Good site for info on Building a garage

[Seaside L&PS]

I am looking for a site on info about building a garage. I am planing on a 24x36 but not sure about putting it on slab and trusses and thinks like that. I have some designs and have some lumber yards who sell packages but would like to have info before starting. I want to do it all myself from the foundation to the whole structure.
Thanks in advance
Dylan

[cat320]

Dylan, Depending on what typ you want there are alot of steel framed with wood garges out there that you could do yourself as a kit. I know what my farther did when he built one we saw one we liked and just went down to the building dept and asked for the plans. We said we wanted to build the sme thing and it worked out great because they had a set that we could borrow, now that was when time were simpler so today that may not fly. If you google it you will find alot of all wood garges remember always build it bigger than you think .

As far as building on slab don't know about maine building codes but I would think you have to be down below the frost line and have some kind of foundation unless your putting up a pole building like Alan did.

I just saw a nice one in North Reading ,MA it was almost like a 3 car it was so wide I think 30x30 with two 10x8 doors a 3' back door and also a second story for like an office or man town room with a full bath. it was nice had plenty of hieght for a plow truck and width .If i was to build another it would be at leat 28-30' wide if that will be your door side. I have a 24 and it's just not wide enough once you start to put stuff in there tools and what have you . If you got the land make it bigger you will not be sorry

[atgreene]

Red Mill in Casco on Rt. 302 has packages with rough sawn lumber, all the doors etc... that are a decent deal.

As far as slabs, be sure to go deep-end edges, 12" + and lots of rebar if you plan to drive trucks in. Also, relief cuts, they will prevent cracks from running too far. Portland requires 2" of insulation under the floor if you go with a slab. I highly recommend a frost wall to all my customers, but with mine, I was looking at $$$ and being able to do it piecemeal so I would not have to finance.

Good luck.

[cat320]

Alan you guys are lucky I asked the building dept here they said no slabs foundation only .I guess unless you do a pole building.

[T-Zab]

IMO ( We do this stuff every day ) for a detached Garage, properlly installed slab on grade is fine. If your on questionable ground, such as 3' of loam or low ground then you need a footing. You will save alot of money with a slab. Pole Barns slabs all float. Alaska Homes and garages float too. Just make sure you do it right, I think most failures with slabs is from improper installation, and drainage from the start. You need to beef up all edges, tied rebar, and curbing for the walls to achieve pitch on the slab.
Trusses are fine too, as long as they are installed properly, and you install the right ones for your application. They can free span buildings were conventional framing would have posts in the middle of the building.
Good luck

[Chuck Smith]

If you didn't read this thread, there is a ton of good advice in it.

http://www.letstalksnow.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3765

~Chuck

[Seaside L&PS]

Thanks for all the info

From searching I have decided on a monolithic slab with a 12" footer and 4" slab with wire mesh and rebar in the footer I will do the insulation with vapor barrier and gravel underneath.

Alan I will check that out. I have a bunch of prices from Hammond Lumber for garage packages. Seems reasonable but I am pricing a bunch of things out.
I am planning on a 24x36 with a side 10' overhand that is open for the trucks. I want to do wood to keep it looking natural and matching the house. I figure with the slab I can always add on. I am trying not to blow my budget off the bat. It won't have an upstairs loft that is why I going with the slab and it won't be heated only a wood stove when I am in there working. I going to do 1 big 10'x9' door.
I will post pictures once I start.