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Joined
6/30/2023
Location
sebree, KY, USA
I recently bought a storage shed because I want to get my moto stuff much more contained and closer to home.
This shed is not, and will not be, climate controlled. I'm not worried about theft or anything like that so let's keep that separate. My big concern is heat. This is going to be a well sealed and clean place just not cool all summer. I am worried about heat and the breakdown of certain items and materials becoming compromised.
In the past, all of my stuff has been in a non-conditioned garage but my gut tells me a garage attached to a house isnt going to be as hot as a shed but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm tripping all together. Share your experience please (:
- What goes in the shed? What needs to stay inside? I know helmet obviously doesn't go in the shed. What else should I look out for?
- Any tips and tricks on ventilation are appreciated.
- What have you learned that's important but not obvious right away?
Over the years I've done a shed, house without AC, and a van for trips. (North Carolina)
I tried to keep gas outside as much as possible. The plastic jugs will swell quite a bit but never had a problem from it.
Sometimes grip glue or sticker glue would get a little soft. That's about it.
Other than that, use extra caution to keep sweat from dripping on stuff it shouldn't while working on a bike.
I’ve stored my stuff in my shed for 20 years with no issues in the heat of so. California with zero issues. I have 25+ helmets in there as well and no signs of any problems.
Graphics on plastics may be the only thing that might have aged quicker, but they are used and even then, it’s nothing that couldn’t have aged in my garage.
My shed is not insulated, but roof/ wall insulation would surely be an option to preserve things better. Hope that helps
Is it a metal shed or a wooden shed?
Good point… mine is built with 2x4’s and siding.
I have no experience with a metal shed, but that would concern me as well… I assumed it was wood
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wooden, shingle roof.
@Sr_Vet_Rider I want to insulate but I want the studs to stay exposed for mounting stuff and so on. I'm not sure insulation helps all that much either right? It'll only slow down the rise of temperature on the inside?
Yeah, you’ll be fine IMHO, but doing the roof with insulation would definitely lower the temperature a bit. You can still get to the studs, if you decide to do it. But mine has been fine without it
You'll be totally fine. I have 20+ bikes stored in non-insulated wooden sheds. Make sure it's ventilated half decent to avoid moisture build up on the bikes metal components.
One of these will go a long way to lowering the temps, if you are still worried:
https://www.homedepot.com/pep/LOMANCO-12-in-Galvanized-Steel-Internally-Braced-Whirlybird-Wind-Turbine-GT12/100572638?g_store=6875&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D22-022_032_EXTERIOR_ROOFING_PROJECT-NA-NA-NA-PMAX--NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-FY25&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D22-022_032_EXTERIOR_ROOFING_PROJECT-NA-NA-NA-PMAX--NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-FY25-22674636377--&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22678315678&gbraid=0AAAAADq61Uex13nmv6DoVz4LG9aEADsb9&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIysCJ-PuilAMVlyVECB28oTIyEAQYBiABEgIzSfD_BwE
I think some insulation would keep the hot roof from radiating all that heat back into the shed. I'm with you now.
What kind of insulation would be suitable that's not fiberglass and also not foam? Does that exist?
Wool?
Rigid foam will work fine even if it's only a couple of inches thick, whatever fits in the rafters nicely. I don't have any in one of mine and with the shingles it's totally fine to work in even when it's hot.
Replace the Suzuki with a Yamaha to keep inside it
I'd put a bit of venting in to give moisture a way out other than that it'll be fine, we used to store all our stuff in a non-insulated tin shed in Aus and never had problems with gear.
Vent it at the peak. White shingles, or even better put a TPO roof on it over rigid foam. Reflect all the sun/heat you can. I put a sheet of TPO on the metal roof of my 8x14 enclosed trailer and it made a world of difference in the sun.
Putting a vent low on the wall and a whirlybird on the roof creates passive airflow by pulling hot air out the top while drawing in cooler air from below. It helps reduce heat buildup and keeps the shed from turning into an oven, even though it won’t actually make it cold inside.
I'm gonna do a little window as well as a few nice vents. I don't mind the heat at all honestly as long as the stuff is good.
As of now my plan is to convert it to a workshop and storage shed with a small lean-to outside for air filet chemicals and fuel to sit in the shade with a little outdoor table.
Yeah this is great. I guess I didn’t really think about a low vent that’s really cool. Thanks for that I’ll totally do it!
Putting 1.5 inch foam insulation on my trailer roof made a huge difference. I've insulted my shop walls and roof with r13 fiberglass, now I use the HVAC much less in the winter and summer.
If you wanted to insulate the walls, you could use plywood or OSB on the interior walls and hang all sorts of crap on them instead of just using the studs. We did that in the garage in our last place and lined it with pegboard all the way around while we were at it, wasn't pretty but it worked well.
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