Lining metal shed Observatory

[sooty]

I'm getting terrible condensation on the roof of the observatory,any recommendations

on a suitable liner? I've tried camping mat foam,but just keeps falling off.

Sooty.

[dmahon]

You could run a dehumidifier.

[tekkydave]

Try polystyrene tiles.

[Phil Fargaze]

Have you tried some decent mastic, that should stick camping mat no problem, the sort that comes in a tube and you load it into a mastic gun. Just make sure the surfaces are clean and dry.

[Bizibilder]

How well ventilated is your shed?  I had a metal observatory and never had condensation problems - the roof had corrugations that made lots of air gaps and these, along with gaps around the edges (due to the roof being able to roll) allowed a good flow of air at all times.

[sooty]

Have tried the mastic approach 1st,all seems ok at the moment.

Roger,i thought the obsy was well ventillated,but apparntly not!

Regards,

Sooty.

[BlueAstra]

I also had condensation problems on the roof interior of my metal shed observatory when it was very cold. Towards the end of my build thread here you can see I lined the roof and walls with Jablite insulation from B&Q, as shown here. I also used this under the floor mats to prvent damp from below. All very cosy and condensation free now.

[ollypenrice]

I'd just use sheets of good rigid insulation, something like Cellotex RR or an equivalent. I suspect that expanding foam would bond it to the roof forever and fill in the gaps as well. Or you could support the insulation sheets with batons. This is what I did on our large steel roofed shed. No glue, just batons.

Olly

[laser_jock99]

I had similar problems with dripping from the bitumen sheeting roof. This was solved by gluing in in 2" thick foam panels. My metal walls are lined with tongue & groove with a 4" air gap to keep the condensation out. 

[SnakeyJ]

Kingspan sheet would probably do it, but given the cost I'd go for a 1" jablite sheet first, then possibly seal or cover this to prevent it breaking up (water based paint and PVA?) - The first rule though is ventillation.     Bizibilders old observatory is providing sterling service to me in it's second incarnation - probably too many gaps for dehumidification, but certainly no evidence of condensation on the roof, despite recent atrocious conditions - though I do have a little that gets in around my poorly fitting door

[michaelmorris]

I too have a metal roof observatory. I used polystrene veneer, the type used for reducing condensation on walls. 

http://www.wickes.co.uk/white-polystyrene-veneer-10m-x-05m/invt/105968/?source=123_74&tmcampid=104&tmad=c&tmplaceref=PPC_ggl_0006635&tmcustom=mkwid|W5fPyZGt_dc|pcrid|7531858372|match||plid|&gclid=CLTP_f2C4rsCFRMRtAodlVMAQA

I stuck it to the inside of the roof with a solvent-free mastic/adhesive (like No-More Nails), then painted it with a coat of emulsion to help prevent the surface breaking up.   It's been up for 6 years now with not problems.

It's very cheap (the adhesive cost more than the polystyrene) and pretty easy to put up.  It completely prevents condensation but (because it is just a few millimetres thick) provides minimal insulation, which means the observatory still cools down quickly at night.