Project Shed :) Need Some Advice Please

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sophieandhoney

sophieandhoney

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I am SO excited.

I am going to move the guinea pigs into the shed so they have access to both the hutch and a c and c run during the day. This would triple their space. At the moment they would just be there for the summer.

However I wanted to ask about insulation, in case I can afford a bigger hutch and they could stay there for some of the winter too.

I am looking for the cheapest way as I am very much doing this on a budget. So could I use bubble wrap and cover it with plywood? I am looking to paint the walls eventually. I can't remember how big it is....I think it is 6 by 4 or 6 by 8.... will measure later.

I will line the floor with lino and put mesh on the windows.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-6mm-Galvanised-Mesh-Panel-600mmx900mm/p/187720

So how best to insulate? and do I do the roof too?
so any advice would be welcome

thank you
 
When bubble wrap gets cold, I believe it loses air and I don't know if it would be a good insulator. Plus it's plastic which will get moist and that wouldn't be good for the wood and would add humidity. I would possibly use foam, even packing peanuts but not the ones that dissolve in water. Depending on where you live and how cold it gets. Living where I do I would do the roof. Maybe I'm wrong, someone else can better advise you I'm sure.

Good luck with the project, can't wait to see pics.
 
KittyandNancy said:
When bubble wrap gets cold, I believe it loses air and I don't know if it would be a good insulator. Plus it's plastic which will get moist and that wouldn't be good for the wood and would add humidity. I would possibly use foam, even packing peanuts but not the ones that dissolve in water. Maybe I'm wrong, someone else can better advise you I'm sure.

Good luck with the project, can't wait to see pics.
Click to expand...
Agree, it is quite thin as well
 
Real insulation is not expensive, space foil type stuff is a few quid a roll :-) Ideally you should insulate the roof and the floor as well as all the sides this will help keep it warm in winter and cool in the summer. As heat rises the roof should be done for sure, doing the floor is beneficial as a thin wooden structure will suffer heat loss through the floor as well and its not a bit job to do the floor too if you're there, dont forget the door!
 
The two main issues you need to consider are
1) Where to put it - inside the cage (p[igs might gnaw throgh wood to reach it, internal space reduced) or around the outside (easier and perhaps could be hook on panels removable for summer).
2) Type of insulation - breathability is key here to allow water vapour generated inside the cage (especially from wee!) to pass out (especially important in winter months as otherwise the cage becomes a "cold sink" and very damp)

I have tried bubble wrap, polystyrene blocks and the Celotex insulation boards - but these are all non-breathable and I have had problems with condensation/damp collecting. Rockwool/mineral wool and some other natural fibres would be a better choice.

On a budget - best thing I have found is to wrap old duvets round the cage - (providing the cage is not outdoors as the duvet soaks up the rainwater!)

As your cage is in the shed - perhpas you could form panels from an old duvet to fit round the outside, staple the panel to plywood panels and then hook them on around each side of the cage?
 
wow such a lot to think about :) thanks all XX

I look forward to your thoughts Bosshogg XX
 
Been googling :)

could I use this insulation?

http://www.diy.com/nav/build/insula...Loft-Insulation-200mm-12057530?skuId=12588236

( I must confess, I do not understand exactly how far it will go or what ever but it is environmentally friendly and can be cut up to fit.)

and cover it with

http://www.diy.com/nav/build/timber...L-2440-x-W-1220-x-T-3mm-9276287?skuId=9285987

so I could paint it?

I would want to put up some shelves I think...for their food boxes and maybe hay. I am reluctant to use the top of the hutch as it opens and it is good for hot days.
 
Loft insulation on a roll sheds tiny itchy fibres and gets everywhere - bad for skin and piggie lungs!

