Attached Garages

[PhantomEB]

Just how many of you work on your rigs in an attached garage? How about those converted more into workshops? Looks more and more when I do get a house, its gonna end up having one, would like to see and get ideas on how I should have it set up.:smokin:

[GiantTechGuy]

If it didn't already have it I be sure it was made as much fire safe as ya can. Fire rated wall adjoining the house, door too. Some good fire extinguishers.

A good air compressor, maybe the quietist one you could afford.

Just the 1st things to come to my mind.

[PhantomEB]

Yup those concerns are along mine as well, kinda thinking double walled along the walls that adjoin the house. Similar to home theatre concepts, double walled, staggered studs to cut down all noise to the house. I am willing to give up 4 inches of interior room to keep the wife happy. Plus I am sure the head wall will consist of cabinets/workbench as well.

Compressor would be enclosed in a corner away from the house, also insulated as well.

Fire extishguishers are something I thoroughly beleive in having, quite frankly I would have one in each corner next to the garage doors as well one right next to the man door and work area.

Other concerns are fan assisted vents away from the house, I am sure the wife will kill me if the house starts smellin like a welding shop. Screw the neighbours, I dont weld that often anyways.

[yozsi]

I have a 3 car attached heated garage, 2 full work benches, 60 gallon compressor, 2 welders, press, bench grinders, shit ton of parts, and still able to squeeze 3 cars in. Its a fawking hassle.

[PAToyota]

If it doesn't already have an attached garage, I'd go for detached - move the noise, smell, and fire risk away from the main house.

Even if the house had an attached garage, I'd consider using that for the daily drivers and build a separate detached "shop" in the back yard. I've seen a couple that actually put another garage door on the back of the attached garage so that you could drive through that and on to the backyard one.

[Rio_Grande]

I ran a small fab business out of my attached 20x40 until last month when I built a 30x40 on the back of the property. Main reason was I wanted the wife to have a garage to park in again and I got tired of not being able to walk through the old shop. I welded in there for hours a day and you would never smell it in the house, but spill a thimble full of gas and it stunk for days.

[87JeepWrangler]

those of you who do a lot of welding/grinding/etc in your drywall garages, what if anything have you done to make the walls more fire resistant?

[misterfubar]

those of you who do a lot of welding/grinding/etc in your drywall garages, what if anything have you done to make the walls more fire resistant?

Nothing.

The current house(built in 04) has a huge two car(25x28). It is drywalled, but I've never done anything else to fire proof it. Never really worried about it, just been careful about where I shoot my sparks.

The house I'm building is going to have a 25x32ish attached three car with about a 10x12 shop on the back of the third car. Not doing anything special to fireproof it, just building it to code.

I would love to have a detached shop, but most of the subdivisions around here don't allow them, and I'm not quite ready to move out of town. The next next house will have a big attached and a detached shop, but that's 10+ years down the road.

[4x4not]

I've got a 20x52' insulated/heated/attached garage and I don't have problems with noise or smell, but then again I have a bi-level so there is no direct door into the garage (which is damn annoying!) I also don't have a wife though, so I'm not too worried about it.

The garage is sheetrocked, and I don't have any issues with fire or whatnot, but I did screw some plywood to the wall behind the welding table/bench grinder just to be sure.

[Roughshod]

My shop is in an attached two car garage, and the best advice I can give you is to go detached if at all possible. There are just a ton of different issues that make the attached a pain in the ass, chiefly noise and odors. I can't paint a damn bracket without smelling it in the house. Doesn't bother me at all, but it doesn't make the wife any happier. In the long run you'll be way happier detached, so if you haven't bought an attached already, don't.

[PTSchram]

those of you who do a lot of welding/grinding/etc in your drywall garages, what if anything have you done to make the walls more fire resistant?

Drywall is considered a fire-retardant material. Worst case the paper might burn off. I use drywall as a fire break around things like my furnace, etc.

The new shop is getting a stack installed for the furnace as soon as the contractor gets off his ass and does it. The corner of the machine shop where the furnace will be hung is gonna be drywalled with 3/4" drywall on the ceiling and the sides around the furnace.

