Two years ago today, we published Special Spaces: Man Cave Highlights Antique Tractors Over Epoxy Coatings. It was one of the more unique coatings projects we completed in 2014. But, it has NOTHING on Man Cave 2! 
Dave (man cave inhabitant and owner) took things to a whole new level on this project. Located roughly ten miles away from Man Cave 1, this project began in early 2014.
No longer content with a pole barn construction, this man cave is more mountain lodge than tractor showroom. It features wooden beams, high ceilings, and large fireplaces among its many highlights. This man cave even has an underground, 100-yard tunnel used as a shooting range!
More Mountain Lodge than Tractor Garage
In early spring of 2014, Zach and I went up to get the dimensions and photos of the new cave. When we saw the building, it was still in construction, but the layout was there. This time, Dave wanted our decorative chip coatings in both Man Cave 2 and also his home's attached garage. We installed all epoxy flooring in late spring of 2014. I finally got to visit the completed project in April of this year.
Walking up to the new Man Cave 2, you see what looks like a mountain cabin with a peaked roofline that falls down to a 3’ overhang at the exterior walls. Large windows in both the front and the sides let in a lot of natural light and also allows you to take in the wooded lot. The only thing that makes this 36’ x 70’ building a “garage” would be the garage door that allows access for the antique tractors he has on display inside the cave.
Inside is where this building separates itself from the typical garage or man cave. The building is constructed of timber and stone from local materials that are readily available in Dave’s area. The first thing I noticed were the large wood trusses that were custom made at KSM Log Homes in Lewisburg.
The stone fireplace towers the full height of 22’ to the ceiling. The living area, bar area, and rear four season room has slate tiles for the flooring.
Our epoxy flooring, Delaware hybrid decorative chip, is used in the front of the building. The blend makes a perfect parking spot for his antique tractors and vintage gas pumps.
Dave admitted he struggled with a solution for the transition between the tile and our flooring. So, he found a local metal shop that made a steel “ships rope” transition that was mounted on our flooring and the tile to make a unique transition to protect the tile. He also had this same company make all of the balusters around the steps and wooden crib with the same steel design.
The walls are covered with ship lap, knotty pine paneling and the ceiling is composed of tongue and groove pine boards. The bar top is a recycled barn timber that he found after moving in. Dimmers on the large antler chandeliers and LED lighting allow Dave to control the amount of light he needs.
Dave is an avid collector of antiques. Metal signs, gas pumps, farm equipment, lanterns, and more fill the space. He said “it is still not finished and is always a work in progress.” Among the tractors he has on display are:
- a 1958 Ford Power Master 861/Diesel
- a 1946 John Deere H
- a 1938 John Deere B
Dave said the Ford Power Master is pretty rare and sought after due to it being a diesel. All of the tractors run and can be used.
Benefits of our Epoxy Floor Coatings
Dave said “he loves our flooring because it is easy to clean (see: 12 Tips for Use & Care of Your Epoxy Floor Coatings), warms up his cave, and is durable for his tractors that weigh up to 4,000 lbs.” He put a York 1/4'' decorative chip, epoxy/polyaspartic urethane system in his attached garage where he parks his truck, tractor for mowing, and his ATV. Dave said he “just hoses it out every once and a while and it looks like new.”
I must say, after spending only an hour with Dave, I was amazed with what he did with this new building and how he used local builders, materials, and his antiques to make it his. He admitted that he doesn’t spend much time at the house due to “the cave being his quiet area to relax and look at his collection.”
Creating Special Spaces with Epoxy Flooring
I thanked Dave for the opportunity to help him with our epoxy coatings in his man cave. This project is one of many great example of how our epoxy flooring plays a role in people’s special spaces.
If you think you're ready to update your special space - whether that space be something as crazy as this man cave, or just a simple garage - start by requesting a free quote today!
Steve Galeone was the Director of Sales & Customer Service for STRONGHOLD FLOORS. This was his first time using his new DSLR camera.
Check out the following blogs to see more epoxy projects tied to a special space:
