Bldg. construction question

[racer1735]

After 6 1/2 months in my new house, I'm finally breaking ground on a shop for my bikes. It is a 16x24, insulated, stand-alone unit that will match the style of my house (nothing fancy, but want to avoid the 'pole-barn' look). My original plans were to 'finish' the interior with wallboard and ceiling, but the added cost is going to really cut into my savings and 'fun money' which I need to extend the driveway, put in a garage door opener, security lights, etc.

Short of the open rafters look, does anyone have any experience and suggestions for what I can use for walls that might be more cost-conservative than wallboard, but not make the place look like a hunters cabin?

Thanks in advance!

[snowmoer]

Put the insulation in the walls and ceiling, and just put the wall board on the ceiling. Do not tape or fininsh it off at this time. Then when you get the extra money, you can do the walls and then tape the ceiling. That way you can still heat the shop in the winter and stay warm. All the heat will be where you are working and not in the rafters!

You could also put foam insulation boards on the ceiling for now. That would stop the heat from going to the roof. You will still loose heat in the walls, but the main thing it to keep it out of the rafters. Just that much more space to heat up before it gets to where you are working.

[racer1735]

I do have two space heaters that I use in winter, plus my lighting is by eight hanging halogen lamps. I'm a believer in having more light than necessary, and the halogens put off quite a bit of heat. In past shops, I've 'heated it' by simply turning on the lights about 20 minutes before I start a project.

[fastflyer20]

I agree with just drywall on the ceiling for now. You might wan to think about tape and prime now. The board will absorb moisture and the paint/tape will help to keep it from sagging over time.

In the future, you may want to consider plywood in the wall areas that you may want to hang things, including peg board. The plywood is more expensive, but does not dent like wall board and allows you to nail or screw into any area without looking for studs.

Wire like crazy for outlets and lights now. It is a pain later.

One suggestion is to wire in flush outlets into the ceiling in a few areas on one light switch. Over time, you can hang as many florescent lights as needed and just plug them in already connected to one switch.

Over time you can have a great work space. It makes any project go quicker plus you can roll out your bed to the garage if you ever get in the dog house!

[sparkinator]

I just installed 5/8 OSB on the interior walls of my new shop. Same structural properties as interior plywood, but the price is a lot less. (right now)

[racer1735]

All wiring, outlets, etc. are being installed Just trying to be cost conscious for the 'unexpected' expenses that always come along.

[chevypc]

1/2 OSB on the walls works great for a shop. Like said above you can hang stuff on it, and if you put it up with screws you can remove a panel if you have to. The best news 1/2" OSB (actually 7/16") at least in Mass is only about $5.00 a sheet. Put a couple of good coats of latex paint and you will be very happy with the results. I would just use sheet rock on the ceiling. Tape and paint. Doing this your self is pretty inexpensive. Good luck.

[RaYzerman]

Ceiling - If you're going drywall eventually, first staple up plastic vapor barrier, then strap with 1x3's @ 16" centers 90 degrees to your joists. Strapping is cheap and your drywall will go up way easier. Insulation goes on top and won't fall down. Plywood or OSB on the walls, but why not just insulate. You may not think of every electrical outlet you want just now, but in a few months........... get the driveway, etc. done!!

[BridgeMan]

If you decide to OSB the walls, remember to put the waxed side facing "in" (against the studs)--otherwise, your paint will have trouble adhering. And don't forget to put in a wall switch (in a not-so-obvious location) for controlling the receptacle the door opener will be plugged into. Makes it a little more difficult for the "low-lifes" who want to steal your ST and tools.

[bcst1300]

Radiant heat panels over work areas.
Radiant heat is more expensive to buy but it just heat surfaces so the actual air temperature can be lower. It is a lot like standing in the sun on a cold clear day. It is a great way to heat a workshop and if it radiates to the floor the floor will be warm when you bring in the car to change the oil.

[racer1735]

It is a great way to heat a workshop and if it radiates to the floor the floor will be warm when you bring in the car to change the oil.

Car? This shop is for bikes only...:bow1: I am putting in a full-size garage door on the front so if down the road I have to sell, it will hold a car. But for my purpose it will be home to three motorcycles. Cars, riding tractors, etc. are not allowed.

[dhuber]

Car? This shop is for bikes only

Sweet! That's what I need to do becuase space is tight in my garage. I have 3.3 acers and no shop. 3 cars , 3 motorcycles, lawn mowers, tiller etc.

