I was reading the topic about the container ship and read the post about how styrene really deforms at about 220 degrees F. I am building my layout in my garage in TX and my garage gets pretty hot in the summer months. I have not started the screnery yet and therefore have not added any structures. I would hate to build a huge industrial complex out of styrene and have it deform on the first 100 degree day. My question is how hot can it get before stryene starts to become unstable? What can I do to help keep the climate milder in my garage? Any experience out there from others who have built a layout in their garage or other non-climate controlled area? ------------------ Mike Drzycimski Arlington, TX The Southview Lines
Mike, I don't think that you will have any trouble as long as none of the buildings are in the direct sunlight!! If it gets to 220 degrees in your garage I would be very surprised. I have my layout in my garage in a completely uncontrolled environment. Right now I am dealing with the cold, but soon it will be the heat. I am considering more insulation for the walls and ceiling, maybe even a drop ceiling to bring the space/area down to a more controllable size. Then, I will add more space heaters for winter (only have one now) and get a portable air conditioner for summer. Remember, extreme conditions not only effect buildings, but also track, wiring, loco motors etc. Good luck and Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!! Proud to be NARA Member #14
Mike, if your garage was completely sealed, it amy get to 220F, but most garages I have seen have plenty of gaps to allow air to enter and exit. If you don't have vents installed you wish to consider doing so. Depending on the winter climate (market), and what types of vents are available, there may be those that have closable vents. Insulation will help no end. Foam sheets or fibreglass batts may be appropriate additions to the garage roof to assist in keeping radiated heat out of the garage. Gary. ------------------ Gary A. Rose The Unofficial TC&W page TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377 NARA Member No.17 N to the Nth degree!
WHEW! I sure hope that your garage never gets even close to 220 degrees. Your styrene will not be the only things melting! Remember that water boils at 210 degrees. I can understand where you are coming from about the temp. If you plan to do a lot of work on your layout in the summer, insulating the walls and ceiling, then installing central air conditioning will be about your only option. A friend here in S.Indiana built his layout in his garage. We could not work on the layout during the summer months because the room became a steam bath. He put in insulation, an a/c unit, and a woodstove, and we can work on the layout year round now. You might try putting a fan or two in the area and see if that helps.
Here in southern California, I have a ceiling fan and a baseboard heater in my garage. Opening the door and turning on the fan helps in the summer, and closing the door and using the heater works great in the winter. The other great thing about having the layout in the garage is that it is on wheels and I can roll it outside for photos in natural lighting. ------------------ Ed Harrison Ed's Mental Cab Ride
I have thought about insulating (the garage door and the ceiling) and will definitely do that. I have also thought about a portable A/C and even adding a new duct to my central A/C into the garage. What has stopped me is the fact that I still park the cars in the garage and I would hate to cool it down and then another family member open the garage door and let in all the hot air. What about installing a fan in the ceiling of the garage to exhaust the heated air into the attic? My attic has turbine fans to allow heated air to flow out. Will this work? Would I need to gap the garage door to allow fresh air to flow into the garage? ------------------ Mike Drzycimski Arlington, TX The Southview Lines
