Many people have a shed in their garden that isn’t being utilised to its full potential. With the popularity of DIY home renovation projects on the rise you might be looking at different ways to transform your shed into a usable outdoor room that is suitable for garden parties, dinners with friends, a home cinema, outdoor office or anything else you can imagine.
Due to the weather conditions, sheds are normally full of dampness, so the first thing you should be thinking about when renovating your shed is the insulation. But do you know how to insulate a garden shed?
In this article we will talk about the best ways to insulate and waterproof your shed so you can get the most use out of it.
Continue reading to learn how to insulate your garden shed and transform your outdoor space!
Table of Contents
Key Benefits of Insulating Your Shed
Insulating and waterproofing your shed may seem like an unnecessary expense, however, there are many benefits of installing proper insulation in your garden shed. Here are some of the key reasons why you should consider insulating your shed:
Regulate the Inside Temperature
If your shed isn’t insulated the temperature inside will vary throughout the year – from freezing cold in winter to excessively hot and humid during the summer. By adding a layer of insulation you can regulate the temperature inside your shed and protect sensitive goods that are stored inside such as electronic goods or paints and more. It also allows you to save money on heating or cooling if you’re using your shed as a space to hang out with friends and family.
Enjoy Your Shed All Year Round
When your shed is temperature regulated, you have a whole new range of possibilities to utilise the space all year around. Your boring shed can be transformed into a home office, cosy hideaway, home outdoor cinema or a workshop. The options are endless!
Create an Outdoor Living Space
Excessive heat or moisture in your shed can create an uninviting living environment. However, by cutting that down and keeping the temperature inside regulated you can make your shed a perfectly habitable outdoor room.
Protect Your Shed from Mould and Rot
Extreme weather conditions can damage your shed over time, leading to rust, mould, dampness or insect infestations. Waterproofing and insulating your shed will keep its inside safe from the effects of moisture, heat or freezing temperatures.
How to Insulate a Garden Shed?
Depending on the material your shed is made out of there are different materials that will be suitable for use. Bubble wrap, insulating foam or fibreglass are some of the most commonly used options when it comes to garden shed insulation. Here’s how to insulate the different parts of your shed:
How to Insulate Shed Walls?
If you want to properly insulate your shed walls to ensure there is no heat loss, you should consider both internal and external wall panels. However, if you’re working with a tight DIY budget, a multi-layer internal wall insulation will still do the job.
The best way to insulate shed walls is by installing foam boards, fibreglass wool, rockwool (or some bubble wrap) then securing it in place with a sheet of plywood or plaster wall.
This will give you an even foundation to paint you shed walls while also protecting against drafts.
To insulate the outside of your shed you can use a silicone gun or spray foam to fill in any gaps and cracks that might be causing cold outside air to come in.
How to Insulate Shed Floor and Ceiling?
Up to 40% of your shed’s heat can go into the ground, which is why it’s necessary to ensure the floor of your shed is properly insulated. The best way of doing this is by installing Celotex panels or similar underfloor insulation before installing your shed flooring on top.
Depending on the foundation of your shed you might have to use a breathable membrane to stop moisture or weeds from emerging through your flooring. If your shed doesn’t have a concrete foundation it might be a good idea to put down a sheet of Polythene Building Film before installing the floor insulation.
When it comes to insulating the ceiling of your shed the top priority should be stopping water from getting in along with preventing heat from getting out. A great way to do this is by installing roof insulation felt. This will stop dampness and rot from forming in your roof, along with allowing proper water runoff. For sheds with metal or concrete roofs, make sure that even the smallest gaps are sealed with silicone caulk to prevent water from getting inside the shed.
How to Waterproof a Garden Shed?
Before you start installing insulation in your shed you have to make sure that the inside of it is waterproof and no dampness will get in between the walls and insulation. The best way to waterproof your shed is by adding a vapour control layer. A liquid vapour control layer can be applied on the walls of your shed and is used to create a barrier stopping warm moist air from entering the walls into the insulation layer.
