Insulate a garage/shed or not?

rco2000

I'm self-building a 24x14 garage/shed for storage at back of house. Using 4" blocks on the flat - would I need to insulate? And if so, internal or external plus any recommendations based on experiences please?

galwaytt

rco2000 wrote: »

I'm self-building a 24x14 garage/shed for storage at back of house. Using 4" blocks on the flat - would I need to insulate? And if so, internal or external plus any recommendations based on experiences please?

...tbh, it depends on what you're using it for, or whether you're going to be spending (any) time in it.

If you're using it for general storage, probably not. Bicycles, lawnmower, etc..

If you're a hobbyist, and spend time in there (like me), fixing motorbikes/cars etc, then, imho, you should.

Why blocks on the flat, though ? EWI on that will be just too expensive - lay a cavity wall (NOT cavity block !), and pump it. Insulate the roof. My 25' x 40' is 300mm cavity wall, pumped, and 100mm insulated panel roof. Double glazed pedestrian door & windows, and insulated sectional doors.

I put up a new one last week at the side of my house, 3.8m x 6.8m, and I went to a non-concrete, higher spec again. Basically, I'm too old to want to spend time in a garage wrapped up in heavy gear - I do like my comfort.

The other thing to consider is: if you don't build a warm garage of some sort, you'll find things corrode in it: cars, chrome, etc etc.

muffler

galwaytt wrote: »

Why blocks on the flat, though ? EWI on that will be just too expensive - lay a cavity wall (NOT cavity block !), and pump it. Insulate the roof.

The other thing to consider is: if you don't build a warm garage of some sort, you'll find things corrode in it: cars, chrome, etc etc.

+1 to this.

Insulate your floor, build walls with cavity and insulate and same for roof.

RKQ

100% agree with galwaytt.
Put in adamp-proof-membrane (plastic sheet ) in floor to prevent rising damp. A damp floor will help rot anything stored on it, including tyres.

LoTwan

I was coming in to say don't ask me because my garage has a 300mm cavity wall with pumped insulation, 150mm in the floor & 130mm in the roof but everyone else beat me to it! I want to be in a warm space rather than having to warm myself in the space!

JuniorB

Depends what it will be used for. If storing Turf then don't insulate. It needs a bit of air/draft to stop it weeping! That was my excuse anyway!
Insulate the floor anyway - in case you change the use later...

rco2000

galwaytt wrote: »

...tbh, it depends on what you're using it for, or whether you're going to be spending (any) time in it.

If you're using it for general storage, probably not. Bicycles, lawnmower, etc..

If you're a hobbyist, and spend time in there (like me), fixing motorbikes/cars etc, then, imho, you should.

Why blocks on the flat, though ? EWI on that will be just too expensive - lay a cavity wall (NOT cavity block !), and pump it. Insulate the roof. My 25' x 40' is 300mm cavity wall, pumped, and 100mm insulated panel roof. Double glazed pedestrian door & windows, and insulated sectional doors.

I put up a new one last week at the side of my house, 3.8m x 6.8m, and I went to a non-concrete, higher spec again. Basically, I'm too old to want to spend time in a garage wrapped up in heavy gear - I do like my comfort.

The other thing to consider is: if you don't build a warm garage of some sort, you'll find things corrode in it: cars, chrome, etc etc.

Tks a mil for the advice folks.

Use is for General storage (Bikes, Garden furniture, lawnmower etc) plus prob Turf (if so, will reek plus leave gap from wall).
Plan on def insulating the roof & the floors.
RE: walls, too late for cavity..half way up with 4" on the flat. EWI looks too expensive alright ... may look at internal wall insulation (need to price & overcome constraint of drilling for shelving?) or do without altogether.

galwaytt

rco2000 wrote: »

Tks a mil for the advice folks.

Use is for General storage (Bikes, Garden furniture, lawnmower etc) plus prob Turf (if so, will reek plus leave gap from wall).
Plan on def insulating the roof & the floors.
RE: walls, too late for cavity..half way up with 4" on the flat. EWI looks too expensive alright ... may look at internal wall insulation (need to price & overcome constraint of drilling for shelving?) or do without altogether.

It's not to late: you can stop, and correct now. No point in doing it all 'wrong'.........!

Internal wall insulation ? And stack turf ?.....er, don't think so......it'll sweat like mad...........

BarneyMc

I'll be building a garage soon and will be going with 100mm fully filled cavity (with beads). My question is how much floor insulation would be 'sensible'? I will be storing the usual (bikes, lawn movers, etc.) as well as working in it in evenings and weekends at odd jobs.

RKQ

Personally, I'd put 100mm thick Aeroboard or 60mm thk foil back Kingspan / xthratherm or similar. The most important thing is to install a good quality damp-proof-membrace to stop rising damp.

mchugo

Hi

I've bought a 8x6foot wooden shed and I want to use this as an office and maybe sleep in the odd night. Besides the floor membrane what's the best way to insulate as guy who works in b&q advised not to
Insulate? Confusing what way to go as indont want it too hot but don't want to freeze or cause damage either thanks C.

air

You can't seriously be considering sleeping in an 8x6 garden shed?

Who2

You definitely should externally insulate if you've built with block on the flat. Otherwise that she'd will be very damp. The blocks will pull any bit of damp inside and before you know it you'll have a grand covering of mould on anything it can grow on.