DIY vs. Professional Insulation: What’s Best for Your Summerhouse?
Contrary to its name, a summer house is for more than just the summer. In fact, with the proper insulation, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy your summer house all year round. However, to use your summer house in the colder months, you need to look at summer house insulation. When you insulate summerhouses or garden structures, you make them suitable for use regardless of the weather, thus meaning you can get more value from your summerhouse.
Also, a higher level of insulation can make it more comfortable to use all year round, including the summer, as this can help you regulate the temperatures and provide added protection from the elements. Plus, if you are using your summer house in the winter, you can reduce how much energy you use to warm it up thanks to the insulation, which helps to conserve heat and reduce the amount of cold air entering the structure.
Insulating your summer house offers a host of benefits, including
- Enhanced temperature control
- Protection from the element
- Noise reduction,
- A potential increase in your property’s value.
Insulating your summer house is a straightforward process that involves
- Choosing the right insulation
- Preparing the space
- Installing the insulation
- Sealing any gaps
- Adding the finishing touches.
We’ll guide you through each step in detail.
Suppose you are interested in protecting your summerhouse and increasing its use. In that case, this post has everything you need to insulate it, why you should insulate it, and some extra tips to help you ensure everything is done correctly for maximum benefits.
5 Benefits of Insulating Your Summerhouse
Temperature control
Effective summer house insulation allows for greater temperature control, meaning that you can regulate how warm or cold the structure gets. In the cooler months, your summer house will be more exposed to the elements, and as such, chances are if you’re snuggling up watching a film, you’ll need more heating and blankets to get cosy. In the summer, it can even stop heat from entering the summerhouse, thus reducing the need to have too many fans running, making it more comfortable all year round. This is because insulation acts as a barrier, preventing heat from escaping in the winter and entering in the summer, thus helping to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the summer house and controlling condensation.
Protection from weather elements
Like your main house, your summer house will be under much pressure from the elements. Adding insulation to your roof, walls, and even floor can help mitigate the damage caused by the changing seasons and give the building extra protection.
For example, in the winter, in freezing temperatures, your summerhouse might be at risk of freezing and damage to parts from the materials contracting and expanding. Insulation regulates the temperature, protecting from this action and reducing moisture.
Reduction in energy bills
If you have electricity hooked up in your summerhouse; because why not! Then, uninsulated buildings can be energy vampires. This term refers to buildings that consume excess energy, leading to high energy bills. Whether you’re running fans or keeping it cold in the peak of summer, or you need to run the heating in the winter, you may be throwing your money away if it’s not insulated. Insulation helps to conserve energy by trapping warm inside and regulating the temperature of the building. So, it stops cold and warm air from entering and escaping, meaning you don’t need to overuse energy to get it to a comfortable temperature.
Noise reduction
One massive benefit in any property that can often be overlooked is its soundproofing qualities. When you add insulation, you are packing the space with materials that absorb noise. For instance, floor insulation can help you reduce the noise from people walking around or playing; it is ideal for playrooms and gyms. Wall and roof insulation can be ideal for trapping any sound, limiting disruption to your neighbour’s houses or even your main home when the summerhouse is in use. While it does not eliminate all noise, it will drastically reduce the noise levels people outside are subjected to, which can only be good for everyone involved.
Increase in property value
Did you know that a summer house can instantly add value to your home? But here’s the exciting part: an insulated summer house can increase this value even more. On average, a garden building can add around 5% to the value of your home. However, with a well-executed, kitted, and insulated summer house, this figure can rise to 15%. That’s a significant return on your investment if you decide to sell up and move. So, not only are you enhancing your living space, but you’re also making a smart financial move by insulating your summer house.
What You Need To Know Before Insulating Your Summerhouse
Before you rush out and look at summer house insulation, there are a few things you need to bear in mind.
Condition of the summerhouse
First, check the summerhouse for any uneven joists and gaps that might be present. This will help you determine the type of insulation that will best seal these gaps. Next, consider the kind of windows and doors. If you have single-pane windows in the walls, then when you add insulation, it might not be as effective as the windows will be letting air escape; the same goes for the door. So, consider upgrading to double or triple glazing. These factors are essential when choosing the proper insulation for your summer house.
Internal or external insulation
You also need to consider insulating internally or externally. You can externally insulate the walls of your summer house; however, while it can save you valuable interior space, it is also more complex and will likely need something to cover the insulation, like wooden boards, to protect it from the elements. Internal insulation is ideal for roofing and floors and is often the easier alternative to exterior wall insulation. Plus, if you install internal insulation for your floor, walls, and roof, you can do the whole summer house in one go.
