I want multiple entrances to this small room. How should I construct them?

[newguy41410]

Im thinking of having two or three entrances so i can work on the plants from outside the room(so i dont have to sacrifice flower/veg space for walk space). Here's some photos of a 6x6 room im building. So far i just have the walls up:

http://imgur.com/a/kAlYL

I'm thinking of lining the interior with Foam Insulation board with reflective surface showing. And maybe using plywood for exterior siding? I'm really still undecided on material any suggestions are more than welcome. How should I cut out my entrances though? Should I use slabs of plywood on hinges as doors? Is there a sliding mechanism i can cheaply incorporate? Make detachable walls? Velcro? Zipper? I'm not much of a builder and dont have experience with a grow yet so im not quite sure what my best options are. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance

 

[Drop That Sound]

Hey man, if you are still planning for veg space in there, I would partition 1/3 of the space with another thin wall (2x2 with one layer of mylar backed foam board facing the flowering side), and add a single slim closet door to just the veg room seems you wont need to do as much work in that part.

Now for the other 2/3rds or flowering side, on the main opposing entrance wall from the new divider wall, I would knock out all of the center studs you already framed and put 2 of them in the corners on each side to double the corners up more like 4x4 beams. Then you could frame in a 6' double slider door like closets have, that allows you to work one side or the other from that wall. Would just have to use some weather stripping to minimize light leaks, or use a large black out window curtain on a rod in front of the slider doors.

If you had a table saw you could rip the rest of the studs you pull out to make the veg/flower divider wall too.

Now on the other 2 sides just on the flower room part, you could use piano hinges to make raise-able or drop down hatches down low, or just put in some smaller cabinet doors into the framing to get side access, which you probably won't need, but would definitely be nice!

A 6X6 complete perpetual grow box sounds awesome, I would be glad to help, let me know if you need more idea's or a blue print of what i'm trying to say!

 

[Drop That Sound]

Ok so i noticed you have 2 studs in the walls, so on one side if you took those 2 out you might be able to find a sliding closet door that fits right in, just replace the 2 studs to wherever the side of the new door is, whatever size it ends up being.

You are on a concrete slab that could get too hot or cold so while you are still rough framed I would put down a full sheet of rubber or even 2 sheets of foam. You could drop the panels in later before or after you finish the walls though.

On the other hand if you can frame that 6x6, why not just frame an extra 2x4 or 3x3 right to the outside of it, and have plenty of room inside the 6x6 to move around for flowering. I'll just draw you some pics to give you an idea soon..

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Get some cheap closet doors (non-sliding, they suck for light proofing) and mount them properly. Get some 1/4"x1/4" stick wood and light proof the edges.

Done.

(edit: If the closet door does not come with a frame you'll need something other than 1/4"x1/4" stick wood. Still super easy to get it done.)

 

[Drop That Sound]

^ ya I agree with Doug, sliding doors could be done but would be a pain in the ass, you can buy or even get free closet doors all day long on craigslist, or real cheap at reclaimed building material stores, they usually have hundred to choose from if you have a store like that. Around here there are atleast 5 stores nearby to get used doors.

Here is an idea if you are willing to sacrifice another 2x6 worth of room in your garage, and would give plenty of room to work without extra work hatches, while also keeping light from crossing into the flower room.

You could totally do without the light containment area with a free swinging door, and just have a door to the flower room and a door into the 2'x4' veg room. Just one idea of a hundred + ways you could go about it.

 

[Drop That Sound]

NM, scratch that idea it would leak light in that area unless you had a spinning cylinder (like those circular glass doors they used to use in fancy hotels in the city) in the lower left corner that you walk into, that has one opening making a light proof 3 way entrance, which would be freaking awesome but here is the simplest way

 

[newguy41410]

Ok so i noticed you have 2 studs in the walls, so on one side if you took those 2 out you might be able to find a sliding closet door that fits right in, just replace the 2 studs to wherever the side of the new door is, whatever size it ends up being.

You are on a concrete slab that could get too hot or cold so while you are still rough framed I would put down a full sheet of rubber or even 2 sheets of foam. You could drop the panels in later before or after you finish the walls though.

On the other hand if you can frame that 6x6, why not just frame an extra 2x4 or 3x3 right to the outside of it, and have plenty of room inside the 6x6 to move around for flowering. I'll just draw you some pics to give you an idea soon..

NM, scratch that idea it would leak light in that area unless you had a spinning cylinder (like those circular glass doors they used to use in fancy hotels in the city) in the lower left corner that you walk into, that has one opening making a light proof 3 way entrance, which would be freaking awesome but here is the simplest way

dude, thanks so much bro. i super appreciate it. I got stoned and laid there for hours last night pondering how im going to approach this whole thing. and came up with my own design using MS PAint lol.

