Finally...I'm building my detached cigar smoking room....

[artofdesign]

Okay guys....I've officially began my much anticipated project.....

Build a detached cigar smoking room at my house. :popeyes:

I've been wanting and daydreaming about it for few years now....I have a little extra $ saved up and some time off of work(7 weeks maternity leave for the newborn coming any day now), so here it goes....

Background: of course I wanted the thing to be as huge as possible, i wasn't even concerned about the backyard loss(especially because my house is 3 houses from a 8 acre park...plenty of room for the {future} kids), BUT I did not want to deal with the city and getting a permit. Mainly because in my city they make it tough...many visits/inspections are required, the permit cost, that long wait times for the appointments/visits/inspections, etc.
SO because of that I decided to do the largest size room allowed without a permit. 120 sq feet. 10'x12'....the size of an average spare bedroom in most modern day houses.
Its only about 60% of the size I originally wanted but I can still have a few leather couches, the mini fridge, the keg-a-rator, the scotch/liqueur shelf, wall-mounted flat screen, and a table.

Anyways, this last weekend I had the concrete poured, anchor bolts and conduit placed....now, the man work starts! Framing, insulation, drywall, siting, roofing, etc...
I'm not a building expert, In high school, about 6-8 years ago, I built 2 of these type of detached rooms with my father. I remember some parts of it ...but not that much. So for help I have my father(an expert builder), a few books on the task at hand, and some of you guys....

That leads me to some of my questions for the "you guys" part....(hopefully we have some construction guys on this forum and/or some guys who have completed this project already.) :help:

1) Ventilation. A HUGE priority. Any realistic suggestions? I was thinking 4(1 near each corner) bathroom type exhaust fans. I did read elsewhere about an external exhaust system....but I'm budgeting a few hundred, not thousands on the Ventilation.

AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE PICS ON FOLLOWING PAGES, I'VE TAKEN CARE OF THE VENTILATION.

2) A/C. One of the main reasons I'm building it is due to the tons of HOT 95-108 degree days we get here. Im tired of freaking sweating while smoking. I BOUGHT this: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11206378&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1 (in the $250-$500 price range). IT SEEMED TO BE THE BEST ONE FOR MY APPLICATION.

3)Any other tips?

For now thats all I got....I will add more of my comments and questions as they come up.
And if interest exists I'll post pics as it progresses....

Cheers,
Matt
(artofdesign)

[blessednxs65]

My wife and I have discussed me doing the same. Please keep us posted and post pics as I need to be shoved off the dime on this one.

[RigilKent]

well the ac should work fine and the fans for that size room should also work fine. just make sure you properly tape the drywall seams i recently drywalled my GF parents new basement. i would help but i live quite a ways away good luck and post pictures.

[artofdesign]

the progress pics....

[RigilKent]

pouring a patio also???

[artofdesign]

pouring a patio also???


Ya, we did the room pad, the patio, and some of side of house/next to driveway.

[artofdesign]

well the ac should work fine...

I hope so.

Do you(or anyone) have experience with these type of a/c units?

Mainly, In a room that size can I keep it off all day, and for the 3-4 nights a week im in there smoking turn it on about 2 hours before and will it take it down from hot as hell(100+ degrees) to 72ish in those 2 hours?
I've never used such a unit....

[RigilKent]

not sure on the capabilities i would call an AC tech and ask what they think. doesnt get that hot very often in WI about twice a year

[SkyStorm82]

I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the finished project.

[roscoe]

Matt,

To answer your two questions:

1) check out http://www.smokeeaters.org. Call them...talk to them. Nice guys
2) look into what is called a 'mini-split' system. these are popular overseas. It is a ductless heat/ac unit that hangs on the wall. It's 9000 btu and cost us under 400.00. We installed it ourselves.

We have a mini-split in our walk in humidor/locker room at the club and keeps the temp at 70 deg constantly.

Roscoe
The Metropolitan Society
http://www.metrocigar.com

[Jwrussell]

Bah, Roscoe beat me to it. They have a couple of units that run between $3-500 listed in their residential section that cover between 100 and 200 square feet. My personal opinion on the matter would be that you couldn't go overboard on the ventilation. No reason to sit around in your nice new smoking room and end up having yourself and the place completely stink everytime you have a cigar. Not to mention the possible health implications if you don't have enough ventilation.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

[mpieniaz]

Bah, Roscoe beat me to it. They have a couple of units that run between $3-500 listed in their residential section that cover between 100 and 200 square feet. My personal opinion on the matter would be that you couldn't go overboard on the ventilation. No reason to sit around in your nice new smoking room and end up having yourself and the place completely stink everytime you have a cigar. Not to mention the possible health implications if you don't have enough ventilation.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

Health Implications? Cigars are good for you! :dunno:

Can't wait to see how this turns out. I would offer advice, but I am not savvy when it comes to this kind of stuff.

[roscoe]

The key is not exhausting the air as much as it is filtering (handling). Exhausting the air will take out heat in the winter and a/c in the summer. A decent filter with some fresh air introduction is the ideal setup.

