Delete post if too off topic, but I don't think that it is... Over the past few years, I've put up 2 Shelter Logic temporary garages to house my '53 Chevy 1/2 ton 5 window and my '46 Dodge 1/2 ton. This last winter was a killer, and although neither of them collapsed, they're completely lopsided and several of the pipes in the frames have kinked from a heavy snow load, so they'll have to be replaced before next winter. I don't want to go through this again, so I'd like to know what types/brands of temporary structures everyone here has used to protect their cars, especially in areas that have heavy snows and wind. I need something "snow rated". Also - these 2 garages are set upon a base of compacted process - compressed dirt/gravel/asphalt tailings. I've doubled up a large sheet of 6 mil plastic for the floor, but I'm wondering if I'd be better off just having the area paved, as it's adjacent to a my parking lot already. What are the advantages of paving vs. a slab vs. a plastic sheet on the ground? Thanks... Chris
I have a shelter logic shed storage building that stood up to our brutal winter fine. Several times I did take a push broom and slide the snow off. Mine's just on gravel, it's not damp inside. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
make sure that a paved/poured floor doesn't remove the "temporary" status in the eye of the building inspector. he has a direct link to the tax ***essor.
That type of structure will last longer if you fasten sheets of chip board or plywood to the roof before you put the covering on. And, you need to sweep off the snow if it gets too deep. And of course, it must be fastened down so the wind can't blow it away. There must be no mistake about it. You can make an excellent floor at reasonable cost by the following process. I have done it over broken up concrete too. Build up the area with gravel for drainage, or in the case of an existing floor, level with sand Cover with 2" of styrofoam sheets Plastic vapor barrier Tongue and groove 7/16 X 4 X 8 flooring. No need to nail or fasten it down Paint with 2 or 3 coats of floor paint This makes a good dry warm floor and does not count as a permanent structure. OK for storage but not really strong enough for a work area. If you want to jack something up, put an extra piece of plywood down. You could make a stronger floor with a double layer of flooring or plywood. I have seen such "temporary" structures last 20 years. The plywood or chip board roof reinforcement seems to be key.
I have a Shelter King 12x20 with the round top and it has lasted 7 years here in Colorado. The snow just slides off the round top. Is yours a peaked roof? Those may hold the snow on top allowing it to build up more, just a thought.
don't make it too air tight. The wind will help keep the humidity down and prevent sweating when the temperature changes.
What worked best for me was to refinance the house, and spend $20k to build a second "parking" garage, which lets me store 6 cars inside. Went from 30 year to 15 year mortgage, payoff date is a few years earlier, monthly payment went up by $100. Did that in 2005. Quite satisfied.
I find snow quite a good cover;-) If your snow sticks a long time, just let the car cover up with snow. In the spring when it thaws off the car will be nice and clean underneath. Obviously not good for ever but a couple of years should be OK til you've built a good garage. I think, sunshine does more damage.
Only way those pipes bend is if the snow isnt brushed off. I have a 16' x 32' quonset style and start brushing it off if 3" or more collects on it. We just had 10" of heavy wet snow last week and I was out in the middle of the evening brushing it down and again in the morning.5 years old and never had a pipe bend.
I have a shelter logic dome top wigwam, 12x20 and I found i had to plow the perimeter as all the snow sliding off it built up against the walls and was bowing the walls in. When the sun came out even though it was -30 the shelter would heat up and I ended up with heavy frost inside cab on headliner, visors, gl*** so I ended up leaving the door open most the winter. Next season I will put 15mm Stego Wrap on the floor to act as a vapour barrier and vent the front and rear of wigwam. These things are just like a green house but I needed extra room in my garage this winter....
I put up a 10'x20' Costco canopy in 2010 to store and build my project in. The Costco canopy has extremely heavy frame, and can be drilled and tapped. I wired mine for plugs and lights and have a male cord end feeding it, so I can plug it into an outside outlet when I'm working inside. I put down gravel inside and laid wafer board down for the floor. Since the sheets are a foot short on each side it actually works to keep the wood from getting moisture on it from the edges. I also bought a set of 3' auger anchors from Northern Tool, as I wanted to make sure it didn't move. It has survived 60 mph winds and never moved. I've built two cars in there, and done some engine swaps and the floor has held up nicely with the gravel keeping the wood off the dirt. The roof finally gave up this winter and began to leak. I looked at getting another roof cover, but the good ones were almost as much as a new shelter. I went to Harbor Fright and bought a 12 mil gray tarp large enough to cover the top and extend down the sides. With a 25% off discount coupon it came in around $45. I had a buddy help me, and we used 4' lath strips down each leg, screwed into the posts to hold it tight, and keep from tearing up during winds. Hopefully I can get a big Douglas Fir removed this summer, and then I'm having a small 24'x24' shop put up out back, so I can have a more permanent building to store and work on the cars.
Thanks for the advice, especially re: flooring, vapor barriers, etc. The storage buildings are at my shop, which is 15 miles from my home, so I can't always get out there to sweep the snow off every few hours, especially in the event of a heavy storm. The one garage with a bent frame had almost 4' of snow on it at one point...that was when we got slammed with snow in '12 - '13, and it took the town of Stratford 3 days to clear the almost 4' of snow on road in front of my building. Before that, it was completely imp***able. I found that Shelter Logic offers "snow rated" structures, with heavier frames and covering material. I also found a Canadian company on-line called Cover-Tech that sells what seems to be very heavy duty snow rated temporary structures. If anyone knows about heavy snowfall, the Canucks will... Chris
Be sure to arrange for someone to mill your fir tree for your shop lumber. The right mill can save you some money on the shop lumber package.
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