A little MORE OT - update, Shop Talk, what to build? Options

[Gunn1]

Figuring out a floor plan for a new Shop Building. Don't have a unlimited budget so trying to pre plan carefully to get the most value, while not making to many mistakes.

If you were going to build your "dream" shop, or already have one, what do you think should be mandatory, or a feature(s) of yours you wouldn't want to do without.

[Tom_T]

In MN - go with fully insulated + vapor barriers @ all walls & roof/ceiling, & full HVAC so you can work in the all 4 seasons. You'll want natural gas on the heat side (unless you go with a heat pump), so also have an NG outlet or two in the shop area too.

You'll want 12'-14' clear ceiling height for a lift with a car top & under - I like 4 post, but others prefer 2.

Get a good vapor barrier under the slap & seal the top with a good epoxy so you won't have moisture issues.

If you can get the height in your neighborhood & city, then try to work in a full attic with the floor rated for 100-200# psf (rather than just ceiling joists) for parts & supplies storage (hopefully stand-up or semi-stand-up ht. under the peak & 4-5' to each side if possible, so you don't have to crawl around. You should also get your air handling HVAC & even the air compressor up there, to save more usable floor space.

In addition to the typical 110/115/120/125 V 3-prong outlets, you'll also want at least 2 or more 220/230/240 V 30-50A outlets for a welder, air compressor, etc. which take a heavier draw, & you'll want some upstairs in the attic too for whatever goes up there.

If you can work it into your budget, a residential level automatic fire sprinkler system for both levels would be a good idea, since you'll have a lot of flammables & valuable parts & tools in there. The high end would be a new halon type system (I'm blanking on the newer human friendly version's name) to avoid the water damage, but they're pricey.

Also make sure that they do a thick enough & properly reinforced slab, with a good soil prep under it, so that it will support the extra loads of the cars on lifts, etc., as well as at the outside driveway & apron out front. Depending upon your site, you may even be able to work in a drive thru situation with front & rear doors.

Check on the Motorsports Classics & Classic Motorsports sister magazines' websites for their recent dream garage articles, which will have a lot of good ideas.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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