More garage toys or essentials?

[mini=man]

Here's the back round. My father and I built a 26'x36' two story garage in my yard because we were tired of working in the weather. Upper level is all storage so we made a wall and door to close it off for the heat. We have a pellet stove in there to warm it up but no insulation to hold it in so it doesn't really ever warm up. We also have a window AC that we can put in for the summer

We live in New England so it's cold one day then hot and humid the next.

Now we have been doing side jobs in the garage to get some extra money and now come to a stand still on what we want to buy for the garage. Do we go for the insulation and plywood/sheet-rock for the walls? Or do we get a plasma cutter?

The garage is set up already with a pellet stove, ac, and we have oxy/ace torches.

These pics are old but it give you an idea of the space we have. Where the mini fridge and parts washer is now where the stove is.

 

[MT Mike]

Insulate and sheet. It can be done fairly inexpensively, and it will make the time you spend in the shop more enjoyable. The more enjoyable it is, the more time you'll spend doing side jobs, which will lead to more money for toys.... It's a vicious cycle.

 

[samger2]

I vote for insulation as well...it'll put your a/c and pellet stove to better use.

 

[iwannadie]

I would deal with the cold and be happy using a plasma cutter.

 

[foxwar71]

You'll use the insulation/finished walls EVERY time you're in there. The same cannot be said for the plasma. I'd rather be comfy when I work.

 

[bails85]

i wouldnt use sheetrock for the main work area. i'd use plywood or something else. the sheetrock will get destroyed. trust me im a drywall finisher and i do it all the time. plus plywood is nice because you can screw shelving and such directly to it.

 

[mini=man]

i wouldnt use sheetrock for the main work area. i'd use plywood or something else. the sheetrock will get destroyed. trust me im a drywall finisher and i do it all the time. plus plywood is nice because you can screw shelving and such directly to it.

That's our plan actually. The walls are 16' so we'll be doing the lower half in ply wood and the upper in sheetrock.

I really want the insulation and walls done because as you can see, the garage looks unfinished and it's feels dark in there while working. My dad wants the plasma cutter. Mainly because it is cheaper that doing all that work to the garage.

 

[bails85]

if you are going to do sheetrock then sheet rock the whole garage and then hang the plywood areas over it using longer screws. make sure to tape all the joints on the drywall so your insulation will be that much better. and make sure you paint it. raw drywall rotts fast.

 

[rweaver138]

You'll use the insulation/finished walls EVERY time you're in there. The same cannot be said for the plasma. I'd rather be comfy when I work.

exactly

 

[Jeepman401]

That's our plan actually. The walls are 16' so we'll be doing the lower half in ply wood and the upper in sheetrock.

I really want the insulation and walls done because as you can see, the garage looks unfinished and it's feels dark in there while working. My dad wants the plasma cutter. Mainly because it is cheaper that doing all that work to the garage.

In my garage, I am going with a layer of heavy white plastic over the whole wall, and plywood on the bottom. It gives you the option of washing the walls.

if you are going to do sheetrock then sheet rock the whole garage and then hang the plywood areas over it using longer screws. make sure to tape all the joints on the drywall so your insulation will be that much better. and make sure you paint it. raw drywall rotts fast.

care to explain why? sounds like a waste of money and drywall to put it behind the plywood.

 

[beakie]

another vote for insulation.
insulate, ply bottom 8' drywall upper 8'
if you can take care of the ceiling, go for that too.

plasma's nice, but if you've come this far without it, you can survive a little longer. insulation will keep you comfortable in the cold and the heat too. and like stated above, finished walls make for better organisation, efficiency, productivity, etc etc.

 

[REVROK]

care to explain why? sounds like a waste of money and drywall to put it behind the plywood.

Fire safety would be my reason, yet I probably would still not spend the money... big campfires can be fun too!

 

[Jeepman401]

the gains in fire safety would be minimal, you have the flammable surface exposed
and in the event that your wall is on fire, that drywall wont act as a fire break for long

 

[bails85]

drywall is a fire rated material. double layer 5/8 is rated for one hour but thats not the reasoning behind my post. drywall is a far better insulator than plywood. plus you can tape the joints so its sealed. this will help with your heating problem. once its painted youre good to go. hang the plywood over the drywall also helps stiffen up the wall quite a bit. i dont know about you but my garge is like a war zone sometimes. as far as not spending the money... drywall is around 6 dollars a sheet not too much to spend if you are going the extra mile to board up a garage. if youre going to spend the money do it right so it will last for years and years. mini man if you have any questions about the drywall process and how to tape it up you are more than welcome to pm me for any advice.

 

[xcalibur223]

A vote for the insulation. With that in there you can take on more odd jobs working on people's cars more comfortably. With more money from doing those jobs you buy yourself a plasma cutter.

 

[REVROK]

the gains in fire safety would be minimal, you have the flammable surface exposed
and in the event that your wall is on fire, that drywall wont act as a fire break for long

Overall I agree... just intended to buy you a little time to get the fire out. Truth is... looking at what's in his shop, you are right, it wouldn't matter.

BTW, my vote would also be for insulation... gotta love a plasma cutter though!

 

[whatevah]

Insulation seems to be winning the poll. It's my vote as well. It'll make a huge difference in making it more comfortable and enjoyable.

 

[mini=man]

Yeah the insulation was my idea. I'm going to have to run a few ideas by my Dad and see what he thinks. He doesn't work in there during the winter much, but I do for sure!

 

[bails85]

drag his ass out there when its cold as XXXX outside.... then he'll vote for the insulation too.

 

[bigalpha]

Does taping drywall really increase the insulation factor of it? Doesn't really seem like it would.