Insulating a shed -...
 

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[Closed] Insulating a shed - check my logic please

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So my new to-be garden office/shed has just been delivered. 12mm t&g boards with 45mm battens. Going on some sturdy decking - so should be no damp issues and well ventilated.

Plan is to staple this to inside this to inside of battens on walls for insulation, with a double layer for roof and floor.

Will likely lay a carpet on inside of office floor for further insulation.

And for the inner face to use further t&g panelling of around 7mm pine to create inner walls for the office.

Seem reasonable?


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 9:46 am
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Anything that thin ain't gonna be amazing, but with a wee oil filled rad or similar it'll take the edge off winter.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 10:42 am
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You'd be much better off putting PIR board (Celotex / Kingspan, etc.) between the battens.

The metallised bubble wrap only achieves it's headline performance into a significant air space (100mm?? If you dig into their literature you should be able to find it).

I think even 25mm PIR would be much better than the bubble wrap stuff, but use thicker if/where you can.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 10:50 am
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if your skint and its not close to the house - even polystyrene between the battons would sort you out - or even glass fibre roll if you have ventilation.....


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 10:53 am
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I have used that bubble wrap foil stuff glued onto the back of roof panelling to stop the condensation issues associated with cold winder nights and slightly warmer garage air. Works great. But doesnt really make the place any warmer, just moves the dew point a bit.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 10:56 am
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if your skint and its not close to the house – even polystyrene between the battons would sort you out – or even glass fibre roll if you have ventilation…..

It's a case I don't really have thousands more to throw at this, but equally I don't wan't to be in the position where by I have spent £1k, cut corners and it's crap but only a few hundred extra would make it comfortable...


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 10:58 am
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You’d be much better off putting PIR board (Celotex / Kingspan, etc.) between the battens.

The metallised bubble wrap only achieves it’s headline performance into a significant air space (100mm?? If you dig into their literature you should be able to find it).

I think even 25mm PIR would be much better than the bubble wrap stuff, but use thicker if/where you can.

Thanks, the cellotex stuff needs a vapour barrier between the external wall and the insulation doesn't it?


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:00 am
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I have used that bubble wrap foil stuff glued onto the back of roof panelling to stop the condensation issues associated with cold winder nights and slightly warmer garage air. Works great. But doesnt really make the place any warmer, just moves the dew point a bit.

Good to know, thanks


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:00 am
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Don't see why it would need a barrier, it's foil faced anyway. I would put it over the face of the battens to create an air gap and then screw panelling straight through to sandwich it.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:05 am
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the cellotex stuff needs a vapour barrier between the external wall and the insulation doesn’t it?

Any vapour barrier needs to be on the 'warm' side of the insulation - Celotex, etc. boards are usually supplied with a foil face, in which case, all you need to do is tape over the joints on the inside (with [url= https://www.screwfix.com/p/diall-aluminium-foil-tape-silver-45m-x-75mm/4415v ]this stuff[/url]) and you've got a very good vapour barrier.

(Edit: Where you *really* need a vapour barrier is if you're using porous insulation, like wool - otherwise you risk interstitial condensation.)


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:07 am
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I used that in my log cabin: Underneath the floorboards before they were nailed down and in the roof below the 50mm polystyrene I wedged between the rafters. It made floor and roof pretty much airtight. I have vinyl flooring tiles (5mm thick) on top of the floorboards.

It makes the place quite toasty with an oil-filled radiator even on low on a frosty morning. It is a log cabin though - double glazing and 43mm thick walls.

I wouldn't expect that bubble wrap/foil arrangement to be good enough to be the only insulation in a standard shed tbh


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:10 am
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I would put the foil bubble wrap(on its own) in the realms of wasted money.

How big is the shed. That we are talking in the region of thousands to insulate it.

I ask as I went with epoxy foam.insulation in my shed/home office. 500quid for my standard garage sized room(all walls) + a 3*3m utility room roof and one wall.

It certainly keeps the "chill" off coupled with patio doors getting the morning sun. Contemplating getting the gas heater fired up for early mornings now.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:12 am
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I would put the foil bubble wrap in the realms of wasted money.

How big is the shed. That we are talking in the region of thousands to insulate it.

