New Garage setup

[taylormj4]

Folks,
Finally the build is underway on our new double garage. The builder has suggested an epoxy concrete floor as that will give an awesome finish and well sealed against oils etc. Anyone had any experience with that material ?

Also, what other things should I be thinking of putting in there.

It will have a sink and good sized power cable coming in. Distribution board with take-offs for lights, alarm system, sockets, additional 16A spur for compressor, lights etc.

Currently looking for a supplier of roller shutter door with automatic lift/close.

Lighting-wise, was going to have 2 or 3 double fluorescents on the roof and then maybe use rope lights on the floor for lighting under vehicles as they are flexible and robust and low voltage and you can just chuck them under or loop them round the chassis etc.

Would love a 4-post lift but think that may be some way off financially.

What else should I be thinking about getting in as part of the build please ?

Thanks.

[nawarne]

Sounds good!

Could I suggest that rather than the fluorescent lights, you opt for (say) 20W LEDs.

They've got them in our local sports centre and they really put out some light....All IMHO.

Nick

[TwinKam]

Fluorescent is so 1960s... have a look at LED (not directly, obviously )

Edit: beaten to it!
Re floor: Epoxy is what a lot of workshops use but I'd be looking at tiles too, both ceramic and the interlocking 'plastic' ones.

Edited by TwinKam on Thursday 30th November 10:23

[GAjon]

Heating for all year round use.
Ambient lighting.
Pit.
Beer fridge.
Beer fridge. ( I know that’s the same as above but it’s very important).

[psi310398]

A few thoughts:

Hifi/television.

Wifi laptop/old computer.

Twice as many wall sockets as you currently think you need.

Hot and cold water to the sink

A separate connector for a power washer (close to exit so you can use the pw on the forecourt) to save the faff of disconnecting/reconnecting.

Depending on what car(s) you are putting in there, a plumbed-in dehumidifier?

Floor drain to facilitate power washing the floor

Extractor fan?

Small sandblasting cabinet?

Ceiling mounted retractable air hose if you do a lot of compressor work?

On wall wheel racks if you change wheels seasonally

[phazed]

If you're spending that much money, another £1200 for a good quality new two post lift is hardly pushing the boat out and is a fantastic addition to any garage.

They also have other uses!

[psi310398]

phazed said:

If you're spending that much money, another £1200 for a good quality new two post lift is hardly pushing the boat out and is a fantastic addition to any garage.

They also have other uses!

Indeed, there are those rather handy little rubber cushions ideally sized to allow two pint glasses to be placed readily to hand...

[taylormj4]

Thanks. Sounds good. I've only a cold water feed planned with one of those hot water heater things. A hot water feed would entail digging up some of the house probably and it would probably need running a fair bit before I got any hot water anyhow. I don't particularly care for the water heater things - look a bit naff usually and very low water flow but I'm assuming you can get more powerful (useful) ones.

The structural engineer has specified a standard concrete floor with rebar. The builder has suggested epoxy - probably because it self levels and is easier for him to do. A rubber matting or similar would be welcomed though to save lying on a cold floor all the time !

Good suggestion on the LED. Will look into those.

[Byker28i]

have a look here:
https://www.wholesaleledlights.co.uk/led-ceiling-l...

I have some of theses: https://www.wholesaleledlights.co.uk/led-ceiling-l...

4 easily light a double garage but more would be excellent. They come with a bracket you screw on. Instant on, low power, bright and smart looking. Whats not to like.

[mk1fan]

An instanteaneous water heater is fine. Get an unvented under cabinet unit and you can take multiple feeds from it.

Has the SE allowed for future loadings of a four post?

A hot water feed for the pressure washer would help with 'steam cleaning'

If you have started works already you need to sort out what you want ASAP. You should have done this before getting prices as making changes during a build is a pain - for lots of reasons.

[billynobrakes]

mk1fan said:

An instanteaneous water heater is fine. Get an unvented under cabinet unit and you can take multiple feeds from it.

Has the SE allowed for future loadings of a four post?

A hot water feed for the pressure washer would help with 'steam cleaning'

If you have started works already you need to sort out what you want ASAP. You should have done this before getting prices as making changes during a build is a pain - for lots of reasons.

Main one being the cost of which builders like once they are on the job

[tvrmk363]

Epoxy floors are nice, hold up well, clean up well, look great but when they get wet they are very slippery.

[colin mee]

I worked on a garage where he had lights in the floor to work on his car.great idea I thought colin

[Jurgen Schmidt]

Not my garage, courtesy of Google

[taylormj4]

mk1fan said:

An instanteaneous water heater is fine. Get an unvented under cabinet unit and you can take multiple feeds from it.

Has the SE allowed for future loadings of a four post?

A hot water feed for the pressure washer would help with 'steam cleaning'

If you have started works already you need to sort out what you want ASAP. You should have done this before getting prices as making changes during a build is a pain - for lots of reasons.

Yes I asked the SE to allow for point loads like axle stand and jacks. The things I am thinking about are things that I will fit myself after the build is complete, like sinks etc.
I have asked the electrician to run in a 10mm2 armoured cable to a 6-way distribution board and run me a 32A ring for regular sockets and a higher current (50A?) ring for the compressor and future connection for a 4-post (18A ish on 1phase).
Water pipe is in to the location where the sink will be.

Noticed that there are unvented and vented types but wasnt sure what the pros cons were. What I don't want is one of those small units that piddles water out and would take about half an hour to fill a bucket.

Cant decide whether to use epoxy concrete or regular concrete and then seal and tile it.

Edited by taylormj4 on Friday 1st December 14:49

[taylormj4]

colin mee said:

I worked on a garage where he had lights in the floor to work on his car.great idea I thought colin

Thought of that and then thought I bet they'd be just where you wanted to put a jack or an axle stand !
Hence the rope light idea.

[taylormj4]

tvrmk363 said:

Epoxy floors are nice, hold up well, clean up well, look great but when they get wet they are very slippery.

Thanks, that's exactly the sort of experienced advice I am looking for.
Would you say tiles or some sort of rubber matting would be a better bet then ?

[TCTVR]

taylormj4 said:

Cant decide whether to use epoxy concrete or regular concrete and then seal and tile it.

Edited by taylormj4 on Friday 1st December 14:49

Maybe I am misreading this and apologies if i have grasped the wrong end of the stick?

The "two part epoxy" is a "finish" (paint) and possibly self levelling that is applied to a floor or in your case a "reinforced concrete floor". Normal practice is to level the concrete floor and have a slight slope on it towards the door to allow any water to drain out. This slab is then tamped finished (ridged) when poured if no further top is being applied. If it is going to be epoxy coated then it needs to be finished "flat" when poured.

It is not a case of "one or the other" - irrespective, you need your concrete floor and have options on its finish

Hope this helps

TC