• Hi Guest - Come check out all of the new CP Merch Shop! Now you can support CigarPass buy purchasing hats, apparel, and more...
    Click here to visit! here...

Help finishing the garage/smoking room!

Satchmo

Satchmo

Why do they call it a Power Ranger???
Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Messages
1,884
Location
Sailing the Seas of Cheese....
I've seen plenty of post about brothers burning thier sticks in the garage. That is my lounge also. I am getting ready to finish off the garage. I have the outlets in and the walls are insulated. I need to insulate the ceiling yet.

Now, I still need to decide on a few important items. I am looking for suggestions from you pros out there!!

1. Garage walls - Do you recommend drywall (easy, less expensive, looks nice)? OSB/plywood (stronger, mid price range)? Pegboard? Slotted panels for hanging (Very pricey)?

2. Floor - Leave it conrete? Paint (ehh, not sure)? Or epoxy (I've seen it, looks great? Is epoxy hard to put down?

3. Storage - I think I am going to put up some cheap cabinets from Home Depot and then use alot of shelves.

4. Heat - I will most likely use an electric? Maybe a propane if I need it. Can't justify putting in a NG heater.

So, what are your experiences. Give me some pointers. What does your garage smoking lounge look like?

Quade
 
My previous garage was finished (and I hated to leave it :( ).

It had OSB for the walls, but it was 2x6 stud construction. I wouldn't do pegboard in Wisconsin. My new garage has it and it stinks at keeping heat even with a boatload of insulation.

I had the epoxy floor. I put it over concrete that was about 5 years old and it peeled. I don't know if it was the winter temps or poor prep (most likely. Had some really tough stains). My garage now is just concrete. If anything I'm going to put down those plastic interlocking tiles.

Storage is all personal preference. I have always used old kitchen cabinets found in the classifieds or through friends. Once cleaned up, they work pretty well. I've gotten two sets for free, so you can't beat that.

Heat is all about the size of the space and how well insulated it is. I'd go propane if it's bigger than a 1 car garage. NG would be best, but it is pretty spendy. Also, check with your homeowners insurance company. Here we're only allowed to use certain heating sources in a garage.


Those are my suggestions and past experiences. Hope it helps.

Good luck! :thumbs:
 
1. Garage walls - Do you recommend drywall (easy, less expensive, looks nice)? OSB/plywood (stronger, mid price range)? Pegboard? Slotted panels for hanging (Very pricey)?

- Do it right and go drywall.

2. Floor - Leave it conrete? Paint (ehh, not sure)? Or epoxy (I've seen it, looks great? Is epoxy hard to put down?

- I threw down an outdoor area rug and it serves its purpose well. Epoxy isn't very hard to put down and it is a good option as well.

3. Storage - I think I am going to put up some cheap cabinets from Home Depot and then use alot of shelves.

4. Heat - I will most likely use an electric? Maybe a propane if I need it. Can't justify putting in a NG heater.

- My garage walls aren't insulated and my electric heater just doesn't keep up. I have had trouble finding a propane heater that works well and can be used in small spaces with minimal ventilation. Yesterday I tried this Link. I got it at Lowes for about $140 but found that it has issues staying on while on high unless you use two 20lb tanks. So let me know if you find something that works well!
 
My kids got me one of these for Christmas last year, and I use it on our screened in back porch.

heater

It's great for here in SC, where people start wearing parkas when it gets below 50 degrees! :rolleyes:

Actually, it throws quite a bit of heat, and is great for 1 or 2 people to sit under. Don't know how practical it would be to try and heat a garage with it, but it makes a cozy area to enjoy a cigar and an adult beverage!! ;)

I think they got it at Lowe's or Home Depot.
 
I have an electric heater that is ok to take the chill off ....but to get it warm I picked up a Mr Heater Big Buddy....friggin' awsome!!!

On the 2 tanks it uses, I can get 4-5 nights of cigar smoking in! I'm thinking about getting the larger tank attachment and see how that goes this year. I HIGHLY recommend this heater. <It's safe to use indoors!!>

Now - I have a NG line that run through the garage...but, I didn't want somehting that was too stationary....next time I'd go NG.
 
grateful1 said:
I have an electric heater that is ok to take the chill off ....but to get it warm I picked up a Mr Heater Big Buddy....friggin' awsome!!!

On the 2 tanks it uses, I can get 4-5 nights of cigar smoking in! I'm thinking about getting the larger tank attachment and see how that goes this year. I HIGHLY recommend this heater.

Now - I have a NG line that run through the garage...but, I didn't want somehting that was too stationary....next time I'd go NG.
Click to expand...
That is that same one I just tried this weekend but I found that it refuses to stay on if running it on two 1lb tanks. I looked it up on amazon and there were a ton of reviews with people saying the same thing. It does say that the problem can be remedied by going with two 20lb tanks but damn those are a little bulky and impractical for a small garage setting. Are you using the 1lb tanks and getting good results?
 
Thanks, guys. I am considering the drywall and OSB, leaning toward the OSB for strength as I'm sure something will go through the drywall in the garage......

I will probably put down the epoxy in spring before the concrete gets too mucked up.

I do not need to keep the garage at 70°. so a Big Buddy type will definitely do the trick. We use the propane top types for hunting and they put out alot of heat.

Quade
 
denverdog said:
grateful1 said:
I have an electric heater that is ok to take the chill off ....but to get it warm I picked up a Mr Heater Big Buddy....friggin' awsome!!!

On the 2 tanks it uses, I can get 4-5 nights of cigar smoking in! I'm thinking about getting the larger tank attachment and see how that goes this year. I HIGHLY recommend this heater.

