New from SW Florida. Insulating and cooling?

[treimche]

New to the forum. Thanks for having me. Looking for some advice on how to make this shed into a decent workshop. Bought a house in SW Florida and there is a 24x14 shed from Superior Sheds in my yard, which was a nice bonus since I like to work on my vehicles and a lot of DIY projects.

From what I have gathered this is their "bungalow" model, it was built in 2016, 24ft long, 14ft wide, 7ft walls, has 2 windows, a wide walk in door, a roll up door, and the roof/walls are all painted aluminum. I need to fix a couple of water leaks and clean the inside and outside, then would like to insulate. I'm thinking I'll call up a local spray foam company to get a quote, but so far from what I've read, spray foam could end up way more expensive than just using fiberglass insulation in order to get the same R rating.

I'm wondering what type of insulation would be good in this case. Basically I want to keep heat out since it's typically hot and humid here. I will most likely add some type of air conditioner too. Some sort of vent(s) would be nice too so that I can vent hot air and fumes out, and if there was some type of an exhaust fan that isn't too expensive, that could be something to add also.

Adding a couple of pics to show an example of a wall and inside ceiling.

 

[toyotadriver]

I'm a little surprised that meets south FL building codes. But, apparently it's been working.

The wood floor will make it a little harder to work on vehicles but still doable. I'd put R13 batts in the walls and then cover everything with 1 inch rigid insulation sheets. Then, cover that with something like OSB.



Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.

 

[acer66]

Welcome to the club and I would get R15 and use mineral wool.

 

[Firebrick43]

I wouldn't ever insulate that building The metal is running horizontal on the roof and will never remain leak free. You can see it clearly on the rafters.

If you insulate it especially with spray foam that moisture will set and rot out the board exceedingly fast and you will never know it till its to late.

If you want to insulate it I would suggest removing the roof panels and if you want to remain with a metal roof put purlins on perpendicular to the rafters (or a ply/osb deck) and put proper R panels running parallel to the rafters or even better a snap lock panel with hidden fasteners.

 

[treimche]

I'm a little surprised that meets south FL building codes. But, apparently it's been working.

The wood floor will make it a little harder to work on vehicles but still doable. I'd put R13 batts in the walls and then cover everything with 1 inch rigid insulation sheets. Then, cover that with something like OSB.



Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.

I actually have the original State of Florida state compliance certification. It was screwed into a stud, so apparently it was good enough back in 2016 when it was built.

When you say "rigid insulation sheets" are you talking about those foam insulation boards?

I was thinking for the top half of the side walls, I'd maybe use slat wall, then drywall the rest.

 

[treimche]

Welcome to the club and I would get R15 and use mineral wool.

Is mineral wool similar to a product called Rockwool? Can you provide an example?

 

[treimche]

I wouldn't ever insulate that building The metal is running horizontal on the roof and will never remain leak free. You can see it clearly on the rafters.

If you insulate it especially with spray foam that moisture will set and rot out the board exceedingly fast and you will never know it till its to late.

If you want to insulate it I would suggest removing the roof panels and if you want to remain with a metal roof put purlins on perpendicular to the rafters (or a ply/osb deck) and put proper R panels running parallel to the rafters or even better a snap lock panel with hidden fasteners.

It is mind boggling that they run the metal horizontally on the roof. You can definitely see water stains on a lot of the rafters. I'm actually going to call the company who sells these sheds and ask them about their warranty, just to see what they say.

 

[Firebrick43]

It is mind boggling that they run the metal horizontally on the roof. You can definitely see water stains on a lot of the rafters. I'm actually going to call the company who sells these sheds and ask them about their warranty, just to see what they say.

It saves a couple of hundred less to make as they don’t need purlins across the rafters.

In a market where price is more important than anything else corners will be cut.

 

[acer66]

Is mineral wool similar to a product called Rockwool? Can you provide an example?

Yes, Rockwool is a brand name but it is mineral wool.

 

[toyotadriver]

I actually have the original State of Florida state compliance certification. It was screwed into a stud, so apparently it was good enough back in 2016 when it was built.

When you say "rigid insulation sheets" are you talking about those foam insulation boards?

I was thinking for the top half of the side walls, I'd maybe use slat wall, then drywall the rest.

Yes foam insulation sheets.



Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.

 

[theoldwizard1]

With insulation, more is better. Minimum of 2", of closed cell foam over the entire interior. Adding at least 4" (6" - 8" would be better) of fiberglass under the roof will help keep the heat out.

Most (all?) of the mini-split heat pump companies make similar units that do not heat. Much more efficient than most "window shakers".

 

[theoldwizard1]

Mineral wool (Rockwool) is good if you want sound insulation. Not any better R rating than other types insulation.

 

[acer66]

Mineral wool (Rockwool) is good if you want sound insulation. Not any better R rating than other types insulation.

Plus less itchy, rodents do not like it and it handles water much better than fiberglass.

I’ll take mineral wool over fiberglass anytime I can.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Is mineral wool similar to a product called Rockwool? Can you provide an example?

Yes. I wouldn't use mineral wool as totally blocks the cell phone signal. Just use fiberglass insulation.