Garage divider wall/curtain

[rickyboy]

I've been considering dividing the garage in two, so to speak.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas. I'm thinking of doing this for a couple of reasons. Appearance, and to help keep the heat in one side instead of heating the entire garage. I'd like to have something that I can retract if I choose. Accordion style/type so it can fold back against the back wall or fold out dividing the garage.

So any ideas or knowledge on where to get something like this?? I'm sure this isn't anything new.
Thanks

 

[buzz4041]

Retractable curtains are out there but can get a bit pricey. Do a google search and be prepared to spend some research time as many different types available.

 

[KPSquared]

It'll be a commercial product and it'll be expensive. . .

I've seen lots of big curtains divding schools, churches, and the like in half.

Talk to a commercial contractor.

Other tham google or coming up lucky on here, not sure where else to look.

 

[Sachseguy]

We used these in the body shop to separate different areas and they work very well.

http://www.goffscurtainwalls.com/catalog/curtain-walls/0

 

[wrench409]

http://www.coolcurtain.com/strip-doors-strip-curtains/strip-doors-strip-curtains.html

 

[KST1]

I've been thinking of this too. I currently have welding curtains hanging about three quarters of the way down the center, But would like to close the whole thing off for heat.

One thing to consider, it's been pointed out to me, is the fire retardant properties of the curtain. Especially if you'll be doing welding or other hot work.

-Derek

 

[TrustJesus]

I'm in the process of dividing my garage as well. I'm simply going to make 3 walls pieces ( each approx 8'x9') that will attach with an L-bracket to the bottom of my truss. I'll be able to take the wall apart (simply unbolt the brackets from the trusses) and move them off to the side when I don't need them in the summer. That's my plan anyway, it would be the easiest and cheapest and will most likely hold the heat better than anything else I have seen.

 

[bczygan]

I've thought about this. Commercial solutions are expensive. Si design your own.

Project requirements:

Insulated
Readily movable
Inexpensive

A panel system of some kind is indicated.
A flexible curtain is easy to hang and light weight, but difficult to seal and provides no surface to hang things on.
A rigid panel system will be heavier and because of that will need to roll on the floor. It can be more easily sealed around it's edges and panels, if braced properly, can act as De-fact o walls.
So there are a few things to choose and design.
First is the insulation board. Thickness of the wall is not too important, and since even insulation board with the least insulation value per thickness, will be adequate, the least expensive board may be chosen. Even expanded polystyrene will do.
The next choice is the facing material. Here the choice may be driven by many factors.

Next we need a way to protect the edges of the panels and connect them together, as well as a method of sealing the joints between panels and between panels and the existing floor, walls and ceiling.
Many extrusions in aluminum will serve for the panel edges. And many gaskets can be employed for the joints.
These panels will need some kind of rollers recessed in the bottom edge to allow movement.
Since the wall will be fairly narrow in relation to it's height, some method of bracing the wall on one or both sides, or some method of securing it to the floor and ceiling will be needed.

On the cheap end, some unfaced polystyrene panels, cut to size and wedged into place between the ceiling and floor, with maybe a channel mounted on the ceiling and walls to locate it, would be a good temporary solution.

 

[djjsr]

The first floor of my workshop is 84' long with a wall dividing it in half. I wanted the ability to move a vehicle from one section to the other, so I cut an opening in the wall and framed it for doors. This opening is 9' wide by 8' high, so each door is 3' wide. The 2 side doors are hinged and the center door locates on pins and lifts out. Takes about 10 seconds.

The doors are 1 1/2" foam with a thin wood frame and 1/4" plywood skins, so they are very light for their size. A little weatherstripping keeps everything sealed up pretty good.

(sorry for the crooked pictures)

View media item 5473
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View media item 16454

 

[nonhog]

I walled off my 3rd bay and its helped a great deal. I used track from the local hardware store. Sandwitched foam between 2 sheets of plywood.
Be careful with the plywood as it bows.

 

[rickyboy]

Thanks for your suggestions ! Much appreciated. I have a quote request in to http://www.goffscurtainwalls.com/curtain-walls/body-shop-curtains They seem to look the simplest and might be the cheapest from them.

 

[roblouvasz]

I found some used hall dividers. They're not the same manufacturer but for 100.00 for both (had to make a track for one) can't beat it. Look around on craigslist under accordian style dividers.

 

[wrench409]

I found some used hall dividers. They're not the same manufacturer but for 100.00 for both (had to make a track for one) can't beat it. Look around on craigslist under accordian style dividers.

Dang, those are great.

I'm off on a quest now!

 

[TommyK]

I've been considering dividing the garage in two, so to speak.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas. I'm thinking of doing this for a couple of reasons. Appearance, and to help keep the heat in one side instead of heating the entire garage. I'd like to have something that I can retract if I choose. Accordion style/type so it can fold back against the back wall or fold out dividing the garage.

So any ideas or knowledge on where to get something like this?? I'm sure this isn't anything new.
Thanks

What is the ceiling height and how long a wall are we talking about?

