Build an underground shop - why not?

[ACHINBAC]

Jinman,

Condensation issues !! This may not apply to your climate - I live in southeastern Ma. Our 2 car garage is underground on 2 sides, 1 side to the house / basement, and the last side to the doors. Because of the static temp. of the earth (even with 2" of exterior blue foam against the foundation) the garage can be 65 degrees in the middle of the summer with the doors closed.

Depending on the humidity outside, and the temperature differential, there are days when I am reluctant to open the doors for more than a few minutes given that everything in the garage gets wacked with condensation - it happens almost immediately!!! I can actually have water running off metal items - no good fix other than heating the garage to match the outside ambient temp. Nice & cool to work in though.

If you're in a dry climate it may not be an issue - look for someone in the area who has done it. It's really an annoying problem.

Dave

 

[DRL]

Cool idea. I was in Washington D.C. a while back and all of their subway stations are underground, built like a quonset hut style. Looked like cast blocks maybe 3'x6'. the two
6' edges where beveled slightly so as they go up they curve around to the top and down the other side. I think it would be fun to try something like that. Not sure how you would get them up but they would be very strong once they were in place.

DRL

 

[forgeblast]

I have an area where i was thinking of putting in an underground garage. The way the hill slopes it would be easy for us to do. I looked at the plans that this company offers. this may be a way to go. they do have garage plans, i am not sure if they are listed though.
Earth Sheltered Buildings

 

[jinman]

The Terra-dome system is not precast and is very affordable. You can make you concrete water proof with a 2 dollar per yard additive.

Thanks Sam! I have sent one inquiry to a place in Durango, CO and will give Terra-dome a chance to respond too. Looking at their unfinished structures, I see a lot of what I want. I figure the only problem might be my requirement for 12' ceilings, but I could probably live with a 12' peak dome sloping down with sides at 10'. I don't expect any problems with ground water, but condensation from warm air meeting cool walls inside the structure might be an issue. I've seen days here that moisture condensed on my concrete driveway. Humidity can be quite high here, so condensation will be the major water battle.

BTW: I live in a rural county in Texas with no building codes. This type of building will be especially free of limits due to the fact that it will essentially be considered a farm workshop/Ag structure. Sanitary systems and septic systems do require inspection, so I may only have a gray water washroom.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and great ideas. I'm a long way from making a decision, but it's really got me thinking of the possibilities. Heck! I'm sure I can find an excuse to buy some more equipment with a project like this.

 

[pennwalk]

Jim,
I wonder if there is government money to be had for a project like that. There seems to be money for all kinds of energy efficient projects. They upped the money for geothermal for 2009. Might be worth looking into.

Chris

 

[mikim]

excuse to buy some more equipment
backhoe? .... or maybe an entire full size TLB?

 

[SamWalton]

Thanks Sam! I have sent one inquiry to a place in Durango, CO and will give Terra-dome a chance to respond too. Looking at their unfinished structures, I see a lot of what I want. I figure the only problem might be my requirement for 12' ceilings, but I could probably live with a 12' peak dome sloping down with sides at 10'. I don't expect any problems with ground water, but condensation from warm air meeting cool walls inside the structure might be an issue. I've seen days here that moisture condensed on my concrete driveway. Humidity can be quite high here, so condensation will be the major water battle.

BTW: I live in a rural county in Texas with no building codes. This type of building will be especially free of limits due to the fact that it will essentially be considered a farm workshop/Ag structure. Sanitary systems and septic systems do require inspection, so I may only have a gray water washroom.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and great ideas. I'm a long way from making a decision, but it's really got me thinking of the possibilities. Heck! I'm sure I can find an excuse to buy some more equipment with a project like this.

You can add more height bay adding 20 inches or 36 inches to wall on the 24'x24' or 28'x28' modules. I would suggest considering their commercial 40' span dome of any length. It may be a better fit and it is much taller. I would also call Jay Shafe directly at 816-520-1039.

 

[dfkrug]

If you design your building with a ridge beam, you can put in one of these.
I meant to post this in "HF Tools That DON'T Suck". I just priced some new
steel at PDM, and some shapes are now back down to $0.71/lb in 20' or 30'
standard lengths.

My building is in humid riparian zone of the coastal rainforest, so humidity is
quite high, winter or summer. My walls are fully insulated so the only
condensation I get is sometimes a bit of dampness in the concrete slab.
Thankfully none on any metal tools. No heating system.

 

[jinman]

excuse to buy some more equipment
backhoe? .... or maybe an entire full size TLB?

That'd look good sitting next to a dozer, don't you think?

Dave (dfkrug), You have to stop reading my mind. That hoist looks pretty cool.

Sam, I'll give Jay a call when I have a few more specifics. Thanks for the phone number.

 

[sld]

This is a really cool idea. I frequently go to the Ozarks and occasionally we visit some caves. Now that would make a good underground workshop!