Quattro

Hey y'all. I have another project I'd like to start on this summer.

Our house has an attached garage that shares 1.5 walls. Near the door connecting the hall with the garage is a small closet. We currently put our paper recycling in this closet, and our glass/metal/plastic bin just outside the door in the garage. In the winter, opening this door to put a bottle in the bin lets out a significant amount of warm air...and the same for cool air in the summer.

My idea is to create a "pass-through" door in this closet that is spring-hinged and sealed with foam gasket tape. The concept is pretty simple. Create a rack in the garage on the other side of the closet wall, and place 1 or 2 recycling bins on the rack...about 4 feet in the air (the garage floor is 20" below the main floor of the house). Cut a hole in the closet wall, and finish off the exposed edges. Then create an insulated door that swings out into the garage, mounted on a spring hinge so it closes automatically. It could be sealed with some wide strips of foam gasket material (~ 1/4" thick).

Stuff falls into the recycling bin, and air/heat loss is minimal. Paper mess in the closet is a thing of the past. Everything looks good, right?

Any other ideas? Does something like this exist pre-built?

Thanks!

Quattro

I guess something like this...but MUCH less expensive:

http://www.envirotrashconcepts.com/product_line.html

inspectorD

But somebody has to give you the regs.
The issue is with putting a breach in the fire wall between your house and the garage.
When you have this hole...you potentiality can get Carbon monoxide into the home, and if there is a fire you will have another issue.
I hate being the safety police...but just so you know it may also void your homeowners insurance if something should happen.
I have horror stories with insurance companies...and will not work with them anymore. Leaves a bad taste for everyone.

Just make sure the company mentioned does not have this issue and is fire rated.

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Square Eye

As InspectorD mentioned the firewall, I was reminded that insurance companies and building codes are very up-tight about the firewall between garage and living space.
When it all goes wrong, the insurance company will be looking to lay blame on someone. Don't let it be you!

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Quattro

Dangit. I knew there was a reason not to do it. Well, crap. There goes my great idea for the year!

Thanks for pointing out the rules, guys.