Need suggestions for planning new garage area for the cars

[Detlef]

We are considering building a new home and being the analitical planner that I am, I wanted to get ideas on what I could plan for when designing the garage area. I am looking at a 5 car garage in an L shape. 2 bays and 3 bays connected together. I am looking at what to consider powerwise, depth, height and width wise for the bays if I wanted to put in a lift. What about flooring? What about lighting? What about heating? What about ??? So if you have built or remodeled a garage recently and have ideas of things to do and not to do, I'd love to hear about them. Note that I am not looking at creating an area that is nicer than the house itself, just a clean and practical car space that also looks nice. Thanks in advance for all ideas.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

You know what they say about garages - figure out what size you want and double it.

FWIW I'd put in lotsa lighting. You can never have too much lighting in a garage. To help with lighting and cleanliness I'd do a white epoxy floor too. JMO.

[AviP]

And don't forget the bedrooms that go with that 5-car garage. Seriously, my dream garage is unconventional to the point of extreme and blends car parks, living room and lotsa plants into one huge seamless space. One day, I'll build it too.

[DanAuito]

A bathroom, attached game room, storage and a big screen for football season for the boys! not to mention room for the rides!

[zen garage]

www.garagejunkies.net

[V10SpeedLuvr]

A bathroom, attached game room, storage and a big screen for football season for the boys! not to mention room for the rides!

Dont forget a microwave. you'll never have to leave

[hemibeep]

always a few good things:
-cable hookup
-phone hookup
-a lot of lights.
-in-floor recessed well lights, (for under lift(s))
-220v outlets
-compressed air lines, with water traps.
-compressor outside
-high ceilings for lifts.
-built in cabinets (floating)to make easier cleanup
-restroom or at least a slop sink.
-air handler built into attic instead of floor type.
-good access to attic(attic with deck installed)
-exhaust fan/whole house fan (dual purpose, can also be used to ventilate house by opening garage door.
Sorry, I guess I dream a lot!

[hemibeep]

Also, if it is a 3 car front, seems better to have 3 single doors rather than 1 double and 1 single.

go for 9' width and maybe an extra panel high, in case Hummer or other tall vehicle in the future.

Biggest regret was not enough width to allow egress from the two close cars, swing your viper door wide open and then measure the width and give some extra room on both sides.

[Camfab]

You know what they say about garages - figure out what size you want and double it.

FWIW I'd put in lotsa lighting. You can never have too much lighting in a garage. To help with lighting and cleanliness I'd do a white epoxy floor too. JMO.

As stated above, lighting is key, the more the better. Seperate your lighting needs with switches for each area. Lighting under or on the lift rails makes it very nice while working on the car. Light color floors will enhance your lighting as well as making it easier to spot dropped items. Floors with patterns or flake are beautiful to look at, and great if you only use the area for display purposes. If you do any kind of welding, none of the above mentioned floors will work.

If you do real work in your garage, consider 100 amps of power. This should provide you with enough power to run a compressor, welder,lighting and receptacles on their own breakers. Run your airlines to your work area as well as above the lift with power. This minimizes cords and hoses across the floor. I would also consider a large vertical tank, cast iron cylinder compressor, 175psi with at least 20 scfm at 125psi. These larger compressors tend to run slow and quiet, and don't cycle as often as the homeowner models. These are just a few ideas for someone who uses his or her garage for other than parking purposes. Your needs may vary.

[VENOMAHOLIC]

The key is to be honest with yourself about how much you will work on the cars and to what degree. If you work a 12 hr days M-F then a lift would only be practical for stacking cars. If you have spare time and are skilled then by all means, go all out on making the garage a home work area with all that you will use with room for expansion.

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

www.garagejunkies.net

Great website! I just wasted an hour on the airstream hauler conversion. That is one talented guy!

[NoRice]

We are considering building a new home and being the analitical planner that I am, I wanted to get ideas on what I could plan for when designing the garage area. I am looking at a 5 car garage in an L shape. 2 bays and 3 bays connected together. I am looking at what to consider powerwise, depth, height and width wise for the bays if I wanted to put in a lift. What about flooring? What about lighting? What about heating? What about ??? So if you have built or remodeled a garage recently and have ideas of things to do and not to do, I'd love to hear about them. Note that I am not looking at creating an area that is nicer than the house itself, just a clean and practical car space that also looks nice. Thanks in advance for all ideas.

I have a similar garage. My garage is an "L" shape. The part you see in this picture is 21' wide x 51' deep and 21' tall. The L part is around the back of the house, you can barely see the top of that part in this picture. It is 27' x 31' and standard height in this part. In the big part, I built it so that if I get an RV/larger boat I can park inside here. I have also installed a 2post lift in this part. In the back part of the big side, I built an enclosed area that extends from the roof down about 10ft. Up here I have stored my air compressors. This keeps me from having to hear them run. I also have a little room about 8x5 that is enclosed in the very back left corner that I use as a paint mixing room, etc. In the "L" part, when you walk in the door from the far right, there is an enclosed deep sink room. The whole garage is finished, drywalled, painted and plumbed throughout with air and hot/cold water, 220/110 every 12 ft and has ac/heat. I have recessed flourescent lighting throughout the whole thing also. What I also did is where the big garage and smaller garage connect instead of it just being open, there is a roll up door. Therefore I can move cars from side of the garage to the other and have them seperated and not worry about paint or other things getting onto the cars on that side of the garage. The only thing we didn't do because of local codes was install a bathroom. We are on a septic here and for whatever reason they wouldn't let us.

http://www.geocities.com/abernathyj/...e/IMG_0118.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/abernathyj/...ragelayout.jpg

[Andrew/USPWR]

Lifts, lighting and keg coolers.






2005 Silver SRT/10
2000 Steel Gray GTS (sold)

[Midwest Muscle]

The stalls with lifts probably shouldn't be the ones you put electric garage door openers on. All my garage spaces have openers, and the track keeps me from putting in a lift. That said, I'm 'this close' to uninstalling at least one!

[Detlef]

Excellent suggestions, keep them coming!