For all of you without heated garages

[Parsalian05]

here's the link- http://public.fotki.com/parsalian05/warm_house/

i got sick of trying to work on my car in 10 degree weather, so i built this little enclosure to stay warm while i work. all it took was about 60 feet of 1" pvc piping (with connecters), rope, a lot of thick plastic sheeting, some ceiling hooks and a whole lot of duct tape. (all from home depot.. good ol' home depot) oh yeah, and a good amount of time... it took while.

as you can see (maybe), i hung the rectangle pvc structure about 3 feet above where my car would be and draped the plastic sheeting over it. i hooked the middle of the sheeting to the ceiling so there would be more head room and room for my hood to open, as well as structural support. i brought it all together with duct tape and some staples, but leaving the end with the garage door opening as just a flap so i could get in and out of the garage.

all i use is a little $15 electric space heater to keep it warm. im very very happy with it, well worth the time.

 

[96whgsx]

Hehe, your little cacoon. Cool idea, I should probably try it.

 

[phastalon]

why didn't you just buy a propane heater bro?
:laugh:

that does look good though

 

[CyberEye]

why didn't you just buy a propane heater bro?
:laugh:

that does look good though

my thoughts exactly. I'd just get a heater, looks like your setting up a meth lab.

 

[GSXpress]

my thoughts exactly. I'd just get a heater, looks like your setting up a meth lab.

Not that we know what that is, or what it looks like

 

[CyberEye]

Not that we know what that is, or what it looks like

no no of course not. I just watch alot of movies.

 

[scaryc]

i wonder if i could get away with building one of those in my driveway, i cant even put a car in my garage right now

 

[halligoo]

I went to the Salvation Army and paid $4 for an old heavy sleeping bag.
Throw that down on the floor. Keeps the cheeks from freezing pretty good.

 

[PaleDSM]

Does it actually get warm in there or just warmer than the 10* temp outside? Pretty good idea.

 

[Parsalian05]

well see, i have a very big 3 stall garage and its only insulated on one side (the house side). as you can imagine, with all 3 garage doors opening and closing all day, it wouldnt retain heat very well even with a propane heater. trust me, i considered them.

heat-wise, its not blazing hot inside, but it's a very pleasant temperature. i should got a thermometer in there to test it . i could have made it hold the heat better had i double layered the plastic sheeting, but it wasnt all that neccesary.

btw, some prices if youre interested:
heater - $15
pvc piping - $12 for six 10' sections, 1" diameter ($2 each, very cheap)
pvc connecters - maybe a $1 total (four 90 degree bends, 2 couplers)
plastic sheeting roll - $35 (i bought enough to roof about 3 or 4 houses)

total of $63

cost of propane heater (the smallest one they had): $100 :laugh:

 

[WarpathDSM]

I bought one of those cover-it instant garages 20x12x8 and a kerosene heater from wal-mart. I work on my car when it's 5 below in a t-shirt sweating. A little air gets under the door so I make a little cardboard wall to block it.

 

[phastalon]

well, you don't want to leave the propane heater on all day. you'd have to refill your tank every day or every couple days. the best thing about it is it's there when you want it. it heats up space very quickly, plus you can move it around to where you want. it was just the best option for me, plus i picked one up at lowes for around $60 and it has 2 heaters if i need them.

 

[Parsalian05]

i considered propane but isnt the exhaust an issue? where does the burnt propane go? i assume theres some kind of exhaust piping for it but im not sure.