Now that I have my wish list for the general construction of the workshop, it is time to focus on the interior of the shop and make a list of its features that I would like to include. This list will focus on things like; whether to have drywall or wood walls, flooring, cabinetry, pegboard or upper cabinets, lumber storage etc. This list is also a work in progress and will probably be updated as time goes on.
When the topic of workshop design pops up on any of the forums around the net, there is always a conversation about what to put up on the walls, drywall or wood. A lot of people like to put up plywood, tongue and groove, or even OSB on their walls rather than drywall so that they can hang anything on the wall anywhere without having to search for a stud. This is a valid reason for putting up wood walls, and it can be a very aesthetically pleasing style for the interior of a workshop.
The one thing I don’t like about wood walls is that it can really cut down on the light in the shop. I really like having a lot of light in my shop and having white walls really helps the light reflect around the shop. The wood could be painted white, but I hate painting wood. so what I plan on doing is putting up drywall on all of the walls and ceiling and painting them bright white. At first this sounds very antiseptic, but I think much of the walls will be covered by cabinets, workbenches, tools and such.
If I need to hang several heavy tools, jigs, or whatever on the wall, I would probably attach a sheet of plywood horizontally to the wall studs, and then hang things from the plywood. In my current garage shop, I have some white peg board which works out quite well for the lighter tools. It is just not strong enough for anything too heavy. Anything of any real weight will either be in a cabinet or on a shelf anyways.
Flooring is another subject that generates a lot of conversation. Pretty much the one thing that everyone agrees on is that concrete floors are very hard on your feet and back. I am seriously considering installing Dricore flooring over the top of the concrete pad. The 2005 Tools and Shops issue of Fine Woodworking (#174) had a really good article comparing these DriCore tiles and other PVC floor coverings. I like the Dricore in the sense that it seems to give more cushion for your feet and back, and also a better insulating value. My only concern is if they can handle the weight of a table saw without crushing the plastic underside. That will be a future research project.
At this point I envision the west wall of the shop to be lined with a long counter top/workbench with cabinets underneath. On the walls above the cabinets will be either more cabinets or wall mounted tool storage. The east wall will be for lumber storage. There will probably be a stairway going upstairs along the back wall along with larger portable tool storage. I will work out some of these details as my design progresses.
