Before you start building a shelter for your car, you should decide what material you will build it from. There are many options, and a brick garage is no exception. But in this article, I would like to focus on one simple and cheap option, which is quite reliable and looks quite aesthetically acceptable - we will talk about a metal garage. Such a structure has its pros and cons, and everyone can decide which of the garages to build for themselves.
The advantages of a do-it-yourself metal garage are the ease of transportation to the site, and if it is being built, then the ease of installation. The welded structure also allows you to move the garage to another place, and transportation is carried out by a manipulator and a truck. Therefore, the convenience of such a garage is definable for people who often change their place of residence.
In addition to mobility, a do-it-yourself metal garage is quite inexpensive. The car will be near the house in a protected area, and the metal is very durable. A metal garage does not need finishing and pouring a concrete floor. All parts of the garage are made of sheets of steel; you don’t have to cover the roof in special ways either. Creating a metal garage with your own hands is quite simple. To do this, stock up on materials and tools, and then start work, however, it is worth considering that according to the preliminary plan, construction work is carried out much better and faster.
The first thing to do before starting work is to draw a drawing, where you can get acquainted with all the necessary dimensions. Dimensions must be adjusted to the operating conditions of the future building. If it is built only for a car, the width should be the same as for a car with open doors. If you plan to equip the building with a rack for tools, store spare parts, you should definitely expand the dimensions.
Also inside the garage you can carry out repair work and maintenance of the car. Toolboxes, a workbench, shelves with a rack and everything you need should fit inside. What tools and materials do you need to prepare to get started?
Each work includes certain stages. The process of building a metal garage with your own hands consists of the following stages of work:
Each of the stages needs a specific action plan, and each stage will be considered separately.
First, the area is marked. The land plot must be modified in accordance with the requirements of the foundation. For the foundation on the skids - the fertile layer is removed. By filling the site with sand, you will raise and secure the coating under the foundation from heaving during frosts. Sand is able to drain water.
Marking is done with a peg, twine, tape measure and square. The formwork from the boards, or rather, its ground part, should be 30-40 centimeters above ground level.
The foundation is the basis of the whole structure. There are several types of such a foundation, including:
The tape version is very common, for its installation it is necessary to dig a trench around the perimeter of the future structure. The depth is determined by the parameter of soil freezing, but most often one meter is enough. The width must be greater than the thickness of future walls.
Any foundation must be reinforced. The frame for reinforcement is created from steel rods with a thickness of 10-12 centimeters in diameter. The rods are connected with wire, but it is not advisable to weld them - overstressing the foundation can destroy the structure.
For a concrete mix, we need sand, cement M-500 or M-400, crushed stone, not very large. Using the materials described, the foundation can be quite inexpensive. Ready-made concrete can also be bought, although it is a little more expensive than making it yourself, you will save a lot of time. Half of the required strength can be achieved in six or eight days. After this time, you can safely prepare and lay the frame.
A frame for installing a metal garage with your own hands does not always require serious expenses of money and effort. Today, ready-assembled frames are sold, and even delivery / installation can be free.
Garage frames can be made of wood or metal. Iron frames are fireproof, strong and durable. The metal can withstand even gusts of hurricane wind, which will reliably protect your car. For the frame you will need:
The design is assembled according to the drawing, the blanks are interconnected by self-tapping screws and bolts.
The walls are made up of frame cladding. Among the available types of sheathing, steel and corrugated board can be noted. The material for the walls should be chosen for a long time, so that you do not have to overpay for repairs.
Most experts suggest prefabricated garages made of sheet steel or corrugated board as the best option, all of these materials are attached to a previously prepared frame. Garage kits are inexpensive and very quick and easy to install. The disadvantages of materials are: poor thermal insulation, sometimes fire safety.
Warming becomes necessary with the onset of winter. How to do this if your garage is metal? The answer is simple - in the same way as all other types of buildings. Both glass wool and polystyrene can come to the rescue in this case. Any available insulation can be mounted on the walls from the inside. And you can cover them with anything that will please the eye and create a beautiful and unique design.
How to mount foam or glass wool? You can fasten them with wooden or transverse bars, which will be located between the racks.
From the inside, the coating can be plastered, painted. Painting the garage from the outside is a must. Before the procedure, rust is removed from the metal, covered with an anti-corrosion primer, dried and only then covered with paint. The paint must be special, for metal.
The installation of the gate can be any - the frame structure completely disposes of this. Dimensions depend on the size of your car. The minimum is 2.5 meters high and 2 meters wide. Ordinary swing gates can be made independently - a frame is prepared from metal corners, sashes are made. Such shutters are created from a metal profile, can be both internal and external. Steel sheets are three millimeters thick, and power hinges may be suitable for sashes.
Among the locks for garages, there are no specially provided options, and a lock that is installed on any other door can fit on the door. If your wishes include creating a lock yourself, you can build a deadbolt, or two deadbolts that can protect the garage from intrusion, and lock it with a padlock.
