garage area where I will eventually put up some insulation and walls
Asked on Aug 27, 2019
How do I insulate/warm a small area in my garage for use as an office?
by
LK
+11
I am moving to a very small house. I work from home and can't put my desk and computer in the house; want to use the garage. I was supposed to move in by mid September (while it was still warm) but that is not happening so I need to come up with a temporary space in the garage where I can work and be warm. Garage walls are cinder block, floor is cement. In the spring I will insulate and put up proper walls but need something to get me through the winter. I have space heater but don't want to try to heat the entire garage. Can I hang tarps or hang blankets to keep the heat in a small area with an area carpet on floor?
Ok I know that you are asking for an office in the garage and I know you said you are moving into a small house, but have you thought about any area in your house you could use for a small office space? Even in a closet would work. You could make a wall mounted desk that would take up a small space. Here are =diy%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=wall%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=mounted%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=desk%7Ctyped]several ideas I found. It just seems being inside if more cozy that the garage. But if the garage is your your only option you could put an outdoor rug down to warm it up. I think a space heater is a good idea and keep it close to the desk. You could try hanging some moving blankets from the ceiling and corner off a space for yourself.
What about purchasing a small second hand travel trailer, and use that as an office inside the garage during the winter? In the spring when you finish the garage, you can always use it outside in the yard, or sell it on to someone else.
It would be warm, dry, and have built in electricity hook ups.
And, maybe even a little spot for napping, if the work got too tiring, ha, ha.
The blue example is a Tab brand; the yellow one is a Boler.
Cinder blocks and boards make solid, inexpensive shelving. Looks like you have lots of space so it wouldn't have to be smack-dab against the wall and it would be much easier to block a corner straight across with some plastic sheeting or a wool blanket. Can't see the door but maybe it's close to a corner where you could include it in the section. Good Luck;)
So is your idea to stack up some cinderblock "walls" and layer them with plastic and blankets to create a "false wall"?
Do what a lot of contractors do to work in cold areas. Drape 6ML plastic sheeting from ceiling to floor. Staple to the ceiling and duct tape to the floor. Just make sure you keep heater away from the sheeting. A rug on the floor. Or build framework from 1X2 firing strips and staple the sheeting to it and use them like a room divider. Make the panels about 1/4" lower than the ceiling height and wedge them in with shims. Cheaper than getting a trailer you may be stuck with.
Love it - the 6ml sheeting might be just the thing. Thank you very much
There is a post on Hometalk.com " No mess sheet insulation for garage doors". I also work out of my garage after we downsized last year and used this idea, it does work, however I am in San Diego and the winter's are not that cold, a space heater works just fine for me. I wish you luck .
Ella raised a good point about the winter temperatures being very different, depending on where you may live.
Remember that although the wind chill factor may be less inside an unheated garage in the winter in climates where it dips below freezing, the temperatures can be just as c-c-c-c-oooooo-ld!
Section off an area to work in. Wear warm clothes and Boots. Lots of warm drinks and Soup. Good luck
Hi LK: That should work but be sure to keep the heater off while you're not in the area and keep it at least 6 feet away from any combustible items. I wouldn't set it on the floor either, but maybe a pail turned upside down.