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How to stop garden shed radiating heat?

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Hi,

I need some rent friendly advice on how I can prevent this garden shed from radiating so much heat. I think its one of the main reasons my daughters room becomes so hot during summer. ( not air-conditioned either) the bedrooms are east facing. I can access the garden tin shed roof easily from the retaining wall.

I was thinking some sail shades or asking the property manager if I can paint the exterior with UV paint? Thoughts?

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JacobZ

Hi @acurtis,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Painting the shed a lighter shade such as light grey, pale beige, soft cream, or muted sage green in a flat finish would be a decent start. These shades are light enough to stay cool under the sun, yet dull enough to reduce harsh reflections.

Adding a shade sail is another great option. A light-coloured or reflective fabric can block direct sunlight.

Another idea is adding potted plants or shrubs between the shed and bedrooms. They should be set back from the shed by at least a metre to prevent them being killed by the radiant heat, but if cared for and watered regularly, they would act like a natural heat sink between the shed and the house. Options like bamboo, lilly pilly, hibiscus and murrayas could work.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1, @LizzieCro and @AlanM52 to see if they have any ideas.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Morning @acurtis

When I was younger my mum would put old plankets on top of the aviary and wet it down to cool the metal shed. How about Some shade cloth fdrapped over the shed, It will lesson the reflectivness and also dissapate some of the heat. I am thinking more along the lines of the sand colourd shadecloth then the green for asthetic purposes.

Coolaroo 1.83m Wide Shell Heavy-Duty Sun Protection Shade Cloth 90% UV Block - P/Mtr

You could have some bricks on the roof to help it stay in place and on the sides fasten the end of the shade cloth between two pieces of H3 timber to weight it down and also hold it in place. Like a clamp on teh end of the material.

Dave

AlanM52

Hi @acurtis,

I am going to eloborate on the suggestions that will only require basic DIY skills.

Shade sail:

You will need pine poles, have to digs holes and use concrete mix and... likely need permission.

How are you with a bit of 'outside' art & craft?
Wrap the shed with shade mesh requiring only eyelets and bungee cords.

Shed shade mesh.jpg

Craftright 7mm Eyelet Plier Kit.jpg

Bungee cords.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=bungee+cord&sort=BoostOrder

Misting kits:

Make a mister for the shed roof using some timber and cable ties.

Drape a misting kit along the gutter and around the corner hung with S-hooks.

Join with 3-way splitter garden hose to garden tap.

Add a tap timer.

Shed Mister.

Shed mister.jpg

Misting kits.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=misting+kit&sort=BoostOrder

Dressed pine.jpg

Dressed pine (or similar)

Cable ties.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=Cable+ties&sort=BoostOrder

Gutter mister.

Use S Hooks.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=S+hooks&sort=BoostOrder

More water:

Buy a kids clamshell sandpit and place between shed path and wall, fill with water.

Place pot plants around 'the pond' and cover with marquee umbrella.

Pond & plants.jpg

Clam Shell Sandpits.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=clamshell&sort=BoostOrder

Beach umbrella.jpg

Beach umbrella (or similar)

Star picket.jpg

Supported with Star Picket (Fence Post.)

Cheers

LizzieCro

Hi @acurtis ,

I think the critical thing you've mentioned is that it's a rental property, and landlords are usually reluctant to allow tenants to make any permanent additions or changes to their property. When I was renting I found that if I put 'my case' to the landlord in a very thorough way, they would certainly consider what I was asking and may be agreeable to consider paying for part or all of it. I'm now a landlord myself, and this is how I work with our tenants to ensure they're happy and comfortable. You can only ask, and you may just get what you want. If you intend living at the house for some years, and will get good benefit from it, I would ask the landlord. I'd draw up what shade solution you'd like, get a quote from a licensed tradesmen, then attach a letter detailing the problems and benefits. If it's done well it'll probably be considered as you'd effectively be improving the property. I'd give that a go first.

Looking at your photo, I assume your daughter's bedroom is to the right of the shed, under that house roof edge? If so, I doubt it's so much of the shed singularly causing the radiant heat, but just contributing to it. You've got a real hot pit there outside the house, where there's lots of hard surfaces, concrete, bricks (I assume), the blocks on the retaining wall, the shed, and parched ground. I think your only solution is to shade that entire area.

