Expanding Foam as Insulation

Originally Posted by Barewolf

I see what you mean. The roof and walls are insulated with a combination of polystyrene sheeting and bubblewrap, I was on a tight budget, but it seems to have worked. The wall cavity was about 2 1/2 inches which was jam packed with insulation.

I dont want to overspend on floor insulation if its not necessary, the cheapest option would be the best for me, ive already spent way too much on the workshop as it is.

This insulated MDF sounds good, i will have to look out for that. It would be ideal.

If your on a tight budget or cannot justify the expense then just plain ply sheeting will do about £24-5 per sheet or mdf slightly cheaper but not as resilient or good where spillages happen or even just plain T&G chipboard even cheaper all will stop the draughts and add some insulation on their own

[Barewolf]

Originally Posted by martyh

If your on a tight budget or cannot justify the expense then just plain ply sheeting will do about £24-5 per sheet or mdf slightly cheaper but not as resilient or good where spillages happen or even just plain T&G chipboard even cheaper all will stop the draughts and add some insulation on their own

Isn't MDF more insulating than plywood?

Currently 6mm Plywood at our DIY place is £13.00 a Sheet 8' x 8', 6mm isn't thick enough though is it? I used 6mm to board up the roof and walls.

I saw these http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/116420

Im assuming this is what you mean by the boards?, Trouble is these would be better to fit if they came in 16 ft lengths, but as an overall covering, 8ft x 8ft sheeting would have the job done in no time.

Originally Posted by Barewolf

Isn't MDF more insulating than plywood?

.

not so you'd notice

Currently 6mm Plywood at our DIY place is £13.00 a Sheet 8' x 8', 6mm isn't thick enough though is it? I used 6mm to board up the roof and walls.

I saw these http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/116420

Im assuming this is what you mean by the boards?, Trouble is these would be better to fit if they came in 16 ft lengths, but as an overall covering, 8ft x 8ft sheeting would have the job done in no time.

Yep that wicks sheeting will do fine ,and i think you mean 8x4 not 8x8 as far as i know 8x8 are not manufactured the biggest i have ever used is 10x4 and that's not a stock item

[MovedGoalPosts]

You are laying this boarding directly over the existing board. Thus the thickness of the added board will not be an issue for strength as any load is directly transferred to the existing boards. A thin plywood would be more than sufficient to block the draughts.

Wood products offer some thermal properties, but for the thicknesses you are talking of either as existing flooring or added boarding, not enough to make any real difference. If you want insulation, as opposed to draught proofing then you need an insulating layer. But given that your walls and roof don't have that high a performance, any significant expense on the floor, is not in my view justifiable.

[Barewolf]

Originally Posted by Rob

You are laying this boarding directly over the existing board. Thus the thickness of the added board will not be an issue for strength as any load is directly transferred to the existing boards. A thin plywood would be more than sufficient to block the draughts.

Wood products offer some thermal properties, but for the thicknesses you are talking of either as existing flooring or added boarding, not enough to make any real difference. If you want insulation, as opposed to draught proofing then you need an insulating layer. But given that your walls and roof don't have that high a performance, any significant expense on the floor, is not in my view justifiable.

Well 6mm Ply isnt too expensive, and I use that for my walls, so any offcuts I could use for the floor in certain places.

I will get this instead, lucky you said this or i would have gone for 12mm ply, but if thats not needed it will save money

[pabscars]

Originally Posted by Barewolf

Isn't MDF more insulating than plywood?

I saw these http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/116420

Im assuming this is what you mean by the boards?,.

Those boards are exactly the same as the ones I've got in my shed and they do a decent enough job of keeping the heat in, more importantly for me they give the floor some rigidity and for extra protection I used silicone sealant around all the edges.

The single biggest benefit I found for keeping my shed warm was sealing all the gaps/windows/roof etc which took about 3 tubes of silicone sealant and about 2 hours. I also put some additional strengthening 3"x2" supports on both the doors to stop them from warping with latches on the inside to hold them flush to the frame work.

[Taf]

I'd rather use OSB2 sheets for flooring.

[MovedGoalPosts]

If you lay plastic sheet over the existing floorboards, before you overlaywith plywood or chipboard you'll be about as sealed as you can get.

[Barewolf]

Originally Posted by Rob

If you lay plastic sheet over the existing floorboards, before you overlaywith plywood or chipboard you'll be about as sealed as you can get.

Luckily i have some unused plastic sheeting, so i will definitely do that.

[beeman]

An easy way to insulate the floor would bee fitting a carpet using a thick AP underlay (such as 11m cloud9 columious). That would kill the droughts, make the floor feel/look warmer and more homely. Of cause the carpet you choose would have to bee appropriate for what you plan on doing in the workshop. A carpet such as gala would bee good workshop fodder (easy to clean, low, tight pile etc).

[Taf]

My shed is carpetted

[Barewolf]

carpet will have to wait, im still on a tight budget, got loads of stuff to do this summer, and nothings cheap anymore