You want the construction insulation boards which are easier to deal with/cut and shed much less - (but Celotex and Jablite are non-breathable)

http://www.diy.com/nav/build/insula...ol-Flexible-Slab-H-1200-W-600-D-50mm-12848793

You may find the hardboard difficult to work with in terms of creating a support backing to fix the insulation to. Might be better off trying plywood (9mm thick or less)

http://www.diy.com/nav/build/timber...od/WBP-Exterior-Plywood-1220x606x9mm-13368700

HTH
x
 
Oh, I was just going to staple the insulation to the wall of the shed and cover it with the hardboard? If the insulation is covered up I don't see how it would hurt the guinea pigs?
 
Oh sorry - my apologies - I thought you were insulating the cage - If this is for the shed then that's fine and breathability is not so much of a problem
You may however find that the insulation boards will be much easier/less messy/less uncomfortable to deal with than a loose roll...and to be honest I'm not sure how easy it will be to staple the roll insulation to the shed as it expands when you get it out the packet (a nail gun might be better - can be hired)

I have an outdoor log cabin (Piggy Palace) which my builders insulated with Celotex panels and then put plywood on top (easier to nail than hardboard, is thicker and provides more purchase for the nails)
x
 
Cool, yeah I think I meant nail gun, not staple gun! oops. I hear you on the less messy aspect, plus the expanding! I think I might have to go to B and Q or Wickes and actually see what I am buying, the reviews were positive but I don't want exploding insulation.

will investigate plywood...:)

cheers xx
 
This is the stuff I have insulating my shed between the hutch and shed wall. when I bought it, it was buy one get three free, so it was less than £4 a roll. ;)

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Knauf-150mm-Space-Blanket-Loft-Insulation-Roll-1-97m2/p/161206

It's backed with foil on both sides - you need a big pair of scissors to cut it to length, I wore gardening gloves to protect my hands. For boarding , you don't need expensive plyboard. Chipboard does the job just as good for a fraction of the price of ply. As you can see from this photo taken during my recent hutch build - the back sides and floors are 12mm ply which cost £26 a sheet whereas the roof (which the animals cant reach) is made from 12mm chipboard which cost £9 a sheet so a massive saving and just as sturdy. I'll be using chipboard to finish off my insulation towards the end of summer so the shed is ready for winter.

Hutch6_zps537d8020.jpg


I also used chipboard to build the original rabbit hutch I had and that lasted 10 years. It was still going strong when I had to scrap it to get it out of the shed, (it was too big to take through the door otherwise I would have given it away to be re-used - I actually built my shed round it)

P040712_20230005.jpg


0222_zpsc1fe2f48.jpg


Don't forget to paint your shed to lengthen its lifespan, I use a water based stain on my shed so it's animal friendly.

This is my shed when I first got it:-

P141011_18220001.jpg


and after a good few coats of stain and cat flap installed for moggie:-

IMAG0330_zps9288409f.jpg


If you run an extension lead into the shed (like I have) you can have lighting and heating to keep your furries comfortable during the winter, it is also brilliant for cleaning their hutches when it's blowing force 10 and lashing it down - you can shut the door behind you (I have a bolt on the inside to keep it closed) put the light, radiator and radio on and clean the hutches in peace and quiet. When I finish the side boarding and insulation, I'm going to put lino down and put the boards on top to hold it in place. I'm also going to get my radiator mounted on the wall, a welder friend is going to make me a cage so the furries don't get burnt So there you have some good ideas. ;)
 
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/piggie-palace-mission-complete.113548/

Here's my thread about my shed :) only changes I've made is putting the pigs on fleece, taking away Rory's ramp and there is a lot more stuff on the shelf :) I would probably say use OSB boards from Jewsons if you have one.
Also I've added another water bottle, hay bag for the girls, hay pillow for Rory and... All the bottles have bottle socks :)
 
Wow, thank you, I can't wait to get started! It is ridiculous how excited I am.

I now know more about insulation than I ever wanted to know! still a bit stuck.

Bosshogg if I were to use the furry stuff to insulate my walls how would I attach it to the walls?
 
Wow, that is so straightforward! Finally something I can do!

now what to put on the floor...........
 
