Insulating wooden workshop advice

[Robson Valley]

If your Builder's Supply place has half a brain (many of ours don't), they should be able to tell you if the foam and the sheet are compatible.
Code here is a waterproof box full of insulation = skinny wall, weather sealed on both sides. Winter: -35C outside, +20C inside.
Summer's worst, last year was +47C outside and +27C in the kitchen.

Good luck with it, Sure makes a comfortable difference.
Don't forget a potting bench with some fluorescent lights for starting garden and flowering plants.
Extends your mileage.

 

[Janne]

Fluorescent lights in a shed, if left on for prologed periods of time, attract plenty of insects and police.

 

[Robson Valley]

No, Janne, they don't always. I left the fluoros on for a couple of years.
The Fuzz never showed up. I had one little spider that tied to make a living
but I think it starved to death.

I have moved my Grow-Op to my downstairs kitchen
but I'm having a real problem keeping the cat out of the bigger pots.

 

[demographic]

Fluorescent lights in a shed, if left on for prologed periods of time, attract plenty of insects and police.

Yeah but at least the police stop the klepto insects from stealing.

 

[Janne]

Are the British police licensed to carry insect spray?

 

[daveO]

If I'm fitting Cellotex/Kingspan type insulation into a building I don't even try to get the fit perfect, I'd rather have about a 5mm gap around the insulation (hold it in place short term with a couple of nails) then I go round it with squirty foam (use the stuff from a gun as the other ones from just a can are hard work) and the foam makes a far better seal and stops the Cellotex from rattling about.
The 5mm gap is just enough to get the foam gun nozzle in.

If I try to get the fit of the Cellotex perfect it takes three times as long, causes masses more nasty dust that gets in my eyes and at the end the building is much less likely to pass an air test.
I've done a few homes this way and although it uses a few tins of foam its a much better job in the end.

I'm not sure but I suspect squirty foam might just eat away at polystyrene though, can't say I've ever tried it yet.

You have to remember though that a big chunk of the insulation value of things like Celotex is made up by the reflective coating. It reflects the heat back in and the cold out. Without the reflective coat you get a lot more conducted heat loss. I totally agree though that a tight fit is essential. Otherwise it's like wearing a down jacket but leaving it unzipped. I generally specify Celotex fitted tightly between studs with an air gap either side to allow the reflective coating to work, then fit a continuous layer on the inside which makes it easier to butt the joints tightly and tape them with a reflective tape. A 25mm continuous layer on the inside is worth twice the thickness between studs.

 

[Dreadhead]

Some more progress done this week. I have workbenches! Used pallets for the supports and whatever else will had lying around. I also got half the ceiling put in now which gives me a lot of storage.

Just got to run some extension leads in then i can finish the top of the walls up t the ceiling, get it painted and that should be me

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[Robson Valley]

You are one seriously clever boy to use the pallets for legs. Cosmic idea.

White paint will cut down the cost of lighting. LED spot lights don't splash light into corners and waste it.

What is the working surface on your island bench?
Mine is enameled steel = the lid of my deep freezer. I drew a grid of lines with black felt marker for assemblies.

 

[Dreadhead]

I like to upcycle what I can. I've reclaimed so much material that was around here already.

The central bench is just some crap jointed 30nm chip board for flooring, but it's what I've got. I put some timber around the edges to add more surface and extra strength. I'll probably try and get a nicer surface and just add it on top at somepoint. I'd ideally like something with a nice polish or varnish which won't scratch leather. In the meantime I'll cover it with those green cutting mats

You are one seriously clever boy to use the pallets for legs. Cosmic idea.

White paint will cut down the cost of lighting. LED spot lights don't splash light into corners and waste it.

What is the working surface on your island bench?
Mine is enameled steel = the lid of my deep freezer. I drew a grid of lines with black felt marker for assemblies.

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[Robson Valley]

Your 'junk wood' island bench is just fine. Some day, you will find a skin for it.

The rustic furniture shop down my street has an all-purpose central assembly bench.
They found some fairy thin, short-knap floor carpet for a covering.
It seemed odd but I finally realized how useful the soft surface really was..

 

[Toddy]

It's looking good Hamish

Our workshop bench is covered in industrial linoleum. It's at least forty years old and is still sound.
It's the stuff that's used in schools and the like....and there are always offcuts around. If you ask the local flooring folks, most are self employed when they are hired on building sites, they might well have something suitable they're happy to sell at near cost. I know that one of the local charities got hold of such pieces and used them on the walls of their shower rooms, so it is about.

I have those packs of parquet flooring that Andy said he wouldn't use. If they'd be of any use for a surface, let me know and I'll get them to you somehow or other.

 

[Dreadhead]

Good idea with the linoleum. I was looking at that varnished plyboard stuff but will keep looking at what else is out there

I'm so close to being done I can taste it got all my walls and ceiling in using just hand tools all that is left to do is paint today

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[Birch Axe]

Its coming along nicely for sure, must say I am very jealous!

 

[dwardo]

Nice cheap and easy bench top is a kitchen work surface. Pretty much any local supplier will have some scartched or damaged second they will want to sell of cheap. It's nice flat and very hard wearing. Mine has been good for 15 years and its had a hard life. Looking great by the way.

 

[Birch Axe]

Nice cheap and easy bench top is a kitchen work surface. Pretty much any local supplier will have some scartched or damaged second they will want to sell of cheap. It's nice flat and very hard wearing. Mine has been good for 15 years and its had a hard life. Looking great by the way.

There's a place down the road from me that practically gives it away, usually its only slightly cosmetically damaged and still looks great.

 

[Dreadhead]

It's finally finished!

It's so nice to have a workshop again, and I have more than enough room for anything here thanks for all the advice folks

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[Robson Valley]

Congratulations! Man-cave. Have you made any plans for winter heat?
Your work must be hard to do with cold hands.

 

[Everything Mac]

Looks an absolute cracker Hamish. Well done matey.

All the best
Andy

 

[Dreadhead]

I finally got around to covering the concrete floor this week! I used those foam jigsaw mats and just filled everything. Now I can roll around with the dog and dance about barefoot as much as I want

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