Separate room for compressor vs standalone

[Glenn340]

Hi guys. Long time lurker, managed to answer most questions for my build by viewing other posts. Now that I am working on the inside I find myself with different decisions. Just wanted some input on building a room to put my compressor in. I am at the wiring stage of my new 32x44 garage. I do not want to put compressor outside or build something outside.
Choice is separate room or not. See the attached sketch, compressor room in the back left corner
Main reason for doing this would be to cut down on the noise.
Garage will be heated. Main use will be car repairs/restoration and car storage. Will not be used for daily drivers.

Has anyone done this on this size of garage?
Do you wish you had done this?
Is your compressor out in the open and you like it that way?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[moriboy]

My compressor is in its own little room much like what you have drawn. I'm definitely glad I gave up a little space for a more pleasant work environment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[matt_i]

A framed and insulated closet would seem to be easy and fine. Just make sure not to cheat yourself on being able to drain the tank, change the belt, change the oil etc. I would recommend full height so the compressor can cool itself especially if you are going to use it hard (sandblasting or continuous run air tools)

You could also build 2 separate walls that are not touching each other, iow frame a 2x4 wall and then one 3" away from it, insulate the entire thing. This would minimize sound transmission. Not sure how that would work with the door though

 

[godzilla]

I poured a 6x8 4" slab onto the side of my shop to house my compressor and furnace. It has 8ft walls and a entry door from the inside of my shop.

 

[crguy]

Getting the compressor out of my shop was a huge improvement.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mine is in a separate little insulated closet. For the most part it is much better than my old shop that the compressor was right out in the open but it is still not as quiet as it would be in another building. Unfortunately that wasn't an option as I wanted everything contained in one building and kept as clean and tidy as possible.

Mike.

 

[rsanter]

Having it in its own room or separated area is a big bonus.
You can go as simple as put it in the corner and have two walls type set in enclosure or an actual framed in closet.
If it was me I think I would put it in a corner closet that has the door on the outside so I can minimize the lost space inside

Bob

 

[vertguy]

I had a 4x4 insulated room designed into the corner of my garage when I built my house and it has worked out great. But I still need to plumb my hose reel to the outside of the room to get the full effect.

 

[Free Willie]

Damn, that looks like the drawing for my shop except for the bumpout on the lift bay. My compressor is right in the middle of the garage under the stairs not enclosed. It isn't that bad but I just put an old Uhaul box behind the shop for storage and I put my oil tank in it. Next will be moving compressor out there.
Should be lots quieter when that gets done.

 

[Firebird 1]

I think enclosed space sounds like a good idea. I would agree and highly recommend modifying the drain before you install though. If I did it again I would take the drain off the bottom, add a length of pipe with an elbow with a valve at the end of the pipe to open and close the drain. Its a major pain for me to lay on the floor and reach up under the tank to open the drain.

 

[sberry]

I agree some shielding is good. Do some primitive proto around it, a big matt like a canvas sleeping bag hung around knocks if off so you can stand it. The last pic is the old set up. It was pretty good, had re mesh and the blanket laid over it. Next winter am going to fix this a pinch, there is a simple carboard around it right now, its bearable with the use.
The steel rack is braced to the wall and wouldn't want to try and move it but the bolt bin comes right out via pallet jack and a guy can reach right in and ****** the comp.

 

[Garett]

I have a 4x4' compressor room but I'm not using it at the moment. I'd like to add a wall switch to the room so it can be tured off and on without unplugging it or hitting the breaker, better yet tie it into the lights somehow.

Reason being, an airline broke one time and my poor compressor ran for 2-3 days. After that the compressor still sits in the shop and I unplug in whenever I'm not there.

 

[sberry]

Its a chance for sure. I just did a re plumb and part of it was that and I have 2 stations I kill with valves now. I could toss a valve on the whole thing but we really use it at any time.
As safe as anything is to shut off valve at tank. If the unit doesn't leak then it doesn't matter, it wont start, or can shut off breaker and valve, if no leaks then the breaker never acts as a start switch.
Come to think ofit I actually shut 3 pieces in, one to an outbuilding I am leaving off in the off season, we can turn the thing on if and when. Same for the other 2, we put very convenient service valves, simply going to turn on as needed. A bit of a zone approach.
This one is as simple as it gets, after the fact I find a couple more cool fittings but need to leave it the fug alone, works perfect now, use it to air a tire, micro efficiency doesn't matter.

