Insulating a steel shed

uncle-mofo

Recently I had a steeltech shed installed to the garden. Unfortunately I wasn't in a position to stretch to pay for the insulated panels at the time of ordering. I was hoping to take it on myself as a bit of a DIY project. The shed has the non drip felt layer on the inside of the steel at the moment.

The shed wouldn't have to be insulated to a habitable level, but enough to be able to keep the place dry enough to store power tools/cycling turbo trainer/high end bikes all year round. Possibly run a dehumidifier on low or on a timer to keep moisture in check.

I was thinking of putting PIR insulating boards up against the walls and covering over this with ply board and tek screwing the ply to the frame. Wondering if this would be sufficient and if it would be worth putting in a polythene moisture barrier somewhere also? Also may need to leave an air gap between the felt and PIR to allow ventilation to prevent corrosion?

Would be great to get some input from people who have taken on a similar job.

MicktheMan

What heating will be used in the shed?

uncle-mofo

MicktheMan wrote: »

What heating will be used in the shed?

Probably just something like a desiccant dehumidifier. I don't really need the place to be warm, just dry.

MicktheMan

If no heating then no real point of insulating it.

Purgative

Is it damp at the moment?


Have a Steeltech shed with no added insulation. Its fine and dry.

uncle-mofo

MicktheMan wrote: »

If no heating then no real point of insulating it.

The desiccant dehumidifier will give out a bit of heat passively though no?

uncle-mofo

Purgative wrote: »

Is it damp at the moment?


Have a Steeltech shed with no added insulation. Its fine and dry.

It was only put in this week to be fair, but hoping to get any required insulation in before I fill it with ****e.

BobbyT28

I've a steel tech shed 15ft x 13ft and will be putting in some 18mm plywood to insulate and dress the inside up a bit (probably paint the ply too).

No real issues with condensation just the odd time it feeks damp but no visible water. I have the membrane on the roof and the roof overhangs the sides so no dripping.

I will then be able to screw my plug sockets to it and hang shelves etc.

Is 18mm OTT or will 9mm do, I will only be hanging shelves on this

You don’t insulation in a Steeltech shed to keep out damp. Insulation is to keep in heat, not keep out water. If you have a proper DPC under the floor like Steeltech tell you to, then there will be no moisture in the shed.

BobbyT28

Jeremy Beagle wrote: »

You don’t insulation in a Steeltech shed to keep out damp. Insulation is to keep in heat, not keep out water. If you have a proper DPC under the floor like Steeltech tell you to, then there will be no moisture in the shed.

Yeah, I have all that done. I think just sometimes during the winter mornings, the cold and the heat from the sun through the window caused some moisture. Just wondering do I need to use insulation in the walls or will plywood do the job?

18mm or 9mm? I will be hanging Shelves and Small TV and plug sockets etc

Purgative

BobbyT28 wrote: »

I've a steel tech shed 15ft x 13ft and will be putting in some 18mm plywood to insulate and dress the inside up a bit (probably paint the ply too).

No real issues with condensation just the odd time it feeks damp but no visible water. I have the membrane on the roof and the roof overhangs the sides so no dripping.

I will then be able to screw my plug sockets to it and hang shelves etc.

Is 18mm OTT or will 9mm do, I will only be hanging shelves on this

Depends on the weight of your shelves. I've battened with rough sawn 4x1. It holds shelves and hooks for Chainsaw and stuff.



I used these for shelving https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0178EBXD8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1. They look like cheap sh1t. The shelves are only 6mm MDF. But once they're attached to each other and then screwed to the frame, they hold anything I want with no bowing eg Tins of paint.

Purgative

BobbyT28 wrote: »

18mm or 9mm? I will be hanging Shelves and Small TV and plug sockets etc

How long are the screws for the shelf brackets? That'll pretty much give you your answer.

paddyirish23

Sorry to hijack the thread but I've Decided to also insulate the steel shed as I want to put treadmill etc out there and over the winter had an excessive amount of water drops on the roof.
I'm going with 50mm gap followed by a vapour proof membrane then kingspan and 1/4 inch ply to finish it all on 2x2 studs attached to the steel frame. Putting 3/4 ply on floor slightly raised.
Stuff bought so going ahead now but any suggestions as I'm not sure of the vapour membrane goes on outside as I said or better on inside of the insulation? Any help would be appreciated!

MicktheMan

paddyirish23 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread but I've Decided to also insulate the steel shed as I want to put treadmill etc out there and over the winter had an excessive amount of water drops on the roof.
I'm going with 50mm gap followed by a vapour proof membrane then kingspan and 1/4 inch ply to finish it all on 2x2 studs attached to the steel frame. Putting 3/4 ply on floor slightly raised.
Stuff bought so going ahead now but any suggestions as I'm not sure of the vapour membrane goes on outside as I said or better on inside of the insulation? Any help would be appreciated!

vb always on warm side of insulation.