4 Tips for Creating a Comfortable and Functional Shed for Storage
If you want to keep clutter out of your garage, small storage buildings like sheds, barns, and detached garages are the perfect solution. Storage units can be used to store yard equipment, tools, items you don’t have room for in your home, seasonal items, projects, or anything else out you want out of your home space.
These buildings are easy to get and install, and they are easily placed almost anywhere on your property. So what about when it’s getting too hot inside the shed? Or you’ve got critters coming in and nesting inside? Maybe it’s condensation that you’re trying to stop? Check out our 5 best tips for making your storage area comfortable, dry, and enjoyable to use!
1) Cool it down inside the shed without a/c. If you store items inside your shed that are sensitive to heat you’ve got to cool it down inside there. Ideally your shed would be located under a giant shade tree, but if that’s not possible, adding a radiant barrier heat shield is the next best option. The BlueTex™ 2mm Pro is an EXCELLENT choice for your application to reflect heat and control some basic moisture in your building. Additionally, the 2mm will provide a good thermal envelope if you ever did need some occasional heating or cooling in the space. The foil will reflect 97% of radiant heat, which basically makes the building “in the shade” and this is a HUGE IMPROVEMENT if you are not running an air conditioner constantly.
2) Ventilating the building gives humidity more of a chance to escape, so your building stays dry inside and this is especially important in a non-conditioned (this means you’re not using heating or A/C regularly) space. For most sheds, a pair of passive vents on opposite ends of the building (one high and the other low), would probably provide enough ventilation for most spaces. Another option would be to combine a vent in the ridge with open doors/windows to naturally vent the building. If you’re using BlueTex™ metal building insulation in a shed, simply cut a 2” vent slit (it does not have to be continuous) in the ridge (even if you don’t have a ridge vent) through the BlueTex™ insulation. Yes, your building may feel cooler in winter because of the vent, but this is what you want - a cool interior to closer match the ambient temp outside so the perfect conditions for condensation won’t happen.
3) Landscaping irrigation should be avoided near the shed to minimize issues associated with water. Repeated exposure to sprinklers can lead to water damage on the exterior of a shed. To prevent such damage, it may be necessary to reroute or cap sprinkler and irrigation systems. Another tip regarding water is to get as much as possible inside the shed up off the ground by at least 3” or more. Even a small amount of flooding can easily destroy an entire shed of possessions so use shelving, plastic bins, or build a platform to store water-sensitive items on.
4) Critter-proof your shed to keep your belongings sanitary and secure. Make sure the areas surrounding and below (if applicable) your shed are kept clear and free of debris. Set traps or use pest control treatments to minimize critters hanging out near the shed. You can also pick up a can of spray foam or caulk and seal the corners of the floor of the shed (do this before you install BlueTex™) or use wire mesh to keep the perimeter impenetrable. This is easily cost-effective and the most efficient way to prevent bugs from coming in.
These are our four essential recommendations to ensure optimal utilization of your shed. These aren't all the tips for a well-insulated and high-performance building, but we think these are the most approachable ones that make the biggest impact long-term. If you believe there is any aspect we have overlooked, contact us and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Should you have inquiries regarding the most effective insulation methods for maximizing shed performance, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email. We would be glad to discuss your project and see how BlueTex™ insulation can help.
These buildings are easy to get and install, and they are easily placed almost anywhere on your property. So what about when it’s getting too hot inside the shed? Or you’ve got critters coming in and nesting inside? Maybe it’s condensation that you’re trying to stop? Check out our 5 best tips for making your storage area comfortable, dry, and enjoyable to use!
1) Cool it down inside the shed without a/c. If you store items inside your shed that are sensitive to heat you’ve got to cool it down inside there. Ideally your shed would be located under a giant shade tree, but if that’s not possible, adding a radiant barrier heat shield is the next best option. The BlueTex™ 2mm Pro is an EXCELLENT choice for your application to reflect heat and control some basic moisture in your building. Additionally, the 2mm will provide a good thermal envelope if you ever did need some occasional heating or cooling in the space. The foil will reflect 97% of radiant heat, which basically makes the building “in the shade” and this is a HUGE IMPROVEMENT if you are not running an air conditioner constantly.
2) Ventilating the building gives humidity more of a chance to escape, so your building stays dry inside and this is especially important in a non-conditioned (this means you’re not using heating or A/C regularly) space. For most sheds, a pair of passive vents on opposite ends of the building (one high and the other low), would probably provide enough ventilation for most spaces. Another option would be to combine a vent in the ridge with open doors/windows to naturally vent the building. If you’re using BlueTex™ metal building insulation in a shed, simply cut a 2” vent slit (it does not have to be continuous) in the ridge (even if you don’t have a ridge vent) through the BlueTex™ insulation. Yes, your building may feel cooler in winter because of the vent, but this is what you want - a cool interior to closer match the ambient temp outside so the perfect conditions for condensation won’t happen.
3) Landscaping irrigation should be avoided near the shed to minimize issues associated with water. Repeated exposure to sprinklers can lead to water damage on the exterior of a shed. To prevent such damage, it may be necessary to reroute or cap sprinkler and irrigation systems. Another tip regarding water is to get as much as possible inside the shed up off the ground by at least 3” or more. Even a small amount of flooding can easily destroy an entire shed of possessions so use shelving, plastic bins, or build a platform to store water-sensitive items on.
4) Critter-proof your shed to keep your belongings sanitary and secure. Make sure the areas surrounding and below (if applicable) your shed are kept clear and free of debris. Set traps or use pest control treatments to minimize critters hanging out near the shed. You can also pick up a can of spray foam or caulk and seal the corners of the floor of the shed (do this before you install BlueTex™) or use wire mesh to keep the perimeter impenetrable. This is easily cost-effective and the most efficient way to prevent bugs from coming in.
These are our four essential recommendations to ensure optimal utilization of your shed. These aren't all the tips for a well-insulated and high-performance building, but we think these are the most approachable ones that make the biggest impact long-term. If you believe there is any aspect we have overlooked, contact us and we'd love to hear your suggestions. Should you have inquiries regarding the most effective insulation methods for maximizing shed performance, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email. We would be glad to discuss your project and see how BlueTex™ insulation can help.