make it...

Whitney's is 24X40 IIRC, and I think he said he'd make it wider if he had it to do again.

Ron's is 30X60, which is probably bigger than we really need. (Can a garage be too big?)

If anyone has seen any nice plans for garages, or has any suggestions on size I'd be glad to hear them. We're currently planning a 2x2 configuration on the parked cars (like Whitney's) with the 2 post lift in the "back" half. Buildable space shouldn't be a issue as the lot is 3 acres (and the house isn't that big), so any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

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Diane (Hall) Bundas
1992 Spec Miata #48 - 1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe

Are you in a rural area, or are you somewhere with an HOA in force? If the former, I've got to say that concrete-floored stick built aluminum barns (with insulation) serve quite nicely as garages. 30+' wide is nice, because then you can stagger cars on one side like the grid, so you've never got a situation where you're parked in by a non-running car.

Unfortunately, it really is possible to have a garage that's too large. You can accumulate projects more quickly than you can finish them.

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1988 Plymouth Reliant

If you (1) have lots of space, (2) have finite $$, (3) can and plan to build tall enough to have a full floored attic, and (4) plan to do 2x2, I think 30x44 would be great. 36' (what I have) is only good for 2 deep for short cars. 24' wide won't accomodate a car on a lift next to a parked car very easily.

However, if you can't go too tall and need to use vaulted trusses like I did, things get expensive past 24' wide unless you can have poles in the middle of the garage. For a tall, tall garage with a flat ceiling you can use LVLs to get over 24' wide. Again, $$

24x36 is fine for me ... as Joe points out it keeps my projects from multiplying. 30x44 or so is what I would have built if I had twice the land, money, and time, and if I wasn't worried about it looking too big.

One other dumb question -- how about 2 (or even 3) garages? One nice size for the daily drivers, and oone for the lifts and toys?

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

I really like Mike's suggestion for multiple smaller garages. One relatively small, insulated and sealed garage will seem cozy enough that when there is 6' of snow on top of the garage you will still feel like working on the race car instead of sitting by the gas log sipping hot toddys. My garage here is smaller than Mike's and a small kerosene heater will knock the chill off enough to work in the winter; and a window-unit airconditioner makes it bearable in summer.
I hear that the weather up nawth gets right much colder than hereabouts. With that much land, you could cultivate a small wood lot and heat your garage with a wood stove. Even better, use your car trailer to roam around an pick up fallen trees.
Charlie Guthrie

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1998 BMW Z3
1987 BMW 325is
2000 BMW
1996 F250 Turbo Diesel

A little more info:

It's definitely a rural area. Minimum lot sizes are 3 acres, and you have to have 250 ft of road frontage. No HOA to deal with.

The $$ isn't unlimited, but the space could be. We have 3 acres to play with.

There actually are 2 garages already in the plan. An oversized 2 car under the house to park the daily drivers in, then the 4 car detached for the race cars, jet ski, autocross tire trailer, etc. (the toys).

Need to decide between a stick built by the builder of the house, and a building by these folks who are literally right up the street from the lot: http://www.dreambarns.com/DREAMBARNS/Home_pagex.html (or some other alternative I haven't run across yet)

Joe - Any website for that aluminum barn idea?

Thanks for the responses so far. Keep ideas/thoughts coming.

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Diane (Hall) Bundas
1992 Spec Miata #48 - 1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe

I'm just talking about aluminum sided pole barns, be they steel or wood framed.

http://www.chelsealumber.com/constructi ... ricing.asp
http://www.olympiabuildings.com/applica ... rages.html

They're not particularly pretty, but they are inexpensive.

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1988 Plymouth Reliant

If I were you, I'd plan to put the jetskis and tire trailer in a large shed. If you're going 2x2 in the big garage, plan for it to be only for cars and work space.

Storage belongs elsewhere IMO. I'm planning on a 10x12 shed behind the current big garage for lawn tools, materials storage, and "messy" tools.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

*drool*

some day... some day..

yeah, there are tons of manufacturers of steel buildings.. there are usually at least 6 advertising in the back pages of popular science. if i had some land, i would look into this option for building a garage (if i didnt work for a wood truss company)

mike, wood trusses wouldnt get too expensive too quickly unless you started bumping up chord sizes. generally 50' is a rule for going to all 2x6 chords in a common truss. a 24' span is cake w/ a 2x4 wood truss.

this (the 50' rule) isnt necessarily true for scissored/vaulted trusses, as the top and bottom chord pitches would also play a role. a pretty standard rule is the bottom chord pitch should be 1/2 of the top chord pitch.

Diane, the rule is the garage must be bigger than the house. Oh no, wait, that was my rule. Never mind!

The problem with multiple garages is its more money. Its easier to run electrical etc in one building then to do it for multiple buildings. the costs, time and effort just multiplies.

Diane, you know what I have because, well, you helped A LOT in building it. I just called around until I found the best deal. What I have probably won't work for you as it is more difficult to insulate. I'll probably look into having some blown onto the walls....at some point.

For the money you can't beat a steel building. I have never seen a regular wood stick built one come anywhere near that price point. And they go up fairly quickly.

Diane, if I was up there I would also consider having the floor heated. My buddy in Chicago has that and says its quite nice.

If you want we can talk more about it at The Rock.

R