What's better than a Mancave?

[kaisersozei]

TWO Mancaves!

After years of thinking about it, and months of fixin’ to get ready, I finally started on the conversion of my 1½ car garage into a DOUBLE MANCAVE! I’m splitting the space into two rooms, running a wall down the center of the garage. On the one side will be a gym/bonus room (about 13’x20’,) and on the other will be workspace/brewhouse/inclement weather cigar lounge (about 8’x10’.)

So this is what the space looked like about two months ago, before clearing it out. Note the carefully designed walk areas in the middle of all that extra crap. Somewhere out there is where I actually worked out for the past couple years!

Looking in, from the driveway
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Garageprerenovation.jpg

Looking in, toward workbench & HVAC (in background)
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/workbenchpre.jpg

Looking out, from the HVAC corner
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/garagepre2.jpg

Another angle, from the other corner (standing in the current work-out space)
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/garagepre1.jpg

As you can see, anything will be an improvement over the 8 years of clutter that’s accumulated.

I generally know my way around power tools, but it’s fortunate that my BIL now lives in the area. He’s a contractor/handyman with plenty of time to spare, and he loves projects like this.

We started this a few weeks ago, so it's fairly well along now--will post a couple updates to show how the work progressed, and as we get closer to finishing. Should be “fun”—at least, when it’s done! Plus, I know everything will be top quality work and to code, so that’s an added bonus.

[Emjaysmash]

That is going to be awesome!

[boonedoggle]

That has mucho potential! Good luck man.

[Ogre]

Go for it man. Keep us posted as progress is made.

[hscmit]

post some project pictures as you make progress

[kelmac07]

Watching this one Gerard. :D

[TripleF]

This will be cool......I'm subscribing!!

[nomadicwookie]

My offer of objective opinion on build quality still stands:tu

[HK3-]

:banger SWEET!

[kaisersozei]

After the first few weekends, we got the place cleaned out (stuff either pitched, craigslisted, or stored in a Pod on the driveway.) And renovation began!

The center wall went up first
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/c_wallframe.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/c_wallframe2.jpg

We built the wall in place, since the ceiling joists were 10’+ high and we had restricted space on the garage floor to work with the studs. The thing is definitely sturdy, and probably one of the straightest walls in the house. :D

Also framed-in the HVAC, as well as an extra storage area next to the interior garage door, with a recessed area for an extra frig.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/hvacframing.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/storageframing.jpg

Next, we ran all the electric and insulation, installed some doors, and finished a good bit of the drywall. We're concentrating on the interior room before we hit the workspace. Haven’t yet decided on the ceiling and floor options. I'll just use an epoxy concrete paint on the workspace floor, but I’m thinking of a floating floor in the gym/bonus room.

[Goldie]

Lookin' good so far. Keep the pictures rollin' in.

[Chingas]

That's BadAss Brother. Keep the pics coming!

[hscmit]

looks great so far

[yourchoice]

Awesome Gerard!

[BC-Axeman]

Must not let my wife see this.

[Skywalker]

Looking good!!!:tu

[kaisersozei]

A few more weekends of work and here's where we are.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/StorageHVACwall2.jpg

Got the HVAC enclosed, hung a louvered door to ensure proper airflow into the unit. Sealed the cinderblock and framed the windows. Moved the refrigerator into its spot, finished the drywall on the closet and put a plywood floor down in the upper storage area. Ran electrical for the frig, a light, and some extra outlets along that wall.

Here's a look into the closet, still have to cut and mount the shelves.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/StorageCloset.jpg

Also, hung a new six panel security door leading into the house, so that everything matches (at the wife's request.) That's Three Doors Down! :D

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/StorageHVACwall.jpg

[HollywoodQue]

A woman cave is better, because then, we can lock them in and have the whole house....LOL

[kaisersozei]

And then there's this whole pain in the ass

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Insulatedceiling.jpg

It wasn't so much heavy labor as it was awkward, hauling long batts of insulation up & down a ladder. But at least that room is now noticeably warmer than before!

That big shiny thing is the new ductwork, I've cinched it off until we're done with the ceiling. Unfortunately, I think I installed it on the air return, instead of the supply duct. Not sure how much of a difference that is going to make--anybody have thoughts on what kind of a screw up that is? :confused:

[Apoco]

VERY cool! Nice handiwork, too!
Posted via Mobile Device

[kelmac07]

Looking good Gerard!! :tu

[kaisersozei]

Thought I'd post up a few more picture updates before getting out there today:


Built a storage area above the "gym", which can be accessed by ladder from the brewhouse.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/atticstorage1.jpg


Installed a gable fan--for extracting those brew fumes & cigar smoke! Ran the controller unit down the wall so I can adjust it without crawling all the way up there.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/gableexhaust-1.jpg

Here's what the platform storage area looks like

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/atticstorage2.jpg


I'm not allowed to paint.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Painting2a.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Painting1a.jpg


Lisa primed and painted the walls--it's a grayish/purplish-blue color called "Innuendo" (who comes up with these paint names anyway?!) It all looks really good, the color is going to coordinate well with the light wood floor we'll install later.

