ᐅ Insulating a Garden Shed

Hello Forum!

I plan to insulate a garden shed with a basement (5x7m (16x23 ft))!
Currently, there is simple exterior wood tongue-and-groove boarding, a 13cm (5 inch) wooden frame, and interior tongue-and-groove boarding again.

My goal: to make it cooler in summer and warmer in winter— is this possible?

I intend to fill the cavity with about 10cm (4 inches) of insulation fleece and use a vapor retarder adhered on the inside.

Questions:

• Which vapor retarder (sd value)?
• Which insulation material (mineral wool, rigid boards, etc.)?
• Or is this even worthwhile, considering I also have an air conditioning system installed that can cool in summer and heat in winter?

Thanks
Best regards,
wolf_2d

The wall is one thing. You should also consider the roof, windows, door, and floor.

You can try this approach first, as the result is reasonable and the cost is within limits, plus it’s something you can do yourself. Just align the materials with the price and the specified better insulation value, but keep in mind the uninsulated roof and so on.

I wouldn’t do too much there.

On the ceiling to the attic, there is currently 6cm (2.4 inches) of polystyrene insulation.

Can you still access the structure 13cm (5 inches) in? Fill all the cavities with mineral wool and, if it will be used regularly during winter, also install a vapor barrier. Then a radiator, fan heater, or the mentioned air conditioner will be sufficient.

Yes, I can manage that... I would install the battens, put in the insulation, apply the vapor retarder, and then reinstall the battens.

I'm still not sure about the vapor retarder... There are many different types (SD value, etc.) to consider. What should you pay attention to? If necessary, even the 'cheapest' one will do.

I wouldn’t spend too much money just to achieve a specific value. A standard option should be sufficient since you would otherwise need to insulate the entire structure thoroughly and without any defects, which would almost certainly be prohibitively expensive. As mentioned before, having an expensive version in one place and almost nothing in another would be a waste of money.

Often there are also offers or second-choice options that can help you reach your goal just as well. I know someone who did something similar and has already spent nearly 8,000.- hiding costs with occasional "upgrades." However, the floor and roof are still almost uninsulated, single glazing, etc., so the heat just leaks in or out somewhere else... 🤨. This is exactly the kind of approach I would advise YOU NOT to take.