Shed Insulation And Ventilation

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Dani G

Dani G

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Hello all,

I am after some advice. I am thinking of using an existing shed we have (6x4ft) and attaching a dog kennel with run to it (6x3ft) to house my 3 guinea pigs and have been reading up on some interesting posts regarding insulation so have some good ideas, but I wanted to check when insulating do you cover the whole inside of shed or just floor and lower part?

Also, how will the insulation effect the heat in the shed in summer? How is it best to ensure there is adequate ventilation?

Thanks in advance

Dani xx
 
My insulation is between the hutch wall and the shed wall. The floor of the hutch is 6" off the shed floor to keep them warm. I intend to finish off the rest of the shed and put a new floor down. When its cold, I shut the door and put the light and radiator on, when its warm, I open the door and knock the power off. ;)
 
Thank you so much for your reply, it is very helpful.

I'm thinking of using the kids floor mat stuff to insulate the floor and walls with vinyl over for the floor and getting mesh over the window and making it so it can be open or shut (see pic).

I think that should be ok but I wasn't planning to have them in a proper hutch but put in a couple of the bunny boxes (see pic) with lots of hay in, but I wasn't intending to shut them in it at night. What do you think?

Thank you so much for your help, I want to get it right for my piggies

Dani

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My pigs get locked in at night, during the day, I put a mesh over the door and leave their hutch open.
 
I concur with Boss's posts.

+

I have thermometers dotted in various places of my shed to keep an eye on the temperature. Sheds can very quickly get too hot in the summer. I had some frames made with hutch mesh so I can open the windows during the summer . I must admit, during last years heat wave, I had to keep them in a run indoors as the shed was too hot - even with all the doors and windows open.
 
I have the same problems! I have a Boyles' shed and even with windows open it gets far too hot in the summer so the girls come inside for a few months. I have insulation boards on the ceiling, all of the door and from 2/3 upwards of the most exposed wall. It is supposed to help keep it cooler in the summer as well as warmer in the winter but my shed gets full sun at the hottest party of the day so it makes little to no difference! I dont have any floor insulation other than the Lino but the shed is raised off the ground. If I was doing it all again I would definitely do it differently. My girls are currently inside until the electrician can come and get power into the shed for a little oil radiator to keep them warm.
 
Guineapigfeet said:
I have the same problems! I have a Boyles' shed and even with windows open it gets far too hot in the summer so the girls come inside for a few months. I have insulation boards on the ceiling, all of the door and from 2/3 upwards of the most exposed wall. It is supposed to help keep it cooler in the summer as well as warmer in the winter but my shed gets full sun at the hottest party of the day so it makes little to no difference! I dont have any floor insulation other than the Lino but the shed is raised off the ground. If I was doing it all again I would definitely do it differently. My girls are currently inside until the electrician can come and get power into the shed for a little oil radiator to keep them warm.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your message. It sounds like it's going to be very hard to get it right. I am thinking of expanding my piggy family so bringing them inside wouldn't be an easy option for me. I used to have them inside but my husband didn't like it. What type of insulation boards did you use? The shed isn't in a particularly sunny part of the garden so hopefully that will help. What would you do differently next time?

Dani xx
 
if you search the internet you can actually buy plywood with polystyrene insulation glued to the back. I'm going to try and get some for my shed.
 
I have a mesh door which is used for summer but a solid door for the winter.
I use the kids floor mat stuff for the floor and then all walls and inside of roof are lined with this: Wickes Thermal Insulation Foil Roll 600mmx8m | Wickes.co.uk

I line the windows with bubble wrap in the winter but remove in the summer.

I then have an oil radiator for winter.

My shed is in a shady part of the garden but the thermal insulation actually helps it keep cool in summer, I also have an electric cooler if it's very hot...

All in all it works well.

Finally we built a platform about three feet off the floor with c&c around the sides, this way they are off the floor away from draughts and you have loads of storage underneath!

Gawd they sound spoilt don't they lol!
 
I used celotex boards.
If I did it again I would put the windows on a non-direct-sun end and I'd insulate the floor too. In my current garden there is no where else it could go, so although I'd like it out of the sun, it's not possible.

I like the sound of polystyrene backed with ply. I haven't used the celotex boards right down to the floor because I'd then have to ply over it to stop the pigs eating it, but I wouldn't have to with the other type.
 
