In this post I want to touch on insulation, is it worth the extra? This is a common question by a lot of our clients & one that I think can have a huge impact on the usability & value of your shed.

Basically, a shed is a big tin box which attracts & holds the external temperature. Weather it is hot or cold a shed will amplify & hold that temperature inside. A shed is also quite noisy inside when its raining. Insulation helps to minimise all these elements & makes your shed more comfortable to be in.

Insulation has a range of benefits including helping to regulate the internal temperature, acting as as noise dampener & also adds an extra layer of protection against condensation which builds up under tin roofs. It is far more efficient to minimise the temperature getting into the shed with insulation rather than just trying to get it out with ventilators or fans etcs. Insulation can also be required when your structure is in a BAL rated area and can be a flame retardant.

There are a few options of insulation available for use in steel structures &sheds, most of which would be available from any shed suppliers. The 2 main types used are blanket/wool type and aircell type which is a thinner foam filled insulation. In my experience both insulations work well & drastically help to stop heat getting into the structure.

The blanket or wool type insulation is commonly used in the building industry. It used used in houses, commercial buildings & sheds. It is slightly more expensive as it does require wire to be installed to support on the roof. In my experience this insulation is more effective in temperature control & sound dampening. My opinion would be that it does also look better & has a longer life span. This insulation is definitely required on larger structures. It can also be installed in the walls but the backing sarkin can be easier torn if knocked.

The aircell type insulation is a great option for smaller sheds & garages. It is very versatile & more cost effective due to being self supporting in the roof. It definitely helps to control internal temperatures however Ive found it doesn’t offer to much noise dampening due to its thickness. This insulation is great as wall insulation as it is tougher & doesn’t tare as easy as blanket.

There are many variations of both these types of insulation on the market with a wide range of prices, thicknesses & R ratings. If you are tossing up if to install insulation or not I would suggest to go with it! It is far more cost effective & simpler to install it as your structure is getting built than pulling the roof off to install it later, believe me we have done it. If you really want to control temperature in your shed I would recommend insulation in roof & walls along with ventilators to remove any humidity. This will make your shed comfortable to be in all year round!

Please feel free to contact myself or one of our team if you have any questions regarding shed insulation or ventilation.

Speak to the professionals when you want to build your shed

Upspec have a variety of options for you to choose from with design, colour and the type of shed you need. Council approvals and all applications are sorted for you making the process so much easier.

For more advice or to book in a free design consultation you can call us on (02)7209 4210