Garage gym

[Maxxy]

Hello all.
Just moved into my new house, and im looking to convert my garage to make it more habitable, so i can use it as a gym (my use only).

At the moment its bare concrete walls, and corrugated asbestos ceiling.

I was planning on using a filler of some sort to fill all the gaps in the concrete walls, attach insulating foam, then fix plasterboard over the top.

The roof i was planning to do similar, attach insulating foam and then fix plasterboard sections to the timber rafters (not the asbestos).

The aim is to keep the heat in as much as possible, to make it bearable in the winter, and also to make it look nicer than it currently does.

Any other ideas/suggestions would be good, as would any advice on materials etc. I'll post up some pictures sometimes (not really that interesting) as the before, and when its all done i'll do likewise.

Cheers, Maxxy

 

[JohnD]

you might use insulated plasterboard. Prob not necc to seal the draughts on the cold side (it'd be like a loft, where the topside is well ventilated)

 

[Maxxy]

Cheers John, wasnt aware they did that, should save a lot of effort!

 

[Maxxy]

Well, its taken a long time of weekends/evenings, but ive got 2 walls nearly finished! Ill post a couple of pictures up soon as i upload them.

I vertically batterned the walls, then ran armoured cable to metal boxes for the socket outlets. From these boxes ill be running flex to drywall lining boxes, mounted a few cm below the metal boxes. I used insulation panels (they come pre cut in half a metre by metre sections, which i trimmed to size). Then i fitted 18mm plywood to get nice solid walls. Countersunk the screws, then painted the walls. Then used a filler on the holes and joints where the boards met. Sanded them smooth then repainted.

Ill be surface running the light cables, and for the alarm, as i dont want to run twin and earth behind the walls.

2 walls done, 1 and a bit to go!!

I'm also considering getting the garage door bricked up, as i wont ever use it, and it'll make the garage more secure and easier to keep warm when im using it.

 

[Maxxy]

One problem i have come across though, is what to do with the ceiling. Its corrugated asbestos. I was originally planning to fit plasterboard underneath it, but it would reduce the ceiling height by a few inches, as there is metal supports running under the roof. I'm now considering just painting the asbestos, and tidying up the edges of my walls. Any other suggestions would be helpful!

 

[Maxxy]

Picture time!

I tiled the floor in the end rather than using carpet, as it makes the floor more solid (carpet + underlay would have been too squishy for a gym).
Plus i can easily replace a tile if it gets dirty or worn out.

Photos arent posting, so heres the links:

Garage view 1 from door:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/MaxPower_/aDSC01463.jpg

Garage view 2 from door:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/MaxPower_/aDSC01472.jpg

Wall that still needs finishing. Fused neon switches for pond pump, pond lighting, spotlight and decking lights
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/MaxPower_/aDSC01470.jpg

Floor tiles
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/MaxPower_/aDSC01467.jpg

End wall
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/MaxPower_/aDSC01466.jpg

I still need to finish off around the windows and door, fit skirting boards and sort out the lighting, but at least its now useable

I've also got to do something with the roof, im still trying to decide what. Either paint it, or board it out. I'm more inclined towards painting it then finishing off the edges, as boarding it will reduce my headheight too much!