Outdoor Enclosure Insulation

[LeeCherry]

Hi everyone

I have just purchased a child's playhouse for my 2 Leopards and was after some ideas and advice on insulating it

I am not sure whether to use bubble wrap or loft insulation. The plan is to line the inside with sheet ply but fill the cavity which that creates with something. Does anyone know what is best to use?

I then plan to have a couple of tube heaters and then a basking area

Any advice would be appreciated !

Thanks - Lee

[burnt toast]

Hi Lee
I have one shed with loft insulation/ plywood but have found that over time the plywood has bulged under the pressure of holding the loft insulation back - so it kind of looks like the mitchelin man!

I have another two smaller sheds which I have used a combination of: thick polystyrene, bubble wrap & that silver insulation stuff on a roll ( quite thin & flexible) around the bottom foot of these sheds & the floors I have used the boards you can use to board your loft out ( kind of thickly compressed cardboard/wood ) they were very cheap, approx. £7 a pack of 3 ( 4foot long) from wickses.

Both options work well heat wise ( I use tubular heaters too) but I would say the second option is neater & was easier/cheaper. Hope this helps

[lonelylayla]

Hi. we've just finished insulating old block built outhouse. Have put thick polystyrene on floors and walls, placed in between batens, screwed lightweight ply over both. Like BT, have taken the ply up the sides to a height to stop the torts digging out the polystyrene. Have incorporated heat mats under the ply on thermostat for when it gets really cold up here on the mountain, just in case we need a bit more warmth

[LeeCherry]

Great, thanks for the tips, looks like bubble wrap is the way to go. I was also thinking of polystyrene but the batons that are already in place and leaving a cavity don't leave much of a gap so think I will struggle to get anything thin enough. That said I will have a real measure and check it out before committing, just need this rain to clear off now!!!

[burnt toast]

Unless its just for summer use I personally wouldnt use bubble wrap on its own. If you want to keep tort warm over winter you need something more effective.

[LeeCherry]

Ah, in that case, any suggestions ? It will be an all year round place

[lonelylayla]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXPANDED-P...item3a7129ec07

They do have polystyrene in all thicknesses on ebay, might be worth taking a look once you have measured

[LeeCherry]

Fantastic thank you, do you think that this will be up to the job? I suppose that's what they use in houses for cavity wall insulation so answered my own question really

[lonelylayla]

Originally Posted by LeeCherry

Fantastic thank you, do you think that this will be up to the job? I suppose that's what they use in houses for cavity wall insulation so answered my own question really

Should be good - the thicker you can get the better and you will need to put some ply over it otherwise it will get dug out

[Catwoman63]

I insulated a playhouse and a dog kennel with a layer of foil backed thermal bubble wrap all over top to bottom, then 1" thick polysterene all over, then another layer of foilf backed thermal bubblewrap then plywood on the floors and walls, this is working really well and keeps them nice and warm