Make Your She-Shed Winterproof
A she-shed is the perfect spot to relax with a cup of hot tea and a good book or to settle in to focus and get some work done. Either way ladies, with frigid weather having arrived with a vengeance, there are a few things you will need to do to winterize your favorite spot and keep it cozy and comfortable throughout the winter months :
Insulate Your She-Shed’s Floors
Floors can be a major source of cold air inside your she-shed. This isn’t necessarily because drafts find their way in through the floor, but rather because of the transference of temperatures when the warm air inside comes into contact with the cold, usually bare wood or concrete floors. The heat inside your she-shed, whether it comes from space heaters or other sources, will become cold fast if your floor is not adequately insulated.
Keep your spot toasty warm and attractive by putting down carpeting. The first step will be to cover your floor with a thick sheet of plastic to help guard against potential leaks or other issues that could affect the carpeting. Next will come a layer of inexpensive cloth such as wool or cotton. You will want the cloth to reach almost to the outer edges of the room, but not quite all the way to the walls. This will leave room at the edges for the carpet to reach the walls and be secured directly to the floor. Next, you will want to add a layer of inexpensive carpeting. This carpet does not have to be attractive since it will not show, so it’s best to go with something practical for this step. You will need to make sure that this layer of carpeting is the same size as the layer of cloth you put down, stopping just short of reaching the walls.
Once these layers are in place, you can then lay down the pretty carpeting you have chosen for your she-shed. It is important to note that you do not want to nail your carpeting down. This is because you want to be able to pull back the carpeting easily should the need arise. You can use heavy-duty Velcro to secure it here and there along the edges and at corners, and the furnishings you have inside your she shed will hold the carpet in place securely as well. Your floor will be insulated to keep the cold from creeping in and robbing you of your warm toasty air inside.
Protect She-Shed Windows Against Drafts
Just like the windows in your home, the windows in your she-shed are susceptible to cold drafts finding their way inside. This is one of the main ways your she-shed will lose heat.
The first thing you want to do is get those windows sealed against drafts. You can purchase a weatherproofing kit from your local hardware or department store and cover each window with clear plastic sheeting secured with cardboard strips nailed along the edges of the windowsill. There are also weatherproofing kits available that have plastic sheeting that adheres around your window with a blow dryer, essentially acting as a kind of shrink wrap. You should also invest in a good quality spray foam insulation and seal the entire interior of your windowsill from top to bottom. You can smooth it down and paint over it once it’s dry or hide it with stylish curtains, which brings us to our next subject: window treatments.
Regardless of whether you choose to use spray foam insulation, plastic sheeting, or both, window treatments including curtains and shades or blinds can go a long way toward keeping your she-shed warm and free of icy drafts.
You can also install shutters on the outside of your windows. Close them when the temperature drops to keep cold air, snow, and ice away from your windowpanes.
Use Door Draft Stoppers
While you are getting your windows Winter-weather ready, don’t forget about the doors. Even if there is no visible space between the floor and the bottom of the door, put down a door draft stopper. These little gems keep out even the tiniest amount of cold air and keep your heat inside with you where it belongs.
Insulate She-Shed Walls
If the walls and ceiling of your she-shed are not already insulated, doing this (or having it professionally done) before extreme Winter weather arrives is highly recommended. Insulation is guaranteed to keep the warm air in and the cold air out so that you can enjoy your she-shed to the fullest no matter how blustery it gets outside.
Centerville Heating and Cooling wants your she-shed to be as warm and welcoming as your home is. For all of your home’s HVAC needs including a complete inspection and cleaning by one of our trained professionals, give us a call at 937-353-1169 or visit us on the web to schedule an appointment today at https://www.centervilleheatandcooling.com/appointments/.