 

[sberry]

Make insulated hutch that wheels over it. Integrate shelves etc As someone aboce said, maybe as simple as 2 walls slid in place. Wouldn't need to lose any door space.

 

[Divcod]

Hi guys. Long time lurker, managed to answer most questions for my build by viewing other posts. Now that I am working on the inside I find myself with different decisions. Just wanted some input on building a room to put my compressor in. I am at the wiring stage of my new 32x44 garage. I do not want to put compressor outside or build something outside.
Choice is separate room or not. See the attached sketch, compressor room in the back left corner
Main reason for doing this would be to cut down on the noise.
Garage will be heated. Main use will be car repairs/restoration and car storage. Will not be used for daily drivers.

Has anyone done this on this size of garage?
Do you wish you had done this?
Is your compressor out in the open and you like it that way?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Out of the work space is best! My compressor is inside a 24 x 44 shop so the noise level requires ear protection. Plan to build a separate pad with full louvers to move the compressor outside this coming spring.

 

[ford33]

Put it under roof outside with plenty of ventilation and cooling air. It is nice to have a quiet garage.

 

[TractorJeff]

A buddy of mine has a small compressor for his waste oil furnace air. He leaves it inside all the time. OBNOXIOUS! When I go over there to work, first thing I do is wheel it into the adjoining storeroom and SHUT the door! In my current shop, mine is in a separate room and if and when we build a bigger shop the compressor will be in its own room.

 

[Cyberbear]

If not adequately provided with ample ventilation, being constantly made to operate in a super heated environment can have negative effects on the longevity of your air compressor. I do not believe simple vent holes in the sides of an enclosed space is adequate, but should instead have a constant flow of fresh and cooler air to properly cool the air compressor unit as it was designed to be. Efforts to quiet the noise at its source should be first considered. JMHO

 

[CompressorPros.com]

Cyberbear is right. Heat is the enemy of compressed air. The hotter the ambient air, the more moisture you will carry over. There is also the possibility of overheating the lubricant and losing its effectiveness.

There are some options for quiet air compressors, but you pay a premium for sure.

 

[Glenn340]

Thanks for all the reply's!
I was concerned heat might be an issue. Winter would be fine with a small vent outside but it gets very hot here in the summer. Would have to work on a better ventilation system to get by in the summer.
Still leaning towards building the room. My current compressor is only a 20 gallon oil-less and it drives me crazy when it is on, new one will be 60 gallon oil.
Good to hear about everyone's setup...

 

[Jess]

I have mine in an attached 6x6' bump out with external door. I had some issues with heat build up at first, so I installed a ceiling vent pulling air out of the joist space through the soffit and added a couple of surplus muffin type fans that come on with a thermostat.
The intake has a furnace filter over the opening but it doesn't really get dirty. That opening provides clean make up air for the compressor and cooling airflow. So far, so good... Quiet in the shop is very good.

 

[finn]

I made one in the corner near the man door.

The compressor is an 80 gallon tank, and I Wanted the room large enough that I could service it readily.

I ended up using the two outside corner garage walls and a 45 degree wall with an outward opening 36" door.

Don't forget that you'll need an electrical disconnect since the compressor will no longer ve visible from the panel.

My room is large enough to store small items, and Ai built the ceiling low enough that I could add a small mezzanine storage closet accessible by ladder.

 

[lakeroadster]

Where is the compressor room in your sketch?

Seems like building a simple sound proof type enclosure for just the compressor would be better than using up valuable shop space.

My shop has a storage area and an insulated working area. I put the compressor in the storage area. I can still hear it running, but it's not nearly as obnoxious.

 

[coljar]

Mine is in an 8'x14' backroom that is attached to my 30' x 40' garage. This room is a compressor, furnace, bathroom, storage room combined. Wouldn't want to listen to that damn thing run for nothing.

 

[bluestripe67]

When I redid my garage I put my compressor in purpose built closet. It has intake and exhaust vents and insulation. I still need too plumb the airline to the outside.