-
Yeah I was thinking I would like 2-3mm between panels for expansion reasons and caulking that. How much insulation did your one have? Also was it a concrete base? I'm going to play it by ear regarding a combined AC unit. Part of me thinks that all the insulation will keep the heat out. The other day it was really nice and cool inside it compared with the shaded areas in the garden, I think the roof insulation is not allowing the sun to directly heat it up. I also am thinking the concrete slab has a lot of thermal mass and is constantly in contact with the ground so has a cooling effect too, although that will be offset by the 50mm of insulation I'm going to put on it.
I dunno. Lots of theories, I have no idea. In practice it might be the total opposite so will go a year with an AC or heater or anything and observe and then put something in if I need it.
Hovis-
Mine was not on a concrete base but on piles.
According to the company that built it, the insulation values were:Glazing on Windows and Doors – U-Value 1.2
Walls – U-Value 0.41
Ceiling – U-Value 0.22
Floor – U-Value 0.35I think the issue you'll have is that it'll really heat up once you get the glazing in and, once that heat's in there, whatever insulation you have will keep it hot.
We had windows all the way across the front of ours and had to put blinds in otherwise it was pretty much unusable from May-September. That then just made the windows sort of pointless as you had the blinds closed.
I wish we'd had AC put in...
Soul
Makes sense re: the window then.
I guess the main issue with the MDF walls will be expansion? I assume you'll need to build in a decent tolerance. If it's anything like the office we had in our garden, it'll get fucking hot in the summer.
Are you thinking about ventilation / heating / cooling? If you're planning on doing office work etc in there during the day, i'd definitely consider an AC unit that heats as well as cools. Something wall / ceiling mounted at the back would work a treat. It would also keep the humidity down and reduce some of the issues with the wood shifting.