Weather for Garage Sim?

[Clemente80]

Hi - I’m in the process of building a detached, enclosed structure in my backyard that will be a golf simulator area. The plan was to build it with a garage door so that if I ever sell the house, it will serve as an extra garage, which will have some resale value to non-golfers. 
 

Question - For those with sims in their garage, for what temps can it usable? Even with a wall-based heating and cooling element, can it be used in any temperature? I live in the Chicago suburbs, so being able to use it in the worst winters will add value to me. So I’m debating whether to keep the garage door or just build a normal wall with insulation. Thanks in advance.

[Springsteennut]

I don’t have a sim in my garage but my garage is fully insulated. I put those foam panels on the door. With one of those Amish heaters I can get the garage in the upper 50s low 60s when the temp is in the 20s outside.

[Springsteennut]

Oh I live in the same area as you.

[Bubbtubbs]

I'm in northern Ontario and while the walls are spray foam R26 insulated, the doors are just standard.

 

A 30A heater keeps it at 12-18°C in the winter.

[Clemente80]

Thanks guys. Really valuable input. Even with garage door insulation, if a heater only gets into the 50s or low 60s Fahrenheit (18 C is 64 F), then I think I have to forego the garage door and insulate this structure better. I’m just not really a 50 degree golfer anymore. 

[Bubbtubbs]

That's t-shirt weather. House never goes above 68F if I can help it.

 

Also, the doors aren't insulated. I do nothing about that and just eat the heat loss. 

Edited September 5, 2022 by Bubbtubbs

[J_Tizzle]

Yeah I would think if you can keep it at least 50* thats very usable.  My brother has a sim in his garage that we frequent over the winter months and with a space heater we get it around the mid 50s fairly easily so we're hitting balls in jeans and a light pullover at most.  Plus if you have a few beers it feels warmer anyways.  

[denglishdoc]

i have an old 35x35 workshop probably built in the 40's that i made into a rec room with a sim. the ceiling has 6 inches of blown in insulation. walls are not insulated they are just old tongue and groove on both sides. we have 100 degree summers and winters can get below 0 with wind. i have a furnace and window AC. i keep my space at 50-85 degrees pretty easily and think that is perfect for playing sim

 

if you do some kind of wall insulation i dont think you will have a problem keeping it any temp even with an insulated garage door.

 

even when not in use i dont let the temp in the space go below 45. i dont like my sim gear and clubs to go through big temp swings. also if the golf balls get too cold they dont feel good to hit and i noticed i crack them more often.