How to add insulation to Colorbond shed walls?

[CrankCo]

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions as to affixing insulation to colorbond shed walls. I was originally thinking of just chucking in battens in the spacings before screwing plywood to the internal facing beams. However the moisture factor got me thinking - are the ridges in the colorbond enough for the insulation to breath? I was also considering Sikaflexing foilboards onto the colorbond, and then plywooding the internal facing walls. 

 

 

[Akanksha]

Hi @CrankCo,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community! We're delighted to have you join us and hope you will find the site a great resource for all your D.I.Y. and garden projects. 

Thank you for your question on insulating your shed. Our resident D.I.Y. expert @EricL should be able to assist you when he's back online later today. Also tagging @Adam_W, @DIYgals, @Itai and @TheSaltyreefer in case they have any thoughts.  

In the meantime, I'd encourage you to check out this Best Advice article on How do you add insulation to a garage or shed?.

Insulating sheds is a popular topic within the community, and you might like to read through these previous discussions for ideas:

• How to insulate a metal shed? by @Bondy2
  
  
• How to insulate a shed? by @Andrew295 
  
  
• How to insulate garden shed walls and roof by @arpad
  
  

• Insulation suggestion for stainless steel shed by @Sunda.

Hope this helps. 

Akanksha

[EricL]

Hi @CrankCo 

Thanks for sharing your question about adding insulation to your Colorbond shed walls. 

I propose putting builder's plastic first then mount the battens on the steel rails of the shed rather than in the spacings. The gap between the builder's plastic and your shed wall will act as an air gap between the wall and your insulation. This will prevent moisture contamination and thermal transfer from happening. 

I don't recommend using foil board on your shed walls as condensation will develop between the adhesive and the steel shed walls, and they will end up failing.

I also suggest having a look at these discussions regarding insulation:

• How to insulate a wood shed roof by @melissathomp89

• How to insulate a shed to stop condensation and dirt by @Ritar

• How to install insulation in my Titan Shed walls and ceiling? by @denk

• How to insulate a metal shed? by @Bondy2

• How to insulate a pre-built shed? by @staplar

• Insulation ideas for steel frame shed by @haveago

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[nadiaelliott]

hello - how do i attach the builders plastic to the wall - mine is an existing shed with the metal battens.  so not lifting the battens.  Can i glue or silicon the black plastic down? thanks

[EricL]

Hello @nadiaelliott 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Builder's plastic is usually stapled to a timber stud. I'm afraid glue or silicone is not going to hold it in place. I suggest attaching timber battens such as 42 x 19mm 1.8m DAR Pine Premium - 1.8m on top of your metal battens. I recommend using Zenith 8G x 35mm Galvanised Countersunk Rib Head Metal Screws to anchor the timber to your steel batten.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Morning @nadiaelliott 

Mmmm Ive just been looking at Ramset stuff, The ramset gun can fire pins into metal with wide plates for the pins (plastic) that would secure your sheeting.

Ramset InsulFast Fasteners but you need the ramset gun to do so (explosive pins that fire the pin into place) Depending on what is avaiable you may be able to hire the gun (plus they may train you) I havnt use dit for years but it works surprisingly well.

Otherwise I would step towards @EricL's suggestion as that is the one I would usually go.

Dave