5.5m x 5.4m garage. Too small?

[jason61c]

Equus said:

Yep, I'd go with option b, too.

When you say 'timber frame', do you mean panelised timber frame, or a traditional post-and-beam type structure?

Depending on precise design, there are alternative, cheap, foundations solutions that can accommodate any ground movement, anyway.

I'd be looking for a different Struct Eng.

I was going to say this, just for another opinion.

If you went proper oak frame type, couldn't you just have the supporting pads done to a spec, where the loading is?

[Composite Guru]

My garage is 5m x 5m and everyone that has seen it thinks it's a good size. Plenty of room imo.
Looks like this with a Lotus Elise parked in it.

Edited by Composite Guru on Friday 29th November 09:51

[Blib]

Thanks everyone for your input. Especially CG for your photo. From that, it appears that 5.5m x 5.4m will be big enough. If anyone else has photos of similarly sized garages I would really appreciate seeing them.

We do not intend to put anything modern in the garage. It will strictly be used to house our classics.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting for the second structural engineer to get back to the architect with his ideas. I'll update as and when.

Edited by Blib on Friday 29th November 14:00

[Hol]

Composite Guru said:

My garage is 5m x 5m and everyone that has seen it thinks it's a good size. Plenty of room imo.
Looks like this with a Lotus Elise parked in it.

Edited by Composite Guru on Friday 29th November 09:51

Mine is 5.3 x 5.2 (inside measurements) and I was considering getting some cabinets like those across the entire back wall, left-to-right, to replace the current mismatched mix of shelves, benches and rolling cabinets.

But, that would reduce the parking length to only 4.6m from the closed door, which is too short for some of the cars I plan to own (and garage) in the future. It would reduce further still if I fit a roller door as that would need to attach on the inside of the door opening (current doors are flush with the outside).

My concerns ar4e probably unique to me, but I would go for a longer garage and plan for the worst.

[Blib]

Thanks Hol. If I go down the 5.5m x 5.4m route the internal dimensions will be roughly similar to yours, if not smaller.

[Welshbeef]

Composite Guru said:

My garage is 5m x 5m and everyone that has seen it thinks it's a good size. Plenty of room imo.
Looks like this with a Lotus Elise parked in it.

Edited by Composite Guru on Friday 29th November 09:51

I only wish my engineers had plant rooms as tidy and in order as your garage.

QQ why the cover on the car inside? Bird poop and rain only outside or is it to stop accidental scratches?

[sospan]

Indoor cover stops dust plus any spillages. I have smooth polished cement floor and painted walls in my garage but still get dust settling. The inner surface of the cover is important though. Should be soft so no paintwork rubbing marks.

[jason61c]

Blib said:

Thanks everyone for your input. Especially CG for your photo. From that, it appears that 5.5m x 5.4m will be big enough. If anyone else has photos of similarly sized garages I would really appreciate seeing them.

We do not intend to put anything modern in the garage. It will strictly be used to house our classics.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting for the second structural engineer to get back to the architect with his ideas. I'll update as and when.

Edited by Blib on Friday 29th November 14:00

I'd say its not..... go as large as you can. you'll regret it, if not.

[V8RX7]

I'd mention that it's worth considering resale - many modern cars are circa 5.2m, making it too short may well deter future buyers

[Skyedriver]

Timber garage, 5.45 x 5.45 two pairs double doors.
Currently houses TVR & Caterham on a trailer

How much do you collect clutter? You need to be a little ruthless or have somewhere else to store.
I've got a bench and a cabinet and a seat in there along with some clutter, wouldn't want to do a complete restoration but simple stuff here's plenty of room.
Only thing I'd mention is that with 2.4m wide door apertures, there's precious little at the sides, I as going to install a 4 post lift but if you keep the upright off the wall so you can get past then basically you struggle to get a car on it and the opposite upright blocks the other doors!

[bltamil1]

Wow, piled foundations for a timber framed garage? I’m sure there are situations where that would be required, but not many!

If you have any ground information I would happily take a look for you and let you know if it is nonsense.

[jason61c]

I'd go for 6m length external, which should give about 5.6m internal.

As wide as you can.

[Blib]

Thanks all. Skydrive, I really appreciate those photos. That's very helpful.

[Blib]

bltamil1 said:

Wow, piled foundations for a timber framed garage? I’m sure there are situations where that would be required, but not many!

If you have any ground information I would happily take a look for you and let you know if it is nonsense.

Very kind of you. Hopefully, engineer number two will spec. a raft. If he doesn't, I may well take up your generous offer.

[Benrad]

Welshbeef said:

Composite Guru said:

My garage is 5m x 5m and everyone that has seen it thinks it's a good size. Plenty of room imo.
Looks like this with a Lotus Elise parked in it.

Edited by Composite Guru on Friday 29th November 09:51

I only wish my engineers had plant rooms as tidy and in order as your garage.

QQ why the cover on the car inside? Bird poop and rain only outside or is it to stop accidental scratches?

Why not, it looks flipping awesome!

[Composite Guru]

Benrad said:

Welshbeef said:

Composite Guru said:

My garage is 5m x 5m and everyone that has seen it thinks it's a good size. Plenty of room imo.
Looks like this with a Lotus Elise parked in it.

Edited by Composite Guru on Friday 29th November 09:51

I only wish my engineers had plant rooms as tidy and in order as your garage.

QQ why the cover on the car inside? Bird poop and rain only outside or is it to stop accidental scratches?

Why not, it looks flipping awesome!

Tidy garage, tidy mind. I can’t stand untidy workspaces.

Cheers, yes it does looks good.
It does protect the car somewhat when I’m doing stuff in the garage.

[Welshbeef]

Composite Guru said:

Tidy garage, tidy mind. I can’t stand untidy workspaces.

Cheers, yes it does looks good.
It does protect the car somewhat when I’m doing stuff in the garage.

What’s the pic on the back wall - looks like the nose of an F1 car but then it’s overexposure. I’m guessing Damon Hill Williams F1 ??

[Composite Guru]

Welshbeef said:

Composite Guru said:

Tidy garage, tidy mind. I can’t stand untidy workspaces.

Cheers, yes it does looks good.
It does protect the car somewhat when I’m doing stuff in the garage.

What’s the pic on the back wall - looks like the nose of an F1 car but then it’s overexposure. I’m guessing Damon Hill Williams F1 ??

It’s an old promo poster for Jaguar Racing when Eddie & Jonny raced down Broadway. I worked for Stewart, Jag Racing and now Red Bull.



I have this on the wall too.

Edited by Composite Guru on Friday 29th November 21:37

[triple5]

5m x 4.8m, single door, regularly used for two cars.

Vantage goes in forwards over to the left, MX5 reverses in hard to the right, gap in the middle. Whilst I’d love more space, it works just fine.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Shouldn't you be consulting another engineer rather than canvassing opinions on something you don't want?

If that sounds too expensive (compared to actually building something you don't want?) buy one of the hundreds of drag and drop design programs for your lap top for about £20. Something like Livehome 3D lets you scale their example cars to your desired dimensions (of what you actually own), you can put in boxes the size of your tool cabinets, even the dog's bed.

Piled foundations may even be necessary but you really need to know the how and why.