[PhantomEB]

I may be in the same boat as Misterfubar, havent seen many houses listed right now with detached garages so either its a rarity or its just not allowed in the zoning laws.

[misterfubar]

I may be in the same boat as Misterfubar, havent seen many houses listed right now with detached garages so either its a rarity or its just not allowed in the zoning laws.

There are some around here, just not in any new construction, or anything built in the last 30 years unless it is on 1+ acres. I suppose I could have bought a 70 year old house with a tiny detached garage... but I don't want a 70 year old house.

[nissancrawler]

The garage is sheetrocked, and I don't have any issues with fire or whatnot, but I did screw some plywood to the wall behind the welding table/bench grinder just to be sure.

Congratulations, you just created a fire hazard. :shaking::laughing:

I don't have a true flammable cabinet, but I keep all paint/aerosols/gas/flammable cleaners/etc., either in a steel floor cabinet or steel wall cabinets.

If an all out fire breaks out, no, it's not fire proof. It is however, safe from grinding/welding/plasma cutting sparks.

The shelves are metal, not wood, etc. The worst I've done so far is to get some blue shop towels smoldering.

I don't have an issue with fumes in the house, and I have ducts connecting the house and garage.

[PTSchram]

Congratulations, you just created a fire hazard. :shaking::laughing:

I don't have a true flammable cabinet, but I keep all paint/aerosols/gas/flammable cleaners/etc., either in a steel floor cabinet or steel wall cabinets.



If you don't have it vented outside the building, you have a big bomb, not a safe storage cabinet. If you look at the real flammables cabinets, they all have multiple 2" bungs on them for venting to the outside world. They are also built to withstand minor explosions without spreading the fire, but, if they are not vented, they become big bombs.

[PAToyota]

those of you who do a lot of welding/grinding/etc in your drywall garages, what if anything have you done to make the walls more fire resistant?

Used 5/8" fire-rated gypsum board...

[PTSchram]

Used 5/8" fire-rated gypsum board...


Being paranoid about shop fires, I have bought 3/4" for the corner where my furnace is to be mounted. I'll double it up as well. It's cheap insurance to me.

[am4x4]

you guys are spoiled! I am happy to have an entire 19X21 garage to myself instead of half of one like I used to. My old garage was bare studs and I never burnt it down but I was carefull when working inside and I did as much grinding and welding outside as I could. My new garage will be drywalled when I am done with it and I have considered installing a fire sprinkler system on a manual control valve. I haven't had any real issues with the garage being attached but make sure you have a good seal on the door to the house to keep noise and smells out. I have also thought about an insulated double wall between the garage and house to keep noise down.

[nissancrawler]

If you don't have it vented outside the building, you have a big bomb, not a safe storage cabinet. If you look at the real flammables cabinets, they all have multiple 2" bungs on them for venting to the outside world. They are also built to withstand minor explosions without spreading the fire, but, if they are not vented, they become big bombs.

*shrug* it doesn't smell in the cabinet, and it keeps sparks from hitting it. I fail to see it being anywhere near as dangerous as leaving flammables out for sparks to hit.

[PTSchram]

*shrug* it doesn't smell in the cabinet, and it keeps sparks from hitting it. I fail to see it being anywhere near as dangerous as leaving flammables out for sparks to hit.

If a volatile material is out of a cabinet any vapors that are generated are either dispersed or otherwise diluted. When they build up in the cabinet, any ignition source can turn it into a bomb. Things like a scraping door, static electricity, etc can blow up the cabinet.

Personally, I keep my stuff in my "Fluid Room" in tightly sealed cans rather than a potentially explosive cabinet.

I know of an individual who uses an old refrigerator to store his volatiles. Talk about a potential time bomb!

[87manche]

I work out in a basement garage, it's tied in with the central HVAC.

grinding and welding isn't a problem, but I am forbidden to ever paint anything in the garage. Painting just seems to stink up the entire house.
it's ok, I just go outside to rattle can shit now.

