Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: Ice on September 30, 2007, 19:54

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: Ice on September 30, 2007, 19:54

Well it's not your typical shed, it's an 8x10 brick lean to with a door into my kitchen.  It also has the original 1950's corrugated asbestos roof.  It's damp and very cold in the winter and I want to turn it into a laundry room.

How can I cheaply and simply insulate the roof, given that is just wooden joists with asbestos on top and slopes at a 45 degree angle.  I thought of using a big staple gun and that loft insulation that looks like a space blanket.


Also, it's damp around the base of two walls due to the floor being lower than the outside and consequently a home to many wood lice.  Any ideas how to seal it?  Oh, and can you ever get rid of spiders?  They are plentiful and very icky.


I'm relying on you guys for answers, don't make me come to that shed and kick things around. :lol:

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: muntjac on September 30, 2007, 19:57

go to a bulders suplliers matey and ask for the polystyrene sheets for insulation .. it werks brilliant . you can get em in 8 ftx 4 fts . last lot i bought was £8 a sheet / use 1/2 inch x 1 inch battens to hold it in place  :wink:

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: Ice on September 30, 2007, 20:43

Is that the stuff that is a couple of inches thick?  Can see where you are coming from as they weigh next to nothing and would not need too much holding in place.  I feel a plan coming on. :wink:

But wot abaht my spiders!!! :shock:  :lol:

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: shaun on September 30, 2007, 20:57

gripfill (no-nail stuff) sticks it ok.
top tip :idea:  dont spill petrol on it cus it will be a bit messy  :wink:

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: WG. on September 30, 2007, 21:18

Not sure about the polystyrene, I thought it was banned for use in homes for the poisonous gases given off in a fire.

As to the dampness, best solution is to remove the earth from the outside until it is below the damp-proof course.  Yes, you will end up with a trench.

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: muntjac on September 30, 2007, 21:21

this is a special product WG it has an aluminum type coating

http://www.aerobord.ie/prods_building/prods_building_FRAME.html

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: WG. on September 30, 2007, 21:23

Quote from: "muntjac"

this is a special product WG it has an aluminum type coating

http://www.aerobord.ie/prods_building/prods_building_FRAME.html

Righto, thanks

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: shaun on September 30, 2007, 21:30

aswell has the nasty gasses in a fire it was all those little dropplets of polystyrene from the ceiling tiles that burnt the back of your neck when you was trying to escape the fire  :wink:
its polyurethane Board that you need it smells of bad eggs when you cut it

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: Ice on September 30, 2007, 21:40

Right, I am kind of convinced Muntys idea is the way to go.  Can't use the gripfill stuff Shaun as this is a council house and I would have to have permission to stick anything to their ancient and deadly asbestos.  Everything I do has to be reversible and needs permission.  

My problem with the damp floor is that the outside is not earth and is a concrete path all around the "shed"  Great thinking there by the council :roll: , but after all,  they are not the sharpest tools in the box.

Title: Any ideas on insulating my "shed"
Post by: shaun on September 30, 2007, 21:47

raise the level of the floor in the shed so its higher than the outside hockey