No insulation???

[stoutbait]

I was reading a few threads about insulation in permanent shacks and some people said they didn't use any. I had a shack that had no insulation but had a some leaky seams so air could come in. I plan on at least insulating the floor to keep my feet warm.  I have a smaller sunflower style heater. Is just having the shack leak proof enough to keep it warm?

[michianafisherman]

Depends on your heat source! With a big enough heater you don't need insulation. I like to insulate to keep the energy bills low. Less gas and coleman fuel.

[stoutbait]

The shack is going to be 8x6' and 7' tall at the top of the roof.

[jascpa099]

For the weight, why wouldn't you insulate?  The benefits seem to outweight the extra weight.  No pun intended!

[michianafisherman]

The shack is going to be 8x6' and 7' tall at the top of the roof.

Going to be? It isn't ready for the ice? Put it together and worry about the insulation later. If its too cold then worry about it. You are running out of time! Don't get stuck working on your shanty when everybody else is fishing.

[stoutbait]

The first weekend of december is slated for shack build. I am currently working on a co-op in Iowa, living and fishing in Wisconsin makes it hard to build. I have the pop up for fishing before the ice gets thick enough for the new permanent.

[toddyrotten]

Insulation will cut down on condensation drip.

[ice dawg]

I would insulate it now rather than wish that I had insulated it later. I really can't say that I have ever seen a hard side that wasn't insulated. I have seen some that were insulated but were not yet paneled though.

[mricefish]

where I am from I would not think twice.  I would insulate.  in both of my perm. shacks we put high density pink foam.  my shacks are make of 1 inch square tubing for the walls so put 1 inch in the walls, 2 under the floor.  the first year we did not have the floor insulated and it stayed really cold.  now even when it is -20 we can still walk around is socks or slippers.  if it gets very cold where you fish i say insulate walls, ceiling, and floor.

[walleye tattoo]

Can I say tyvak wind proof rap for houses. Just a thought.

[Skipper]

If you make no attempt to insulate it, it will drip on you head.

[Tainterslayer]

It will keep you warm but only slightly. I would insulate it... If you have 2x4 wall studs then great, just use regular fiberglass. If you use 2x2 studs then you can actually split the fiberglass in half. it's not very fun to do but if you want to save money, that is the way to go!
It costs $23 for 32 square feet of 2" foam board (R-10) . Guess how much fiberglass is??? $30 for 140 square feet of R-13

Use foam board for the floor.  I actually have some left over scraps that you can use. I'm pretty sure i have a full sheet of 2" foam board (it might be broken and i know there are some small cuts on the corners) and then I have about 2 sheets worth of 1" foam (some of its broken up).  It will be free so now you have no excuse not to insulate!

[mricefish]

getting drips in your shack, this has worked for me.  my first shack 1 inch steel tubing.  inside finished off with 3/8 plywood.  screwed the plywood on with self taping metal screws into the steel tubing.  that one the heads of the screws will frost up and drip like crazy (metal screw into metal stud)
     my 2nd shack same 1 inch steel tubing for walls but this time screwed on some 1x4s for nailers to finish the inside off with.  same 3/8 plywood to finish walls inside but this time screwed to the 1x4s and have not had a drip again.  (metal screw to 1x4 wood)  

[MaineFishah]

The problem you usually have is not that there isn't enough insulation but instead that there are too many drafts. But you do need some drafts to let the shack breath and reduce condensation. Our last shack was 8'x8'x7' and we only used 1/2" blue board insulation in the walls and 2" in the floor. Then we wrapped the shack with tyveck and painted over it and also caulked all the seams up to our eaves. Once up to temp. you could easily maintain the temperature with a buddy heater. And also by leaving the roof area a little drafty, it cut down on condensation a bit.

[gaudetskie]

To prevent condensation you have to have air movement. Also the type of fuel you burn will affect the condensation issue. I get vary little condensation with a kerosene heater vs. when I heat with propane. If you insulate, vents up high will help with the drip. If not the drafts will act as a vent although, where the hot air meets the cold you will still have moisture.