In many parts of the U.S., a shed can get unbearably hot in the summer unless you take steps to ventilate it and prevent the sun’s radiant energy from penetrating. Too much heat in a shed is a bad thing, as it can damage liquids like paint or chemicals, sensitive equipment and items affected by humidity.
“We recommend several LP® Outdoor Building Solutions® products that can help to keep sheds cooler in the summer,” says Lenny Stahl, general manager of Dakota Storage Buildings in Milbank, South Dakota. “Both LP ProStruct® roof sheathing and walls made with LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding feature SilverTech®, a finish-grade radiant barrier that reduces the amount of radiant energy that enters the shed.”
Radiant barriers reflect radiant heat rather than absorbing it, which helps keep internal temperatures down. These product videos will help you learn more about how radiant barriers are made and how they work.
Stahl adds that it’s important to properly ventilate the shed with doors, windows and venting options to keep fresh air moving in and allow harmful things like gasoline fumes to escape. “We recommend either gable vents or ridge vents for ventilation,” he says.
First-time shed buyers are often surprised by the breadth of choices in shed windows and doors. Some of these can be just as stylish as those found on a home.
Here are some other tips for keeping sheds cooler and more comfortable in the summer:
If you spend a lot of summer time working in the shed or store heat-sensitive items in it, these tips will make it a cooler spot.
Have you ever considered adding a shed to your backyard? Lately, homeowners like you are thinking beyond storage sheds and instead are using these spaces as offices, gyms and more. With the flexibility that comes from building with LP® Outdoor Building Solutions® you can add a beautiful shed to your backyard, complete with one of the most durable siding options available, LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, which also leads to easier siding maintenance.
Continue ReadingPlanning to refresh your home’s trim and fascia? Hoping to change the exterior entirely with a full re-side project? No matter your plans, choosing siding and trim colors can be difficult. Mentally visualizing how your home will look with a new product is a challenge—and it’s even tougher to imagine the amount of change even just updating trim will bring. That’s where the LP® SmartSide® Home Visualizer, a siding visualizer tool, comes in. This free tool can help you explore home siding ideas to find the best siding color combinations for your home. Read more to find out how to use the tool—and why LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding can make all the difference for your home.
Re-siding your home is a significant investment and a long-term decision on your home’s look. One of the first steps to siding a house is choosing a siding material that fits your needs. Being involved as you review types of siding and cost can give you confidence in your plans and peace of mind that the materials you choose are built to last. Liz Marie Galvan of the Liz Marie Blog shares her journey toward choosing LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding for her upcoming home re-siding project.
In this hiring a contractor checklist you’ll find expert guidance in connecting with the right contractor for your re-side project, including questions to ask and quick tips.