Working in a cold office isn’t fun and it isn’t productive either. It’s hard to concentrate on a laptop screen if you can’t feel your fingers. Chances are those cold digits will be the only thing on your mind.
If you live in a colder climate and you want to work in your outdoor office year round you’ll need to figure out how to keep it warm.
Insulation can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. You can keep your fingers and toes warm while running your winter business without extending your budget with some of the cheapest ways to insulate a shed office.
There are several options you can use to insulate your shed. By using inexpensive materials such as cardboard, hay and styrofoam you can keep the temperature in your shed warm even in the coldest months.
You’ll find some of the methods below are more effective than others, but any of these options will be better than no insulation at all.
How much insulation you’ll need depends on where you live. It’s rated based on something called an R-Value. The colder your climate, the higher the R-Value you’ll need. We’ve included a handy quick reference chart of the R-Values of each insulation type we’ll look at below.
If subzero temperatures are normal where you live in winter it’s a good idea to consider more expensive options such as fiberglass or insulation boards. For the best money saving options, here are 11 of the cheapest ways to insulate a shed office from the cold.
1.| Hay is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
If you’ve ever been inside a farmer’s horse barn in winter you probably noticed that it was surprisingly warm. That has a lot to do with the hay bales surrounding the stalls. Hay is one of the world’s best natural insulators.
It’s so effective that it’s still a favorite for farmers to keep their animals protected from the elements and it has been for hundreds of years. Hay can work just as well in your shed office to protect you from the winter cold.
You may not be able to buy hay at the local hardware store, but a quick search online will likely reveal lots of sources in your area. Keep in mind, hay can be messy though, so if you’re worried about how it will look you may want to consider one of the other options on our list
2.| Cardboard is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
Have you ever noticed that big screen TVs and laptops are often packaged in thick cardboard? That’s because it’s cheap and provides enough cushioning to keep these products free from damage during transport. It also happens to be a good insulator.
Best of all you can often find corrugated cardboard free if you’re willing to get creative. Many stores throw tons of cardboard out every day and you’ll be surprised how many store owners will be more than happy to let you take it off their hands.
We suggest you start your cardboard search early in the spring as you’ll need a fair bit of it to insulate your entire space. If you’re determined enough, this is easily one of the cheapest ways to insulate a shed office.
3.| Foil Bubble Wrap is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
As a kid, it was always a treat to get a hold of the bubble wrap that products were packaged in. There was something satisfying in that popping sound. That bubble wrap we were so fond of happens to be a great insulator as well.
Most hardware stores carry foil backed bubble wrap which provides an extra layer of insulation. You can stuff it into your existing panels or even attach it to the walls with a staple gun.
Bubble wrap also makes a great vapor barrier. Keeping the moisture out, will help to keep you warmer and more comfortable in your backyard office this winter as well.
4.| Foam Spray is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
When you sit next to a drafty window in the winter it can get quite cold. The reason you’re feeling that draft is because your windows weren’t sealed properly or the seal has eroded over time.
Foam Spray insulation works by ceiling and expanding in the gaps and that makes it ideal for use in your shed office. Anywhere you find a gap in a wall, seam, or window frame you can apply the foam and stop cold air from seeping in.
A can of foam Spray will cost you no more than $20 to $25 and you probably won’t need more than 1 or 2 cans to cover all the leaks in your backyard office. If used sparingly it can go a long way, although it can be expensive if you try to cover your walls completely in foam.
5.| Adding Styrofoam Sheets is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
In our home we have a cold cellar with large vents that are only separated from the outside by a thin screen. Winters are cold and snowy and that makes for a freezing cold space.
A couple of winter’s ago it got so cold in that room that it caused the water pipes to freeze. Those were the main water pipes into the home. We fixed the problem by filling those vents with styrofoam sheets and we’ve never had another problem.
Styrofoam can be a surprisingly effective insulation even in cold climates. You can easily attach it to shed walls using industrial staples, small nails or any kind of adhesive. For best results, we suggest using some sheets on the roof as well.
6.| Fiberglass Insulation is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
If you’ve ever ventured into an unfinished basement and seen that pink stuff wrapped in plastic on the walls then you’ve seen fiberglass insulation at work. It’s popular because it works and it also happens to be affordable.
It’s a budget friendly option. If you decide to go with fiberglass in your workspace it shouldn’t cost you more than $100 for an average size shed.
There are a couple of issues to think about before you rush out and buy some fiberglass sheets though. First, it can be messy and itchy to work with so you’ll want to wear long sleeves and gloves.
This type of insulation is also difficult to attach to walls when you don’t have studs and beams to fit it in. For that reason, if you have a Prefab resin shed you probably won’t be able to use fiberglass. These Sheds don’t usually have a thick frame to stuff the insulation in.
7.| Glass Wool Roll is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
Glass wool roll is similar to fiberglass sheet insulation, but it comes in rolls instead.
This type of insulation is usually thinner and cheaper. A roll of insulation that can cover 40 square feet, will only cost about $20. But it’s not ideal in all situations.
Because it’s thinner it’s also easier to apply, but it won’t be as effective as the thicker sheets of fiberglass at preventing heat loss. This type of insulation is usually best in moderate climates and not for areas where a blanket of snow on the ground is normal in the winter.
8.| Installing Rigid Insulation Boards is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
Rigid Insulation Boards are made of different materials such as polystyrene, polyurethane and polyiso. They’re thick sheets of lightweight and dense material that are easy to install anywhere you need them — even on the underside of the roof of your shed office.
You can use a utility knife to cut them to size and apply them with a spray on adhesive.
It’s one of your best options for insulating a Prefab resin shed because you don’t have to stuff them in beams and support structures. You simply apply the adhesive and secure the sheets to the walls.
9.| Sealing Cracks with Silicone Sealant is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
One of the cheapest ways to insulate your shed office and keep your budget in check is to apply a sealant wherever you find cracks. A silicone sealant is best not caulking. That’s because a silicone based sealant has more elasticity so it won’t harden and crack in colder temperatures. It will continue to fit snugly in position sealing out moisture and the elements.
Caulking is much more rigid. That’s not what you want in a shed that will be exposed to freeze and thaw cycles throughout the winter. It can crack and that will cause the seal to break, allowing air and moisture to slip in.
10.| Covering Windows in Winter With Window Film is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
Windows in a shed are thinner than what you have in your home. That makes them a vulnerable point when you’re trying to insulate against the elements. A simple and inexpensive solution is to cover them with a plastic window film.
This layer of plastic prevents drafts and keeps moisture out. It also stops the heat from inside your shed from leaking outside. You can find this film at any major hardware store or online retailer for under $20.
11.| Using Cellulose Insulation is One of The cheapest ways to insulate a shed office
Cellulose insulation is one of the newest insulation options available today. It’s made from recycled paper materials that have been ground down into a fine fiber. This material is then treated with chemicals to make it fire retardant and safe for use around the home or in your backyard office shed.
This insulation can be bought in bulk and applied to the area you want to insulate as a loose fill or it can be sprayed on. Applying the insulation by hand is more economical, but it’s also more time consuming.
That’s 11 of the cheapest ways to insulate your shed office so you can keep working comfortably during the colder months. Add a small space heater to the mix and you should be warm and toasty this winter as you work on your latest backyard business ideas.