[FSR BIKER]

I moved after I just finished my 25x40 detached garage :mad3: because it just wasn't worth adding onto that house and we neede more bedroom/bathrooms for the kids. We have a nice big house now and an oversized 2.5 car garage with 10 foot ceilings so it's not all bad. The master bedroom is right above the garage and I can weld, grind, etc and the wife never complains about the noise. The previous owner was a builder and he told me the sheetrock is doubled in all walls and the ceiling(plus insulation). The walls have roll insulation and sheet insulation so it's pretty quite. One addition I have to do is add a louvered exhaust fan in one wall to remove any fumes especially since I plan on priming and painting my car/truck in there, so far though spray bombing has not affected the house.

So I would say make sure it's insulated, double up on the sheetrock and add a wall mounted exhaust fan. Building an outside enclosure for the compressor isn't a bad idea either.

[Stephenw]

Here's mine. I haven't done any work on it lately (been busy with other projects).

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=645081

[p14175]

We used our garage as a workshop until we got rid of the horses and took over the livestock barn. The problem with usng our garage was the kitchen and garage were on the same circuit. We had a choice between running the refrigerator or the air compressor.

[yota_kid]

So I would say make sure it's insulated, double up on the sheetrock and add a wall mounted exhaust fan. Building an outside enclosure for the compressor isn't a bad idea either.

You can get fire retardant sheetrock, my Uncle has it in the area where his PlasmaCam is set up, granted its spendy, but if it saves your house.....nuff sed!

I would agree with the doubling up at least on the wall adjoined with the house.

[norcalbronco74]

ive got an attached two car, i installed swing out doors on the back side for a drive through garage and have a 12'x36' tuffshed out back. tuffshed is awesome but the ceilings are low. eventually i want to raise the whole shed about 1.5'. the tuffsheds are a little pricey but all the plans are done so all you need to do is pour a slab and run the wiring

[motonut]

I would love to have a detached shop, but most of the subdivisions around here don't allow them, and I'm not quite ready to move out of town. The next next house will have a big attached and a detached shop, but that's 10+ years down the road.

Check your local bc and see if you can build a detached shop with a breeze way we did that back in the 70s at dads place dont know if that will help

[PhantomEB]

Thanks for all the opinions as well for Stephenw to show us his. I am in the boat of pleasing the wife with a newer home which means restrictions where brought on this topic. I can work with such restrictions to be allowed to build and play.

[owlman]

my , 1-1/2 car attached garage is tight, and i have to watch the fumes, but it sure beats the outdoors!

i'd have to spend huge $$ to get a decent sized shop close to work/live or spend a shit load on commuting, wouldn't have anything left over for my junk...not to mention the cost to build one.

just keep it clean, organized and life is much easier. buy what you need when you need it so your not tripping over shit all the time.
fireproof garbage and old rag cans are a must, and i personally won't have any cumbustable gases indoors, so i bought a plasma instead of torches.(told the wife it was all about her safety :p )

i use an old metal filing cabinet to keep my paint and oils cans in.
never had a problem with sparks, but i always let things cool for 15-20 min before i call it a night....

[85f150dsel]

My parents that I grew up in is about 4 wide by about 2 deep. It is attached and we never had the odor problem inside. Usually a back door and the forn tgarage door was open and never had fume issues. The garage walls are all sheet rock except one side that the cabinets are built into the wall.

Our compressor is in the basement in a small room that we call the tornado room. It has double doors and well insulated. You can barely hear it in the garage, and with the TV on you never hear it in the house.

The only reason for a detached garage in my case would be for a bigger roof. Currently at teh highest point it is around 15-20ft and slopes to about 8ft. We do have a boom hoist that fits just perfect in this scenario though. The only tool that isn't in our garage is our lathe, which is also in our basement near the tornado room.

As long as you use your senses I can't see you having an issue.

[PhantomEB]

Thanks for all the mention of venting the flammables outside. I have some ideas as far as that goes.

[PhantomEB]

Another idea I have come up with as to keepin fumes etc from going into the house thru the man door is an air way with man doors on both sides and 1 or 2 bathroom exhaust fans.

