I'm currently in the process of tearing down an old, moldy shed in my garden to replace it with a new one of the same size and a flat roof with a rooftop terrace. The shed will sit on an existing concrete foundation, and due to planning constraints, I can't make it any larger. My plan is to divide the shed into two halves: one side for storing garden tools and the mower, and the other strictly for vegetable storage since I lack a proper cold storage area in my house.
Here's my dilemma: during the summer, the sheds get incredibly hot because they receive direct sunlight all day long. Even with insulation, it seems like they just trap the heat instead of keeping it out. Has anyone built a shed suitable for storing veggies? What strategies did you employ to keep the temperature and moisture levels down? I'm in the UK, where humidity is often high—it's above 100% in winter and never dips below 60% even in summer. I also don't have access to power for an electric fan, and I prefer not to have windows in the veg storage area as that may lead to moisture issues. I'm aware of potential mouse problems, but I'm already planning for that. Any advice on heat and humidity control would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Honestly, it sounds like you're setting yourself up for failure if you try to store veggies in a shed that gets super hot. If the conditions are wrong, they’ll spoil regardless of what you do. But if you want to move forward, consider some ventilation options or a well-designed roof to help keep the heat out. Maybe using lighter colors for the roof could reflect sunlight and help keep it cooler too.
I see your point about the heat being an issue, but I've managed to keep my shed cooler. Insulation is key, but you should consider adding vents to promote airflow—and maybe even some shade cloth on the outside to deflect direct sunlight. It’s really about creating a cooler microenvironment. Just make sure to monitor the humidity levels since that’s a concern you mentioned!