Poundland floor tiles, 4 pack self adhesive - £1. ;)
 
wouldn't I have to insulate first?

I would probably go for lino as it would be one piece cut to size from the nice man in the high street...
 
Right,

I am out today and tomorrow so am shopping for the shed on Tuesday.

I need

1. Wall insulation, bin bags, drawing pins (could staple, found a staple gun :) )

2. Mesh for the windows. am going to put it inside and out - hope that makes sense

3. Have already got shed paint for outside, will do this as well when clearing out the shed - well before the piggies are near it.

4. Door wise, I have two metal grids to make a door to let the air in but keep beasties out. Fairly sure I can hinge and hook up on the inside.

5. Floor, almost certainly off cuts of lino. Does it need insulation underneath?

6. Roof more bin liners and furry stuff (see one)

7. Line the walls and roof with chip board, frankly the cheaper the better. Will more than likely to have to find some where that will sell it cut up already.

8. Paint the chipboard a restful colour :) and hang up some curtains......already found material - that I can do!

9. Repaint hutch, line with lino. add run.

10. Move in piggies. :)
 
hello

was discussing insulating the shed with a friend's husband (I know how to charm a man really I do)

He said if I put the insulation in bin liners it would sweat and not be as good............

Do I seal the bags or leave them open?

Can any one help with this?
thanks X
 
my stuff came clad in tinfoil. You could always get a strip of cloth across the top to hold it up, then board over it. ;)
 
Been reading loads and adding up.

Questions.

Can I use plasterboard to cover the insulation?

It is 12.5 mm thick same as the OSB board but is way easier to cut. Bearing in mind I am doing this by myself and I don't really have power tools! It would be a heck of lot easier and cheaper.

In any case as it turns out the roof is made of OSB so I think I will be using the silver stuff on the roof and covering it with plaster board as it is lighter?

Edited to add, apparently you need to leave an "air gap" to make this effective? so that knocks out using it on the roof..

All of the shops in my area don't stock the polystyrene stuff so am deciding between the fibrous stuff or bubble wrap! Probably the fibrous stuff but not exactly keen!

or maybe the silver stuff........decisions decisions.

Also it is extremely unlikely the piggies will be out there during the serious winter months. I am expecting them to be out there from now till October/November at the most. And go back out side during March/April. I don't think I could stand them being out in the cold.
 
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sophieandhoney said:
Been reading loads and adding up.

Questions.

Can I use plasterboard to cover the insulation?

It is 12.5 mm thick same as the OSB board but is way easier to cut. Bearing in mind I am doing this by myself and I don't really have power tools! It would be a heck of lot easier and cheaper.

In any case as it turns out the roof is made of OSB so I think I will be using the silver stuff on the roof and covering it with plaster board as it is lighter?

Edited to add, apparently you need to leave an "air gap" to make this effective? so that knocks out using it on the roof..

All of the shops in my area don't stock the polystyrene stuff so am deciding between the fibrous stuff or bubble wrap! Probably the fibrous stuff but not exactly keen!

or maybe the silver stuff........decisions decisions.

Also it is extremely unlikely the piggies will be out there during the serious winter months. I am expecting them to be out there from now till October/November at the most. And go back out side during March/April. I don't think I could stand them being out in the cold.
Click to expand...
If their going to be using it in the summer months you will defo need to use the silver foil. If you don't it will get unbelievably hot in there. Please think about the summer heat. As for vents if its a brick shed yes you need vents. If its wood, and you want a vent their very cheep to buy and you would just cut a square hole in one of the wall, put it high up.
Ply wood would be cheeper, easier ,last longer and you wouldnt have to worry about pigs eating ply. As for power tools you don't need them for this job. Yes it is a bit quicker with power tools. You just need basic hammer, screw driver, saw, pencil
 
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Do you know which way the silver foil should go? pointing in or out?

I am going to have the windows covered in mesh and a wire door as well as the wooden one which could be open on hot days?

I maybe brave and make a stable type door.

thank you for replying, I really appreciate it.

xx
 
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