Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SwedishRider
Congrats on the house! I built and it was awesome to pick and choose what I wanted for both house and garage.
I have two quick suggestions that I can think of:
1) If the garage doors are separate, go with 9` wide doors, NOT 8`. The 6" per side doesn`t seem like a lot, but it is and I`ve never regretted the larger doors.
2) Use engineered I-beams for the ceiling of the garage if you can. I did and turned the second floor of my garage into a full storage area as large as the garage itself (I have a drop-down ladder that stores away when not in use). That way, you`ll double your area (a HUGE space advantage) and not need any lally columns to hold up the floor above you, leaving the entire garage open instead of riddled with columns. You could then turn the second floor into a FROG (Finished Room Over Garage) if you were ever so inclined.
Good luck! :)
Nice thought. If you can, I say go with 10` x 8` garage doors. Mainly because you can fit just about ANY vehicle in it.
On a side note, if you are wanting one double door and one single. I would probably do a 18` x 8` and a 10` x 8`, but that door is gonna be kind of pricey. We sell an 18` x 8` Clopay 4050 without glass for $1,500 installed and the 10` x 8` is $900. They would be cheaper for pickup. Btw, if you are willing to put them in, I could possibly have garage doors drop shipped to your local Clopay distribution center. We are a master authorized dealer, so I have some pull. B)
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Swanicyouth
What a dizzying list. Thanks for all the suggestions. All I really care about customizing with the house is the garage and hardwood floors.
I plan on putting a lift in eventually, so I got the concrete specs from the builder (don`t have them handy).
One thing I would like is some type of cooling system for the garage - dunno if they could add a duct that closes or if that would make my electric bill a fortune. Or maybe just get a portable or window unit? Garage does have a window. Will have to talk to builder about that.
You can have duct work run into the garage. My mom and stepdads house is done this way. The electrical bill doesn`t go up because there is no thermostat to turn it on/off. So it only comes on if the inside is on.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
If you want cooling in the garage, I`d go with a separate unit just for the garage. Otherwise, the calculation the builders will use will invariably upsize your home`s HVAC system by quite a bit, and it will add much wear and tear. I`d go with two independent systems... but others may disagree. I was advised against one system for both when I built.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
My AC unit is a window unit. I just had the builder put a space in the wall to accommodate it. It does a good job of cooling down the garage on days like this
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
An AC unit is on my to do list next spring. It`s just intolerable out there during the summer
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Swanic, do these houses have basements? If so, we have stairs from the garage to the basement. It`s a great feature for many reasons.
Lighting is critical, as already noted. Plenty of A/C outlets. Water.
I tried for the in-floor drain system but the fire marshal would not approve that.
I like the triple bay action - - you never know how many cars you might accumulate ;)
Good luck with the project. It`s a lot of fun watching things take shape...especially when you have direct involvement.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XxBoostinxX
Nice thought. If you can, I say go with 10` x 8` garage doors. Mainly because you can fit just about ANY vehicle in it.
On a side note, if you are wanting one double door and one single. I would probably do a 18` x 8` and a 10` x 8`, but that door is gonna be kind of pricey. We sell an 18` x 8` Clopay 4050 without glass for $1,500 installed and the 10` x 8` is $900. They would be cheaper for pickup. Btw, if you are willing to put them in, I could possibly have garage doors drop shipped to your local Clopay distribution center. We are a master authorized dealer, so I have some pull. B)
My father used to be in gd business as well years ago
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
I have a tankless hot water so I had in lined into the garage hot water is so nice when needed.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bill D
My AC unit is a window unit. I just had the builder put a space in the wall to accommodate it. It does a good job of cooling down the garage on days like this
Remember Bill, we`re still up north here. Swanic, I`d look into a heat pump/mini split that would give you both heating and cooling in the garage, and they are very efficient. Would be independent from the house so you could turn it off if you are doing something with the door open (and only turn it on when you want to). Bad part about them is they don`t have "real" filters like central air/heating, more like the kind a window air conditioner has.
And remember those new-fangled garage doors and openers have those keyless entry pads that work on a battery--what happens when that thing goes bad? You gotta go to the dealer and get a new one for $1500--at least that`s what I heard. Make sure that entry door works on a key the way garage doors used to--worst idea evar.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Setec Astronomy
Remember Bill, we`re still up north here. Swanic, I`d look into a heat pump/mini split that would give you both heating and cooling in the garage, and they are very efficient. Would be independent from the house so you could turn it off if you are doing something with the door open (and only turn it on when you want to). Bad part about them is they don`t have "real" filters like central air/heating, more like the kind a window air conditioner has.
And remember those new-fangled garage doors and openers have those keyless entry pads that work on a battery--what happens when that thing goes bad? You gotta go to the dealer and get a new one for $1500--at least that`s what I heard. Make sure that entry door works on a key the way garage doors used to--worst idea evar.
Key pad is about 45.00
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Figure the largest garage you can afford.........and then make it bigger B) You will never regret it.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ronkh
Key pad is about 45.00
It was a joke, Ron.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Setec Astronomy
It was a joke, Ron.
Oh
Sorry
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Setec Astronomy
And remember those new-fangled garage doors and openers have those keyless entry pads that work on a battery--what happens when that thing goes bad? You gotta go to the dealer and get a new one for $1500--at least that`s what I heard. Make sure that entry door works on a key the way garage doors used to--worst idea evar.
Hahaha. Touche Sir, Touche.
Re: Building New House - Garage Features???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Angus
Hahaha. Touche Sir, Touche.
I was just toucheing my keyless entry system.