Insulated exterior storage for tools

autx790 · 10-11-2012, 10:20 AM

I'm wrapping up my home restoration and being that it's an old house, there is very limited closet space and very little yard space. My dog asked me not to put a shed in the back to take up what little yard space there is, so i'm thinking of building a storage compartment under the porch when i rebuild it. I plan to build a door hatch into the floor and have about a 3'x8' 3ft deep area boxed in below. The porch will be a screened, but being 3 blocks from the coast in the already humid south, i'm hoping to insulate it in such as way as to protect my tools with motors (table saw, drills, other saws, routers, etc.) Is there a way I can insulate to keep the tools protected? I am thinking to just seal the box up well, caulking all the corners, and maybe putting foam insulation under the porch flooring (which would be the box door) in order to make a good deal from the top. Is this going to keep a good compartment to store tools, or do i need to do more like put a dehumidifier in the box or something else?

AndyGump · 10-11-2012, 01:55 PM

I can not think of a good reason to insulate a storage box or anything else that does not have a separate heating and/or cooling system.

What would be the point of insulation around the box?

Sealing the box might not be a good idea either. I think that leaving some sort of ventilation for free air flow would be a good thing.

Andy.

autx790 · 10-11-2012, 02:37 PM

Hey Andy,

It's very humid where i am and being near the coast i'm guessing there is a higher level of salt content in the air/humidity. Maybe not. But I can only imagine that isn't a good environment to leave tools in, particularly tools with motors. Although come to think of it, it's not much different than conditions the alternator is "stored" on a car, so maybe it doesn't matter much. Anyway, I was thinking if i seal the box up good that would store them in a little better conditions than if i just left them outside. I'm not so much thinking to insulate like you would a house, but just to keep the humidity/salinity away from the tools. Does this make sense?

Windows on Wash · 10-12-2012, 07:32 AM

I would not recommend sealing it up. I think that would create more issues than not.

bbo · 10-12-2012, 07:36 AM

If you are going to seal it, condition it.

autx790 · 10-12-2012, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the feedback! I guess I'll leave a few "windows" on each of the long sides to let some air flow through. Then if it looks like the weather conditions are starting to ware on the tools, i'll look to condition the box, or a plan C. Thanks again for the guidance!

joecaption · 10-12-2012, 08:44 AM

Any box store will have lots of differant options on simple cheap venting.
There going to have 2" 4" round pop in vents, simple cheap rectanguler nail on ones, all will come with built in screens to keep out insects.

autx790 · 10-12-2012, 09:13 AM

Awesome. Thanks for the info Joe!