Replies

1. 
   Huckleberry | Jan 31, 2005 02:30am | #1

   Standard 2x4 @ 16" o.c. should do it, can't see any need for "treated" studs, just bottom plate. You should give some thought to venting the space behind the shop, and possibly, moisture-barrier on the wall facing the now reduced crawl-space. I think you will be frustrated with a 7' (or less - is this after the 4" slab?) high shop, any way to excavate down for a little more head-space (and clearance for an 8' piece of lumber)? If so, its probably worth discussing with a structural engineer.

   Yes, a footing under the perimeter of your slab is a good idea, for this reason: if your wall contacts joists above, it will likely transfer some of the load down through it, to the slab. Not knowing the specifics, I can't comment further than that. Also give some thought to sound (noise) issues. I'm building a tiny shop, and found this on the internet - http://www.quietsolution.com/construction___building.html?google , but I don't know anything about it other than what you read there. A 5'x5' entry - is that going to suffice?

   Best wishes!

   (P.S. Please post queries only once, don't post the same question in mutliple headings, as it makes for confusion - http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=53422.1)

   
   

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   Edited 1/30/2005 7:03 pm ET by Huck

1. 
   Ellbaker | Jan 31, 2005 03:19am | #2

   Huck,

   Thanks for the reply.  I could dig down some but I am up against the footing on the front and piers on the new wall.  Hopefully this is a temporary solution as I want to build a detached garage in a couple of years.  I am also going to use the space as conditioned storage.  This will alleviate the crowded garage.  Maybe I will be able to park two cars in my garage one of these days.  5x5 is existing opening.  Not much I can do there as it a brick house and the bottom is the footing.

1. 
   Huckleberry | Jan 31, 2005 03:32am | #3

   I can relate! We have a small house (1300 sq. ft.) on a small lot (1/4 acre), and my wife's business (she sells books and antiques) necessitates a lot of storage. And I've got tools and materials to try to keep organized (I hate it when I know I have something, but I can't find it or get to it, so I have to go buy another!) And I don't want to have to pay for storage or office space, because like everyone I'm trying to cut my overhead so I can stay in business. So I am always looking around for any nook or cranny to use for storage or something!I am really trying to get organized! I built a 9' x 14' (I chose that size because it was the maximum I could build without a permit) outbuilding, to store her stuff in. Now I want to convert it into a small (make that TINY!) shop. And I am putting a small (again, make that tiny) office in the garage, next to the washer and dryer.7' is tough to work in, esp. if your overhead lights are surface-mounted. I mentioned the footing because with a crawlspace that big, I'm picturing a two-story house on a hillside. Even though my outbuilding is small, I put a standard 12" x 12" footing with re-bar, because it wasn't that much extra work, once I got started.

1. 
   Ellbaker | Jan 31, 2005 04:00am | #4

   You are right.  Two story on a slope.  I built the house 3 years ago with my brother's help.  I initially wanted to put in a basement but the budget was broken the day we broke ground!  I didn't take into account the extra expense of building on the slope.  My block and brick estimates were off plus all of the dirt  I put in the front yard to keep from having 1000 steps to the front door.  In retrospect I should of added another block or two to the foundation if I ever thought out using the space.  I was so focused on reducing cost that I totally forgot the basement idea.

   You learn alot building your first house!