insulating metal shed

[BrokenBiker]

my need to build a shed, has now turned to a need to get a shed asap. in amongst work and kids will likely be in next 3 weeks or so. my original idea of building one involved a steel frame with OSB and insulation then some decorative cladding on the outside, however thats going to take far too long now so its looking like a metal 12x10 unless i can find a decently priced wooden one.

need to try and eradicate any condensation/damp from the start though as its going to house the welders and bench, my mini lathe, pillar drill, bench grinder and possibly a 3d printer, and id like all of them to stay as dry as possible for obvious reasons.

the base/floor is pretty much sorted, ive got a 13x11 floor plan of mesh grids coming, with a DPM and some OSB that i will treat before laying down. ive checked with the manufacturer and the grids are perfectly fine to be left empty to allow air flow under the OSB floor which should also help reduce any issues there.

any suggestions on the condensation issue that plagues virtually every metal shed? i know air flow is a big thing but there isnt a massive amount i can do about that really. i will likely have some form of extraction in there, but it wont be anything impressive and mostly just to sit about welding bench and run straight out the wall. i did initially think of the self adhesive rubber type insulation used in camper vans, and possibly some thin ply on top but not sure how effective that would be

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Have you considered a small shipping container rather than a kit form metal shed - which are flimsy and not very secure ? Obviously still the need for insulation but a better base to start with.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Have you considered a small shipping container rather than a kit form metal shed - which are flimsy and not very secure ? Obviously still the need for insulation but a better base to start with.

getting a container into place would be a nightmare. 25-30 meters from the nearest suitable ground to lift from, which is a narrow street packed with cars.

 

[gaz1]

if you want free look for concrete garage and move it yourself

but you will need a base for it same with most sheds

dont buy pinelap sheds there crap and that goes for the better made lapboards theres no 3x2s in any of them so are crap based at supporting stuff

i wouldnt buy them thats for sure

now you can look at galvanised light guage steel used within wall construction and roof construction and caravans

remember its galvanised and wont rot

what you fasten to the outside is your choice you can insulate it as normal and board the outside with osb/ply and roof sheet breathable then latte it before you fasten the pinelap boarding to it

 

[BrokenBiker]

if you want free look for concrete garage and move it yourself

but you will need a base for it same with most sheds

dont buy pinelap sheds there crap and that goes for the better made lapboards theres no 3x2s in any of them so are crap based at supporting stuff

i wouldnt buy them thats for sure

now you can look at galvanised light guage steel used within wall construction and roof construction and caravans

remember its galvanised and wont rot

what you fasten to the outside is your choice you can insulate it as normal and board the outside with osb/ply and roof sheet breathable then latte it before you fasten the pinelap boarding to it

im buying a steel shed, just want to know what works regarding insulation

 

[gaz1]

i wouldnt buy one of those either id rather make it out of the walling and then use normal insulation

as goes for the outside to use roofing sheets as goes for insulation normal roll insulation will do or use the slab insulation

remember insulation can be fitted on the outside works with factory installs

i forgot to add on the breathable felt its blue on one side but on some of them its a white back ground but not on all of them if you did fit the breathable membraine it would allow water vapour through into the building but you would get the white look of it

 

[CompoSimmonite]

How about 25mm insulation board attached to the steel with spray foam ?

 

[jimbo84]

I built a metal storage shed out of steel and OSB. It had those corrugated steel roofing sheets as a roof and condensation was a nightmare. Ended up fixing some polystyrene insulation boards to it and they worked ok but the moisture needs somewhere to go as it just builds up behind then drips through any joints.

Ideally you want something that becomes one bonded to the steel. There’s some kind of textured paint you can get for shipping container roofs (internally) that is supposed to prevent condensation, this might do for your shed.

 

[gaz1]

How about 25mm insulation board attached to the steel with spray foam ?

as theres slight air gap between the sheets it will still sweat and cause some type of dripping

thats why already foamed roof panels are better

 

[frank horton]

just ass a steel shed for an older friend....Bought from China...via Temu or such...
instructions said 2 people x 3 hours....
what a piece of poo...he got a partial refund....
in the end I tore it apart, made a wooden frame and re-ass with norm roof panels.....

 

[Greeves246]

Never had any condensation in my workshop, have the gold standard with 40mm insulation, triple glazed roof lights.

Steel Workshops

Leading Supplier and Installer of Insulated Steel Workshops and Steel Buildings offering a wide range of Colours and Finishes

www.hansonsteelbuildings.co.uk

 

[CompoSimmonite]

as theres slight air gap between the sheets it will still sweat and cause some type of dripping

thats why already foamed roof panels are better

That is why I suggested using spray foam to attach the sheets as it would fill any gaps.
Personally, as an existing owner of a metal shed, I wouldn't consider another !

 

[8ob]

A steel frame building clad in the insulated box profile sheets would be as good as you could get, the rest would be down to some ventilation and heat.

Bob

 

[BrokenBiker]

Thanks for all the replies. Think I'm going to go for a mix of what a few people have said, and also stuff I've since found online. Few people seem to have had good results from 3mm self adhesive foam to line the panels, and some have taken the time to contour insulation boards to fit nicely in the grooves then bonded them on.

Think the idea of spray foam and boards may be the way forward for the walls, and the 3mm foam for the roof as head height is already a minor issue so keeping as much space as I can above my head would be good. If condensation is still and issue i will just have to deal with it then, some sort of run off guttering or something to funnel it outside. I have also thought about making some hard wood covers for the mini lathe to try and protect the ways a bit better if needs be.

As I say, it's only meant to be temporary, but we all know what that means

 

[gaz1]

i wouldnt even waste my time or money that way

just build a wood or steel frame use a z purlin as you create bridging whilst also being able to fasten those sheets to something ( also known as the cold roof method )

the z purlin is your battens whist the roof profile just screws to the z perlin job done but also allows for roofing felt to be installed this creates a dual water tight building the z purlin also allows you to fit 2-3 -4 thick insulation and the framing allows more insulation if you want it to do