My son is moving into an older house that has an old carriage house. There is no place in the residence for his gun safe. He wants to make the carriage house into a climate controlled storehouse to put his safe in.

The carriage house is attached, but has a paver floor and uninsulated walls. I know he'd have to insulate the walls, but what to do about the floor to stop moisture from intruding? He could put in a mini-split or window unit for climate control.

Thanks, also cross posted in outdoors

1. Browning Safes sells "MOISTURE CONTROL" on line and may suggest other solutions, such as blocking the safe up, etc. to add to other options.

2. From the Gulf of America up through Bremond, the humidity will require dehumidification/refrigerant devices out there IMHO

3. Sealing with closed cell foam all round & under new raised deck that is above flooding; weather seal/strip fenestration

4. Inside the house makes more sense, is SOP, best monitored and much more handy. Below are places to consider and have been employed.

Browning large safe = 72/57/26" H/W/D
Safe rear can serve shelves, TV, furniture, paintings
Safe front can be paneled or decorated
Dining/Family rooms divider, best if flanked with furniture ala ent.ctr, buffet & decorated/paneled
Opposite Master Bed wall, flanked by dresser drawers, drop-down hinged ceiling TV
Other rooms not yet listed may also serve

Sell safe
False bottom sofa, beds
Closet with exterior steel door & key locks, burglar hinges
Grandfather clock
Attic
Reduce # of guns, keep guns that serve dual purposes

New Safe
Decorated? lockable horizonal safe supporting large TV/ent.ctr (think flat files) or King bed

Carpentry remodeled spaces
Build a closet open for viewing, guns out of reach, locked to wall, wrought iron fence/gate.
False fireplace hearth & mantle
Double wall allows a fat sliding door(s) with guns mounted on it

Man Cave
Time to purchase a prefab Man Cave w/mini-split for backyard

Been there done that since '76

+ Don't forget to Post your solution and satisfaction for others, esp. for those that tried to help!

Remove the pavers and pour a concrete slab. Seal it with Bostik Roll Cote, make sure to roll it as instructed. You need 2 coats. Insulate walls and roof or ceiling with closed cell spray foam. Install a mini-split and let it do it's thing to keep air moving in and out. May need to add a dehumidifier depending on your climate. Make sure doors and windows are sealed well.

I'd approach as follows:

Tear pavers out

Dig down 7-8"

Install vapor barrier 10 mil poly

Install 3" polystyrene foam board for insulation in floor

Place and finish 4" minimum concrete slab in place

Then spray foam walls

Whatever wall/floor finish of your choosing

Mini split to finish

Not sure of roof insulation, but would spray foam roof when walls are done.

jtp01 said:

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Not sure of roof insulation, but would spray foam roof when walls are done.

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There is a garage apartment above the space that will be renovated.