Garages are the #1 starting point for home sim builds. They're also the #1 place people underestimate the shell work.
Insulation is not optional
An uninsulated garage swings 50°F+ across seasons — that's death for projectors, PCs, and your willingness to actually play in February. Plan for:
- Walls + ceiling insulated to local code minimum
- Insulated garage door (or replace with a wall)
- Air sealing around the door frame and any wall penetrations
Climate control
A mini-split heat pump is the standard answer. Budget $2,000–$5,000 installed. Don't try to tie a garage into the home's central HVAC — code and capacity issues usually kill it.
Door clearance
If the garage door stays, measure its open-position clearance against your planned screen and projector. Most overhead doors swing into the exact space your enclosure wants to occupy.
Options:
- Replace the door with an insulated wall
- Use a clean-look fixed-panel infill
- Position the enclosure so the open door clears it
Concrete is brutal
Plan for a turf + pad system over the entire hitting area. Concrete will destroy your knees and lower back faster than you think.
Electrical
A standard garage 20A circuit is usually enough for projector + PC + sim — but only just. If you're adding lights, a TV, or a mini-split on the same panel, get an electrician to evaluate.
Get the shell right and the equipment will love you for it.