[olivedrabxj]

mine is technicaly attached but it only shares a wall with the mud room
i dont have any noise/odor issues

the side i use a a shop is 22x32 there is another room that shares a wall it is 15x32 that part is the original construction. the people we bought from added the other.

i have the compressor in the small side it was allready plumbed and wired for a compressor when we bought the house.

i also have a door on the backside so you can pull in to the backyard
it works i would like to tear it down and build a 30x40 with trailer storage on the side insted of having to move everything in the garage when i need the trailer from the back.

[IDASHO]

Im in the process of finishing my oversized attached 2-car garage right now. Just about finished insulating.

Due to the fume issue, and other concerns, I opted to stay away from a common door between the garage and house.

I also made the joining wall a "sound-proof" wall. This involved the required 5/8 sheetrock firewall, plus RC channel and ANOTHER layer of sheetrock spaced a bit from the firewall. Helps tremendously.

Here is the floor plan:

http://www.bonnefinstudios.com/kwb/paradise/projectphotos/Garage/June5floor.jpg

And a couple of photos....

how it tied into the existing house. Seamless!

http://www.bonnefinstudios.com/kwb/paradise/projectphotos/Garage/Nov14_01.jpg

The high-lift 9x18 insulated door w/ jackshaft opener.

http://www.bonnefinstudios.com/kwb/paradise/projectphotos/Garage/Nov14_06.jpg

And the best part....

The view out the back, thru one of the two 5x6 windows. :smokin:

http://www.bonnefinstudios.com/kwb/paradise/projectphotos/Garage/View05.jpg

[hoohaa]

Sweet. Could you have built any bigger?

[IDASHO]

Not one inch. Literally. Im within 3/4 of an inch in every direction of my setbacks.:shaking:

Another reason to go tall though. It has a 13' finished ceiling height (2-post lift in the plans), and with a 6/12 roof pitch I have tons of attic space for storage.

[hoohaa]

I noticed the tall ceiling and the attic. Very nice job with the limitations you had. I would almost be tempted to build a small mezzanine for storage overhead if that were mine. 7' off the floor, maybe 5' deep against part of the back wall, just tall enough to stand up and open wall cabinets and store bulky stuff off the ground floor.

[willymutt]

Ok, I'm going to hijack a little bit here. I'm planning on finishing out my garage this winter and was wondering what kind of paint to use. The shop I share now is completely finished with sheetrock and insulation, but the walls are all gray now from the welding and grinding that goes on in there. Is exterior paint better to be able to clean it?

[yager]

Some tips for attached garage.

Have suitable spill clean up material on hand at all times and take care of stuff immediately.
Coat your floor so spills are easier to clean and don't soak in.

Odors - Well be prepared to vent if/when needed. I open my attic fold down stairs and it vents the entire garage in a matter of minutes. Bathroom type vents would be good also.

Dirt - Clean up, sweep up your shit so you don't track it inside. Plus its easier to get started on new stuff...

Don't store rags - get rid of them. Police things if/when you have people come over. If Im not sure I dump the shop pail into the big street bin and wheel it away from the garage or put water in it.

and probably the biggest is to admit that there may be things that you just can't/shouldn't do inside your garage and take it outside.

If im doing a lot of cutting etc. I do it in the driveway just outside the garage.. which leads me to...

Setup your welders/plasma etc. near the garage door etc. So its easy to do work just outside the door and if its raining you can work just inside yet odors vent well..

[actionpaintball]

REALLY good ventilation (to the outdoors)

first time your house smells like paint, welding fumes, gas...you will hear about it

[Adam F]

Like other said, smells coming in the house are the biggest concern (with the wife) in my garage. I'll never paint again, as it seems to last for days even with the garage door open and fans blowing. And spilled gas stinks up the house as well. Welding is not much of an issue, as it dissapates rather quickly.

I REALLY want a detached garage at my next house.

Only good thing about an attached garage is being able to walk out in the garage in my undies and nobody can stare! :laughing:

I also agree on setting up your welder at the back of the garage. Easier to blow the fumes out this way. Set the fan inside the garage and blow out. Also handy if your rig is in the garage and you need to weld something, you can just use it in the driveway.

Also get a good long air hose to reach all the way to the end of the driveway so you can work on cars anywhere on the driveway.