 

[Strouty]

I am thinking about this as well, I am worried about sparks destroying either my shop or the curtain. The removable wall may be the best bet. I am doing a pocket door to close off my stockroom, but I don't know if that would be doable for the other side of my shop. I have 12' 6" ceilings and the stockroom will have aloft over it so I only have to worry about 7' tall doors.

 

[NCtim]

I am thinking about this as well, I am worried about sparks destroying either my shop or the curtain. The removable wall may be the best bet. I am doing a pocket door to close off my stockroom, but I don't know if that would be doable for the other side of my shop. I have 12' 6" ceilings and the stockroom will have aloft over it so I only have to worry about 7' tall doors.

I know you have fire extinguishers in your shop. You do, don't you?

 

[mechanic217]

My father did this years ago to a two car,two door garage, the depth was 24 feet so it was divided between the overhead doors to the back wall by a sliding door about 8 feet wide then a solid framed wall then another sliding 8 ft. door, very handy for heat and sparks when welding, or just hiding what tools were in the shop side of the garage.

 

[Strouty]

I know you have fire extinguishers in your shop. You do, don't you?

I have multiple extinguishers, but I was also worried about melting holes in the curtains. I guess the way I phrased it was incorrect. I just can't stand it when you are working on one side of the shop and the sparks are going all the way to the other side! It makes a mess too. I would be worried that the wrong material could burn like a candle and cause serious damage to the shop. I know that even my welding curtains and blankets get holes in them from sparks.

 

[CrewCabGuy]

Dimensions of the garage would be helpful. Mine is 40 feet wide. I framed a man door on each side leaving a 32 ft opening. I put up a double cannonball track and built 4-9 ft sliding doors(2 on each track). I can slide the doors to have a 18ft (or so) opening either in the middle or one side or the other. Its not completely done but seems like it will work fine in my situation. But I don't have the ability to open the whole 32ft opening.

 

[TommyK]

Dimensions of the garage would be helpful. Mine is 40 feet wide. I framed a man door on each side leaving a 32 ft opening. I put up a double cannonball track and built 4-9 ft sliding doors(2 on each track). I can slide the doors to have a 18ft (or so) opening either in the middle or one side or the other. Its not completely done but seems like it will work fine in my situation. But I don't have the ability to open the whole 32ft opening.

This is where I was going. If the length were 32' you could use four 8' panels on a 2 track system and be able to get a clear opening of 16'.

Or you could get 2 big tarps and use a curtain rod type of arrangement.

 

[danfromsyr]

in my 30x50 barn/shop I used the heavy duck canvas tarps with a 12" overlap at the ends. and roll them up/down when needed.
they do a good job of keeping the warm side warm and the cold side cold.

 

[shopnut]

Forum member luvit created one - you can find his thread in the Garage Gallery Index

 

[luvit]

Forum member luvit created one - you can find his thread in the Garage Gallery Index

yeah, i have about $120 put into these four 8x8 HF fire-resistant
welding blankets and cable.. mentioned here and here.

 

[shannonw]

If you like the track idea, Search on ebay for hospital curtain track rods, cool thing there is you can easily find curved track. can also do superstrut with rollers but when i priced this the hospital stuff was cheaper..depends on what you're hanging for something like heavy duty vinyl weight superstrut with the roller may be better. But there's all kinds of things like that on there for a diy solution. Just depends on the weight you're hanging. Goffs are super nice of course from what i've seen on here.

 

[abstamaria]

Polycarbonate sliding divider

I only do mechanical work and no welding in the workshop area of my garage, so this divider has worked for me. It divides the parking area from the work section, and is there principally to avoid clutter and permit separate air-conditioning units. It may not be syitable for other purposes.

Good luck, and best regards,

Andy

 

[rickyboy]

I see this thread is helping a few people more than myself. That's great !! I didn't think there would be as many as there are wanting the same thing.

My garage is only 600 + sq. ft. and I'll probably run the "curtain" down the middle between the two garage doors. So I have to find something that's 10' ft high and enough to do 23 ft. in length. The curtain will need to be a little longer in actual size of 23'. .....I'm not too fussy on the material because I'll be welding behind a welding curtain,.... a kind'a home made booth.

 

[shannonw]

That corrugated polycarb sliding panel is pretty slick, where do you get those? i've never seen them.

 

[Brad1234]

I have looked into this also. Those purchased divider curtains are expensive. I haven't done it yet but I plan to hang heavy plastic from a rod made of electrical conduit. I need to span 30 feet so I figure on a rod that meets in the middle & over lapping by a couple of feet.

 

[Morton23]

This company also offer a simple tool for a quick quote...you can design your own garage curtain online...

See :
http://www.strip-curtains.com/proCat/bodyShopStyleCur.php

 

[davesed]

Years ago I read that corporate bill boards used tarps for ads and were quite large and thick. you can fashion a barrier using these tarps and even make them walk through by slicing in strips and over lapping them.