Dog house Insulation

garv123

Hi,

I've a dog house that I made myself at work last year out of 6mm Polypropylene, for my lab and springer.
Its about L 1000mm x W 600mm x H 700mm.

I know the insulation properties out of PP are pretty good, and the box itself is raised off the ground on a plastic pallet and they have plenty of shredded wax papers as a bed.
I checked on the dogs the last 2 mornings and both were warm to touch so no worrys so far.
Im still thinking of adding a layer on insulation to the inside to keep them warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

I was thinking of using something like radiator foil that has the adhesive back on it. Would this help at all or is there a better option?

Solid panels would be tough to get in as the 2 doors (1 side and 1 end) are 400x500mm.

Bad pic of the house, door on the side, and door on the front at the far end

stoneill

Would you consider adding the insulation to the outer surface instead?

Lumen

Is there a closing door to the kennel? If not any heat generated by the dogs will blow out the doorway.

Radiator foil is almost useless, it's only 2mm thick.

garv123

stoneill wrote: »

Would you consider adding the insulation to the outer surface instead?

I did, but its embossed on the outside and PP is poor enough to grip when its smooth, (inside is smooth)
I'd put some form of insulation on the outside if it would look tidy and not fall off easily.

Lumen wrote: »

Is there a closing door to the kennel? If not any heat generated by the dogs will blow out the doorway.

Radiator foil is almost useless, it's only 2mm thick.

The doorway has a heavy pvc curtain like a doorway into a cold room. The dogs push it when they get in and out and it falls back into place.

They've been in it over a year now with no problems. Just thinking of ways to improve it.

Shaunoc

Needs a nice porch
Train them to use a sliding door

Lumen

If you're around Dublin somewhere I've a load of left over 80mm woodfibre insulation offcuts.

This has the advantage that if they eat it they won't die.

Calahonda52

I would add another top layer with a ventilated space between it and existing roof.
This will stop solar gain in the summer and stop cold being radiated into the box if ice / snow rest on it.
You can also enhance the summer shading by way of an overhang all round.

I would also make provision for some wind shelter: location looks very austere and exposed.

garv123

Lumen wrote: »

If you're around Dublin somewhere I've a load of left over 80mm woodfibre insulation offcuts.

This has the advantage that if they eat it they won't die.

Unfortunately not, but might look into that locally here as an option.

Thanks

Calahonda52 wrote: »

I would add another top layer with a ventilated space between it and existing roof.
This will stop solar gain in the summer and stop cold being radiated into the box if ice / snow rest on it.
You can also enhance the summer shading by way of an overhang all round.

I would also make provision for some wind shelter: location looks very austere and exposed.

Old pic, its well covered on 3 sides from the wind, The door that is open is facing to the covered side so no direct wind blows in the door.

I'll look into a new top layer. that can be added very easily.

Long term plan is to get a new bigger shed, and make the half of the old one into the dog house.

Calibos

Why don't these dogs sleep with the rest of the pack?

garv123

Calibos wrote: »

Why don't these dogs sleep with the rest of the pack?

What pack would that be ?

hesker

garv123 wrote: »

I checked on the dogs the last 2 mornings and both were warm to touch so no worrys so far

You mean they weren’t dead yet?

Sorry, nothing constructive to add except not sure how good that insulation is without some permanent heat source.

Calibos

garv123 wrote: »

What pack would that be ?

You and the family.

Hotblack Desiato

Calahonda52 wrote: »

This will stop solar gain in the summer and stop cold being radiated into the box if ice / snow rest on it.

That radiant cold is a right bugger.

garv123

Calibos wrote: »

You and the family.

Because they much prefer outdoors.