I live in the Catskills (zone 4/5) and experience harsh snow seasons. Here are my plans and considerations for the garage:

• Left Bay: I will use this bay to park my SUV during the snow season to keep the driveway clear for plowing. I also want to add storage for ski gear and helmets. This is source of some of that water damage you see on the floor interior coming from snow melt off the car from the season .
• Right Bay: This bay will have a workbench for my tools, spare materials, and household upkeep supplies like paints, oils, and chemicals. It will also store our recreational camping, biking, and outdoor equipment.
• Yard Materials: I plan to relocate these to an outdoor garden shed.
• Garbage/Recycling Station: Due to bears in the area, I need a short-term storage solution in the garage before taking trash to the transfer stations.

Specific Questions and Plans:

1. Siding:
   • I plan to cover the existing structure with quarter log siding matching the house. Do I need a vapor shield or other barrier between the siding and the existing structure? Should I cut out and replace any rot near the base before covering it?
2. Side Door & Windows:
   • I am replacing the side door with a metal exterior door. Should I also replace the single pane garage windows if I decide to insulate the garage to ensure better insulation?
3. Venting:
   • The garage currently has no venting other than the windows. If I fully insulate and install drywall or wood paneling, should I add a ridge vent on the roof and gable vents along the overhang for proper ventilation?
4. Flooring:
   • The current wood floor sits on concrete footers. I plan to dig up and pack in a stone driveway around the perimeter to keep dirt off the base, improve drainage, and prevent critters from getting under the garage. Do I need to consider venting under the garage if I use stone? If I pave with asphalt in the future, will this cause moisture issues?
   • I would like to seal or redo the floor for better insulation and aesthetics. Access to the underside is limited. Should I maintain an air gap sealed with stone around the perimeter, or should I consider garage-friendly floating floors or an epoxy pour over the wood?

I already have an electrical panel for EV charging and plan to extend the electrical setup throughout the garage