Roscoe
The Metropolitan Society
http://www.metrocigar.com

[artofdesign]

The key is not exhausting the air as much as it is filtering (handling). Exhausting the air will take out heat in the winter and a/c in the summer. A decent filter with some fresh air introduction is the ideal setup.

Roscoe
The Metropolitan Society
http://www.metrocigar.com

interesting, so the system you mention above is a ac and a decent filter?

[roscoe]

If you already have heat/ac then you will only need the filter equip and a source for fresh air. The guys at smokeeaters.org can tell you just how much fresh air you will have to introduce; probably just a bathroom fan unless you have fresh air induction in your current HVAC system.

Roscoe

[dpricenator]

The key is not exhausting the air as much as it is filtering (handling). Exhausting the air will take out heat in the winter and a/c in the summer. A decent filter with some fresh air introduction is the ideal setup.

Roscoe
The Metropolitan Society
http://www.metrocigar.com

I hadn't thought of the removal of hot or cold air by using the exhaust system, but that seems like it would do exactly that. The Costco AC units work just fine, but it sounds like Smoke eaters is the way to go.

[blessednxs65]

Stay after it. Beside the Packers, perhaps another reason to visit Wisconsin...

[CWS]

I tried an airconditioning unit in my lounge. I foun dit recycled the air and after awhile I almost could not breathe. I have a similar unit to the one you are looking at in our bedroom but of a higher grade from Lowes. It cost about $600, is absolutely silent and works awesome for cooling the bed room on the one or two nights it gets hot on the coast. It does have an exhaust function but to make it work well, it has to recycle the cool to reduce temp. The guys are right, a filte recirculation system is what you need and that means coin. The external exhaust is not real expensve and keeps the noise down. Basically you run your duct work from the room to your outside opening. You can use 12 to 24 ft flexible or hrad ducting. The fan is mounted at the exhaut point as far from the room as possible and pull the air through the duct out to the outside. This wa you can use a larger, heavier duty exhaut fan while keeping the noise to a minimum. Works great.

[artofdesign]

more progress....

[Volusianator]

Holy Hank, you ain't F'ing around are you!

[Jwrussell]

Love the Sombrero! :thumbsup:

[dpricenator]

Nice work. That's moving along fast

[caudio51]

Looking good!

[avid toker]

Check into FanTech...they have a few whisper quiet inline duct fans that might be right up your ally. Good luck with the project!

[TBone]

I'm working on the same thing right now except mine will be in the basement. I'm going with 2 inline 300 CFM exhaust fans and a 8" fresh air intake with a duct heater. I do not have to worry about AC in mine (Thank God). But the duct heater will eliminate any problems with cold air entering the room in the sub zero temps. Because mine is in the house I stayed away from smoke eaters. Good Luck with your project.
Tim

[RigilKent]

that looks like its going to be great

[artofdesign]

Holy Hank, you ain't F'ing around are you!

:grin:

[artofdesign]

Love the Sombrero! :thumbsup:


:rolling: trying to avoid the redneck....

[artofdesign]

Nice work. That's moving along fast

Goal is mid to late april for completion.

I want to be proud to say I did it all, but some things require help, it can be tough to rally my buddies since im off work right now but they arent. that may be my only delay.

[RigilKent]

all you need to do is offer free cigars for BOTL while they work and im sure you would get all the help you needed. i would be down:drool:

[daniyal]

This may help you out a little http://www.ryandeyer.com/cigarroom/index.html

[Pendaboot]

If I read this right you are planning to leave the room to its own devices for most of the time, and then start air conditioning systems before use. I lived in South Florida for ten years, and I think this would be a mistake. While the cost of maintaining the room might be high, IMHO the cost of not doing so might well be higher. You could maintain the room at 85 degrees, and drop to a more comfortable temperature when need be.

The downside to leaving the room to its own devices, is vermin, both animal, vegetable, and fungal, and the condition and aroma that any furnishings would take on if left to a temperature in excess of one hundred degrees during down time.

[artofdesign]

This may help you out a little http://www.ryandeyer.com/cigarroom/index.html


it has, I have been in contact with him, good guy.

[artofdesign]

all you need to do is offer free cigars for BOTL while they work and im sure you would get all the help you needed. i would be down:drool:

hehe, only issue is im not aware of any botl within 50 miles....hehe. its all good.

[artofdesign]

If I read this right you are planning to leave the room to its own devices for most of the time, and then start air conditioning systems before use. I lived in South Florida for ten years, and I think this would be a mistake. While the cost of maintaining the room might be high, IMHO the cost of not doing so might well be higher. You could maintain the room at 85 degrees, and drop to a more comfortable temperature when need be.

The downside to leaving the room to its own devices, is vermin, both animal, vegetable, and fungal, and the condition and aroma that any furnishings would take on if left to a temperature in excess of one hundred degrees during down time.


as far as daily temp, i plan on playing with it for few weeks, im sure it will end up set at low 80s then cool more before we enter to smoke.

[TexaSmoke]

My HOA would shit a brick if I start to put build something like this in my backyard.

[jmatkins]

Update pics please.

[mnelson]

he updated pics earlier today, look about 1/3 way down the second page.

