Sheds are one of the most versatile and cheap multi-purpose structures in any home. They can be used as storage rooms, office spaces, game rooms, or equipment storage rooms. When it comes to sheds, insulation isn’t always the first thing that pops into most people’s minds. But the thing is that sheds can become like ovens in the blistering summer heat and freezing cold during the winter. In the end, you may find yourself wondering whether insulating your shed is really worth it or not. Well, I have just the answer for you.
It is worth insulating your shed. Insulating your shed has many benefits, such as improved temperature regulation, increased shed lifespan, reduced maintenance costs, increased functionality of the structure, and reduced moisture levels.
In this article, we will discuss all that relates to insulating sheds and much more. This is guaranteed to be an enlightening article for you!
Is It Worth Insulating My Shed?
When it comes to insulating your shed, I should mention that it’s essential to understand that not all sheds are ideally suited for insulation. Metal sheds and small plastic sheds usually tend not to have a construction that allows for proper insulation. I’m not saying it isn’t possible to insulate these structures; it’s just too problematic and hard.
Insulating wooden sheds is more popular, and as the trend continues to grow, more and more people realize the benefits of doing so. So, to definitively answer the question, yes! It is worth it to insulate a shed. Some of the benefits of insulating your shed include:
Improved Temperature Regulation
If you use your shed as a storage room, temperature changes can damage any sensitive equipment you may have in there, such as electronics, paint, and more. With an insulated structure, the effects of the harsh and fluctuating temperatures are minimized, and this ensures all your valuables are protected.
The good thing about shed insulation is that it also helps regulate humidity. Storing your valuables in such a climate-controlled environment is guaranteed to provide your belongings with the best protection.
It increases your shed’s lifespan
Wooden and metal sheds are highly durable. You can expect them to have quite a long lifespan. But the thing is, severe weather conditions can have a huge impact on the longevity of your shed. This is especially true if you have a wooden shed. Moisture and humidity can attract insects and mold, which can wreak havoc on the structure.
A poorly insulated structure is usually more prone to rotting, rusting, and overall deterioration. This is because moisture gets into places where we can’t see the mold or rot before it’s too late. But if your shed is insulated, it will increase the lifespan of the structure, thus allowing you to get the best value out of your investment.
Low maintenance costs
Low maintenance costs are one of the many benefits of having an insulated shed. Insulated sheds are designed to keep the temperature inside at a comfortable level without the need for additional heating or cooling devices.
Additionally, insulated sheds are less likely to suffer from moisture damage such as mold or mildew, which can be costly to repair as the affected materials will need to be replaced. Overall, an insulated shed is a cost-effective and practical solution to reduce maintenance costs and energy bills in the long run.
More functionality
By insulating your shed, you have the option of easily transforming it into a type of living space that is habitable. You can also convert your shed into almost anything like an office space, workshop, man cave, home gym, or whatever you desire.
An insulated shed will afford you the benefit of spending hours on end in the structure, no matter the time or the weather conditions.
It Reduces The Moisture Levels
Apart from regulating the temperature inside, insulating also reduces the moisture in your shed. This will further protect any items you may have stored inside. In addition to this, reducing the moisture levels also makes it safer to run electricity to the structure. By reducing moisture levels in the shed, insulation also helps prevent any mold build-up in the future.
All in all, as you can see from the above, insulating your shed comes with numerous benefits. It is, therefore, worth it to invest in insulating your shed so that you can get the most out of it and, most importantly, maintenance costs are reduced and it will last longer.
What Materials Can I Use To Insulate My Shed?
In this section, we’ll look at insulation options for your shed and explain where to use them and how effective they are:
1. Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap can be used to insulate your shed. Now, I’m not talking about your standard bubble wrap from the packaging of your last Amazon purchase. Instead, you should use foil-backed bubble wrap for this insulation project. You can either tuck this inside your shed wall with the help of a staple gun, or you can fit it in between your shed’s wall and a plywood panel.
This is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of insulating your shed. You simply have to:
- Measure the shed panel and cut the bubble wrap, so it fits.
- Overlap the bubble wrap strips so that heat can’t escape through any gaps.
- Staple or tuck the bubble wrap into the shed.
- Place a sheet of plywood or MDF boarding over the panel and screw it or nail it into place.
2. Fiberglass wool
This material is well-suited for insulating a shed. It is the most used type of insulation, not only for sheds but for homes as well. It’s quite effective at regulating temperature, keeping hot air in and cold air out.
To use fiberglass batts, you simply:
- Cut open the bags and let the batts expand.
- Place the fiberglass wool insulation in between the wall studs or roof joists depending on where you’ll be insulating.
- Cover with plaster or MDF.
3. Foam board/Polystyrene
Polystyrene is a thermoplastic foam that is commonly used as insulation in various building projects. Here are some key benefits of using polystyrene as insulation for your shed, as well as a guide on how to install it:
Benefits of Polystyrene Insulation:
- Polystyrene is an excellent heat and sound barrier, which can help keep your shed comfortable year-round.
- It is also waterproof, making it a great choice for sheds that are exposed to harsh elements such as heavy rain, snow, and areas with high humidity levels.
Installation Guide:
- Measure the walls and roof of your shed to determine how much polystyrene insulation you will need to completely insulate the shed.
