Adding on to current 2 car garage and need input!

[David Sallee]

Hi all, been a while since my last post! I have relocated to near KC Missouri and have a great place but need to add on to my garage for a workshop. Pics of plans below.... Question is, to go concrete floor or base with wood flooring? Original garage is 26x26 2 car and want to add a 12x26 lean too of sorts. The 12x26 will have my wood working area along with storage for wood, lawn mower, chainsaw etc... any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Jim Becker]

A wood floor is always going to be a lot more comfortable to work on than concrete, but what you might consider is to pour the concrete for the whole area (level since it's not a garage area) and then put down sleepers with insulation and a wood floor over it for the area where your woodworking will take place.

One thing comes to mind...will you have enough height to do a lean-too design that provides adequate space to work comfortably. You'll want a minimum of 8' if at all possible.

[mark mcfarlane]

David, are wood-only foundations common in your area? Are there termites native in the soil? Pier-and-beam foundation aren't good for all regions. Also, a pier-and-beam foundation is typically above-grade, versus a concert slab at/below grade, so you might lose too much headroom with P&B if you want to tie into the edge of your current roofline.

[David Sallee]

Thanks Jim, I think it should be OK height wise. The garage is 10ft at edges so the roof on the add on would have a 2ft drop for the 12 ft span. That will give me 8 ft height at outer wall of addon. That is if I just do the slab as Mark pointed out, P&B I think I would loose too much headroom on outer wall.

[Jim Becker]

You'd only lose about 2.25" with 1.5" thick sleepers/insulation and a 3/4" plywood (not OSB!) floor.

[mark mcfarlane]

You'd only lose about 2.25" with 1.5" thick sleepers/insulation and a 3/4" plywood (not OSB!) floor.

Jim, Your suggesting this as a finish on top of a concrete slab, correct?

[Jim Becker]

Jim, Your suggesting this as a finish on top of a concrete slab, correct?

Yup...a concrete slab is efficient for the build and the sleepers with wood surface make for a comfortable shop floor to work on. The rigid foam insulation between the sleepers also help with that comfort.

[David Sallee]

Cool idea Jim!! Will definitely keep that in mind! Cost wise, how much would you think that would add to the build and can it be done at a later date?