Pretty small - 10' by 6'


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:15 am
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Get thee to insulation seconds and buy whatever foil faced rigid board that will fit in.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:22 am
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Ok so not massive

https://www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk/product/25mm-recticel-eurothane-rigid-insulation-board-1200mm-x-2400mm.html -25 quid delivery fee but worth while over shopping in the dog sheds if you don't have a Grafton account.

Also check seconds and co. For suitable stuff.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:22 am
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You're going to need 10-12 boards for that shed (assuming not too many windows) so you could probably get a decent price from your local Builders' merchant - should be <£200 to do it all to a good standard.

Edit^ approximating dimensions as 3m x 2m x 2.4m - obviously do your own calculations.

FWIW, I'd put the insulation between the battens so you don't lose too much internal space, but fit them flush with the inside of the battens to leave an air space between the rear of the board and the side of the shed so that the wood can breathe. Roof in the same manner, but fit thicker board if there's room. If you can't insulate the underside of the floor, you could lay insulation on the floor, seal up or fit a vapour barrier, then lay a floating floor on top.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:25 am
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Ha dog sheds..... DIY sheds.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:30 am
 5lab
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won't rain (if its a bit windy) get through 12mm t&g? it doesn't sound super water-tight on that side?


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 11:32 am
 bigG
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+1 for what Matt says. I did it and used ten sheets to insulate my shed floors, walls and ceiling with 50mm Kingspan. Ended up with a spare sheet that the mice in the garage seemed to enjoy eating the following winter.

The shed/summer house is now toasty and warm all year round wth only a small fan heater in it used during the winter. Definitely the best solution when compared to bubble wrap etc


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 12:21 pm
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Get thee to insulation seconds and buy whatever foil faced rigid board that will fit in.

That looks perfect. £13.50 a sheet of 50mm kingspan and only a 45min drive away. will measure up and get it ordered.

Quick question, will 10 sheets on a roofrack last a 45min motorway drive?


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 12:28 pm
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They are quite weak - my concern would be that you cannot crank down hard on straps or rope, or indeed as you drive they will cut into the edges (even with the card protectors they can give you). a 45mins fast journey is quite a long one.
You would be better with a van or trailer if you could...


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 12:44 pm
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To add: an idea, not tested... Wrap all the boards up in a tarpaulin, with the card edge protectors in place and a couple of battens under the straps, that would secure them well and stop the windage on individual boards.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 12:45 pm
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You'd effectively be adding a massive fairly light aerofoil to the top of your car, with a 50cm leading edge. Personally I'd be looking at a van.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 1:33 pm
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I've used similar stuff to that. Works well considering how cheap and easy it is. Make sure you have an air gap. Staple it to the battens, then add 1" battens ontop of those, then clad.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 1:43 pm
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Wrap all the boards up in a tarpaulin

this.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 1:56 pm
 bigG
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tarp, strap it down carefully and don't drive fast. 45 mins there, an hour back. You do not need to be sorting a van out, just don't drive like a loon


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 2:37 pm
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I've actually got a van, but kitted out as camper inside so can no longer fit a full board inside. It does however mean I have a full van roof rack that's best part of 2m long...

It'll be reet I'm sure


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 2:51 pm
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We have the bubble wrap stuff in our summer house - it's only 8x6 but I'm using it for my office. It's bubble wrapped then ply lined completely. Given that most of one side is perspex it works. One thing it does do is keep the shed cool in direct sun - you don't get the crazy heat gain. I just have a small fan heater set at a temperature and it works fine. Not quite so sure how it will be in the middle of the winter, but I've been working out here since March.


 
Posted : 29/09/2020 2:58 pm
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I’m looking at getting a summer house which I’d want to use as an office since no the the wife and I are working from home so considering insulation in a kit summerhouse. My worry is damp. I was looking at self build (still not discounted that) and if I were to self build I’d be putting a one way breathable damp proof membrane on the walls, floor and roof under the insulation. So if you take a shed or summer house and effectively hermetically seal it with un-breathable insulation won’t it accumulate moisture while you’re in it? Especially if using as an office so spending hours a day in it?


 
Posted : 30/09/2020 7:43 am
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Building design convention means you would have controlled ventilation.


 
Posted : 30/09/2020 7:46 am

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