Adding insulation to your shed can provide significant advantages, such as prolonging the duration you can comfortably use it year-round and safeguarding your possessions and electronic devices against drastic temperature fluctuations. With Insulation Express, you can find the products and all of the information you’ll need to fully insulate your shed.
How Does Shed Insulation Work?
Shed insulation functions by creating a protective barrier that reduces the transfer of heat between the interior and exterior of the shed, effectively controlling the fluctuation of temperature on the inside.
It does this by slowing the movement of heat by offering thermal resistance and the materials within often come with airtight seals or vapour barriers, which prevent the infiltration of outdoor air and maintain a consistent indoor temperature. Insulation can also act as a moisture barrier, safeguarding the shed from dampness.
If you need outdoor storage all year round or just like to be in your shed to practice a hobby, insulation can be very effective and inexpensive. Not only will it help prolong the equipment and tools you store away, but it can also be a place where you can store delicate plants in harsh conditions. It is worth noting that not all sheds are suitable for insulation. Metal and plastic sheds are not designed to be insulated. However, most types of standard wooden sheds can be insulated to retain heat in the colder months.
What Are The Benefits Of Shed Insulation?
There are many benefits when it comes to insulating your shed space. The main benefits are;
- Temperature Regulation
Insulating your shed will effectively reduce extreme cold, intense heat and can help maintain proper humidity levels. This results in an optimal environment for safeguarding delicate tools and equipment like electronics, paint, and valuable items.
- Can Create an All-Year-Round living space
With insulation, you can easily convert a simple storage shed into a cosy retreat, a functional home office or a dedicated space for pursuing hobbies. It provides the opportunity to enjoy extended hours in your shed, regardless of the outside weather conditions.
- Helps prolong the life of your shed
Over time, excessive humidity, moisture and extreme temperature variations can harm your shed's integrity, making it susceptible to insects, mould, and decay. Insulation helps to prevent moisture buildup and can create an air-tight seal to keep out any unwanted guests.
Types Of Shed Insulation
Before insulating your shed, decide on electrical and plumbing needs first. Then, choose the right materials based on shed use, required protection and your budget.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap serves as a simple and budget-friendly insulation option that you can easily add to the inside of your shed's floor, roof and walls. Euroform U Foil BDA is a more advanced insulation choice as it incorporates bubble wrap made of polyethylene and aluminium, offering thermal and water vapour resistance and more.
Insulation Boards
Multi-purpose insulation boards offer an easy way to shield your shed from extreme weather and temperature changes. They come in various thickness options and can be trimmed to fit the floor, roof and walls. These boards are frequently used in construction and are available in different sizes, including foil-backed options. Celotex TB4000 Insulation Boards are a great choice for insulating your shed.
Rockwool
Rockwool insulation is excellent for managing temperature, humidity and sound insulation. While it can be messy to handle, it's a lightweight and cost-effective choice. Be sure to wear protective gloves and glasses when working with it.
When you insulate your shed, you will also need a sealant and adhesive to attach the insulation and seal gaps around doors and windows to prevent water and wind from entering. Marmox MultiBond Sealant & Adhesive is a versatile, high-performance product that can serve as a waterproof sealant for nearly any material.
How To Insulate A Shed
Here is a brief guide on how to insulate a shed. If you’re unsure or not confident of doing things yourself, then it would be best to ask a specialist for their help.
- Ensure Waterproofness
Once you have removed all of your belongings from your shed, inspect every corner, windows, the door, roof, floor and walls. There’s no point in insulating a shed that isn’t waterproof as you will only get mould, dampness and potentially rotting wood.
- Repair Damaged Frames
If your window and door frames are damaged, remove the rot, fill with wood filler, sand and repaint. It is also advised to regularly treat your shed with wood stain to prevent rotting.
- Seal Draughts
Over time, your shed will naturally experience wear and tear which can cause gaps that allow in the wind and rain. Use a sealant as an effective solution to draughts or gaps and fit adhesive rubber draught excluders once set.
- Install Insulation
Once you have chosen suitable materials, you need to install the insulation between the structural frames of your shed. It is best to install the materials to the floor, roof and walls if possible for optimal insulation. As with any form of insulation material, make sure to read the manufacturer’s guidelines before installing.
- Add Wall Panels
Now that your insulation material is installed, you will need to fit panelling or wall boards to the inside of your shed. There are different options available including plasterboard, hardboard, plywood, pallet-board and more. Once you have covered up the insulation, your shed is now ready to decorate to suit your needs.
Which Products Can Be Used To Insulate A Shed?
We list a great range of products that can be used to assist you in your shed insulation tasks. These include:
- YBS ThermaWrap: ThermaWrap presents a self-adhesive reflective insulation option, ideal for shed applications on walls, roofs and floors. Its installation is hassle-free, delivering exceptional thermal efficiency.
- YBS SuperQuilt: A high-performance insulation product suitable for sheds and various home areas, SuperQuilt excels in regulating temperature by warding off both heat and cold.
- Acoustic insulation slabs: You’ll likely want to prevent noise from entering or exiting your shed. These slabs are designed specifically to absorb sound waves, but they can also provide some thermal insulation, which makes them a great option for insulating sheds.
- Rockwool RWA45 100mm: A multi-purpose slab, Rockwool’s RWA45 can be used in sheds, and it’s a popular choice because it offers great acoustic and thermal performance, is fire resistant and easy to install. Also available in 30mm, 50mm and 75mm sizes.
- Rockwool RW3 100mm: Similarly, the RW3 can be used for sheds too, with similar benefits to the RWA45. Also available in 50mm and 75mm.
Here at Insulation Express, we offer a range of top name insulation products from major brands including Celotex, Recticel, British Gypsum and Knauf. If you would like further advice about insulation for your shed, or would like to discuss the different types of materials we have on offer at Insulation Express, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Shed Insulation FAQS
Why Should I Insulate My Shed?
Shed insulation helps regulate the temperature inside, making it more comfortable for various uses, such as a workshop, storage, or hobby space. It can also protect your belongings from extreme weather conditions.
How Do I Know If My Shed Needs Insulation?
If you plan to use your shed year-round or store temperature-sensitive items, it's a good idea to insulate it. Signs that your shed may need insulation include temperature extremes, condensation, or draughts.
Can I Install Insulation In An Existing Shed?
Yes, you can retrofit insulation in an existing shed. However, it may be more challenging, as you'll need to work around existing structures. It's often easier to insulate during the initial construction if you can.
How Much Will It Cost To Insulate My Shed?
The overall cost of shed insulation varies depending on the size of your shed, the type of insulation material you choose and whether you install it yourself or hire a professional. It's best to obtain quotes or estimates before deciding on whether you want to commit to the project.
