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Last update: 8/16/2008

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Tuesday, Oct 7, 2008

Garage Rebuild

Our old garage just wasn't cutting it anymore. Although the house was built well, the garage appeared to have been built with the leftover scraps of wood. The roof was sagging under the weight of too many tiles, the concrete was cracked and the door was about to fall off.

Added to our problem was the growing collection of classic cars. They were spilling out onto the driveway and we really didn't like the look of it. More storage was needed. Unfortunately the city would not let us add floorspace in any direction, nor did we have the space to add a third garage bay anyway. A plan was formed which would solve the problem.

The plan was to add three feet of height to allow the instalation of a hydraulic lift so we could park a third car up high. The small size of the garage meant that the lift would have to take up very little floorspace and this was a problem. Fortunately we discovered single post lifts and our prayers were answered!

To support the lift, a new concrete floor would need to be poured. Proper lighting would also be installed and electrical was to be run where it would actually be useful. The old door would be replaced with a taller one, and for the first time the garage would be fully insulated and climate controlled. All the extra height on the wall opposite the lift would be used as a loft for storage.

With the plans drawn, all that was left was to start breaking stuff!

(Click any image to enlarge)

Prelude - Before Photos


Just before the demolition. You can see how the garage roof is the lowest point of the house. Note the door also doesn't close properly.	A few years earlier, barely room for one small car let alone four! There isn't even a work bench.	More recently while trying to remodel the place. Still no work bench. I use a work cart and the floor.

This is the kind of tidy garage I've kept in the past. You can imagine how the current one was sucking my will to live.

Part One - The Floor


Let the demolition begin! First to go was the old floor. Notice the lack of rebar or any other support.	Floor gone and rebar placed in preperation for the new 6" thick, 3000PSI compression concrete floor.	Here comes the concrete truck! I always loved these things when I was a kid.

Pouring the new floor. This actually looked kinda fun.	New floor poured and smoothed. Extra care should now be taken to keep the cat out of the garage!

Part Two - Demolition


Let the carnage begin!	New skylights in the garage and all it takes is a big crowbar!	A few hours after the "skylights" were installed, a huge rainstorm moved in.

A week later the demolition starts again as the roof comes down.	This was a bit of a shock at first, but a welcome sight. That big beam was there because, by design, the old roof couldn't support its own weight.	The Home Depot truck arrives with our lumber. As an added bonus, the forklift operator takes out a big chunk of our Jacaranda tree. I had to sever a limb.

The roof and its supporting structure is completely gone. At this point it was decided to tear the old walls down completely.	With the walls down, all that was left was to knock out the remaining brick along the front.

Part Three - Framing


The new walls go up and already show how much height will be gained.	The new 14-inch ridge installed and the header for the new window in place.	Only a couple days later the roof structure has been completed. Love those 10-inch rafters!

The outer wall taking shape.	Walls nearing completion as electrical work begins.	Starting to look like a garage!

Walls and trim nearly done.	Window is in. Ready for roof and siding!	First car in the new garage, with special "sap drip" protector above and "oil drip" protector below!

Right about here is where we bought another car, which pretty much puts us back where we started with our parking situation. The plan must be revised!

To cover the worst-case scenerio, we modified the lighting and added another 220V outlet to handle a second lift. I feel we may in fact be crazy.

Part Four - Interior Finishing


Insulation in, electrical done and ready for drywall. No, those doors aren't for the garage.	Drywall finally up. Note attic storage access.	Another car moves in. Sap Drip Protector no longer needed. Oil Drip Protector is still a must!

More drywall and a nice view, thanks to the woman of the house.	Interior painted, lighting installed. (Photo taken much later in project)	1300 Watts of lighting should do the trick! (Photo taken much later in project)

Part Five - Exterior Trim, Paint and Roofing


Paper up and ready for siding. Finally the neighbors can see some progress!	Siding and trim installed, ready for paint. Getting to this point felt really good after such a long project.	Closeup of attention to detail by the workers.

After the wrong finish of wood siding being installed, the painting is finally almost completed.	Roofing installed, exterior lighting done, door opening finished. The outside is done!	Bonus shot of three happy cars in a nearly finished garage. Good thing we don't collect Cadillacs!

Part Six - Garage Door and Floor Finishing


Garage door being installed. Feels good to have a door again after 8 months.	Alarm installed, garage door completed (except for handles). Let there be light!	Door from inside. Notice how the tracks follow the roofline to make room for the lifts!
	This photo doesn't exist because the idiots didn't prep the floor. A one-month argument ensued. Finally after the third try they got it done, although not entirely to my satisfaction.
Bonus super action shot of the door opening! Notice the opener mounted tight and out of the way.	Floor being prepped for coating.	Floor coating finally done. Gotta love that shine! Cars waiting patiently outside while the paint dries.

Part Seven - The Fun Stuff!


The first load of "stuff" into the garage.	The MGA gets the honor of making the first tire tracks on the new floor!	You can almost see the TC's underbody in the reflection!

Part Eight - Cabinets and Decoration


Workbench and first set of cabinets in. Things are getting neater!	Wall cabinets up and the beginnings of decorating the place.	Another angle of the workspace.

Tearing things back apart to add some decorative paint on the walls.	Maintenance must continue! Checking rear brakes on the MGA.	First coat of grey going onto the lower wall.

More masking, more painting. Two more colors to go!	Completed decorative wall paint and diamond plate accessories.	Black and white-ish photos by their respective cars.
		Still to come... Diamond Plate Moulding Wall Decoration
MG TC blueprints, artwork and a magazine the car was in.	MG TC artwork and magazine.

Part Nine - Car Lifts


Unloading 7,500 pounds of steel which will become two car lifts.	Base plate bolted in.	Raising the 900-pound column. Lifting the rest of the way would be by hand!

Column bolted in, cross arm attached and hydraulic pump mounted.	Attaching the arms.	Installing the tracks.

First lift done! Now to give it a try...	The '65 MGB will get the honor of the first ride.	We have lift off!

A thing of beauty. The MGB sits over seven feet in the air!	A view showing how "up and out of the way" this car is when on the lift.	The '58 MGA under the B, and the second lift waiting patiently to be erected.
	Still to come... Second Lift Custom drip pans Diamond Plate edging Jack Trays
Second lift installed. I will get a better photo soon.