Now - I have a NG line that run through the garage...but, I didn't want somehting that was too stationary....next time I'd go NG.
Click to expand...
That is that same one I just tried this weekend but I found that it refuses to stay on if running it on two 1lb tanks. I looked it up on amazon and there were a ton of reviews with people saying the same thing. It does say that the problem can be remedied by going with two 20lb tanks but damn those are a little bulky and impractical for a small garage setting. Are you using the 1lb tanks and getting good results?
Click to expand...



I'm using the 1lb tanks (from Walmart). The results are exactly what I would expect. I like the fact that it has a fan to move the air, too! You have to ease it in to HIGH(per the instructions). I'm not sure why people are getting bad results...this thing ROCKS!

I might think it's a fuel-line or filter problem.


------------------------------------------

Here's what someone found out about the shut-off issue:

linky

" use this heater when I camp in my trailer, and it works great especially when used in conjunction with a 20-lb. propane tank. If you do use a 20-lb. tank, however, I STRONGLY recommend that you use the fuel filter (around $10 and yes, this is mentioned in the manual) and also that you always close the propane tank shut-off before turning off the Portable Buddy so that all the gas is burned out. Why? I went through two units that started shutting themselves off about a year after purchase before I found out that oily residue starts building up within the heater when the previous two suggestions are not followed. Even when I tried cleaning it out (I did a complete disassembly), it was not successful unless the control unit and the regulator are replaced as well. I did find a lot of oily mess within contol unit area, but couldn't get it all so it's just as easy to replace the entire unit. What happens is that when you turn on the unit, it seems to work; but, as the oily residue works its way up to the flame part, it will start going out on its own - the time it takes to go out in my experience was around 1/2 hour. As far as the precautions go, the fuel filter was easy for me to find locally where propane items are sold (farm stores, large sporting goods stores); it is easy to install (it screws into the heater where a 1-lb. bottle would be located and then the hose to the tank screws right into the fuel filter - it should last a year). I pick up an extra one once the current one is being used. I'm getting in the habit of shutting off the gas first. I would give this heater 5 stars if they would have explained this malfunction better - I ended up talking with tech support before finding out what was actually wrong."
 
Don't forget the Flat screen with cable or dish and the sound system. If you build them in they look better. Also, make sure your wireless works in there so we can all be envious of your man space.
 
Before you insulate the ceiling you may want to think about an exhaust fan and/or ceiling fan.

If you are going to finish the room off and trim it I would recommend drywall.
For the floor, the foam backed Pergo goes down easily and it can be installed over almost anything. It's a snap together floating floor with no glue or nails. Comes in differnt colors and looks like solid hardwood. Electric baseboard heat isn't too bad if your not going to use the room all the time. You can keep the thermostat off when not in use, and the heat is instant when you tunr it up.
 
grateful1 said:
I have an electric heater that is ok to take the chill off ....but to get it warm I picked up a Mr Heater Big Buddy....friggin' awsome!!!

On the 2 tanks it uses, I can get 4-5 nights of cigar smoking in! I'm thinking about getting the larger tank attachment and see how that goes this year. I HIGHLY recommend this heater. <It's safe to use indoors!!>

Now - I have a NG line that run through the garage...but, I didn't want somehting that was too stationary....next time I'd go NG.
Click to expand...

We use these in our fish house during the winter. These are awesome heaters! If you're not looking for a more permanent installation, this is the way I would go.
 
1. Garage walls - Do you recommend drywall (easy, less expensive, looks nice)? OSB/plywood (stronger, mid price range)? Pegboard? Slotted panels for hanging (Very pricey)?

Perhaps the best is a combination. Drywall in places that won't get banged into, some plywood in other areas adn you always need a pegboard, just don't install it as the wall itself. Make a 1x2 frame and install it to that on top of a wall. This will give you enough clearence to take the pegs in and out.

2. Floor - Leave it conrete? Paint (ehh, not sure)? Or epoxy (I've seen it, looks great? Is epoxy hard to put down?

Epoxy is the best but you have to make sure the floor is "eat off it" clean before you use it for best results.

3. Storage - I think I am going to put up some cheap cabinets from Home Depot and then use alot of shelves.

2x4 frame and 16"x8' 3/4" plywood will hold just about anything plus you can paint or stain it if you want to be fancy.

4. Heat - I will most likely use an electric? Maybe a propane if I need it. Can't justify putting in a NG heater.

I don't see how a propane heater would be cheaper then an NG one (NG heaters cost less here) but those would be my choice. I have electric in the basement laundry room and propane in the garage. Propane is faster and cheaper in heating IMO.

So, what are your experiences. Give me some pointers. What does your garage smoking lounge look like?
 
For quick shelving, I have order some of these for the basement:

www.quickshelf.com

They are probably the cheapest shelves around for the area they cover. Easy to install, AND they do not touch the ground so they are easy to clean under.

I have used the U shape hangers with (4) eye screws in the floor trusses. Very sturdy. They do swing a bit, but you can put one or two anchors to the wall to stop that.

I may get the wall mount ones for the garage.

Quade
 
WOW!! Lot's of great ideas here so not much for me to add other than to suggest they you use drywall for your walls.

How about a small wood stove for heat? ??? I don't know how easy it is for you to cut firewood.

I heat my garage with an old mobile home furnace. You can pick those up cheap, I paid $100.00 for mine. They're supposed to run on kerosene but regular #2 heating oil will work fine. ;) I think oil is cheaper than propane for heat and definitely cheaper than electric heat.
 
I use one of those kero heaters in the garage, they put out some heat; and are fairly economical. On a cold day, I need to start it up and let it go for an hour or so. It takes the edge off, but it's not toasty out there yet. I guess it would take several hours to get it up to 70. You can even use them in the house.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top