Some options:
1. Shade sails: Without the landlord's permission you cannot anchor shade sails into the house. Shade sails either anchor into concreted-in posts or the masonry walls of the house. If they are concrete pavers there by the house, that might also rule out concreting in posts. You would need permission to do this. Bunnings have a large range of shade sails so you may well be able to find one to shade that area. They also carry all the fixings. If you can't find an off-the-shelf sail you might like to have one made by someone who does boat upholstery. They'll also do things like this.

2. Demountable Shade House: Build some basic timber and shade cloth screens, join them together and create a demountable shade cloth structure using bolts and nuts which can be undone when your tenancy ends. Effectively a flat pack sort of thing, with some braces in the corners for added stability. It can then just be positioned in that space, sitting hard against the retaining wall, and just under the eaves of the house. Build one long rectangle for the roof of the shade structure, another to use as a 'lean to' wall which runs along the top of your retaining wall at an angle to the roof, then build other rectangles which will support the roof. You could cantilever the shade roof over the garden shed if you like, although I imagine just shading that vertical North-facing wall might be enough. If you aren't a handyman sort of person, it's easy to find someone who is; Men's Sheds will have blokes there who're happy to do small jobs like this and they don't charge too much. You can buy shade cloth in different percentages of sun/UV blocking, up to 90%. Use treated pine to ensure longevity (ask which type is suitable). Alternatively you could make the framing out of PVC plumbers' pipes and corners, or even aluminium. Bunnings will also cut your timber to length for you if you don't have the tools.

3. Portable Gazebos/Marquees: Bunnings have a good range of these and they're very reasonably priced. The issue with them though is wind, and it may be difficult in that area to peg it down. If you're in a high wind area, it may be worth paying for the heavier gazebos to ensure they don't lift and break the framing pieces. If you do buy something like this, ensure the canopy has roof vents so the hot air can escape.

4. Umbrellas: You can buy large market umbrellas, used with heavy bases and these might be a quick fix. I recently bought two large rectangular umbrellas which are very effective. Cantilever umbrellas are also available. Wind will again be a consideration, but having the ability to put the umbrellas down quickly, and store them over the cooler months, is an advantage.

Another consideration is the sort of blinds/curtains you have on the windows of your daughter's room. Drapes which are solar blockout will definitely help keep the heat out, and there are now thermal roller blinds made with reflective material on the window side which reduce heat entering the room.

Finally! If you're in NSW, are you aware that as of late last year if you request an air conditioner, your landlord must consider this request? This is particularly important if you're in regions which experience very high temps. The landlord cannot refuse to provide this if it's needed. The general maintenance and upkeep of the unit is the tenant's responsibility, but larger repairs are the landlord's.

If I were in your situation I'd go with the demountable shade house and get some sort of garden under it, even if it's just large potted plants. Some sort of water there would be good, too, a pond or even a large pot with some aquatic plants in it. (Of course this depends on child safety issues). They'll help modify the temperature, too. Who knows? You might create a nice place to sit.

acurtis

Wow a lot to consider!

My daughters room is not air-conditioned which adds to the heat. Ive already placed shade sails and using irrigation type clamps, slotted these between the roof and celing. Ive also put up block out blinds but during the perth summer her room still is 36 degrees at night. Both kids live out in thr living room area underneath the reverse cycle air-conditioning all summer..

The gazebo is a good idea. Unfortunately the gap between the house and the shed is the footpath around to the side of the house so I cant put anything to block that pathway,. I'll re read your post to process the options! Thanks

acurtis

What a unique idea. My diy skills are ok. Ive just built or attempted a potting bench from a hall table.. ok for a first go. If I had time , this would be quite interesting to build. Thank you

acurtis

Clever hack!

acurtis

Thank you!

LizzieCro

Hi again @acurtis

I was just doing some research for adding some shade to my onsite caravan and came across the YouTube video. The shade screen this bloke is talking about sounds perfect for your situation. I hope this helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt-73Qi-5SA

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