Secure storage, increased workspace, protection for the elements for your tools, extra items and cars, boats or bikes are the main reasons people install a shed. That, or somewhere to stick the extra beer fridge and disappear out the back for a couple of hours. A good shed is basically a requirement for an Aussie home, and here at Spinifex we take pride in building the best sheds in Perth for any need.
But keeping your shed cool in the stinking hot summer days, especially in Perth, can be a real challenge. We’ve all tried water vapour vans, air con, covering the roof in whirly-birds but at the end of the day insulation is the only really good option. Good insulation means you can install an air-con unit if you really need it, and won’t be just blowing money away. It’ll also allow you to keep the scorching midday heat out of the shed, and keep rubber or plastic components inside your shed from perishing.
So how exactly do you insulate your shed properly? Well, here’s our top 5 ways to keep your shed cool (or warm!) with insulation.
- Air-Cell Insulation – Easily the most effective way to insulate your shed, be it to keep it cool in summer or warm in winter, is to insulate your roof and walls with Air-Cel. It’s a brilliant, Australian made insulation product that is fungus, mould and insect resistant and doesn’t contain any harmful fibreglass. While not a cheap option, Air-Cel roof insulation is potentially the best thing you can do with a new shed, and should generally be included in the build process- any good shed installer will offer this service.
- Windows – Windows are a prime source of temperature loss and entry. To keep warm in winter, consider using curtains to prevent heat loss and be sure to fill any small gaps with foam filler or similar. Keeping the place cool on the other hand, can be a little tricker. One of the best options is reflective window visors- like those for a car. Consider getting some custom made, which can be expensive, or cut your own to size from cheap car windscreen reflectors.
- Colour – This may seem like a simple aesthetic choice that wouldn’t have too much effect but that’s just simply not true. When the sun is beating down for months on end you want your shed to be reflecting as much of that heat as possible. Lighter colours are going to do a better job.
- Ventilation – Finally, you’ll need some sort of airflow in your shed. You could simply use ridge ventilation along a sloped roof but your best option is actually to go with a whirlybird. Whirlybirds are great for ventilation as they suck hot air out of the top of the shed allowing the cooler air from down low to fill that space.
- Insulate Your Walls – A Shed is mostly walls, so that’s where you’re going to need to start your insulation. If you want to go all out then use fibreglass wool and seal it with Medium-density fibreboard. With a little know-how and the right safety equipment, this can be done as a DIY project, and in many instances this is going to be the best way to save money. In a house this is generally included in the build process and is covered by your mortgage. A shed however, is going to be a large out of pocket cost, so get some good PPE and get stuck in!
Hopefully, these tips help you with your insulation project and help to keep the temperature down (or up!) in your residential sheds. Perth is a hot city but you can control this with a little bit of time and knowledge. A well-insulated shed is going to save you money in the long term so it’s not the kind of project you want to delay; however, if you’re short on time and know-how there’s always experts you can turn to.
If you’re looking at building a shed in Perth, and are worried about temperature control, there’s a huge range of things that can be done to mitigate this in the planning stage. Have a chat to us to discuss how to build a shed that not only looks great but also stays cool when you want it to, and warm when you don’t!