New Garage

shelshel · 06-19-04, 06:03

I'm considering building a new 2.5 or 3 car stall garage that is disconnected from my main house. I'll be parking 1 car and a Kubota tractor in it. I'd like to be able to do detailing on the side and have the ability to wash the cars inside during the winter months. The garage will be heated and will have a water supply. What accessories should I be thinking of getting to do the detailing and how do I solve the problem of washing the vehicle inside without getting everything wet? Probably won't do it until next year but I like to plan early.

Spotty-Dog · 06-20-04, 07:27

If I could build my garage over again, I'd have a drain and in floor hot water heating in the slab. Then I'd hang a sliding curtain from the ceiling so that one bay could be isolated and I could wash indoors. But then again, I'd probably have to win a lottery too!

berzerker · 06-20-04, 07:33

Home Depot and other home improvement stores carry a type of panelling for walls that is water proof - usually found near the panels for shower stalls and laundry rooms. There is the textured style like I have in my laundry room and other styles that look like tile and grout almost. Cover the seams with the strip piece and a little tub/tile caulk and you should have waterproof walls!

txz28 · 06-22-04, 08:36

I would reccomend outdoor paint on any areas that are not made of the special paneling. This will improve the water resistance.

I would also shy away from conventional drywall. They have some other products designed to be used in damp locations, bathrooms.

Spotty-Dog · 06-22-04, 06:15

I would also recommend installing an exhaust fan with a long timer switch. I have a 300cfm fan exhausted to the outside with an electronic 2-4-8-12 hour switch. In our humid climate, in the winter when two cars come home with hot engines on a rainy day, it takes no time at all for the windows in the garage to steam up but a good fan will clear that up in no time.

Mr. Clean 2K · 06-22-04, 06:38

I would have the floow stained right off the bat... As the concrete is wet have it done...

Redcar GUY · 06-22-04, 06:43

All great points so far! You nay want to look at metal that they use on barns for roof and siding. Use that for your wall and ceiling, no prob if your get that wet.

But I think that the most important things are....

#1 Size.. make it as big as you can, you can never have to much room!

#2 Pleanty of power.. Make sure that you have plenty of elec. for lights, tools, and anything else you want to plug in.

#3 Water supply is a must!

#4 Now you need a drain.. make it good now you cant go back and to it again (well you could..)

#5 Get a good heater.. and a gas line ran, if your not going to use elec. Get a big one, you can always turn down the thermostat..

There is more but these are a good start..

bet993 · 06-23-04, 06:23

Look into the different drain systems. I was so excited about building my house and looking over other details that I didn't really pay much attention to the plans other than to say I wanted a drain in the garage. I got one but it is in the center. In retrospect this is a horrible location because everything flows to the center and the snow and rain runs there which about where you get in and out of one of the cars. On the next house I will either have a perimeter drain system like you see in auto motive garages or if that is cost prohibitive at least have multiple drains located in the center of each bay.