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anyone. A precut garage may be an inexpensive PORCHES
way to get such a shop. Or how about a trailer?
Does your home have a porch that is seldom
Existing barns and outbuildings may afford
used? If so, you can probably convert it to a very
prime shop space for those living in rural areas.
good shop with comparatively little expense. In
You may need to install insulation and heating
most cases, the roof, floor, and at least one wall
and possibly run an electric service from the
are already there, so all you have to do is fill in
house out to the building, but these are only
the other two or three walls and add a work-
remodeling jobs. Most people would rather re-
bench, and you are ready to start working.
model than attempt to build from scratch. In
some areas, zoning codes may stop you from Since the walls that are added usually will be
adding a structure to your property, but an exist- exposed to the weather, be sure to insulate well.
ing structure usually does not pose any problem. The floors and ceiling should be considered
However, check with the local building inspec- too. If you cannot get to existing void spaces
tor’s office just to be sure. to install insulation, consider having insulation
blown in after boring holes to reach the void
CLOSET SHOPS spaces between studs.

Conventional framing can be used to enclose
With a little ingenuity, an amazing amount of
the open walls of a porch, but perhaps jalousie
tool storage and workspace can be fitted into a
windows would provide a better arrangement. A
closet. Highly productive shops have been hung
jalousie window consists of a series of operable
on the back of a closet door, with work tables that
overlapping glass louvers that pivot in unison—
fold down to reveal an array of hand tools neatly
usually by a crank-and-gear system. Such win-
stored on a panel of perforated hardboard. It’s not
dows are best used in southern climates where
the best solution, but it’s a beginning. There may
maximum ventilation is necessary and in places
be space under a stairway or at the end of a hall
where a flush exterior and interior appearance
that can provide comparable accommodations.
are desired.

Figure 3: Closets can create shop space easily with a little creative storage.

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