[racer1735]

I've always been fortunate in having dedicated space for my toys. Two houses ago I took what would have been a fourth bedroom, blocked it off from the inside and put in access to the outside. My last house had a 3-car garage, with the third stall being drywalled from the other two with its own electrical circuits, lighting, etc. Now I only have a two car garage...but that's fixing to change!

[Scaredy Cat]

If you're building with a tight budget, just put in conduits (plastic pipes) for future cables inside the walls. Lots of them, you can never have too many power outlets.

[bcst1300]

Car? This shop is for bikes only...:bow1: I am putting in a full-size garage door on the front so if down the road I have to sell, it will hold a car. But for my purpose it will be home to three motorcycles. Cars, riding tractors, etc. are not allowed.

OK I'm an idiot, but for a motorcycle garage radiant heat is even better because more floor would be warm as would your scoot's seat. Overhead radiant panels. I might be dumb about uses for a garage (there are no cars in mine either) but I am an expert at electrical things.

[racer1735]

Well, after months of draggin feet on both ends, we've FINALLY broken ground. The footers have been poured and the blocks laid. Should have the foundation slab within 48 hours. And the first true frost is predicted for this Sunday evening. I can see myself lugging toolboxes, workbenches, compressors, etc. through muddy grass to set the place up once its finally completed!

[Schavlan]

If you're looking to save money, then insulate the ceiling and walls and just put up the plastic vapor barrier for now. That should keep you warm, and also keep dust and junk from flying into the insulation.

For the finished walls, I can't think of anything cheaper than drywall, except maybe pegboard.

Plywood, OSB, even masonite panelling are all good alternatives, but not cheaper than plain old wallboard. You could save a few dollars by going to the 3/8 thickness, but not really a whole lot of money.

[Tom B.]

I can't BELIEVE I'm going to say this but...

I've done some projects at my house, nothing of the scale you're doing, but if you want to keep expenses down, start dumpster diving! I've been stopping at construction sites and looked into the dumpsters (ONLY THE DUMPSTERS, anything else is theft!) and found a ton of usable lumber, cast off finishing remenents, cinderblocks, landscaping products, current up to code electrical stuff, conduit, plumbing stuff...the list goes on and on. If I had the room in my currant garage I could have built a whole new garage by now! You'd be amazed at how much usable stuff gets tossed just because the builders over purchased! Dry wall mud, base board moldings, exterior moldings, doors (yes doors), sheesh...

You get the ideal! Now that I've made a fool of my self by admitting that I do this:rolleyes: , you all can go out there and save too but unlike me, no one here will know unless you fess up!!

[ki-speed]

One thing nice about using OSB for the walls is for many thing you want to hang on the wall (except real heavy items), you do not have to find a stud. Gives you more flexability.

[racer1735]

Actually, my expenses are about as low as they can get as the contractor is a neighbor and his son is doing quite a bit of the actual construction. Getting a 'good neighbor' price which has freed up some monies to be spent on finishing, upgraded door opener, etc. And yes, we are using OSB for the walls.

[ChucksKLRST]

Car? This shop is for bikes only...:bow1: I am putting in a full-size garage door on the front so if down the road I have to sell, it will hold a car. But for my purpose it will be home to three motorcycles. Cars, riding tractors, etc. are not allowed.

Just to give you some Idea. I did the same as you. I built a Motto garage. 20x16. should have went 25x20 but budget and space were a factor. It was built to match the house and holds three bikes sometimes four. Take a look at the following. Good luck with your project. Lawn /garden equipment is off limits


http://rides.webshots.com/album/545170424YJIKwP

[racer1735]

To close out this thread, the shop is finished (well, for the most part. I still need to hang my various photos and banners). But the bikes are in, the cabinets/shelves are hung and stocked and all construction is complete. And I went ahead, bit the bullet and had the shop 'finished'...insulated, drywalled, etc. I really like the i-drive garage door opener. Best thing is that we are expected to receive our first measurable snowfall of the season tonight and, as of last night, BOTH my car and my truck are now parked inside the garage!:04biker:

And Chuck, your shop looks very nice, as well. I hope to post photos once I get a cord to download photos to the computer.

[STindy05]

To close out this thread, the shop is finished (well, for the most part. I still need to hang my various photos and banners). But the bikes are in, the cabinets/shelves are hung and stocked and all construction is complete. And I went ahead, bit the bullet and had the shop 'finished'...insulated, drywalled, etc. I really like the i-drive garage door opener. Best thing is that we are expected to receive our first measurable snowfall of the season tonight and, as of last night, BOTH my car and my truck are now parked inside the garage!:04biker:

And Chuck, your shop looks very nice, as well. I hope to post photos once I get a cord to download photos to the computer.

:worthless