While we're talking about shop buildings there are two things I need to check into. In my previous shop when I had it built I had the expansion joints filled and the floor coated. Filling the expansion joints was a good idea and next year when the temps get back up I plan on filling the ones in my current shop. As for the floor coating, I paid a decent buck to have a pro do the coating but I was disappointed. The mildest of chemicals affected the coating. I do a fair amount of painting and just cleaning greasy and oily metal. I also wipe down painted surfaces with alcohol so I can stick things to them. The alcohol did a number on the coating but lacquer thinner really made it peel up. The forklift also beat it up a bit. Anything out there that can take this kind of abuse? Preferably something I can apply myself.

 

I used this sealer. Seems to hold it's own against everything except battery acid and steel tracks on the excavator. Read instruction carefully. It does not cure with the wet look, that eventually goes away. I applied it with a 24" nappy roller.

 

Anything with benzene is very hazardous. Be very careful with this. Possibly using an air mask?

 

It's really nasty stuff. All the doors were wide open, and yes, a chemical cartridge respirator is very desirable, and no smoking!

 

On fresh new concrete, I've had very good luck with the Rustoleum coating I got at Home Depot. That was 15 yrs ago, now they have eliminated the need for an etch and prime coat. Back then the cost to do my 24' x 32' was right at $100. It has had every kind of fluid that's in a car on it and no damage.

 

I used a kit from Sherwin Williams 2 part epoxy. Holding up well, however I do not use this floor in the same manor as my previous shop.

 

Yes on the concrete control joints have your concrete guy cut the control joints(expansion joints)after concrete has setup using a diamond saw usually with in a day after the pour they are much smaller and you can roll your tool cart ect around much easer

 

My shop is 1200 sf, 30x40. I have no control joints at all, and after 3 years no cracks at all. None of my shops have had control joints cut. Proper prep of the soil, sizeable beams, lots of rebar, takes care of most issues.

 

I can't find the guy that did mine. I have some slope where I don't want slope. I have to live with it. I had to put some casters with brakes on them. Its ok but I would not call it perfect. At least the truck does not roll . Good luck on the garage Joe.

 

Well, I have picked a building company Steel Building Pros. There were so many options, you never know if you are getting the best deal. I'm sure this one will be great.
My concrete guy will be coming out Monday to finalize the contract. He has an electrician that should be able to hook up the electric. it's going to cost more than I really wanted, but I don't plan on moving from this place, hopefully ever.

Funny thing, I started a post asking about sealant and forgot to hit post. You guys answered the question without me even asking.

 

Harrier,
I wish you the best with your new building. I understand exactly what your going through. All the details and more have gone in and out of my head many times over the last several months also! I don't have a old Ford truck except for the 2015 that I keep putting money into.
Anyway the Shop! If I can help let me know. I am not on here a lot but use email (chris@mapleandhoney.com) every day so we could chat that way or you could call me. Your going a little different direction than me for the type of building but I had similar questions and concerns! Stakes were put in the ground this past March for a shop on our property in the country. Even being much more Rural I was concerned about it fitting in. (maybe that's just me??) I actually like the idea of a steel building but was worried it might not fit into the neighbor hood so decided to go with a pole type and more conventional look.
You have had so many good comments, suggestions, recommendations in this thread. Great pictures and features too. I actually listened to folks that made recommendations, and made adjustments where I could to try to improve my shop too. I have not regretted the decisions. More features tend to cost more money. I had the same advice and more from folks on a Orange tractor forum, that I am on daily. I started a similar thread there and got tons of good information, ideas!
Planning was mentioned above! YES cannot stress that enough!! I used a CAD system to design and change the design on paper many times. Your building shell plus install, and the concrete will be two of your biggest costs. Get them right and you will be much happier down the road.
Someone asked me how long I waited for my shop: I had to think for a minute and replied "about 30 years"!
So many time I have heard they cant be big enough! Also they cant be high enough! I had to make my mind up on both of these and at some point draw the line and build something! So I enlarged the size of mine twice during the design stage, prior to ordering materials. 8 foot wider and 4 feet longer. But my building only has 10 foot eaves. I guess if I get something that wont fit inside it will just have to set outside!
I think I know whats going through your head right now! A lot, and the details can overwhelm you. You have made some decisions and are well on your way to having a good working area!
BTW I like that Ford truck you have!
Regards,
Chris

 

Joe,
Hope things are moving along with the building project!
Regards,
Chris

 

Time for an update. The build has started. I got my building permit and they began work on Monday.
The guy doing the work asked how I managed to get the building permit in this neighborhood. I just smiled. Some of the neighbors might not appreciate a garage on that lot, but the building is for me and not them.

They started some hand digging because the Mediacomm internet cable and power are running where the sidewalk connecting the house to the garage will be. We actually had to move the shop about 5 feet away from the house to avoid the buried cables.
Well, the internet cable was not very deep (I told them that) and one of the workers managed to slice through it in his digging. He said he thought it was a root. Great, now no internet. Mediacomm will be out in7-10 days. The crew did a splice that worked for about 30 minutes.... Fortunately my work has hot spots available so now I can continue to work from home.



Here they are after two days of work. There was more fall than we expected.

 

Phone and internet wiring are usually barely under the sod. Sometimes I tear them out accidentally even when they are marked because they are so shallow.

 

Thanks for the update, Joe. Interesting similarity, they cut my internet cable when I had the construction road cleared for my new garage. If your cable was not spliced with a current grade splice connector, it will be flaky. Perhaps even with the correct piece, it will be flaky, depending on the condition of the rest of the line. Those splice connectors are readily.available .