[TBone]

If I was your neighbor we'd already have that thing built.:glassesgr

[Headbanger]

Great progress, keep up the good work brother.

[artofdesign]

the progress pics....

[TBone]

Lookin' good.

[RigilKent]

looks great you throwing a herf when you get this done??? :smokingbo if only cali wasn't so far away.:disappoin

[Ocat]

Mrs. Ocat saw this and thinks I should build one for myself. I'm a handy as a one legged man in a kicking contest. Plus I smoke in my den aka the Yummmmmy Cave. "lol" Nice try Mrs. Ocat. Great job so far. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[BradMc]

Man that baby is coming along, I see u are making it big enough so when Momma throws u out, U have a great Dawg House....

[Boppa-Wasch]

Nice weather too..........

[bballbaby]

Lookin' good!

I'd say its more of a bona fide structure than it is a detached "room". Very nice.

[dpricenator]

Looking good

[artofdesign]

the progress pics....

[Jwrussell]

Dang Bro'! Movin' along! Looking good.

[bballbaby]

I can smell the smoke all ready...

Lookin good

[smokem94]

Hope it's big enough to play poker in!!! Nice job....I'm jealous!

[TBone]

That thing better have a stripper pole in it.

[TexaSmoke]

Its looking good...

[RigilKent]

very nice looks great

[artofdesign]

the progress pics....

Roof is just about done! Thank God...

You'll notice the massive electrical system inside. 7 circuits! I will be haveing the fridge, a/c unit, kegarator, fans lights, sockets, and future jacuzzi circuit.

You'll also notice boxes in weird places, the cable box and a power box above the window for the wall-mount flat screen.

You'll also notice one of my dogs, patiently waiting for permission to enter....lol.

[Boppa-Wasch]

Nice update.

[Mikes]

oh my god man! If I had one of these I dont think the wife would ever see me inside hahaha. Really exciting stuff. Maybe I just found my summer project since I will be at home for a few months>?

How did you run the main ele line out to the smoke house?

Really bad ass man for real.

mikes

[WhiteLightning]

Sweet smoking room!

[artofdesign]

oh my god man! If I had one of these I dont think the wife would ever see me inside hahaha. Really exciting stuff. Maybe I just found my summer project since I will be at home for a few months>?

How did you run the main ele line out to the smoke house?

Really bad ass man for real.

mikes

rented a trencher. Trenched from main house panel to the room, placed conduit in ground, then poured concrete, then pull the wire.
I'll post some pics of the clean job at the main panel later.


I'll tell you, a few months off to do it would be great. In all honesty I have worked 7 to 11 hours every day for the last 20+ days, not one day with-out workin on it. (im off work on "maternity/child bonding time", i get 7 weeks off)
I have busted my butt on this room, i've done about 95% of the work alone. roofing and electrical and siding are the 3 things i've had buddies help with so far.

I knew it would be a big task, but honestly...not this much work. Im tired man. But can't wait to enjoy it, thats why i wont stop to take a break.

[artofdesign]

Hope it's big enough to play poker in!!! Nice job....I'm jealous!

Move the granite top cigar table out and poker table in, yup! I plan to build a custom poker table that fits right in there.

[jeeper]

Looks like you are making great progress on it. Nice clean install of everything too. Can't wait to see it all finished.

[tedski]

You do very good work. You've obviously done quite a few building projects in the past.

[BradMc]

Wow looking like u r moving right along ........

[Wasch_24]

the progress pics....

Roof is just about done! Thank God...

You'll notice the massive electrical system inside. 7 circuits! I will be haveing the fridge, a/c unit, kegarator, fans lights, sockets, and future jacuzzi circuit.

You'll also notice boxes in weird places, the cable box and a power box above the window for the wall-mount flat screen.

You'll also notice one of my dogs, patiently waiting for permission to enter....lol.
Totally awesome!

[MichiganM]

Wow that is amazing!!!

[Dougful]

It's looking great. I'm sure the time you're putting in know will pay great dividends in the near future. Thanks for all the photo updates.

[RigilKent]

Looking very good

[TexaSmoke]

Wow...Its coming along nicely. Can't wait to see it when you are done.

[bballbaby]

Looking really good. I hear ya with the time spent. My brother and i built a cabin in the woods...20 x20, 12/12 pitch, cedar siding, tongue and groove walls, hardwood floor, loft, deck, etc, etc...we drove down nearly every weekend for a little over a year to work on it. Started on a hill with a bunch of trees. The wives were pissed at the time, but now that it's up and in full use, it was well worth it.

[artofdesign]

Looking really good. I hear ya with the time spent. My brother and i built a cabin in the woods....

That thing is sweet! Well done!

[artofdesign]

the progress pics...

a little paint is on, part of the first coat.
insulation in.
drywall started....

[Boppa-Wasch]

Looking Good!!!

[bballbaby]

Wow! YOu ain't effin around. Bustin some serious ass with the progress.

[derfatdutchman]

Looks great!

[koolbooy]

amazing! great job!

[artofdesign]

FOR UPDATE ON THIS SEE: http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=19845

[kyleb]

Awesome work man!