Hey everyone! I'm going to be building (have one built) a new garage. I am leaning towards a 40x40 pole building i think. Can you guys give me any advice, or tell me things you wish you knew before taking on this task. I am gonna start with a concrete pad, building structure, and power for now, insulation will come at a later date. I appreciate all your help and wisdom in advance. Thank You!
The footprint is the cheap part. If you're thinking 40'x40' go 40'x60' if you have the room Floor drain Stub in for a bathroom. I've had some changes in my life since I built my shop, wish I'd put in a shower like people told me to. Tall enough for a lift, enclosed trailer, motorhome. Plumb for floor heat or at least insulate under the slab.
Put in a floor drain. Put man door about 4-5ft from the corner (always need a corner to put stuff). Go bigger than you think you need. Bring water into it. If going 16ft inside height, put a couple windows in a back upper corner (in case you put in a mezzanine) Look into Ag Tuff for interior walls. It is PVC and easy to handle and install, but has a steel look.
Hot water floor heat. It’s the most efficient and effective way to warm the space and humans inside. Search the topic, as it’s been discussed many times, here. With the world’s craziness every manufacturer is taking advantage of, I’d wait until the cost of materials comes back down.
everything said above The only thing I'd add is if you know where you need power, running conduit under the floor to the point of use is handy If you live in a colder climate doing infloor heat is recommended. I have my outdoor wood boiler heating my shop using a boilermate type tank, it's 8 degrees out and the shop is easily holding steady at 60*F that I have the thermostat set at Map the tubing out prior to pouring and get alot of pictures so you know where you can drill concrete anchors later
The more power outlets the merrier, also try and think what you need to power now and into the future and add those outlets too meaning put some higher current carrying 220vac outlets if you are going to have a welder, large compressor, etc.
I don't know your situation, but here's what I would do if I was in your situation: -Tall ceilings, but also tall door. Make sure I could fit any camper or trailer I'd ever consider through the door. -I'd want a spot for a lift, so do what's necessary for concrete prep / thickness / reinforcement in that spot -Wire it for an outlet every few feet. -Put at least 100A service in. -Go overboard with lighting. I have T5HO's in my little garage - I'd have to research what do do for a shop of that size, but lots of light. -Wired for 20.4 surround sound. -Figure what your heat situation and plan for it before building -As others have said - floor drain.
Floor heat (even if you don't plan on hooking it up right away, pex is cheap, and you can't do it later), Lots of lighting, outlets, insulation, and ceiling height (for a mezzanine). Put pull pots in the floor. Winch points, Floor anchors, whatever you want to call them. Can't remember where I saw them, but basically a pipe with a chain inside you can pull out and anchor to. I don't know what you plan on doing in your shop, but I would use the heck out of those for anchoring down tools, benches, winching in projects etc. I personally would lean more towards conduit vs buried electrical as it's easier to change around, but that's personal preference and depends what you plan on doing with the space. An overhead beam with a chain hoist, or even a gantry crane if you've got the dough 2 post Car lift, flush mount bike lift. 4 post lift for project/winter car storage (not bad money storing other peoples cars for the winter) Security system.
All this $hit is over rated. Just take your money and buy blow and strippers instead. It will be better spent.