Building a shop from the ground up comes with a lot of planning and more considerations than you might think. To help get you started, we’re reviewing some items to think about as you begin creating your very own shop.
Let’s start by covering what exactly your shop is being built for. Is it for storage? A workspace? Hanging out? The purpose of this shop will influence the dimensions of the space. If you’re storing items, how big is the inventory? With this, what is the inventory – tools, equipment, vehicles? Let’s say you’re building a workshop. You need more space than you think. We advise that you make some extra room for storage. We recommended a workshop size of about 30 by 40 feet. The size and number of your stationary tools will largely determine how you should size a workshop specifically.
Along with ample floor space, we also suggest high ceilings. Most have a 10 to 12 foot ceiling in their workshops but the higher the better to accommodate long lumber or large equipment. Along with higher ceilings, you should also have tall doors to easily move supplies or equipment in and out without damage. A wide overhead door is especially helpful when it comes to moving tools and projects.
Next, consider your electrical needs. Does your workshop require extra electrical set up for the project you’re working on? Do you need a welding plug? A good start for electrical planning is knowing where you’ll be placing the larger electrically powered tools. Will they need dedicated circuits? Including numerous outlets can be challenging so make placement as strategic as possible. In addition to how many ordinary outlets you’ll need, think about the ideal height and voltage (some equipment requires 240 volts) based on the tools and tasks at hand.
Good lighting is a must for any shop. You’ll of course need to think about general lighting but it’s worth considering more specific options as well. From traditional fluorescent overhead lights, to LED shop lights and under-cabinet light fixtures, there are multiple avenues for illuminating your workspace. What are the particular areas of your shop that you want especially visible? Is it helpful to have lights that shine on a table or surface? Do you want a portable light that’s adjustable and easily transportable around the workshop?
Plumbing is another consideration for your workshop if you’ll need running water. If you live in a cold area, keep in mind that you’ll need to have properly insulated pipes to protect them from freezing temperatures. As with the other aspects of your workshop, you’ll want to check on local guidelines to confirm that you’re compliant with relevant codes. Ensuring compliance is critical to the planning process of your workshop, especially before any of the construction begins!
The planning phase is key to building the right shop for your needs. Consider the intended use and function in full to make the most of the space. Need some more advice or suggestions? We’re here to help! Just reach out to us at https://metalsolutionstx.com.