Where to insulate
You must also know how to insulate your summerhouse. You can add insulation to the walls, flooring and roof, so you can choose to insulate one or all three areas. For maximum benefits and all-year-round comfort in your summerhouse, it’s recommended that you add insulation to the entire building simultaneously. Pay attention to the insulation factors of your current windows and doors. As mentioned above, these will impact the overall effectiveness of the insulation you add.
Safety of carrying out the work
The material used for the insulation and the required tools can be dangerous, so it is important to use the right tools and protection to help prevent damage to the persons installing the insulation.
How to insulate your summerhouse?
Without further ado, these tips can help you start insulating your summerhouse to ensure you can complete the task at hand correctly.
Choose the correct type of insulation
Choosing the proper insulation for your summer house is vital to ensure it does exactly what you need. There are a few different options you can choose from. Fibre wool, for example, requires less ventilation than foil-lined or rigid insulation. However, experts lean towards using foil-backed insulation for summerhouses and extensions as it has a better R-value.
The R-value is how well something restricts the flow of heat. So, a high R-value means it performs well, while a low value could be better. Foil-lined insulation is also perfectly safe to use with electrics. The value must be considered whole, including your ceiling, walls, floor, windows, framing and doors. Any air leaks will detract from the R-Value at any point in the summer house.
Rigid foam boards, plasterboard, and foam insulation are all good options. If you want to renovate your house from scratch, using solid foam boards for the flooring and plasterboards for the walls can be a good option. It’s essential to fully understand the type of insulation best for summerhouses and our particular needs to ensure it does exactly what you need.
Prep the summerhouse
When it comes to preparing your summer house for insulation, the first thing you need to do is identify all the spaces the insulation is going in, the gaps, crevices and any uneven joists that can impact how it’s installed or reduce its effectiveness.
Then, it would help if you cleared the area of dirt, dust, and debris that will affect your ability to install the insulation. Make sure no nails or screws are sticking out of the wall and that the building is safe and solid before installing the insulation panels or foam if you opt for foam insulation.
Once the area is clear and you have carried out any structural repairs you need to, this is especially important for roof insulation as you need to check the roof is in a good state of repair as any damage will negate the benefits of summerhouse insulation, then you can start to install your insulation.
Install the insulation
- How you install the insulation will depend on the type of installation you choose and which part of the building you are insulating; for example, installing roof insulation will require different steps to floor insulation.
- Collect all of your tools, equipment and safety accessories before you start for easier installation
- You need to measure your insulation boards to size carefully and cut them if required to fit the space perfectly.
- If you are fitting floor insulation, you need to remove the floor to add the insulation and then replace it once it’s fully installed. Another alternative is adding a false floor on top of the existing floor, which is easier but reduces head height.
- Next, you must drill pilot holes in the boards to line them with the joints or wall studs to secure them for the summerhouse.
- The insulation boards or foam insulation can then be installed.
- If you have used foam insulation, you can add plasterboard once applied to the desired areas.
Seal any gaps or cracks
Once you have installed your installation in the palace, before moving on, you must thoroughly check for any gaps where air can escape and ensure they are fixed or filled before finishing the job. Any small space can allow for air leaks, reducing the effectiveness of your insulation.
Go over each section of insulation and ensure there are no gaps. If there are gaps, you might need to check your measurements or add extra protection to support effective insulation and achieve the desired R-value for your summer house.
Add finishing touches
The finishing touches can be done once you are confident your insulation has been installed, and there aren’t any gaps or issues with the work. These include priming the boards for painting and then painting or decorating them to add personal touches to our summer house. In the case of foam insulation, you will need to cover the foam to ensure it doesn’t become damaged and is safe and secure. Again, once this is done, you can prime it and then paint it. Take a look here to see our Robin Antill, partner at 1st Choice Leisure Buildings insulated his garage.
Are There Any Other Options Other Than DIY Insulation?
Our 45 years in the timber garden building industry means we can offer an optional insulation service for all our Platinum range of buildings, where they would be insulated and then lined. By taking up this option, your new garden building can be used all year round and not just in the warmer months.
The building would be insulated with foil-backed insulation, which enhances the temperature within the building. There is a choice of internal claddings ranging from plywood, board or T&G to suit your needs and requirements. Internal timber trims are added to ensure an excellent cosmetic finish.
Is It Expensive To Add Insulation To My Garden Building?
On each Platinum shed order form, there is the cost for the insulation, so you can decide before ordering whether it will be cost-effective for you. We can also insulate the floor, but you would need to call to get this cost. By deciding on the lining and insulation option, you can use your new summer building all year round.
