Even if you are currently on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways to insulate your shed economically. Some of the methods require the cheapest cost but can still offer great offers. The following list shows you how to insulate a shed for free using easy-to-find and budget-friendly materials, along with each of their benefits and drawbacks.
5 Free Material For Shed Insulation
Bubble Wrap
Not only is bubble wrap the most basic shed insulation material on this list, but it’s also the most inexpensive one. While it’s challenging to find a perfectly efficient way to insulate the shed for free, this material can be the best insulation for shed option you can get for free.
That being said, it doesn’t provide as effective insulation in isolation as other materials listed here. That being said, it’s still quite effective, especially if you use it conjointly with fabric with a harder texture like hardboard.
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Board
You may be more familiar with the PIR board that’s commonly referred to as one of the brand names available out there, Celotex. This material is made from closed-cell and rigid foam and is mainly utilized for flooring, roofs, and walls.
As it is a popular material, you won’t have a hard time to find a PIR board, but you still need to find one with a suitable size as the frame of your shed. It does carry advantages, but it falls into the more expensive side of this list.
Breathable Membranes
Also known as breather membranes, this material has water-resistant yet air-permeable qualities. It’s commonly used for roofs and external walls because it can prevent moisture from seeping in, improving ventilation inside the building.
This characteristic makes breathable membranes a good DIY material option for you who want to know how to insulate a shed for free.
Fiberglass Roll
Typically made from repurposed glass, fiberglass roll is an environmentally friendly material, not to mention easy, quick, and install. The structure of this material provides a lot of air pockets that make it unable to shrink or change form over time.
This means fiberglass roll is a cost-effective material investment. However, it has a drawback, where its ability to provide insulation is reduced when exposed to water. The micro-glass slivers it contains are also potentially damaging if inhaled.
Plasterboard
For a small shed, plasterboard can be an ideal insulation material because it enhances the walls’ thermal performance without eliminating plenty of space inside. It can be installed by using simple materials and tools like glue, nails, and screws. Despite being practical and inexpensive, plasterboard offers aesthetic value to the shed because it provides the appearance of plywood.
If you ask what ideal insulation material to use on your shed, it depends mainly on which section of the shed you plan to insulate and your budget. It may also depend on the current insulated condition of the shed. However, in general, the material options provided in the list of how to insulate a shed for free above will suffice just well.