I hope to finish the drop ceiling today, which will allow me to open up the heat vent and install some additional overhead lights. It's cold out there and gets dark early now....!

[BigFrank]

Looking good there brother, keep up the good work.

[hscmit]

really coming along nicely

[DonAustin]

Looking good brother, im suscribing! Keep us updated. I'm considering putting in a wall in my man cave to seperate it from the otherside of the garage. You're giving me that motivation to go ahead and bite the bullet, and get it done. Keep it up man it's looking great!

[icehog3]

It's coming along nicely, Gerard! :tu

[3SmokesaRound]

Looking good there!

[longknocker]

Very Nice, Gerald!:tu

[Chingas]

Getting there. Looking good!:tu

[msayewich]

Dude that is looking great! Keep us updated!

[thebayratt]

Looking good!!

Keep up the great work!!

[Ogre]

Keep it up brother, its getting there.

[Sled Dog]

Very awesome work.... you are livin the dream with that project!

[kaisersozei]

So it's been awhile, work during the holidays kinda slowed down. Did a few minor, cosmetic sort of finishes. Got the walls painted, the windows trimmed, built a low shelf around the top of the concrete, installed shelving in the pantry and enclosed the upper level storage with some sliding doors.

Had to wait on some funds before starting the floor. Spent the last two weekends on that job:

Laying the vapor barrier & underlayment-that was a big pain in the butt.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/floatingfloor1.jpg

Here's a look at the partial floor install

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/floatingfloor2.jpg

I ran the table saw, Lisa does better snapping things in place.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/floatingfloor3.jpg

[kaisersozei]

And here, finally, is substantial completion of the gym area!


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Final1.jpg


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Final3.jpg


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Final2.jpg

The floor looks great, combined with the rubber mats it really absorbs impact. And the room is holding a steady 62 degrees, which is about a 15-20 degree improvement this time of year.

All in all, I'm pleased with how it's turned out. Still have a few things left on this section, but they're minor. The room is functional now.

Once it warms up in a few weeks, I'll tackle the brewhouse/workshop section. Hopefully that won't take quite as long!

[Isom-niac2]

Saweeet!! That looks awesome!! :banger

[Gophernut]

Looking good Gerard!

[bajaraider]

That looks great! I wish I had the space to create like this!
Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

[JDTexan]

What a project, looks great, thanks for update and all the pics!

[Zeuceone]

great work.

[zappaFREAK]

You might want to switch that duct to the supply. you will be drawing the air from your room into the unit and then redistributing a portion of it through the rest of your system. I am assuming you are attaching it to an existing system. Best of luck on creating your new domain!!

[HollywoodQue]

I am inspired now, maybe I will start a project this spring.

[ajacobs]

Looking great.

[md4958]

Coming along beautifully Gerard!

[HK3-]

Herf at Gerards in two weeks! ;):r

Looking good man! :tu

[kaisersozei]

Well, we've been using the gym now for a few months and it's holding together beautifully. Wanted to get the brewhouse/workshop section of the garage finished this summer, but first I had to create some outside storage.

Leveled the gravel and laid the foundation supports last weekend. Cut the floor joists, built the floor and finished up the wall framing during the week.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/Shed062411.jpg

Heading out to Lowe's this afternoon for another supply run, hope to get the walls & roof up this week.

[Ogre]

Hey, that looks just like mine!!! Looking good bro!!!

[jjirons69]

Like grandpa always told me, you can't hide money!
;)

Looks like a neat new place to gather. If ever I'm that way, oh the times we'll have!!!

[Tyler]

Everything looks great! I am jealous haha.

[longknocker]

Looking Great, Brother!:tu

[Coach Deg]

Looking good!

[Blak Smyth]

Coming along very nicely, thanks for sharing your progress with us.
I have a perfect room for my 2nd mancave, just don't have the funds to build it now.
Working on a paver patio, that will have to do for now.

[kelmac07]

Looking good Gerard!!

[HK3-]

You are a building son of gun! Outdoor projects equal lots of cigar smoking! :banger

[bajaraider]

That is on my list for the summer as well!

[kaisersozei]

Got the roof up and shingled this weekend, my first time as a roofer. Fortunately I had a more experienced helper, so the work went pretty fast. And we were shaded under the trees for most of it, but it was still hot as hell.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii88/kaisersozei/Garage/P5261586.jpg

The exterior wall panels are wrapped up in plastic and should be in place by next weekend, then it's pretty close to move-in ready!

[Tyler]

Looking good!

And to answer your question, what is better than a man cave, boobies.

[HK3-]

Looking good!

And to answer your question, what is better than a man cave, boobies.

Only if you get to motor boat them! :tu

[Tyler]

Only if you get to motor boat them! :tu

:tpd: