[Michaelj]

So I’m in the midst of designing my dream garage and was hoping to get some feed back/advice from others that have done the same. I initially have 2 questions, down below.

But I figured this might be a nice thread and knowledge repository of do’s and don’t for others over time.

If this thread grows I’ll turn it into an FAQ for suggestions that folks seem to agree on regarding a good garage design on things like:

1. Garage door/opener systems
2. Best flooring types
3. Lifts
4. Shelving/storage systems
5. Tools
6. Work benches/stations
7. Layout
8. Electrical facilities
9. Electronics
10. Temperature/environmental/HVAC/Filtration systems
11. Water facilities/systems (eg indoor car wash/detailing?)
12. etc.

I’m in the process of building a new house and the main purpose for this house is to have a show garage. I’ll try to answer your questions but realize I’m not building the garage for utility and a workshop but more as a showcase.

In light of that the house will have 2 garages. This first will be a regular 2 car garage for my wife and I for daily use. The second will be a show garage with a loft above that will serve as my office. I can comfortably put 6 cars in. Can probably squeeze in 8. We are not doing any lifts or work benches or tools as I want the space clean. There is a storage room where I can store all sorts of crap.

The 2 car garage will have a regular garage door but for the show garage we will be doing one of those glass sliders that you have in living rooms. We are going to motorize it so I can open it with a remote.

The entire space is going to be climate controlled so the cars will be in ac as my office is above. Now I have a glass wall between the garage and living area so when I’m sitting on my couch I can stare at my cars. And yes this is all wide approved. Because it’s somewhat connected, the flooring will be the same as the rest of the house- tile. So it’s a seamless floor from living area to garage to the back patio. No lifts as 8-10 cars total is more than enough but more I don’t want a cluttered look. Just outside the space I have a dedicated wash bay. Tried to make it part of garage but we didn’t have enough room as it’s on a hillside and we were encroaching our build envelope. Hope this helps and I can clarify anything if you need. Good luck designing the space.

 

[Michaelj]

So you guys are saying it’s essentially a trophy room!

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[Michaelj]

Im wondering if you guys think it’s not a good idea to have lifts/work bench and a “trophy room” type garage with a loft etc? Are they antithetical. In my fuzzy imagination I think of McLaren clean room like factory workspace in that trophy room with lounge etc.

I was thinking of 6 slots , first row of 3 would be our daily cars (Mclaren, SCG, truck) and then behind it, 2 2-post lifts (one for DYI maintenance (oil/filter) and a 2nd for my project car (thinking about buying an SCG 008 and having a fun time to build it, but might be there for year or 2 depending on my time). And then one 4 post lift that could hold maybe a formula 3 track car and maybe some off road car that are less frequently used.

Your garage- design it as you see fit. Some folks love to work on their cars so lifts, tools, benches make sense. For me- I want clean, museum like. No lifts, tools anything. Personal preference.

 

[Michaelj]

Curious on the size of your office/lounge area there, and connections to your home.

One thing I absolutely require is that out garage, at least the practical one with fail drive cars connects to our pantry/kitchen. so when you bring groceries etc home, it’s right there to put things away. However, this prevents me from having a trophy room glass connection so you can see the cars say through a living room because I don’t want to walk through the living room to get to the kitchen.

Im not sure there is an easy solution to have all the above, other Than yours, which is to have 2 garages. One that practically attached to the kitchen pantry and another somehow tied to a living room? Even that’s tough for me to imagine a layout where all that works. But I see the appeal to peak at the cars as they are art pieces. But may need to content myself with a office/lounge area in the garage itself.

my office area is roughly 40 feet wide by 23 deep. My daily garage is not directly connected to kitchen- but a short walk. Went though a million renditions to try to get this right as I agree- direct connection to pantry is ideal but I could t make it happen.

 

[Michaelj]

Wow that is stunning, thanks I see the court yard U design helps there with layout.

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[Michaelj]

Well I’m also building a barn, so I guess I could move work area in there and do more of a trophy style space…something to mull over.

I would do that for sure. Garage connected to house is museum. Barn is where you take the cars to do the work, wash etc.

 

[Michaelj]

Gorgeous hills and view. Congrats man that’s stunning. If you’re comfortable saying so, roughly where are you. It’s not LA I don’t think.

‘One of the designs we are considering would also cut into the hillside but leave some exposed limestone as a wall/gap with glass to feel like the rock is part of the house. But then i started to worry about water coming through. Nice to see others in the process.

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[Michaelj]

Gorgeous hills and view. Congrats man that’s stunning. If you’re comfortable saying so, roughly where are you. It’s not LA I don’t think.

‘One of the designs we are considering would also cut into the hillside but leave some exposed limestone as a wall/gap with glass to feel like the rock is part of the house. But then i started to worry about water coming through. Nice to see others in the process.

I tried to do that - make the back wall of the garage the hillside but the stone wasn’t hard enough. It would have crumbled onto the cars. My builder also talked me out of it. He said unless it’s complete granite- too risky.

 

[Michaelj]

This thread makes a great case for raising the higher threshold tax rates.

Wtf???

why? So that people spending money that will benefit local contractors, trades people, electricians will instead not do those projects and just give it to the government?!

Feel free to send In a bigger check when taxes are due. Nothing is stopping you.