Brilliant DIY Cooling Hacks for Tiny Spaces

Simple Tips for Cooling Outdoor Buildings

Homes are easier to cool than smaller spaces because you have more options since you have more space. We offer some cooling hacks that can be used for cooling tiny spaces such as an office shed, guest shed, tiny home, or any smaller unattached outdoor building. When we looked at cooling methods for small spaces we considered cost, installation ease, and ROI for you as a homeowner.

Cooling with Window Locations & Ventilation

This subject seems like a no-brainer, but with smaller buildings, you need to be imaginative about window placement, both for wall space considerations and ventilation. In the best-case scenario, you can install windows on opposite walls allowing for natural flow-through ventilation. Also, consider positioning some of your windows higher up on the wall so you may have a bed, sofa, desk, or other furniture underneath.

Another thought when purchasing windows is to make sure your double pane windows are Low-E glass, it makes them more energy efficient and helps keep the sun glare from heating your tiny space. If your windows are installed already, buying tinted window film is a good option and it comes in many colors to help keep your outdoor building cooler during hot weather.

Insulation Keeps You Cool

The beauty of insulation is it helps keep your tiny space cool during the summer and warmer during the winter. In any climate, we suggest a higher R-value, usually R-30 to R-49 for your ceiling insulation. Wall and ceiling insulation can make a world of difference in your comfort levels in the summer and winter while keeping your utility bills lower.

Roofing Choices Can Help You Keep Cool

Metal roofs keep their cool and have a longer longevity than most asphalt shingle roofing material. If you choose a light color for your metal roof, it will help reflect the sun instead of your roof absorbing the heat. Also, metal roofs are a natural choice if it snows in your area since snow more easily slides off a metal roof.

A new roofing material has come on the market in the last couple of years called cool roofing. One of the manufacturers is GAF Timberline® CS Shingles. These shingles are a great choice in high-fire or high-wind areas since they have one of the highest fire ratings and can withstand 130 MPH winds. A cool roof minimizes the solar heat gain of your home by reflecting incoming sun rays and re-emitting the absorbed energy keeping your outdoor building cooler and saving you money with your utility bill.

Location Can Help Keep You Cool

If you haven’t built your tiny home, ADU, guest shed, office shed, or workshop yet, consider location first. View your property during the different seasons and times of day to see how the sun progresses over your backyard. Morning sun exposure heats a tiny space less than afternoon sun. Also, positioning your outdoor building by trees or planting trees after the fact can help buffer your tiny space from the heat of the day.

Ceiling Fans Can Move Air & Keep You Cool

If you are still in the planning stage for your DIY outdoor building project, consider 10-foot ceilings in your tiny space. Higher ceilings give you more wall space for windows and ventilation and allow a ceiling fan to move the air. You can install a ceiling fan with 8-foot ceilings, but those extra 2 feet give your small space a much more expansive feel. Be sure to purchase a ceiling fan with summer and winter settings so your small space benefits from a ceiling fan when it’s hot and cold outside.

Portable Air Conditioners for Cooling & Heating

Space is at a premium in outdoor buildings. When choosing a way to cool your space, you might take a look at portable air conditioners with heating and air conditioning capabilities. There are so many choices in energy-efficient portable air conditioners that heat and cool small to large spaces with air ducting that temporarily vents through a window with the complete installation taking about 5 minutes. SPT is the one I own; I own 4 and they have been going strong for over 8 years. GE, Frigidaire, Honeywell, and SPT are a few of the manufacturers that have dual-purpose portable air conditioners.

Opening Skylights Let Breezes In

Opening skylights are a great way of getting the air to circulate when the temperatures are lower in the morning and evening. Opening skylights provide extra ventilation for your outdoor building. They also give you a way of controlling how much natural light enters your outdoor building so you can keep your space cooler during the day. Opening skylights are also a great choice for anywhere where you need extra ventilation such as a workshop or woodworking studio.

Screen Doors Give You Extra Ventilation

Screen doors are an old-school way of adding extra ventilation to a small space without taking up space, which is at a premium in small outdoor buildings. Screen doors promote airflow, let in natural light, open up your space, protect you from bugs, and they are a simple way to control airflow during the day and evening. Most screen doors are an hour DIY project to install and the cost is minimal for the benefits provided to your outdoor building.

Look through the Shed Windows and More products to find everything from low-E windows to gable vents to help keep your tiny space comfortable year-round. The Shed Windows and More team is here to answer your questions about all your DIY projects.