Polyethlyene Boat Shelter - Advice for ambient temperature work?

[FishyInverness]

Hello YBW peeps,

It's been a little while since i've raised my head here, and once again I have left the service of Gael Force in profession but keeping on the water in my small way. Hoping that I can perhaps still bend the ear of the forumites for a bit of assistance in an issue we're trying to resolve in my new job (Campervans, boats with wheels!)

The small company I work with have a workshop based in some old and draughty farm buildings and we undertake sealing work on camper and caravans using Sika 221 which needs to be kept above 5 degrees to cure correctly. In our lovely highland winter weather this has meant having to postpone quite a few jobs as the Workshop cannot be temperature controlled in any way without undertaking a massive costly rebuilding process.

My immediate suggestion has been to get hold of a Polyethylene boat shelter such as : http://www.dancovershop.com/uk/product/boat-shelters/boat-shelter-4x12x3-5x4-5-m.aspx

Which can fit inside the workshop, enclose many of the vehicles we would be working on, and if we put the van heater on, would work as a second level of insulation inside the workshop, keeping the heat in and being able to maintain 5 degrees while the Sika cured.

Unfortunately in my time with the marine business, i'd never experienced or had discussions with anyone about this use of a boat shelter for heat retention with coatings, and so i'm hoping I can pick up on others' experiences before I recommend to the owners to invest in a boat shelter to solve the issue..

So, over to you?

Thanks

Nik
(I really need to alter my signature!)

 

[Minchsailor]

My yard uses something similiar inside their (large) workshop/shed for just this purpose.

 

[macd]

Nik: are any farmers using polytunnels in your neck of the woods? They would know.
(Our winter tent is 50% vinyl windows and gets seriously snug, but since it's about 15 degrees south of you, that probably doesn't help.)

And welcome back. How's the cat?

 

[scottie]

Ventilation ?

 

[pvb]

.... and if we put the van heater on, would work as a second level of insulation inside the workshop, keeping the heat in and being able to maintain 5 degrees while the Sika cured.

Is the van heater electric?

 

[Avocet]

I see no reason why that shouldn't work very well indeed, if the farm building will keep the wind off it? Also, if you're stuck for warmth, it would be a simple matter to run several rolls of loft insulation over the top of it. The only thing is that it will get very dark in there inside a building with loft insulation on it, so you'll have to rig lights inside it (and protect the plastic from heat).

A cheaper alternative might be to put up a scaffold framework inside the building and sheet it with this stuff:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roll-of-2...338417?hash=item235c4bf9f1:g:fVcAAOSwo0JWN2N3

(again, with / without insulation).

Obviously all the usual caveats about exhaust fumes from vehicles / combustion heaters would apply.

 

[FishyInverness]

Thanks everyone, and Mac, the cat which isn't the one in the Pic, is doing well, thanks! Good point on polytunnels, I know a tree nursery who could answer that one in a second, so, thanks for the lead there!

Excellent response giving some really positive thoughts, as always

Avocet - Yup, the workshop will keep the wind off, we need to do some work on the doors for when the wind is coming from the West, but definitely a good sturdy shelter from weather, just not the cold - The workshop tech had suggested Tarping off the massive lean-to next to the workshop, but my immediate thoughts to that were that the wind coming off the Farmer's fields surrounding us was going to compound the issue if it wasn't airtight. We'll have a look at the Scaffold sheet idea, but at the moment a boat shelter appeals most as it's moveable and can be erected inside a number of other buildings we may acquire in the future, or as a second weather shelter for an apprentice 2nd technician for general servicing work in the warmer months if that comes to pass.

On the issue of ventilation and heating, hmmm, yes it's a good point. Vans do have different heater systems (although a large amount will still use Ebers and Webastos diesel airblown systems in the same way as boat heaters) and we wouldn't always have the luxury of a van with an electric heater system - but we do have electric hook-ups in the workshop and can use an airblown heater off the mains. Ventilation, especially if using a Gas Space heater which would be the most efficient way of heating the workspace, would be given a lot of thought - again, what would the suggestions be for ventilation in a Boatshelter using a Butane/Propane Gas space heater?

Thanks again, knew I could get a good response and debate from you guys.

 

[sarabande]

forget the boat polytunnel. They are fragile creatures at the best of times, and condensation can be a problem.

My suggestion is a scaffolding framework (gives you the ability to spec height and width for a start, easily bought components, easy skills to acquire to erection standards, able to extend or change dimensions).

The covering has to be a Monarflex product

http://www.monarflex.co.uk/support/scaffolders.aspx

which comes in translucent/white, is easily and toughly fixed to the frame, and has a long life-span (much more than Visqueen). Taping sheet ends together for draught prevention is also easy.

Monarflex have an excellent design support office. Well worth a phone call.


As for heating, I'd avoid propane heaters as they create watervapour which will condense given half a chance on work surfaces. Have a word with the elec company for space heaters, or if you have the space a woodchip burner, for which you can just about still get grants, and heat incentive payments.

 

[Len Ingalls]

Hi from Canada-like your avatar!
Polyethylene enclosures are popular here for many purposes. Normally they are outdoors & benefit from sun heat. In your case it will break the heat robbing drafts & make it feel warmer.
Single poly does not have much R value as insulation. The solution is double poly with an airspace of 2-6" between-a building within a building. Common in greenhouses here.
Ventilation is important as poly is a vapour barrier.Nothing special is required-use same vents as you would in any building. Put some plastic grills at bottom of walls & more at top of walls-preferably closable ones. Greenhouses even use thermostat controlled vents to keep temp/humidity under control.Google greenhouses.

Here is an inexpensive building design for exterior poly enclosures-uses low grade 1x3 lumber for the most part.

http://www.by-the-sea.com/stimsonmarine/bowroof.html

Cheers/ Len

 

[gus]

Forget scaffolding poles and expensive bought shelters. Build a polyshed. Wooden 2"x 2" framework clad in clear polythene with wooden strapping nailed on wherever the polythene touches the frame. You can build in doors and opening windows and will stand gale force winds. The biggest one I made was 20' wide, 20' high and 50' long.
Would add a photo but don't know how .

 

[Len Ingalls]

Forget scaffolding poles and expensive bought shelters. Build a polyshed. Wooden 2"x 2" framework clad in clear polythene with wooden strapping nailed on wherever the polythene touches the frame. You can build in doors and opening windows and will stand gale force winds. The biggest one I made was 20' wide, 20' high and 50' long.
Would add a photo but don't know how .

What did you think of the Stimson shed design in my link above gus? Similar to your idea. Ribs are built of 1x3 with 6" spacer blocks so you have a "truss" effect. Each rib is built on the ground to a "mold" which makes them all the same. Then the top end of ribs for one side are attached to a 1x3 ridge pole. Duplicate for the other side.All done on the ground.
Stand the two halves up,like an upside down wooden boat,& join the two ridge poles. Run horizontal strips across bottom of ribs & 2 more runs at 1/3 & 2/3 height. Frame the ends & door in. Cover with poly outside. If you want some insulation,cover inside with poly.This leaves an air gap of approx 3" between out & in poly.

Cheers/ Len

 

[Len Ingalls]

Stimson shed video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKo3nD3NB_Q

 

[bluerm166]

No one has yet mentioned fire resistant grade material which would be desirable if not essential where used inside a commercial building.