Cheap Ways to Heat a Shed

Most sheds live at the bottom of your garden or yard and provide a secure spot to store your garden tools, hardware or outdoor furniture to keep it safe from the elements and away from the prying eyes of would-be thieves. However, if your outdoor storage has become more of a "man cave" or a "she shed," you might find it more comfortable to spend time out there if you invest in some heating.

It's possible to keep your shed cozy and toasty with some low-cost heating options that are easy to install. Make sure that you stay safe by following all local building codes and keeping flammable substances away from any heat sources.

Opting for solar heating is an eco-friendly choice for keeping your shed warm and is a surprisingly easy fix. Simply replace the south-facing roof with clear vinyl sheeting or transparent plastic panels, and the interior will heat up in no time.

Switch out your normal overhead light bulb with an infrared heat bulb and you'll feel like you are in a sauna, complete with an ambient and relaxing light source. There's a reason farmers use these lights for newly hatched chicks; they feel great and really warm you up.

If you're feeling a bit more handy and creative, you can try building and installing your own wood-barrel stove. You'll need a fairly big shed, as they produce a surprising amount of heat. You'll also need to ensure that you ventilate the shed properly to make sure it's safe. You can buy a kit that supplies everything you'll need to turn an oil barrel into a stove, including the chimney pipe collar and hatches.

This is a great project to turn your shed or workshop into a place where you can happily spend hours without worrying about the sore joints that can come with colder weather.

If your outdoor room has an electrical hookup, a standard space heater will provide enough heat to keep you warm and comfortable even in the coldest months of winter. However, you will need to follow important safety guidelines to prevent fires and to ensure your health and safety. Traditional space heaters are not environmentally friendly, and users must make sure that they keep soft furnishings and curtains away from the heat source and never run the heater unsupervised.

Portable, propane-powered space heaters avoid the need for any outlets and use the same propane tanks that are often used for camping. They are a cost-effective choice for those wanting to heat small spaces, and they don't require special venting protocols.