FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

woodshop heating

tkress | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on May 14, 2002 05:36am

I am in the process of converting a 30′ x36′ garage/barn into a woodworking shop. The structure is full dimension 2×6 with a poured concrete floor. I will insulate and dry wall the walls.  There is a full upstairs that I would use for storage, office, etc.  What type of heat/system would you use – I live in western Massachusetts – 

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. DavidThomas | May 14, 2002 08:11pm | #1

    I would (did in my own house) do radiant tubing in the slab to a hot water heater which would have enough hot output to keep the garage warm down to -20F once you hve it insulated.

    Too late for that now (unless you want to do another concrete pour).  So I would put in a direct-vent heater such as Toyo or Monitor's.  Available for propane, natural gas and fuel oil, it would heat the downstairs pretty well and, if you have good air circulation, would heat the upstairs quite well.  The slab tends to stay pretty cool unless you have a pretty big fan to stir up the low-laying cold air.

    The advantage of these small direct-vent units is that they don't take much floor space and they require no plumbing or wiring beyond run fuel to them and plugging them in the wall.

    David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
    1. tkress | May 14, 2002 09:03pm | #2

      Hi Dave - thanks for the input - I have considered direct vent propance heaters, do you think there is any danger from air born dust? I also have considered pellet stoves - pellets cost less than propane but propane is quick. Alaska - such a great place, I was there back in 1080, Juneau, Skagway, White Horse - a friedn of mine is going to Anchoridge Thursday to buy a plane. Any specific models of heaters you can recommend would be great - Tom Kress

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | May 14, 2002 09:44pm | #3

        You might want to look at using a infra gas heater. Detroit Radiant is one brand, if I remeber correctly.

        Workshop dust is not normally a safetly problem. But finishes can be. Some of them are sealed combustion with extra air intakes. They are used a lot in garages and aircraft hangers.

      2. DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 01:51am | #4

        One can always imagine a dangerous scenerio, but a properly installed direct-vent heater is about as safe as you can get.  You can't get a back-draft of carbon monoxide leaden exhaust because of vent fans or due to wind-induced pressures.  And flammable fumes (painting, gasoline spill, etc) and dust can't get to the flame because all the air for the flame comes in a separate pipe from outside and all the combustion products get vented outside with no addition of room air.  So unlike a conventional water heater or furnace, there is no path from room air to/from combustion air.

        Regarding Makes and Models:  I'd suggest you work with what is available locally since you'll want to have local service and parts available.  For matter, I'd suggest you shop for a highly recommendation service person rather than for the stove itself.  Than ask the service person what they would recommend and have found to reliable and easily serviceable.

        Electric or gas-fired radiant heaters have the advantage of being quick acting but they are clearly possible ignition source.  Since they are located pretty high, they are less likely to ignite propane or gasoline fumes which hug the floor.  Airborne fine powders can definitely catch fire and/or explode although it does take a fairly dense dust cloud to propogate a flame front.  About 0.003 pounds of dust per cubic foot is a risk although twice (0.006 pounds per cubic foot) will make a bigger bang.  That would be 52 pounds of fine sawdust uniformly distributed throughout the volume of your garage.  And that is a LOT of dust.

        What kind of airplane?  Maybe I know the owner.  I'm meeting with a bunch of pilot buddies in EAA tomorrow.

        David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

        1. 4Lorn1 | May 19, 2002 07:02pm | #5

          Some time ago I was impressed by a NG radiant system. It was in an automotive workshop. It has a piece of 4" cast iron drain pipe drawing air in from outdoors, a burner and another cast pipe about 30' long that is suspended at about 10' above the floor as a radiator.

          It seemed to work well.

          1. DavidThomas | May 19, 2002 08:47pm | #6

            4LORN1: I've seen that kind of set-up as well.  In the arctic entry/foyer of a Fred Meyers Store.  Does seem to work pretty well.  Didn't look cheap though.  Partly because it has some pretty big pieces.  But also because they don't  sell a million of them each year.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

          2. 4Lorn1 | May 20, 2002 03:39am | #7

            The one I saw had a burner unit that was only about 18"square. The pipes appeared to be common cast iron sewer pipes, complete with markings, and were hung with steel pipe hangers on all-thread rods. The burner (blower?) unit had a circuit, looked like 12/2 MC (20A) and a flexible gas line run to it. I remember this because I was thinking that this would work for a shed/shop I was planning. Unfortunately even though I vowed to remember it I can't remember the manufacturers name.

            OK. I did a Google search on " gas fired radiant heating". This series of units look similar to what I saw.

            http://www.reverberray.com/products/des.html

            This is on the low end of their line. I don't know about prices or availability. I assume that there are other manufacturers.

            Edit: After looking at the above site I see that those "cast iron sewer pipes" may be far more exotic. Possibly titanium. Sure didn't look high tech to me.

            Edited 5/19/2002 11:07:52 PM ET by 4LORN1

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details

These defensive details give homes a better chances of surviving wildfires.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • An Impressive Air-to-Water Heat Pump

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data