OK, I know this might not be the best place to post my question but I couldn't find anywhere more suitable.

My problem is I need more space to work on my car. I current have a "garden shed on a slab which is 6 x 3 metres and about 2 metres high (sorry for metric sizes guys).

My plan is to remove the existing shed and build a new shed/workshop, utilising the existing slab but making the new shed 4.5m wide x 6m long.

My question is what methods do members suggest for construction of the shed? The size is not a standard size so it will have to be custom build. I'm leaning towards using steel sides and roof but am unsure which is the best/cheapest/most practical method for the frame (steel or wood and which method using steel or wood.

Thanks in advance, MJ

PS. Anyone have suggestions on a recommended height?

That's about 15'x20' for us non metric folks. The cheapest in my area is a pole barn with metal siding and roof. Basically, pressure treated 4x4/4x6 every 8' On Center, buy pre-made roof trusses 36" or whatever they spec out on center, and so on. Height depends on what you want. If you have any plans for a lift, you will need higher ceilings. Garage doors start at 7' high. You will need some room at the top for the door rails. I would say 8' ceiling height at a minimum.

-Dan

I second the pole building. Can you bump the width out an extra foot and make it 16x20 ? That would be better for dimensional lumber etc. I would use 6x6 treated posts though. Do a 10' ceiling with 2x4 trusses 2' on center. 8' wide by 8' tall overhead door or 2-4x8 doors on tracks that slide left and right. Run a 2x12 band on the exterior of the two 20 foot walls at 10 foot high and cut your posts off flush, (its much easier to let your posts stick up high and cut them off after your ceiling height is established)your trusses will sit on these two walls. Also let your overhead door frame posts and the opposite end wall posts stick up a little high and cut them off flush with the trusses at the roof line. Run 2x4 stringers on the walls and roof 2' on center and install your metal siding and metal roofing over this. You will have a very sturdy building!!

Go with at least 9 or 10' ceilings. I have 8' ceilings in my shop and I wish they were at least 9'. If I ever build another one, it will be all metal with 15' ceilings.

I second the high ceiling. Eight foot makes it hard to work with full sheets of plywood or drywall for other projects.

Jeff

wood frame pole building for sure and 10' ceilings if there's no lift and 12' if there may be plans for a lift.

Thanks for all the replies. Anyone have some pics of their sheds?

MJ

Thanks for all the replies. Anyone have some pics of their sheds?

MJ

Heres my 10x14 i built this summer. all wood construction, shingle roof. Total cost was about $1700.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/shoddy_f-body/shed.jpg?t=1225676421
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/shoddy_f-body/shed2.jpg?t=1225676521

My suggestion is to build it as BIG as you possibly can. Once you're into the actual construction process, adding a few feet (or meters) to all the dimensions does not really add that much to the costs.

Kick out the side and back walls. Use Sonotubes (http://www.sonotube.com/products/index.html) (or equivalent) in place of full foundation, this will save a ton of money. Then fill new concrete floor in to the existing slab.

Leave enough room for at least 4 cars, tools and a lift. Anyway, that's my opinion, and I speak from experience. About 10 years ago, I added a 14' x 40' garage onto my house, with 8 foot ceilings. At the time, I thought it was just perfect. After about 2 years, I was just kicking myself in the azz for not doubling the size and making it high enough for a lift, lol. You can see how full it is in the pic below.

When it comes to a garage, size definitely matters! ;)

http://csgbenefits.org/workshop1.jpg

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He did say SHED.:)

He did say SHED.:)

LOL, yes, but then he said "shed/workshop" and he also said, "My problem is I need more space to work on my car".

So that means he needs the biggest possible "shed/workshop" he can afford/build. :D

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Chevy-SS, your workshop looks exactly like mine except I don't have the space at the front like yours. Imagine a wall about a foot from the back of that car and you'll feel my pain. I remember when I put those shelves on the sides, I thought "now I'll never want for more storage". Yeah right.

As far as the size goes. I'm limited to 4.5 x 6 metres due to the fence and the current slab where the existing shed sits. It's our first house am I'm constantly wary of over capitalizing on it. The plan is to move to a bigger,better house in the next five years so this will just be a means to an end. I.E. Somewhere I can work on parts, engines, assembling ect and eventually house the car when complete.

MJ

Heres my 10x14 i built this summer. all wood construction, shingle roof. Total cost was about $1700.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/shoddy_f-body/shed.jpg?t=1225676421
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/shoddy_f-body/shed2.jpg?t=1225676521

WOW! It that where you store your car or is that a spare glovebox? Do you have any photos of the inside or is it too full of gloves?

Just kidding. It's a great job, if I made my shed/workshop that nice, my house would look crap.

:beers:

No its to small for a car. i have a two car garage.i built the shed to store all the other toys that where in my garage so i can actually use it!