Using heat shrink wrap for temp garage?

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I already picked up some 40'x60' "Dr.Shrink" 12 mil poly for cheaper than a cheap tarp of the same size. I've watched several videos for boats and scaffolding on you tube. I have a good knowledge of using house wrap on new construction siding...it's what I do.
I plan on building a 2x? frame and using battens to hold down poly down prior to heat shrinking. I have a 24'x24' concrete slab with a school bus on one side and an oil field trailer on the other side to anchor to. I use the bus and trailer for locking storage and would also use them as two of the walls.
So...any real world experience building a temp garage? What would you do different the second time?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Hmmm... I thought there would be at least one member with some experience. I'll document my process when I get to it and post back.

 

[Ipassgas]

Good luck. Sounds like it may be interesting.

 

[matt_i]

The boat shrink stuff is supposed to be good for 1 season (1 winter) right? That doesn't sound like my choice of siding.

Just like any material, as long as it resists the wind from "flapping" it and doesn't pierce at sharp corners then you can probably get the max life up to the point where the UV starts breaking it down.

The "flamethrower" they use to shrink it always scared me a little bit.

 

[kbs2244]

I think the blue is more has more UV resistance.
But again, only intended for one season.
That would be my concern.

Are you after a one winter use?
If so, it should work.

 

[nick2010tundra]

I'd be most concerned about the corners of 2by material cutting into corners, maybe wrap with pool noodles or some type of mat or something. I wonder if you should maybe ask on a boat forum, bet them guys would be the ones to ask. Please take pics and show you work, I'd love to see the results

 

[C_F]

So...any real world experience building a temp garage? What would you do different the second time?

I built a temporary garage in '06, a pole barn style & skinned it with vinyl material used for billboards. Unfortunately a computer crash ate most of my build pics, but here's a couple. This is my frame about 85% finished, minus doors.

This is finished. Please ignore the buggered-up area at the bottom of these two.

Here's an inside shot...see, a Ringling Bros billboard!

This billboard material is really tough, and only started to break down after about 8 years. Now at 11 years, it's gotten bad enough that I'm going to need to re-skin it again.
The only downside to this is that the roof will drip condensation in the spring & fall, when the sun comes up on frosty mornings. It stays dry in the summer & winter. Unfortunately, the condensation also rots the wood strips on the roof after a few years.
I also have tarps on the floor, to keep moisture from coming up from below. Let me know if you'd like some current photos.

 

[btonns]

I shrinkwrapped my Shelter Logic frame after the tarp fell apart after a few years. The shrinkwrap is about 1.5 yrs old and is still holding up. Shrinkwrapping has a learning curve to it if you use one of the cheap torch guns, but it isn't terribly difficult. I started using a Shrinkfast gun and it is much easier to avoid burning holes in the wrap. If you're just shrinkwrapping one thing, a propane torch from harbor freight would easily do the job.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I built a temporary garage in '06, a pole barn style & skinned it with vinyl material used for billboards.

Awesome job. That is sort of what I had envisioned, but probably not as nice looking as yours. Is the billboard vinyl a heat shrink material or...?

I shrinkwrapped my Shelter Logic frame after the tarp fell apart after a few years. The shrinkwrap is about 1.5 yrs old and is still holding up. Shrinkwrapping has a learning curve to it if you use one of the cheap torch guns, but it isn't terribly difficult. I started using a Shrinkfast gun and it is much easier to avoid burning holes in the wrap. If you're just shrinkwrapping one thing, a propane torch from harbor freight would easily do the job.

That looks good too. You used ropes to help support between the ribs?

And a question for both; Is snow a problem? or does it slide off with a slight vibration?

 

[kbs2244]

For those interested in the bill board tarps.

https://billboardtarps.com/

 

[C_F]

Awesome job. That is sort of what I had envisioned, but probably not as nice looking as yours. Is the billboard vinyl a heat shrink material or...?

Nope, it's just a really thick tarp that holds up really well to the elements. They have a "cuff" sewn into the edges, so you slip a length of PVC sprinkler pipe in the cuff, then cut slits above the PVC & tie it down with ratcheting tie-downs.

And a question for both; Is snow a problem? or does it slide off with a slight vibration?

The most snow I've had on mine has been about 2 feet...maybe a tad more. It's held just fine! Actually, this last winter, I was fully expecting the roof to rip, because the material is really worn now, with lots of pin holes everywhere. But it still held.
The first winter, I bumped most of the snow off the roof from the inside, but then I decided that I might end up punching a hole in it, so I stopped doing that.

kbs2244, thanks for that link! The local guy I bought mine from has stopped selling them, so that link helps me a lot.

 

[btonns]

Awesome job. That is sort of what I had envisioned, but probably not as nice looking as yours. Is the billboard vinyl a heat shrink material or...?



That looks good too. You used ropes to help support between the ribs?

And a question for both; Is snow a problem? or does it slide off with a slight vibration?

I used shrinkwrap strapping as extra supports between the ribs. I originally put those up for the original tarp. I had issues with water pooling in the saggy Shelter Logic tarp. The strapping help keep the tarp from ripping from the weight of rain water.

When you shrinkwrap a boat, you make a tent out of strapping and a couple 2x4s for vertical posts.

We don't get too much snow in SW Ohio, but it easily slides off the tarp.