Then i woke up this morning like, "this is horrible. no way Im going to install all those sliding doors." lol. im gonna do some more tinkering in my garage to see what i can make work. Definitely thinking about just adding another two feet of framing to make a 2x6 veg room just need to figure out if i have the space available in my garage. Thanks again man i will be keeping updates with what i decide to go with and hope you can help bounce ideas back and forth, if anything. have a good one bro

 

[newguy41410]

NM, scratch that idea it would leak light in that area unless you had a spinning cylinder (like those circular glass doors they used to use in fancy hotels in the city) in the lower left corner that you walk into, that has one opening making a light proof 3 way entrance, which would be freaking awesome but here is the simplest way

http://imgur.com/a/CZawo

forgot to add picture of my design in mspaint for entertainment purposes (i can't edit posts yet)

 

[Granger2]

I'm not going to draw this. You don't need tracks, zippers, or any of that other. Just frame a section between 2x4's with 1x2, leaving a lip on the 2x4's to keep the door you're going to make from falling thru the opening. Apply adhesive backed closed cell foam [last, after doors complete], thinnest you can find, to the lip. Found with weather stripping for windows and doors.

Then make your doors with 1x2 and cheap white paneling for the surface. These will be light so you unlatch the door and slide it to the side, lean it up. Turn the white surface to the inside and it will reflect without even having to paint it or without having to apply reflective surface.

You'll need paneling [HD and Lowes will cut to your specs]. Lowe's is where I found white paneling, and cheap. Cut slightly narrower and shorter than your door frame.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frost-King...-Closed-Cell-Foam-Window-Weatherstrip/3047963
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gatehouse-2-in-Steel-Bolt/3353294 [this will work. Can't find the one's I use.]

Use all screw construction. You'll need a 1x2 about 1/3 of the way up from the floor to serve as a handle. [paneling will make the frame totally sturdy]. Build the doors in place. I screwed 1st 1x2 in place inside the frame, attached 2nd 1x2 to 1st with corner wood bracket, and so forth. Don't make them too tight. Then removed excess screws. Add weather stripping last. Good luck. -granger

 

[sourpuss]

Id put 1 door on the opposite side to the garage door. Push 1 stud out to fit a prehung door from home depot whereever.. easy.. Cut out the base 2 x 4 where to door goes. Will look right and lockable.

Doors r more secure with the hinge to the inside of the space. There r security hinges too.

Good luck!

 

[sourpuss]

I thought more about what your intending. If u want full access and very little security. A blackout roller shade on the 2 accessable sides will work. Just roll em up and down for access....

 

[brown_thumb]

Is it impractical to lengthen the room toward the front of the garage?

 

[Drop That Sound]

NP man, there is a million ways to finish off your box and no matter how you do it, you are on the right track. Way better than a tent any day of the week for sure, although you could set a small one on the side for veg, panel it out, add a door and call it a day... might as well frame it though seems you are dedicated to it.

Like the others say simple pre-hung doors will save a lot of frustration and pretty easy to install. Screw everything so you can change things later or even re-install it somewhere else.

If you are up for frustration though I leave you with another picture, for entertainment purposes of course

 

[brown_thumb]

NP man, there is a million ways to finish off your box and no matter how you do it, you are on the right track. Way better than a tent any day of the week for sure, although you could set a small one on the side for veg, panel it out, add a door and call it a day... might as well frame it though seems you are dedicated to it.

Like the others say simple pre-hung doors will save a lot of frustration and pretty easy to install. Screw everything so you can change things later or even re-install it somewhere else.

If you are up for frustration though I leave you with another picture, for entertainment purposes of course

DTS, what you've illustrated there is a photo darkroom rotating door. Check craigslist. Commercial photo printers that updated from old school analog printing might be giving them away... or nearly so.

 

[Drop That Sound]

DTS, what you've illustrated there is a photo darkroom rotating door. Check craigslist. Commercial photo printers that updated from old school analog printing might be giving them away... or nearly so.

Thanks man, I found a few old 2-way ones on CL (typing in "dark room" was the key I was missing earlier..), not exactly cheap for a new one.. especially 3-way.

Now I must have one, and will be looking once a week for super cheap or free ones! My (someone else of course) concept took 5 minutes to design in my head and draw, and wouldn't cost much really though. a few hundred dollars at the most if not free? I don't have a use at this exact moment though or time to build but its definitely on my list now..

What I want to know is why growers haven't been using them? Never seen anyone, or a pic, or even video for that matter out of tens of thousands Ive viewed.. Oh yeah the price tag... ouch.

 

[brown_thumb]

A company here was giving away two 2-way and one 3-way rotating darkroom doors but they required the recipients uninstall them... very fair and good. But I was ill and couldn't do the work. I also no longer own any tools.

Oh well...