What's better than a Mancave?

kaisersozei · 10-28-2010, 10:50 AM

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

Looking in, toward workbench & HVAC (in background)

Looking out, from the HVAC corner

Another angle, from the other corner (standing in the current work-out space)

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.

Emjaysmash · 10-28-2010, 10:55 AM

That is going to be awesome!

boonedoggle · 10-28-2010, 11:00 AM

That has mucho potential! Good luck man.

Ogre · 10-28-2010, 11:14 AM

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

hscmit · 10-28-2010, 11:15 AM

post some project pictures as you make progress

kelmac07 · 10-28-2010, 11:18 AM

Watching this one Gerard.

TripleF · 10-28-2010, 11:20 AM

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

nomadicwookie · 10-28-2010, 12:41 PM

My offer of objective opinion on build quality still stands

HK3- · 10-28-2010, 01:04 PM

SWEET!

kaisersozei · 10-28-2010, 01:34 PM

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

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.

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.

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.

Goldie · 10-28-2010, 02:12 PM

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

Chingas · 10-28-2010, 02:18 PM

That's BadAss Brother. Keep the pics coming!

hscmit · 10-28-2010, 02:23 PM

looks great so far

yourchoice · 10-28-2010, 05:42 PM

Awesome Gerard!

Skywalker · 10-28-2010, 06:09 PM

Looking good!!!

kaisersozei · 11-10-2010, 08:56 AM

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

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.

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!

HollywoodQue · 11-10-2010, 09:00 AM

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

kaisersozei · 11-10-2010, 09:06 AM

And then there's this whole pain in the ass

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?

10-28-2010, 06:09 PM

Must not let my wife see this.

Apoco · 11-10-2010, 11:30 AM

VERY cool! Nice handiwork, too!
Posted via Mobile Device

10-28-2010, 10:50 AM	#1
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	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 Looking in, toward workbench & HVAC (in background) Looking out, from the HVAC corner Another angle, from the other corner (standing in the current work-out space) 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. __________________

10-28-2010, 10:55 AM	#2
Emjaysmash The Hebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: M.J. Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 7,025 Trading: (76)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? That is going to be awesome! __________________

10-28-2010, 11:00 AM	#3
boonedoggle The Search is ON Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jimmy Location: CHARLESTON, SC Posts: 631 Trading: (19)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? That has mucho potential! Good luck man. __________________ Dr. Hibbard: Is that the love of a man for a woman, or the love of a man for a fine Cuban cigar? (chuckles

10-28-2010, 11:14 AM	#4
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? Go for it man. Keep us posted as progress is made.

10-28-2010, 11:15 AM	#5
hscmit Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: James Location: no where Posts: 2,200 Trading: (4)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? post some project pictures as you make progress

10-28-2010, 11:18 AM	#6
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? Watching this one Gerard. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

10-28-2010, 11:20 AM	#7
TripleF 11/11/11 EPIC IV Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 5,626 Trading: (176)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? This will be cool......I'm subscribing!! __________________ Cool Cigar Shirts, Stickers & More

10-28-2010, 12:41 PM	#8
nomadicwookie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 236 Trading: (7)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? My offer of objective opinion on build quality still stands

10-28-2010, 01:04 PM	#9
HK3- Cashmere Jungle Lord Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Boffa Location: The town so nice they named it twice Posts: 5,035 Trading: (48)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? SWEET!

10-28-2010, 01:34 PM	#10
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	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 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. 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. 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. __________________

10-28-2010, 02:12 PM	#11
Goldie Bring the pain! Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Drew Location: Ohio Posts: 808 Trading: (13)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? Lookin' good so far. Keep the pictures rollin' in. __________________ Come in here dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far - Pink Floyd I like my draw, like I like my women, a little loose - Goldie

10-28-2010, 02:18 PM	#12
Chingas Death Is Waiting Join Date: Jun 2010 First Name: Chingas Location: Slayerville, Jersey Posts: 5,295 Trading: (35)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? That's BadAss Brother. Keep the pics coming! __________________ ---Chingas--- ---Team Death Bomb Squad: Captain---

10-28-2010, 02:23 PM	#13
hscmit Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: James Location: no where Posts: 2,200 Trading: (4)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? looks great so far

10-28-2010, 05:42 PM	#14
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,095 Trading: (36)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? Awesome Gerard!

10-28-2010, 06:09 PM	#15
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? Looking good!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

11-10-2010, 08:56 AM	#16
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? A few more weekends of work and here's where we are. 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. 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! __________________

11-10-2010, 09:00 AM	#17
HollywoodQue Invictus Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Howard Location: In the "D" Posts: 3,123 Trading: (46)	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

11-10-2010, 09:06 AM	#18
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? And then there's this whole pain in the ass 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? __________________

10-28-2010, 06:09 PM	#19
BC-Axeman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What's better than a Mancave? Must not let my wife see this.

11-10-2010, 11:30 AM	#20
Apoco Nerd with social skills Join Date: May 2010 First Name: Alex Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,286 Trading: (37)	Re: What's better than a Mancave? VERY cool! Nice handiwork, too! Posted via Mobile Device