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With winter approaching, you might be wondering how to heat a shed to keep it cosy and welcoming all year round. Without proper heating, sheds will often sit unused through the winter months and can be prone to damage – both to the shed structure itself and to the items you might be storing in there. Sheds can be particularly vulnerable to damp and moisture damage without proper care.
There are several options available, including electricity-powered options, alternatives such as log burners, and more permanent protective measures such as composite cladding.
Different people use their sheds in different ways. Some people want an enclosed workspace that they can use all year round. Others may just want a storage space, but even then, the items that are stored in there may affect your heating requirements. How often you use it, how warm you want it, and how big it is will all impact the heating in different ways.
If you actively use the shed during the winter months, you will naturally want it to be warm and comfortable, preferably with heating you can turn on or up as required. Heating might be less important if it’s primarily used for storing tools, but proper insulation can still provide vital protection against cold and damp for the shed and its contents. A gardener’s shed, for example, may be used to store plants or prepare early-season seedlings that need to be protected from the winter’s full effect.
If you do decide that you need to heat your shed, you can either go electric or non-electric. There are pros and cons to both approaches, and we have four solutions for how to heat a shed with electricity and how to heat a shed without electricity…
1. Electric Radiators
Radiators work by electrically heating a medium – typically water or oil – that then radiates out into the surrounding space. They can be good for a constant warmth, and the lack of any flames or exposed heating elements means that they’re generally safe for most sheds and their contents. The heat tends to be fairly localised though, and they’re not the best at circulating heat
2. Electric Fan Heaters
Unlike radiators, electric fan heaters are designed to circulate heat effectively, moving hot air that can quickly warm an enclosed space such as the interior of a shed. They’re very convenient – simply plug in and you can get more or less instant heat. They are comparatively energy intensive and expensive to run though, meaning that they’re neither the cheapest nor the greenest option. Electric fan heaters tend to be best for a quick blast for short periods of time.
3. Halogen Heaters
Halogen heaters work by passing electricity through a filament, which in turn heats up a halogen gas-filled tube or bulb. This produces a strong heat that, like a radiator, is best suited to warming a small spot or area. The heat in that area can be intense, but the lack of circulation means that it is not ideal for larger spaces. The heated tubes can also present a burning hazard if they are touched and should be kept away from flammable materials.
4. Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating can provide a constant moderate heat to keep your shed at an even warm temperature suited to whatever activity you need to do, or to keep the chill and damp out when not in use. It is relatively cheap to run once installed, but requires the biggest upfront cost. It can also be expensive and complicated to fix if anything goes wrong. This may involve emptying the shed and taking up sections of the floor to get to the problem.
5. Solar Powered Heating
Passive solar powered heating involves heating mediums such as heat bricks through direct sunlight and warmth, which store and then slowly release the heat as it cools. This is not ideally suited to the British climate, but solar (photovoltaic) panels can efficiently convert sunlight to power, even during wintertime. Solar powered heaters still technically use electricity, but do not need to draw from mains power. The panels and heating equipment can be difficult and expensive to install, but you then have free renewable power. The amount available can be weather-dependent, but it can also be used for things other than heating.
6. Log Burners
If you’re looking for ideas on how to keep a shed warm without electricity, log burners can provide a cosy solution. However, they’re not practical for every situation. Stoves tend to be good for heating enclosed spaces, but they can take a while to get going and don’t provide instant heat on demand. They are also a permanent feature that take up quite a bit of space and need to be properly installed and maintained for important safety reasons. They also require a constant stock of properly dried wood – some regulations apply concerning the types of fuels that can be burned, especially in residential areas.
7. Cladding for a Shed
Properly insulating your shed can help to retain heat, getting rid of much of the need for additional external heating. You might think of cladding as primarily for homes, but using cladding for a shed can add that important layer of insulation, as well as protecting the shed from damage from water and wind. Composite cladding in particular is extra durable and looks fantastic, adding a sleek and elegant finish. Cladding is also low maintenance. Shed timbers require constant restaining or painting to look at their best and keep the elements at bay, whereas composite cladding simply needs an occasional clean.
8. Blankets & Jumpers
A simple and cheap way to keep warm in your shed is to dress up warm and use blankets – depending on the activity you’re doing, of course. This doesn’t protect your shed or its contents, but adding rugs to the floor and thermal curtains at windows can help to keep out some of the chill.
There is no one ideal solution for heating your shed. It depends on how you use the shed, the size of the space, and whether your priorities are a comfortable constant warmth, quick blasts of heat when you need them, or protecting the shed and its contents.
Cost is also likely to be a consideration. Some solutions have bigger upfront costs but can save money on heating in the long run. Composite cladding is a good example, as it can dramatically improve heat retention and protect your outbuildings from potential weather damage. Cladding makes for extremely effective insulation and can also be combined with other forms of heating for a toasty shed interior when you need it.
Take a look at Dino Decking’s cladding collection and see how else we can help you to transform your outdoor spaces. Get in touch today and our friendly team will answer any questions you have.
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