- Then cut the polystyrene insulation to the appropriate size for each section of your shed.
- Install a vapor barrier, if desired, as an extra layer to prevent moisture from getting in.
- Secure the insulation to the walls and roof of your shed using construction adhesive or mechanical fasteners.
- Make sure to seal any gaps or cracks to prevent air leaks.
- Then finish off the walls and roof as desired, such as by installing drywall or roofing material.
4. Mineral wool
Mineral wool is easy to install between studs and joists, and it is also denser than fiberglass, which makes it a good alternative. It’s great for acoustic and thermal insulation and is more fire-resistant than fiberglass.
Mineral wool is a type of insulation material made from natural minerals such as rock or slag. It is commonly used in construction to insulate buildings, and can also be used to seal sheds. To use mineral wool to seal your shed, you will need to purchase the appropriate type and amount of mineral wool insulation for your specific shed.
- Measure the walls and roof of your shed to determine how much insulation you will need to get a complete seal of the structure.
- Cut the mineral wool insulation according to the sizes that you measured to fit the walls and roof of your shed with no unwanted gaps in between.
- If desired, install a vapor barrier on the walls and roof of the shed before installing the insulation. This is just an added layer to make sure that there is no moisture penetrating through the walls into the shed.
- Install the insulation by placing it between the framing or attaching it to the walls and roof. Use a staple gun or adhesive to secure it firmly in place.
- Optional: seal any gaps or holes in the shed with caulk or expanding foam. This is important to keep that moisture out all year round no matter the weather.
Tips for safety:
- Wear safety goggles and gloves when handling mineral wool insulation to protect your eyes and skin from fibers. It can be very dangerous if it gets in your eye and extremely itchy when it comes in contact with your skin.
- Consider using a moisture-resistant vapor barrier to help prevent moisture from building up inside the shed.
- Make sure to check the R-value of the insulation you purchase, to ensure it’s appropriate for your climate and location. Otherwise, if it isn’t suitable, it could potentially cause unseen damage that will cause more damage to the materials.
How Can I Insulate My Shed?
Insulating your shed has many benefits. Even if it’s too cold or hot, you would be quite comfortable in an insulated shed. This might even be an absolute necessity if you’re living in an area with extreme weather conditions. By now, you’re probably wondering how you should go about insulating your shed. Worry not! In this section, I will discuss just that.
Insulating shed walls and the roof
Some of the things you’ll require include fiberglass wool, breathable membrane, OSB board, tape measure, Jigsaw, Staple gun, and heavy-duty scissors.
Follow these steps:
- Measure the wall and roof panels. Cut the breathable membrane to this size and then staple it between the wall/roof panels.
- Place the fiberglass on top of the membrane you cut and fit.
- Measure the OSB board and cut it to fit over each panel. Place the OSB over every panel and then staple the OSB board into place.
Insulating The Shed Floor
Insulating a new/unlaid shed floor
For a new shed, I recommend under-floor insulation, and this can save you as much as 40% of the heat that would otherwise be lost. Some of the things you’ll require are: Wood blocks (at least two for each joist cavity), A handheld jigsaw or table saw, PIR insulation boards, and a tape measure.
Follow these steps:
- Measure the sizes required and cut the wooden blocks using the saw.
- Put at least two wooden blocks under each joist cavity to make sure the support is sufficient to support the weight.
- Measure and cut the PIR foam boards so that they fit nice and snug in between the floor joists.
- Ensure the insulation lays flush with the top of the joists if they land up being uneven it may cause gaps that will let moisture in and do a lot of unwanted damage.
- Now it’s time to install the flooring.
- Something else you might want to do to ensure that the newly sealed flooring does not get any moisture is to add some underfloor insulation. This might be more expensive, but it’s also more effective.
Insulating an existing shed floor
Some of the things you’ll need to insulate your shed floor include:
- A breathable membrane
- A suitable quality sealant (if you use OSB board/plywood)
- A tape measure
- Heavy-duty scissors
- Jigsaw
- A thin layer of plywood or a roll of carpet
Follow these steps:
- Measure and cut the breathable membrane so that it covers the whole floor.
- Lay the breathable membrane over the floor and cover it with a thin layer of plywood or carpet. If you choose to use plywood, seal any gaps with the sealant.
You’re probably thinking about whether you should cover the breathable membrane with carpet or plywood. The method you choose will usually depend on your budget and the time you want to spend insulating your shed floor.
Using a roll of carpet would be cheaper than using plywood, so if you are tight on cash, using the carpet would help you stay warmer with no insulation at all. It’s also quick to install.
However, plywood would help stabilize the floor and protect the insulation if you can afford the extra time and cost. We, therefore, recommend using plywood.
Conclusion
Insulating your shed is definitely worth it. Not only does it improve temperature regulation, increase the lifespan of the structure, reduce maintenance costs, and increase functionality, but it also reduces moisture levels, which can protect the items stored inside. If you have a wooden or metal shed that you use frequently or plan to use as a living space, it’s definitely worth considering insulation. While it may take some effort and investment upfront, the long-term benefits are well worth it.
Insulating your shed will not only make it more comfortable to use, but also protect your valuables and equipment from the elements. It’s a cost-effective and practical solution that will save you money and energy in the long run.