Thoughts on multiple out buildings versus one large shop building

[Projectjunkie]

I would prefer multiple buildings,

fire, I don't want to lose everything in one shot

Also, when I'm able, I intend to build a flammable shed, and also build a little shed with auto batteries and a charger in it

maybe even charge my cordless shit in there after reading that it's a fairly common house fire cause

economics, I can park lots of stuff on gravel under a piece of tin supported by posts, and use that money to have a nicer smaller shop, maybe even with insulating and heating and cooling

 

[[memphis]]

Harbor Freight tent:

Yup, got the 20'x10' one. The snow is what concerns me the most. I get just enough to be "fun". This version only came with three vert supports(one every 10')

You can add extra "Tee Clamps" to the spacing between the original posts. I see a lot of US sellers? Not something common here in Canada for some reason and I don't know why? Might ebay some?

 

[binksman]

I've got some experience with all you options. At my house, it came with more outbuildings that there are members of my family (You have too many sheds when the family dog and tortoise could claim one). None are big enough for what I want to do with that space or with how it suits what I do.

At my Paps, it was a barn for storage and animals, and one big garage. Worked well until he decided to use the barn for tractor implements instead of animals.

I'd suggest making a plan for what you think you are actually going to need AND how are you going to use it. Will cars in storage be moving in and out of the work space? Are parts or materials so heavy that you will be using a skid loader to move stuff? Or needing to back trailers into to any of the outbuildings to bring stuff home? Take how you will be using it into consideration and it might make you change your layout to accomodate a large and small outbuilding, etc.

Just don't do what the PO of my house did. Yes, you can build small yourself or in stages easier, but you probably will reach a point where the small size doesn't suit your needs and/or is in your way of making something that works better.

 

[aczlan]

;n257419]I rock a tarpmahal (tent garage). For a temporary or long temporary solution it hasn't been that bad... yes it does sweat inside... it's hot as balls in the summer.
I still have the original tarp on it but once it goes... 20ft of barn roofing mounted horizontal will be my solution (more or less the same price as a replacement tarp). I see snow loads and brush it off during and after snow fall to eliminate it caving in. Another reason to side it with barn tin!

This would give you cheap unheated storage for shit that isn't super important...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EeEM5TUu75o

Beware that barn tin run sideways WILL hold snow rather than letting it slide off.
We lost a 18x22 "Carolina Carport" a few years back when we got a bunch of heavy snow and it flattened the "corners" at the peak and the wall/roof transition.
​
Aaron Z

 

[[memphis]]

Beware that barn tin run sideways WILL hold snow rather than letting it slide off.
We lost a 18x22 "Carolina Carport" a few years back when we got a bunch of heavy snow and it flattened the "corners" at the peak and the wall/roof transition.
​
Aaron Z

Yes that is a risk but I already brush it off as is and would continue to.

 

[clodhopper]

Field mice are a big problem here too with anything that doesn't get used weekly. They strip wiring from EVERYTHING. I've got a gmt400 in my dads barn thats been parked for a few years, that has a nest in the air cleaner and not a damn plug wire on it.

Here, I do a box of rat poison with a little dab of peanut butter... close to the tractor and lawnmower under the shed behind the shop, but tucked away so only mice can get to it. Change it out every month or two.

Barn cats. Free kittens from craigslist, only know to live in the barn/outbuilding. Give them a doggy door style access somewhere and place to stay warm in the winter. I have two cats in my barn and rarely see a mouse. They do get a little lazy in the winter when it is really cold/snowy, but more than half the year they rarely eat the cat food I supply as they are out hunting mice, rabbits, birds whatever they can. They range the whole property so they keep up on rodent population everywhere.

Once in a while they will go through my shop and knock something off the work tables onto the ground. But in exchange they give me someone to talk to so I don't feel quite as much a lunatic rambling and raging to myself.