ENJOY A FREE ICEY-TEK CHILLY BIN WITH YOUR SHED | LEARN MORE
ENJOY A FREE ICEY-TEK CHILLY BIN WITH YOUR SHED | LEARN MORE
Steel garages and sheds are a preferred choice for their durability and versatility, but the temperatures inside can get uncomfortable during both winter and summer. Garages and sheds that are warmer in winter and cooler in summer better protect your valuable possessions from temperature extremes and damp or humid air. A more stable and comfortable environment inside your garage or shed also makes expanding its use (e.g. to a home office, games room, or workshop shed) more feasible.
This article explores some simple steps to improve the thermal insulation of your steel garage or shed, better protecting your valued possessions and/or making it more comfortable for expanded use.
Steel garage insulation significantly reduces the extreme temperature fluctuations that occur during winter and summer. It also makes it easier to regulate the temperature in your garage, helping protect any temperature-sensitive items stored inside.
Retrofitting insulation isn’t difficult, but it’s much easier to do it right if you plan for it when building your shed or garage. Always tell your shed builder if insulating is a possibility. They can ensure that building paper and/or thermal breaks are included in the design.
When moist air comes into contact with a colder surface (such as metal cladding), condensation can occur. Good natural ventilation draws in drier air from outside, helping avoid condensation while protecting against excessive heat gain in summer. Ventilation can be passive (e.g. ceiling vents) or active (e.g. powered extractor fans).
Several types of steel shed insulation are available, each with unique benefits and applications. Selecting the right one depends on your needs and your area’s climate conditions. When installing bulk insulation, suitable building paper on the cladding side of the insulation is recommended to protect it from moisture.
Reflective foil insulation is the most basic and cost-effective form of insulation. When installed adjacent to an airspace, the aluminium foil surfaces reflect radiant heat, making them most suitable where the principal requirement is to reduce excessive heat gain during summer.
Glasswool insulation consists of pre-cut panels or blankets of bonded glass fibres that fit snugly between wall studs and ceiling joists. It’s popular for its affordability and ease of installation. Glasswool insulation offers both thermal and acoustic insulation, with performance based on thickness and density. For the best results, ensure the batts are installed without gaps or compression. Due to the nature of glasswool insulation, it is necessary to line any walls or ceiling where it is installed to avoid loose fibres in the air.
Polyester insulation is similar to glasswool in installation and performance, but lining walls is not as necessary, as it will not release loose fibres and dust into the air.
Rigid foam boards, made from polystyrene or polyurethane, are known for their durability and high insulation values. These boards can be cut to size and fitted against walls and roofs, although they’re more difficult to install without gaps. Rigid foam is especially beneficial in areas that require a thin yet highly effective insulating layer and is, therefore, commonly installed in conjunction with steel framing to reduce thermal bridging.
Spray foam insulation is a service provided by professional installers around the county. The expanding foam spray fills every nook and cranny of your metal garage, achieving superior air-sealing and insulation values. However, as it often requires professional installation, it will be one of the most expensive types of insulation for garages.
Older sheds were typically built with little consideration for gaps and openings, which can cause drafts and heat loss. Any attempt to insulate an old shed may require the extra step of sealing off any unwanted openings and gaps. Inspect your cladding and flashings and repair or replace any parts as appropriate.
Newer shed construction techniques and materials used by KiwiSpan emphasise quality craftsmanship, eliminating unwanted openings and gaps; any remaining openings are most likely by design, providing passive ventilation to reduce the build-up of heat and moisture. It has become increasingly common for sheds to include both building paper and a thermal break at the owner’s request, helping to future-proof the possibility of insulating or lining the shed/garage. Future-proofing is important if, down the line, you want to transform the space into a sleepout or hobby shed.
If you’re insulating your shed and want to really improve its comfort in extreme temperatures, you might like to consider upgrading your openings. Double-glazed windows and thermally insulated garage doors are common requests for many new KiwiSpan sheds and garages.
As mentioned above, you can take some simple steps to upgrade your shed or garage’s thermal performance and make the environment inside more stable and comfortable.
Taking these steps when building a new shed or garage will ‘future-proof’ it for any later upgrades or changes in use. If you are building a new shed, talk to your builder about your plans for use both now and into the future.
Please note that any significant change in the use of a shed or garage may require council consent and the engagement of a tradesperson (builder, draftsperson, or architectural designer). Please consult with your council before undertaking major projects.
Checking for moisture build-up and mould is important as these can significantly reduce insulation effectiveness and lead to structural damage. However, you typically won’t find these issues in a KiwiSpan shed, thanks to our focus on quality craftsmanship.
If you’re looking for a metal shed to house your vehicles through the cold months, look no further than KiwiSpan. Talk to us about your new shed and how you plan to use it both now and in the future. We will recommend customisations to ensure it is not just built to last but built for your current and future requirements. Get a quote today!
