|
| Author |
Message |
TXTorres
Member
|
# Posted: 4 Jan 2013 07:16pm
Reply
Howdy!
I am VERY interested in building a small cabin out of a shed on my boyfriend's property in south Texas. We are talking very south Texas (McAllen area), so I am looking for tips on insulation. I know nothing about it except what I have been reading up on the internet in the past two days.
I plan on buying a shed as a shell and then installing my own insulation, painting it, etc. myself. We are having an electrician come out as I don't trust ourselves to do it right and not burn down the place. So I guess I am mainly looking for insulation tips, as well as any feedback that I may not have thought of. I appreciate any replies!
|
|
Montanagirl
Member
|
# Posted: 4 Jan 2013 11:33pm
Reply
Welcome to the forum! I love your ideas and will be anxious to follow your journey !!! Love Texas!
|
|
MikeOnBike
Member
|
# Posted: 5 Jan 2013 01:47am
Reply
Some of the pre-built garden/tool sheds don't have full thickness stud walls and the rafters may also be undersized for insulation. Most fiberglass batt insulation starts at 3.5" so you will need a full size stud wall to prevent compression of the batt and a loss of R value.
Leave at least an 1" above your ceiling insulation for the 'attic' space to breath. Standard batt insulation is 3.5" for R13, 6.25" for R19 and a little harder to find is 5.5" for R21. Common widths are for 16" or 24" stud/rafter centering.
There are other types of insulation such as blown cellulose and spray foam but if you are on a small project budget fiberglass batt is hard to beat
If you are insulating against the heat then you might be able to skip insulating the floor. Some shed roofs are not designed to be insulated and do not have venting at the soffits.
That's just a quick brain dump. I think if you have any DIY skills you can build a better shed for the money than you can buy or save yourself a fair amount of money
What size shed are your considering? You mention electrical, will you have commercial power? Do you plan to have AC and/or heating?
|
|
TXTorres
Member
|
# Posted: 5 Jan 2013 12:35pm
Reply
Thanks for the information, it was very helpful!
I have been reading a lot of posts on here and it was mentioned several times that it is way cheaper to just build your own. I will have to look into that. I have never built anything in my life, but my boyfriend and his family have experience, I believe.
And yes, I am pretty much just insulating against heat. I am not sure what size, but it is definitely not going to be bigger than 20x20. Probably more like 12x16. Yes, we would have commercial power. We are looking into electricians as one of the first steps. If we can't get electricity at the location, it's going to be a no go. The things that I would *need* to use electricity for is mainly the AC, followed by some kind of lighting, which would only be used when natural light or candle light isn't cutting it (I love both!).
|
|
Purplerules
Member
|
# Posted: 5 Jan 2013 05:00pm
Reply
I am in Texas. And we went with the pre-built shed/cabin route just to speed things up. We have been very happy with it. We are completing up the electrical wiring and starting the insulation, hoping to get it done before the summer get here. What hubby is doing is R13 between the wall studs and R19 between the ceiling studs. Hope this helps.
|
|
TXTorres
Member
|
# Posted: 5 Jan 2013 09:53pm
Reply
It does help! I appreciate it! Just got the quote back on how much it would cost for the builders to put insulation in.. definitely doing it ourselves!
Are ya'll doing the wiring yourselves? Is this common? I've had the apartment building right next to mine burn down and I'm terrified of something shorting out and the whole thing catching fire (I have dogs, which would make it doubly awful!).
|
|
Purplerules
Member
|
# Posted: 6 Jan 2013 12:51am
Reply
Yes we are doing the wiring ourselves. Hubby worked as a electricians
helper at one point in his life, so he is pretty confident on how to do it.
And our land is rural and we do not have to have permits for everything. So far the only thing that is required a permit is if we put in a septic system. Which we most likely will not at this point and due to the cost and the fact that is not a permanent residences. Going the compost toilet way at the moment.
What shed builder are you thinking on going with?
|
|
qualityfirst
|
# Posted: 29 Jan 2013 12:48am
Reply
a great resource for building sheds is youtube. good luck
|
|
|
|