How much better would that be for you? Only you can decide. But it will make it an even more attractive proposition when the weather could be better. How you use these extra days and hours is up to you, but being able to go down and have some ‘me’ time is worth it. It will take a little while to decide if this is an excellent opportunity for you – a great leisure building for all the family.
Additional Tips for Sustainable Summer House Insulation
Investing in sustainable summer house insulation ensures that your summer house has the required type and level of insulation and brings significant benefits. It can reduce energy consumption, lower bills, and contribute to a healthier environment.
R-Value
Remember, the R-value of insulation is crucial for energy efficiency. But it’s not just about the type of insulation you choose. Correct installation is equally important. It can significantly reduce your energy usage over the lifespan of your summerhouse, leading to lower bills and a greener home.
Sustainable materials
If you want to enhance your sustainability, consider using eco-friendly or recycled insulation. Materials like recycled plastic insulation, used plastic bottles, sheepskin insulation, cork, or cellulose provide adequate insulation and contribute to a healthier environment. Sheep wool and cellulose, for instance, are biodegradable, non-toxic, and breathable, ensuring a comfortable and eco-conscious living space.
Cutting and measuring
The key to effective insulation for your summer house is thorough preparation. Ensure you have accurately measured the space to purchase the right size of insulation. More than adequately cut or sized insulation is needed to ensure its effectiveness, wasting efforts. By taking these steps, you provide a comfortable living space and demonstrate your commitment to sustainable living.
Summerhouse construction
What your summerhouse is made from should also factor into your insulation choice and method. You need to look at the walls and their thickness to help you decide on the correct type of insulation for your summerhouse.
Conclusion: Enjoying Your Summer House All Year Round
When you invest in a summerhouse for your garden, the last thing you want to do is find it unusable for you and your family for certain parts of the year. As a structure, a summerhouse can improve your quality of life, add much more usable living space to your home, and allow you to increase the flexibility of how you enjoy the space. However, ruling out its use for certain months can be frustrating.
Adding insulation to the building can ensure your summerhouse is in use during the colder months. This helps to increase comfort and enjoyment and determines how frequently you can use it, making your investment in the summerhouse truly worthwhile. Planning permission is not usually needed when you add internal insulation.
Insulating your summerhouse allows you to control the internal temperature, transforming it into a cosy haven, whether scorching hot in the summer or freezing cold in the winter. This versatility ensures your summerhouse is always a comfortable and inviting space, regardless of the weather outside, unlocking the full potential of your outdoor space.
Effective insulation can be achieved by choosing the right type and increasing the insulation protein of your flooring, roof, and walls. This will help you create a practical, cost-effective, and perfect space for the whole family all year round. If you want to increase the benefits a summerhouse can bring, then adding insulation is the key.
Visit our Surrey Showroom close to Woking, Ripley and Guildford to Find Your Perfect Insulated Summer Building
- Can I customise the design of my insulated summerhouse?The design of your insulated summerhouse can be personalised to match your preferences and garden arrangement. This will allow you to have a tailored space that meets all your requirements for rest, relaxation or functionality in the warmer summer months. Enjoy designing a customised area with ample insulation that is perfect for you.
- Can you sleep in a summer house in winter?Sleeping in a summer house during winter is not ideal due to the potential lack of insulation and heating. The structure may not be equipped to withstand harsh winter conditions, leading to discomfort and possible safety hazards. It is recommended to seek alternative accommodation better suited for colder temperatures to ensure a comfortable and safe stay.
- How do I keep my summer house warm in the winter?To keep your summer house warm in the winter, consider installing a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature efficiently. Ensure proper insulation throughout the property, including windows and doors. Use draught stoppers to prevent cold air from seeping in. Invest in a portable heater for supplemental warmth in specific areas. Utilise thermal curtains to retain heat and minimise heat loss. Regularly maintain your heating system to ensure optimal performance. Lastly, consider using rugs on the floors to add an extra insulation layer.
- Is it worth insulating a summerhouse?Insulating a summerhouse is worth it if you use it year-round or frequently during cooler months. Insulation helps regulate the temperature inside the structure, making it more comfortable and energy-efficient. It also helps prevent moisture buildup, reducing the risk of mould and mildew. Insulating your summerhouse can ultimately extend its usability and improve its overall value.
- Why is viewing a garden bullding in person essential before purchasing?Viewing a garden building in the context of your garden is crucial before you buy it, as it enables direct assessment of its construction integrity, design appeal, and practicality. This firsthand inspection ensures that your decision to purchase a garden structure is well-informed.
