What's better than a Mancave?
 

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/i...renovation.jpg

Looking in, toward workbench & HVAC (in background)
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...rkbenchpre.jpg

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

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

That is going to be awesome!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

That has mucho potential! Good luck man.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

post some project pictures as you make progress

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Watching this one Gerard. :D

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

:banger SWEET!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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/i..._wallframe.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...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/i...vacframing.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...ageframing.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.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

That's BadAss Brother. Keep the pics coming!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

looks great so far

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Awesome Gerard!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Must not let my wife see this.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking good!!!:tu

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...eHVACwall2.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/i...rageCloset.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/i...geHVACwall.jpg

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

And then there's this whole pain in the ass

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...tedceiling.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:

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

VERY cool! Nice handiwork, too!
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Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking good Gerard!! :tu

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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/i...icstorage1.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/i...eexhaust-1.jpg

Here's what the platform storage area looks like

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...icstorage2.jpg


I'm not allowed to paint.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...Painting2a.jpg

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...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....!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking good there brother, keep up the good work.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

really coming along nicely

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

It's coming along nicely, Gerard! :tu

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking good there!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Very Nice, Gerald!:tu

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Getting there. Looking good!:tu

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Dude that is looking great! Keep us updated!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking good!!

Keep up the great work!!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Keep it up brother, its getting there.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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/i...tingfloor1.jpg

Here's a look at the partial floor install

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...tingfloor2.jpg

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

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...tingfloor3.jpg

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...age/Final1.jpg


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...age/Final3.jpg


http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...age/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!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Saweeet!! That looks awesome!! :banger

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking good Gerard!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

great work.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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!!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking great.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Coming along beautifully Gerard!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Herf at Gerards in two weeks! ;):r

Looking good man! :tu

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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/i...Shed062411.jpg

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

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!!!

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Everything looks great! I am jealous haha.

Re: What's better than a Mancave?
 

Looking Great, Brother!:tu