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Insulating a steel tech shed resrospectively

  • 07-02-2025 03:18PM
    #1
    Kerry_2008
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 311 ✭✭


    Hi All,

    I have small steel tech shed for the last few years that has mainly been used for storage (second freezer and the like). I am hoping to WFH one or two days a week and want to transform the shed into a somewhat half decent home office.

    There is no insulation on the shed at the moment apart from the non drip foam or whatever its called on the inside. Whats the best way to insulate this on a DIY basis and cheaply if possible?

    I was reading online and to be honest I am a bit lost. Can I just add a rock wool or something similar kept in place by plywood / osb attached to timber battens which are in turn attached to the steel frame. With a vapour barrier between the steel walls and the insulation. I am also conscious that the roof over laps the walls with about 1/2 inch space under the roof at the top of the walls allowing air in / out.

    Any advice would be appreciated.



Comments

  • #2
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,986 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    With a vapour barrier between the steel walls and the insulation.

    This detail is wrong. The vb needs to be on the warm side of the insulation layer.

    An example from outside in: steel wall, breathable membrane, insulation layer, vapour/air tight barrier, internal finish layer (ply/ pb etc).



  • #3
    whizbang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,076 ✭✭✭whizbang


    +1.

    ..and that 1/2 inch gap will do a great job in venting any moisture from the cold side. Ok, maybe 1/2 inch is a lot; breathable membrane is ideal here to prevent airflow sucking the heat out of the rockwool.

    You wont need a membrane if using rigid foam type insulation.



  • #4
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,141 ✭✭✭✭10-10-20


    A vapour barrier on the exterior of the insulation is the approach when you're air-conditioning the living space in a high-heat and high-humidity environment such as Texas. It stops the moisture reaching the inner side of the insulation and condensing there. So be careful where you get your building detail from as it needs to apply to the local environment!



  • #5
    whizbang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,076 ✭✭✭whizbang


    in Kerry..:) thats stretching climate change.



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