PiggyOwner said:
I concur with Boss's posts.

+

I have thermometers dotted in various places of my shed to keep an eye on the temperature. Sheds can very quickly get too hot in the summer. I had some frames made with hutch mesh so I can open the windows during the summer . I must admit, during last years heat wave, I had to keep them in a run indoors as the shed was too hot - even with all the doors and windows open.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. Is there a particular type if thermometer you use?

Dani xx
 
Dani G said:
Thanks for your reply. Is there a particular type if thermometer you use?

Dani xx
Click to expand...
I've got loads of different types . I have some Max / min ones I bought from Wilko''s ( they're intended for greenhouses )

I have some with a probe that goes inside the hutch ( high enough that the guinea pigs can 't reach )

And I have some square ones I bought from Ikea too !

This is the type I got from Ikea



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Painting the roofing felt white helps to reduce the heat and having mesh inserts for the windows (take off the glass/perspex ones and replace with a mesh window frame).
 
BossHogg said:
if you search the internet you can actually buy plywood with polystyrene insulation glued to the back. I'm going to try and get some for my shed.
Click to expand...

That's great, I'll have a look for it.

Thank you

Dani
Guinea Slave said:
I have a mesh door which is used for summer but a solid door for the winter.
I use the kids floor mat stuff for the floor and then all walls and inside of roof are lined with this: Wickes Thermal Insulation Foil Roll 600mmx8m | Wickes.co.uk

I line the windows with bubble wrap in the winter but remove in the summer.

I then have an oil radiator for winter.

My shed is in a shady part of the garden but the thermal insulation actually helps it keep cool in summer, I also have an electric cooler if it's very hot...

All in all it works well.

Finally we built a platform about three feet off the floor with c&c around the sides, this way they are off the floor away from draughts and you have loads of storage underneath!

Gawd they sound spoilt don't they lol!
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your message, it's been really helpful and wow, you have some very lucky and spoilt piggies!

With the insulation have you got it covered with ply or anything, it looks great but wondered if piggies might nibble it?

I've not got power yet in there but I think I am going to have to get an electrician round and invest in a heater and cooler. What type of cooler go you have?

Dani xx
 
PiggyOwner said:
I've got loads of different types . I have some Max / min ones I bought from Wilko''s ( they're intended for greenhouses )

I have some with a probe that goes inside the hutch ( high enough that the guinea pigs can 't reach )

And I have some square ones I bought from Ikea too !

This is the type I got from Ikea



View attachment 54813
Click to expand...

That is very helpful, thank you for the advice x
 
Guineapigfeet said:
I used celotex boards.
If I did it again I would put the windows on a non-direct-sun end and I'd insulate the floor too. In my current garden there is no where else it could go, so although I'd like it out of the sun, it's not possible.

I like the sound of polystyrene backed with ply. I haven't used the celotex boards right down to the floor because I'd then have to ply over it to stop the pigs eating it, but I wouldn't have to with the other type.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your message, it's really been helpful xx
 
flowerfairy said:
Painting the roofing felt white helps to reduce the heat and having mesh inserts for the windows (take off the glass/perspex ones and replace with a mesh window frame).
Click to expand...

Thank you for your message. That's a really good idea about the white paint. Is there any particular paint that is best to use?

Dani xx
 
I dont know about the kinds of paint to use. Something weather proof of course. I guess cuprinol garden shades would be a good choice.
 
Dani G said:
That's great, I'll have a look for it.

Thank you

Dani


Thank you so much for your message, it's been really helpful and wow, you have some very lucky and spoilt piggies!

With the insulation have you got it covered with ply or anything, it looks great but wondered if piggies might nibble it?

I've not got power yet in there but I think I am going to have to get an electrician round and invest in a heater and cooler. What type of cooler go you have?

Dani xx
Click to expand...

Hi Dani

The insulation is kept separate from them via the c&c. I will dig out a picture.

let me go and get the cooler out and have a look but it's very similar to this one :
Hope that helps!
 
Guinea Slave said:
Hi Dani

The insulation is kept separate from them via the c&c. I will dig out a picture.

let me go and get the cooler out and have a look but it's very similar to this one :
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...


