How to insulate a summerhouse

In this article, we will explore what to consider when insulating your summer house, where you should insulate it and what the benefits of summer house insulation are.

Click the links below to jump to the relevant section: 

• What to consider when insulating your summer house - Find out more about the factors you should consider when looking to insulate your summer house.
• Where should you insulate your summer house? - Learn more about the parts of your summer house that can be insulated and the impact it can have.
• What are the benefits of insulating your summer house? - Read this section for more information on the key benefits of adding insulation to your summer house.
• Recommended summer house insulation materials - Learn more about the insulation materials we recommend for a long-lasting and durable solution.

When insulating your summer house, there are several essential factors to take into account to make sure you get the right insulation for your needs.

Wall thickness and building material

Firstly, it’s important to consider the wall thickness and the building materials being used to build your summer house as this can have an impact on the insulation you require. Once this has been assessed, you should consider the purpose of your summer house to ensure that the insulation you choose is right.

Certain materials are more insulating than others naturally so, a summer house that has double glazed windows will already be more energy-efficient than a standard garden shed or wooden shed.

Purpose of summer house

Summer houses can be used for a wide range of purposes, and the way in which you’re intending to use it will have an impact on the type and amount of insulation you’ll require. Are you planning to use your summer house exclusively during the summer months or will you need to use it in the winter too?

Inside or outside insulation

You will need to choose between inside or outside insulation. Outside insulation can be more costly and requires a sturdy lining on the outside of the building which helps to increase insulation even further and can save on space within your summer house.

The most common, cost-effective and quickest choice is inside insulation in the form of roof, wall or floor insulation.

Once you know what to look for in an insulation material for your summer house, it’s important to think about where to insulate it for the best results. Considering each of these types of insulation will provide you with the best results and the highest level of usability for your summer house.

Roof and floor insulation

Roof insulation and floor insulation are the first types of insulation to consider for your summer house or shed floor as they will help to eliminate draughts and keep your summer house well insulated all-year round. Underfloor insulation from Panel Systems can also be used as underslab insulation as part of a concrete floor base.

Wall insulation

Insulating the walls of your summer house will ensure that the construction retains heats and is usable all-year round. This will mean that any costs associated with heating the summer house should be lower because it will stay warm for longer. In addition, proper insulation can keep your summer house cool in the summer.

You can opt for one or a combination of the above types of insulation to build a more energy-efficient summer house which will help to create a longer-lasting structure.

Extruded Polystyrene or other foam materials are commonly used in insulation due to their strength, durability and thermal performance.

When investing in installing a summer house, you want to make sure that it will stand the test of time - insulation can be the key to that.

Insulating your summer house has a range of benefits. An insulated summer house offers a range of benefits including:

• Use summer house all year round – with the right choice of insulation, you will be able to use your summer house all year round, even during the coldest months, as the insulation will help your summer house to retain heat effectively.
• Reduce effects of extreme temperatures – whether it’s the hottest summer or the coldest winter, a good choice of insulation can reduce the effects of extreme temperatures. Whether or not you plan to use your summer house during these periods, the insulation will work to protect anything you wish to store inside.

When choosing materials for your summer house or for shed insulation, it’s important to find the highest quality materials and the best materials for the job. This can have a huge impact on the effectiveness of the insulation and the way in which you use your summer house.

At Panel Systems, we have for your consideration: Styrofloor to insulate the floor of your summer house. this is an insulated flooring board that is easy to lay and made of p5 moisture resistant chipboard to ensure the structure is durable and long-lasting and a Ravatherm XPS backing, an extruded polystyrene to help improve the energy efficiency of your summer house.

Ravatherm XPS is used in insulation due to its high-level thermal performance, with very high compressive strength and a low water absorption level. It is the ideal material for a range of applications, including garden buildings such as a summer house.

Our Eco-warm XPS insulation is specifically designed for use in summer houses and provides the ideal solution for insulating a summer house, shed, garden room or office using foam that’s long-lasting and durable. It’s available in various sizes to suit your needs so that you get the best results for your summer house, keeping your building energy-efficient and saving money on bills all year round.

Fire classification

ECO-Warm XPS (or Ravatherm XPS X made by Ravago Building Products) achieves Euroclass E for reaction to fire BS EN 13501 – 1. Please note: This fire classification is based on small scale tests, which may not reflect the reaction of the product in its end use state under actual fire conditions.

Ravatherm XPS X contains a flame retardant additive to inhibit accidental ignition from a small fire source. However, Ravatherm XPS X is combustible and if exposed to an intensive fire may burn rapidly. During shipment, storage, and installation Ravatherm XPS X products should not be exposed to flames or other ignition sources.

It is the purchaser’s responsibility to determine whether these products are suitable for the application desired and to ensure that the site of work and method of application conform to current legislation. Please contact us for product data sheets.

See our range of insulation products online today, or get in touch with our team now to find out more about insulation for your summer house.

Read our guide to learn more about the materials we recommend at Panel Systems and where you can find them.