Need some ideas. Temporary, inexpensive insulation

[taiden]

Hey all,

I'm looking for some creative ideas.

I am renting a house right now, and the garage is large and drafty. I make a good amount of money working in the garage, and I need to come up with a plan to insulate and heat it on a shoestring.

This would be a lot easier if I owned the house. I cannot make permanent changes to the garage. I only use one bay so I had a thought to build a simple 'box' around the bay I plan to use.

Any suggestions would be helpful

I'm not the type to go to home depot and buy everything new, there are are few building supply recyclers around here, and I might find something there.

Thanks all

 

[taiden]

Just to add some info, the studs are 2x4s with a 14.5" spacing

The bay area to be insulated is 25' x 11' x 10' (l x w x h)

Just to enclose the bay will be 525 sqft

 

[Red Green]

Well you can staple plastic sheeting to the studs and rafters. If you keep it from having a draft that will help keep the heat in tremendously.

 

[D.J.]

go by the local coop and ask if they have any of the cardboard that comes off the top of the pallets of feed or seed or run by the appliance and ask them if you can have the washer ad dryer and refridge boxs out back! cardboard makes excellent insulation and is cheap or free!
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[brianh]

Plastic bags are great for stuffing in gaps and odd spots.

 

[kmacht]

I wouldn't waste time on insulation on a rented place if you don't plan on being there long. Why not just purchase a large enough heater instead? At least then you can take it with you when you leave.

Keith

 

[vashonz]

Discuss with your landlord. If you make improvements to the garage (increase the value of his property), would he be willing to put the cost/value of those improvements towards rent. This is potentially a win/win. You get a warm garage and he gets building improvements.

 

[gtivr4]

Discuss with your landlord. If you make improvements to the garage (increase the value of his property), would he be willing to put the cost/value of those improvements towards rent. This is potentially a win/win. You get a warm garage and he gets building improvements.

This. If I was the landlord, I would be all over this offer. As he says, win/win!

 

[sixball]

This. If I was the landlord, I would be all over this offer. As he says, win/win!

Speaking from expeirience as a landlord, I'd certainly consider it. But..... You need to make a detailed plan with a material list and EXACTLY what you are planning on doing.

Alot of times people have these big palns and then end up half assing it and instead of adding value to the property, they cause more work for the landlord to "un do" or "re do" when the tennant moves out.

Also you need to consider if the landlord considers the garage useable for future tennants after you move out.

If he won't let you or doesn't want you to make any permanent changes, then:

If you can get used lumber, I'd try to just build a temporary insulated wall covered with large pieces of cardboard blocking off a makeshift work bay. Stuff all the visable holes in the garage with bags/insulation as stated above, and get heater of some sort that you can use when you move. Even a craigslist/garage sale torpedo or kerosene heater for cheap will heat up 525 SQ feet easily.

Sixball

 

[PaulR]

Go with plastic.

 

[tncatadjuster]

1" (blue)foam board attached with drywall screws. Take it down and take it with you when you leave. You only need to do from 4' up and the ceiling. Plastic film below that. Be careful with flames, and sparks. Very warm for the price and effort.

 

[taiden]

Thanks all for the help.

The current plan is to seal up all the drafty cracks with duct tape, and enclose the area with plastic film. I will also enclose a makeshift 'cieling' with scrap cardboard.

My only concern now is heating it without asphyxiating on carbon monoxide.

 

[sixball]

Thanks all for the help.

The current plan is to seal up all the drafty cracks with duct tape, and enclose the area with plastic film. I will also enclose a makeshift 'cieling' with scrap cardboard.

My only concern now is heating it without asphyxiating on carbon monoxide.

I think you'll find that once sealed up and your space is smaller, that a torpedo heater will heat that area FAST and you can keep a door craked to vent the carbon monoxide and still be very warm.

Or, depending on your electrical options in that garage, a 220 electric heater could be used, and always taken down when you leave, and installed at your new location.

Sixball