Garden Room Workshop: Part 15. Wall Insulation & Vapour Barrier

Part 15 of a video series about how to self-build a timber-framed garden room office (aka tiny house) /wood workshop in the UK.
This video covers the PIR and rockwool wall insulation, acoustic insulation and vapour barrier.

The purpose of this video series is to provide all the information required for viewers to build their own garden room rather than just a montage of the building work. It took me months of research to learn everything in these videos so I hope to save people time and money.
The videos are a mix of theory and footage of the build including all the mistakes I made along the way. I am not a builder or tradesman, just a keen DIY-er with some basic tools. Everyone can do this!
In the longer term, I hope to turn this channel into a community for garden room self-builders and to eventually evolve into a woodworking projects channel- the real purpose of my garden room!

Garden room ideas: workshop, office, games room, cinema room, art studio, music studio, yoga retreat, spare bedroom, annexe, run a home business such as yoga classes or hair salon.

Where the tool I used isn't available, closest option linked:

Tools used:
Wood saw
Ladders
Safety: gloves, eye-wear, ear protection, dust mask

Materials used:
90mm PIR insulation
OSB & battens

Good websites to check prices for materials :

Music: Joakim Karud

[simonjarvis]

For cutting PIR there are purpose made handsaws for the job and they create MUCH less dust. They have a cutting profile similar to a large breadknife. They can 'wander' a bit though on thicker stuff 50mm plus. However if you want to make your life really easy you can buy 150mm jigsaw blades with the same 'breadknife' profile. These do a fantastic job, even in thick PIR. Very quick and low on dust.

[onnozweers]

I've seen lots of videos on DIY building, renovation and insulation, but none as crammed full with knowledge and tips as yours. Thanks!

[tomnorth]

Absolutely fantastic video. I’ve learnt so much in this video. I never knew that the vapour barrier goes on the warm side of the room, so you wouldn’t do, vapour onto brick then batten then pir. You would go, batten on brick first, then pir in between, then Vapor barrier.

Such a brilliant video. This guy is fantastic. So classy and always happy to learn and teach and help along the way to the viewers.

Thankyou for this video.

Tom.

[DM-qdyr]

the clarity and attention to/ level of detail...love this series.

[bobwhite]

Next time you want to cut the foam, use a electric carving knife like the ones used to carve a turkey. Clean cut, no dust, quick cuts and no beads. No wasted material by having blade cutting a curf through the material.

[stimuli]

Thanks for taking the effort to share what you learned, and explain everything in thorough detail. I really appreciate that you don't treat your viewer like an idiot, while also not making assumptions about what they might already know.

[LikeDesignHero]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video Ali, all the blog articles you read are SEO generated garbage that don't actually go into the details or realities of building this DIY. yours is really definitive

[GeekStreet]

Had this pop up on my feed, great video and good attention to detail. This is the thing about doing it yourself you can take your time and avoid cutting corners also a good help when getting builders in as gives you reference point to compare with!

[eamonholden]

Brilliant detail and step by step nothing missing, been looking at a project to convert my old garage into a useable space. This will help me immensely thank you, by far the best instructions love the use of the diagrams to explain certain aspects of the build.

[caskwith]

Great to see another video.
FWIW standard plasterboard is a perfectly good vapour barrier on it's own (once painted) if you install it properly. Of course a polythene sheet behind it is extra insurance and doesn't hurt but isn't strictly necessary.

[iangodbehere]

Insulating a concrete garage, this video series is awesome, thanks so much

[MrJohnnynapalm]

Lots of top tips, a bit of Festool action and DQ Quads (I think) - what a great combination! 👌👍

[ThousandJourneys]

Thanks for continuing with this series ... it's invaluable help for me, and I'm sure many other people too.

[rubiconexotic]

I’ve never seen plastic sheeting put up over the joists internally before plaster boarding. If you’ve got Tyvec on the outside I’m worried you’re trapping moisture inside the walls (timber) which can lead to rot. I wouldn’t be surprised if your walls start to sweat when it gets hot.
I’m pretty sure PIR insulation does that job already.
Correct me if I’m wrong

[hipdogdsv]

So many questions answered via your videos. Im about to convert a 14 x 40 shed with lofted ceiling into a tiny house.

[garyr]

Others have said as much already but still feel compelled to say what a fantastic series this is: literally perfect balance of detail and getting on with it. Top job Ali, seriously good videos (from sunny, in isolation, Wrington, Bristol).

[blueangelstudios]

+Have been waiting a while for the next installment. Best series on how to build a garden room. Awesome.

[CraveThatCoin]

Needing to know which vapour barrier to get, come back to your video and there it is right in the description. Thanks a lot!

[stiffrock]

been watching 👀 from the first episode thought i would watch how you built yours as i was just starting mine and was looking and learning how and where to start its been a massive learning curve doing it all myself .. after watching all your videos and a few others built up the confidence i just went for it turned out pretty good 😉 i went for concrete base, shiplap cladding, wool insulation, plasterboard then plaster, rubber roof, tiled floor, with underfloor heating, 😅😅 with a shower room with toilet, total size 3.8m x 7m

[tuurkishman]

Great job mate, lots of good ideas to get me going