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Home Repair Renovating Exteriors

Ventilation vs insulation

last month

last modified: last month

Hi there - I am turning an old swimming pool into a shed. The room is about 45' x 20'.

Before I put on an opaque roof I thought I'd

1) try repairing the existing roof ( twin wall polycarbonate sheeting, see photos) where it's letting water in and then add some vents at either end of the room to help with condensation/damp/humidity.

2) I had thought that putting on a 40mm composite roof might just solve the damp problem instantly but I think in any case I'd need vents (is this correct?).

3) I was literally going to whack 3 of those window vents in (you know, with the pull strings and windmill opening) but would welcome any advice to the contrary.

4) Also should they be high or low on the windows? Corners or centre of the wall?

5) Am I right in thinking ventilation is better than insulation especially as they are just breeze block walls (and no point doing the roof if I am not doing the walls?).

I just want it to be a DRY space for storage, workshop, games etc. Many thanks in advance.

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Comments (4)

Jonathan
last month
If you buy new windows then they will have trickle vents in them and additional ventilation probably isn’t necessary
Sonia
last month
Have you thought of a felt roof? I had a garage built and to save costs I chose a flat roof covered in felt. It’s a tougher type than that used on sheds. It was professionally laid and should last up to 30 years. My garage is a single thickness of bricks. The window was a freebie on Freecycle which my builder fitted. And yes, new windows have trickle vents within them that you can slide open or closed. It was built in 2016 and no leaks yet!
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cambella
Original Author
last month
hi both - not planning on replacing the windows... but thank you for the info Sonia - great shed and well done using reclaimed bits and bobs am a big fan of this!
cambella
Original Author
last month
wondering if actually a ridge vent is the way to go, across the roof pitch

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