Planning to build a garage 24’x30′. Debating whether to use 2x4s 16″ O.C. or 2x6s 24″ O.C. for wall framing. What are the advs and disadv’s of each . Thanks for any suggestions.
Mike
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In my opinion, MD005, a major reason to increase wall thickness is to increase the R-rating in that particular wall. Unless you're intending to heat your garage, my preference would be to stick with the 2x4's @ 16"o.c. with double top-plates(typ.). You'll be sure to retain a reasonably flat wall surface for both drywall and siding.
For a garage, therre is no good reason to go with the thicker wall, IMO
My garage is 2x6 framed because it is heated in the winter. Getting into a -20F car is not fun even if no snow fell on it overnight. And a heated garage melts and evaporate the snow and ice from the hinges, locks, and wipers. But in San Diego? 2x4's.
I cannot say how many times I've gotten into my car at 50-55F in the middle of winter and totally forgetten that its below freezing once I've gotten to work. Being that I worked evenings it is not too bad getting out of my toasty car after a 30-mile ride to work, but leaving the building at Midnight with the car parked in freezing temperatures made me appreciate my garage all the more.
Now that I have a full size pickup truck that I cannot get into my smaller-than-standard garage ... me thinks of getting a remote-starter installed for $300 and forgeting about the garage altogether. Of corse, this does nothing on those rainy day!
Cheers!
Edited 4/14/2002 12:58:17 AM ET by kartman0
Those remote starter are very popular up here. There was an auto accident last winter in Anchorage in which no people were involved. One unoccupied car hit another unoccupied car. Someone had installed a remote start in a manual-transmission car (a no-no) and not left it in neutral.
David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
Well, that is pretty stupid. No car should be in drive for no matter the situation. Manual or automatic, if you cannot trust the parking brake then you cannot trust the car whatsoever. And, for those using this asinine method for parking 'because' your parking brake doesn't work ...
K, ah I should park my standard trucks in neutral? Ok.
Andy, heat loss is thru windows and doors, 2x whatever is not a big deal in a garage. Ya, 6's are "better", but unless you are in an extreme environment 4's are fine.
That is why a Parking brake exists! You would no more need to leave a vehicle with an automatic transmission in 'drive' than one with a 'clutch'. A well-maintained vehicle with a manual transmission will do fine with the shifter in neutral and the parking brake ON. Or do you believe that your parking brake was meant for something other than parking?
If any of you have seen a pict of the hill I live on and my driveway... A worker was parked on the flat, with the parking break off and the car in something other than park. Throwing bags of concrete in the back. Turns around for another bag and the car starts rolling. Turns off the driveway and flips 3 times on the way down the gully, fortunately missing my wife and daughter on the driveway. It was his brother's truck, too, and was _just_ paid off. Doh.
Congratulations, you just failed your driving test (at least you would have here). Manual transmissions are to put into the lowest gear (or reverse) when parked AND the parking brake set. Commercial vehicles are supposed to be blocked, but I haven't seen this enforced anywhere..
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Well, I guess its a dang good thing I 'follow' the driving regulations of the state that I am in! Because, had I done so following your state's rules I would have failed (actually, probably not) my state's requirements.
Why exactly should we not use the engine also? I have never heard of engines spontaneously starting. What's the danger?
Jon Blakemore
I've never heard of engines 'spontaneously' starting either, but placing a manual-transmissioned vehicle in-gear while not running does not keep said vehicle from rolling away depending on the situation at hand. Just because an engine isn't 'running' does not mean the crank cannot be forced to rotate! If this were the case then so many people would not be able to 'push & pop the cluth' for the poor-man starting method on manual transmissioned vehicles.
yeah, but the ignition still has to be on for that to work. Leaving a manual transmission in low gear while parked has always been standard practice...extra precaution against rolling.
Now, about those 2 x 4's...
My point was not about a vehicle's ability to start, but rather it is rather easy for the engine to physically turn over in the crankcase. Sorry for not being explicit.
Yes K, and as the engine ages the lower compression makes the vehicle more likely to resist rolling on grade. However, parking brakes fail too. Ever look under your vehicle and see the damn thing holding on by one strand of wire?
I'll keep mine in the lowest gear, thank you.
Sorry Dude, I am the product of the State of Rhode Island (and Providence Plantations, hehe), and annual safety inspections of vehicles were the required norm. Of course, this was also the case for emissions, too, but the funny thing is that the state did not require (when I was last there) a title on a vehicle for registration/sale if the age of the vehicle was +10 years. I guess they felt safety and emissions came first and legality second.
Edited 4/20/2002 5:53:41 PM ET by kartman0
i framed my two car garage with 2x4 on three sides to gain a little more space. the door side is 2x6, this allowed me to use a 5x steel I beam header which is smaller and less expensive than a wooden beam.
also, none of the manual trans. cars i' ve owned had parking brakes that i would trust on there own. i was also told to leave it in first at driving school.
Reason I was taught to not use it as a parking brake is that it will freeze up in the winter.
Excellence is its own reward!
well geez my motorcycle has a reverse on it..who'd a thought
What state are you in ?.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
look at the price difference between 4 and 6 ".....small.....6" is the way to go......Keep it heated even with a tiny vent (and no ducts or baseboard) from the main house and 6" walls will hold it wonderfully!
I've built 2 garages, one with 2x6, the last one is 2x4. The problem with the 2x4 was at the 16" wall section between the two doors. The poor little PT bottom plate split because it had to take holes for 2 anchor bolts and nailing for 6 studs (4 trimmers for the door headers and 2 kings) as well as nails into the sides for the plywood. While framing, I had to replace it once with a clean, knotless piece. For $100 more, I'd go with 2x6's next time.
You don't really, honestly believe that an extra 16" by 1-3/4" added to that plate will stop it from splitting out with all those holes do you?
What's all this talk of parking brakes? I'v enever had one on my vehicles. I've had some with emergency brakes though.
Excellence is its own reward!