Thank you xx
 
I bought packs of this from amazon and lined the walls and ceiling with that
then staple gunned aluminium bubble wrap over the top - this sort of stuff

think I bought it by the roll at homebase - create a very toasty shed - make sure well ventilated though to stop moisture building up :)
 
@smileyface:) , how do you ventilate your shed? I am always worried about draughts but when its very cold I do get some dampness from condensation and its gets pretty stuffy in there. Be interested to know what you do?
 
Thank you all so much for your advice, it's been really helpful. We have decided to insulate the shed with celitex and cover it with chip board to make sure the piggies can't nibble anything they shouldn't. I have ordered a window from Boyle's pet housing which I hope will provide adequate ventilation, but I am also going to buy a heater and cooler and thermometer that can be used in extremely cold or hot weather.

I have one more question... in weather like this (chilly but not very cold) would you leave the window open during the day for ventilation? Maybe leave it open in the day and shut it at night?

Thanks again

Dani xx
 
I have several vents around the top of my shed and the window doesn't fit properly so mine gets ventilation even when everything is shut, but I'd feel quite comfortable opening the window for an hr or so when I or my partner get home from work.

My pigs are currently in the spare room, which is not massively warm and they had the window open from when I got home from work at 6 to when I have them supper at 10.30. The room didn't feel cold but it smelt
a lot better!
 
Thanks for your reply, that's very helpful

Xx
 
Guinea Slave said:
@smileyface:) , how do you ventilate your shed? I am always worried about draughts but when its very cold I do get some dampness from condensation and its gets pretty stuffy in there. Be interested to know what you do?
Click to expand...

I bought two plastic vent covers - then jigsawed out holes in the shed and put the vent covers over - one top and one bottom - that way air is drawn in and goes out too. like these in design.

When they were in the shed I'd make sure the door was open a bit during the day too, and that bedding is changed more often to stop moisture building up. My pigs are now in a converted bike shed so the door is always open during the day so it's well ventirlated - I do put a plastic cover down the front, with gaps for air circulation though if it's a bit windy or raining heavy.
 
smileyface:) said:
so, like many others on here, this is my MK3 piggie shed! OMG! :doh: but I feel it's the best - the boys were down the bottom of the garden in a large shed, in hutches but it was too hot in summer and not easy to insulate in winter- so I bought this lovely bike store to house them right beside the house.

It's lined internally with thick polystyrene sheets (and I used the off cuts for the door!) and then covered with aluminum bubble wrap
it has two large vents top and bottom for a good draw of air, and I intend to cut a large window hatch in one door before winter so I can keep the doors closed during the day but still have loads of daylight and ventilation to the piggies. Thinking of large opening to span both wire hutch doors and filling with wire to match - can always drop a see through curtain over if its raining hard but want to ensure it has good ventilation too.

Also plan to get electric from the housing next to the shed before winter and get a couple of tube heaters installed too.

It's great - the sun gets it first thing, then they are shaded most of the day and then they get sun after teatime - it keeps really cool with all the insulation too.

I converted the Bluebell hutch into two hutches Spud and Freckles on top and Poppy and Chewy below - get access to their run via the runaround tube for most of the day and the top boys have a large run and hutch they get to roam around in too (going to get another tube for them though once funds allow).

And to top it off there is plenty of storage above the hutch for bedding etc, and space to the left for shelves containing other piggie things, and folding chairs!

Just got to get it painted and it will be fantastic - and I close both doors at night and lock it so the piggies are safe too. I usually have one door closed if raining and it's deep enough that the rain doesnt wet the hutch. Great option if you are tight on space and for me it means they are sat outside the back door and get even more attention! :yahoo:

If ever I have a herd that can all share I can reinstall the ramp to the hutch and they would have some fun racing up and down the hutch and out the tube to the run :bronco:
View attachment 48732
Click to expand...

popped this link in here to let you see my new set up, which is a great alternative to a big shed if you want something smaller, and cosy too.
 
smileyface:) said:
I bought two plastic vent covers - then jigsawed out holes in the shed and put the vent covers over - one top and one bottom - that way air is drawn in and goes out too. like these in design.

When they were in the shed I'd make sure the door was open a bit during the day too, and that bedding is changed more often to stop moisture building up. My pigs are now in a converted bike shed so the door is always open during the day so it's well ventirlated - I do put a plastic cover down the front, with gaps for air circulation though if it's a bit windy or raining heavy.
Click to expand...
That is a great idea, I'll
 
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