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I have got a massive collection of leopard geckos and racks galore. Right now we are using an empty room in the house for our "Snake Room". It's been working out great but I know in a year or two we will definately need more room. My question... How would I go about turning my garage into a gecko room? I live in Florida and it gets pretty hot... too hot in the summer. I also like to closely monitor the temps to what I like not what mother nature likes in Florida and man she chabges her mind a lot. The garage is a two car garage with no windows at all. Any help would be appreciated.

Thankyou,
Chris

Is the garage currently insulated? If so, does it have a radiant barrier? Insulation with a radiant barrier is the way to go. Fortunately it's pretty easy to add even if you already have insulated walls and ceilings. Being in Florida you may already have that.

I about a bit less than half of my third garage stall into a snake room. It was time consuming but a very straightforward process. I'd be glad to help you but will need to know more about your garage and how it was constructed before I can give suggestions. Some of this will have to be to local code. You'll need to get that information locally.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

I about a bit less than half of my third garage stall into a snake room.

Oh boy. I wrote the above early this AM while my coffee was still brewing. Does not make much sense.

Should say I converted a bit less than half of my third garage stall into a snake room.

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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Unfortunately the garage is not insulated. At least I don't think so. The walls are concrete blocks so my guess is no. What other information do you need to help me?

Well, you could build a faux walled, god what would you call it, umm, my brains fried from work right now... ok, a 16 on center frame, insulate it, throw up some drywall, hang a door, TADA, instant herp room inside the garage ( not sure what kind of budget your playing around with ) then you could hardwire a A/C and heating unit to the new "room" which could be wired to a thermostat with in the room itself, thus keeping your conditions ideal... If your not planning on moving any time soon or at all, might be a good long-term solid way to go, the cost of building it in the end will eventually be seen in the money your saving keeping it cool/heated over a long period of time... I had a buddy in high school that his dad and him did this to his basement for his snakes and monitors.... worked great!! ....Just a thought...

Is the ceiling open? Is the floor concrete?

Insulating everything should be pretty straightforward. It is very important you find out proper code for the harsh, however, due to the harsh Florida environment.

If you own the home it would probably be worth the money to frame it out and do things right. But you have to know code for air spaces, vapor barriers, etc.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Sorry Chris, didn't mean to beat you to the punch...

The garage has a concrete floor. The back wall is insulated because it is part of the actual house. The side walls are concrete. The ceiling has an attic storage above the garage. There is popcorn white finish on the cieling itself... no insulation up in the attic. Any more info??? I dont know the codes but it shouldn't be a big deal for my house. Too bad I couldn't just stick the racks in the garage and be done LOL. If everything could be that easy.

Thankyou

I would put some poly wrap on the bare exterior walls, build a false wall insulate the false wall and finish with drywall. Of course I would add a radiant barrier it the walls insulation before adding the drywall. It is actually really easy to do and it doesn't need to be really thick. I think 1" foilfaced expanded polysterene would do the trick just fine. I would also insulate the attic crawl space the same way and add an HVAC system. Bing, bam, done, Reptile room!

Good Luck
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

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