Shed Insulation – How to do it and what you need to know

How to insulate a shed and create a warm and comfortable new space

One of the most popular projects in the last few years has been the insulation of sheds and converting them from being just a dumping ground to being a home office, gym or more comfortable play area for kids.

We have supplied materials to customers right across Ireland for this and helped customers create a warm and comfortable new space and also add value to their home. So let’s look at the key things to know when insulating a shed and what sort of materials and work is involved.

The most important thing firstly to remember is that you need to look at your shed insulation project as a whole and consider the floor, walls, roof and doors – this is often called the Thermal Envelope. You should think about all spots that heat could leave your shed. If you omit floor insulation for example then the shed will lose more heat through the floor and the overall efficiency of the shed will be reduced.

There is no set ‘right way’ or indeed a wrong way to insulate a shed as all sheds are different and everyone has different intentions with the finished project. How much time you will spend in the shed is probably the first consideration – if you intend on setting up a home office then you will need a warm and comfortable environment. This will take a more complete approach compared to something like trying to avoid internal frost for example.

Avid golfers for example might be setting up a hitting room in their shed so don’t necessarily need a full insulation approach but do want to improve the temperature and retain some heat while inside.

How do you know what types of insulation to use in a shed?

The insulation properties of any material are measured in what is known as R values. Basically the higher the R value the better it insulates. You need to consider the level of insulation you want to achieve and your budget too. The main types of insulation used in shed insulation products are;

• PIR Insulation Boards
• Mineral Wool Insulation Rolls
• Mineral Wool Insulation Slabs
• Foil Insulation

What type of shed do you have?

The principles of insulation apply equally to both wooden sheds and metal sheds but you will need to make sure you use the correct materials for your type of shed and the correct fixings for attaching timber to metal if you have a metal shed. You also have more of an issue with condensation in a metal shed.

We can help advise on this too so just get in touch on our live chat service or call us on 0818 888 00.

Shed Wall insulation:

Wall insulation can be installed using PIR boards or using rolls of mineral wool. Both approaches are typically installed by fixing wooden batons to the existing shed wall and covering with OSB sheeting or plasterboard.

Batons can be screwed into wooden sheds between the studs with appropriate screws, or fixed to metal sheds with appropriate fixings – again between the studs.

Firm PIR insulation boards can be cut with a sharp knife and placed in between the studs / batons and a strong adhesive like TEC7 can be used to keep them in place.

Rolls of mineral wool like Earthwool can also be used but this does have the potential to droop over time but using the likes of this Metac Isover Insulation you can prevent that drooping from happening. This would be placed behind the wall batons and can also be covered with aluminium or foil tape which will help stop moisture coming in through the walls. You can also use foil insulation which can be stapled to the batons. This foil insulation will also act as a vapour barrier along with providing additional insulation.

Then everything is covered with suitable sheet material such as OSB boards (these are typically either 11mm or 18mmin thickness) or plasterboard – both of which can be easily cut as and when needed.

There is also a type of insulated plasterboard called a Thermal Liner. This provides insulation and dry lining in one product so might be considered where additional insulation would be necessary and a more finished look is desired on the walls – or when this smaller level of insulation will suffice without the need for additional insulation behind the Thermal Liner.

Don’t forget about the door too!

Shed Roof insulation:

Most people insulating the roof of their shed use the likes of this Rockwool Flexi Slab Insulation or this Rafterloc Rafter Insulation.

Both approaches involve placing the insulation material between the rafters of the shed and creating a snug, tight fit. This can then be covered with suitable sheet material like OSB board, plasterboard or the Thermal Liners discussed above in regards to wall insulation.

Shed Floor insulation:

So many people overlook insulating the floor but it really is striking the amount of heat that is lost through the floor. There are specific floor insulation boards that are simply cut to size and put into place. For most people it is impossible to access the underbelly of any existing shed as here in Ireland they are not typically built on any plinth or raised height.

That means if you want to install floor insulation you will need to put in a wooden frame on the existing floor using timber and then place the insulation boards into this frame so that they remain in place. You want the insulation boards to fit snugly and tightly into the frame sections. Insulating expanding foam can be used to fill in any gaps too.

Whether you go for 50mm or 100mm insulation, or any other thickness for that matter, you can go with attach smaller off cuts of wood onto your frame sections to support the insulation board and bring the top level flush with the wooden frame.

Aluminium or foil tape is then used to tape over where the insulation board meets the timber. This tape will also help stop moisture coming up from the ground through the floor. This frame is then covered with suitable OSB sheet material.

You should remember of course that adding any frame to your floor will reduce the internal height of your shed.

An option for some people is this interesting OSB / Insulation combination product from Xtratherm – their Insulated Loft Decking Boards. This is 75mm PIR insulation boards on 11mm OSB.

Foil insulation in sheds:

Using foil insulation in sheds is one of the cheapest ways to insulate a shed. Foil insulation can be used on its own if that is suitable for you and it is very easy to put into place – you can just staple it to the existing wooden structure.

Foil insulation also provides a vapour barrier as it is waterproof so will stope moisture coming through your walls. It can be used throughout the shed if you like. It can be stapled on ceiling or placed on the floor of the shed. If using this on the floor of the shed then you should lay batons in place and cover with plywood or OSB board to create a new floor.

Shed Felt:

Applying shed felt on the roof of your shed will create a professional look and finish and although the felt itself isn’t designed to have specific insulation values the additional layer of material will help to improve the overall insulation of your shed.

Choosing the right approach and material, or a blend of materials will make such a massive difference to the warmth and comfort of your shed. All of these approaches are equally valid for the likes of log cabins.

As always, our helpful and friendly team are on hand to help. Just use our live chat service or call us on 0818 888 000 anytime.