I suspect one reason some value their garage is the fact that it
reduces that amount of damage caused by UV.


On 10 Feb 2004 06:27:28 -0800, (David Hall)
wrote:

(Joshua) wrote in message . com...
I finally have the means to build a shop. All I need to do is decide
where to put it.

I currently have a somewhat cramped two-car garage that is 19-feet on
a side. It's already hard to get around w/ two cars and all the junk
I have in there, so I was already planning on building a shed to hold
all of the lawn equipment and sporting stuff.

Of course, instead of using the shed for simple storage, I could use
that for my workshop instead. Here are the pros and cons I can come
up with. Additional advice will be greatly appreciated!

Garage:

+ Can use up to 361 sq ft of space for projects.
+ Sub-panel in garage has room for 7 more circuits.
+ Easy access for bringing in tools & wood.
+ Easy access to house amenities (fridge, bathroom, etc.)
- Will only be able to fit one car once machines and
benches are lining the sides.
- Panel may not accomodate 240v circuits (need to check).
- Garage is part of house, so it will be noisy.
- No windows in the garage, so natural light only
available when door is open.
- All of my lawn equipment will be back in the woods,
away from the front lawn.

Standalone workshop:

+ Dedicated space. Lots of good things about that.
+ With a gable roof, I can store lots of things overhead.
+ I can put in a bunch of windows for natural light.
+ Easier to insulate than the garage.
- Max 200 sq. ft. (as per local codes).
- I would need to pay an electrician to run new service.
- Less accessible. It would be ~150 feet from the road.

If I did go the standalone route, I have a couple more questions:

* Slab or wood floor? Skids or post-and-beam for a
wood floor?
* Any issues w/ the environment in a weather-proof,
but HVAC-less shed? Will I have issues with rust, etc?

Many thanks in advance for any experiences or advice you can share!

- Josh


If it were me I would use the garage as my shop, but would permanently
ban all cars. They were designed to operate in the outside and do not
need to be housed. Being somewhat ignorant of Houston, I would think
that the lack of serious snow and cold just makes that even more
appropriate. I assume that we aren't housing the car for security
reasons? I would far rather walk out to "the woods" to get my lawn
mower once a week than walk to the woods every time I want to be in my
shop. I would also probably look into the time, effort and money
needed to add a window or two just to make the gar...uh shop more
hospitable for you. Now If I only had the available yard to build a
shed and get some of the crap out of my "shop".

Dave Hall