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Hi everyone, hope you are well.
I am looking to clad the inside of a 6m x 6m colorbond shed with mini corry or similar, fixed directly onto the horizontal battens, with the view of turning it into an office space. This approach appealed to me because it seemed easier and cheaper than setting up wooden framing and using plywood, plaster, and paint. I had a few questions though:
1. It was suggested to me that using steel cladding internally with insulation between it and the outer sheeting would likely not require a vapor barrier or insulation spacers because the "in between" space would have its own airflow (though limited) and would essentially be protected from the inside and outside variances (it was articulated to me more scientifically, but hopefully that still makes sense). Would you agree with this concept?
2. Is fixing the internal cladding directly to the battens okay? I didn't see a lot of this in my research, which makes me think it is a dubious approach.
3. What options are available for trimming/finishing the edges of the sheeting that will be on the ground and at each end of the wall inside the shed so that it looks "finished"?
4. At the moment, the floor is the concrete slab. If I was going to add hybrid flooring or other flooring option, I am guessing I would be better off not adding flooring trim until I have settled on the final flooring option? Would this be the process to follow?
Thanks for your help, everyone. I appreciate the guidance.
Hello @DIWHYNot
I'm sure you've seen some of the discussions in regards to insulating a shed. The reason for having the timber battens is to hold the insulation batts in place and provide support for the panels being attached. Without the timber frame there is nothing to hold the batts in place. If you are building timber battens, I would therefore suggest a moisture barrier be installed as well. I'm not arguing the science your colleague has explained to you, but practical considerations need to be taken into account. Yes, you can still use mini corrugated panels if you wish.
It is possible to use a "U" shaped flashing to cover the top of the panels. You can also use skirting boards at the bottom, but it would be best practice if the flooring were installed first before the skirting board is installed. In answer to you question, yes, you can install directly to the steel battens. Just keep in mind not to apply too much weight on them, this is another reason why you need the timber battens as they serve as support.
I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to insulate a Colorbond shed roof? by @Alex75. (There are discussion links in it that you might find helpful)
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Hello @DIWHYNot
The only insulation I could find that is at 60mm++ is the Earthwool R7.0 330 x 620 x 1160 5.8m² Insulation Ceiling Batt, but it is for ceiling use only. I had an extensive look on the Bunnings website and could not find any other batts that are at 60mm. The closest one I could find is the Pink Batts 1160 x 580 x 70mm R1.5 Wall Batts - 24 Pack.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
