Garden buildings can make the perfect outdoor utility room. Before installing a tumble dryer inside a shed, be sure to consider how to keep both of them protected.
Sometimes it can seem as if the space inside a house is not enough, especially with us now spending more time at home. Household essentials such as fridges and cookers often take up most of the space inside a kitchen, leaving little room for anything else. If you have a separate washing machine and tumble dryer, it can be difficult to find somewhere suitable to keep them both.
A garden building such as a shed could be the perfect solution to store a tumble dryer and create an exterior utility room. The idea of an extra room outside is becoming increasingly popular. There are plenty of great uses for a garden room, including as an office or gym.
Using a garden building means the large bulky tumble dryer is no longer in the way in the kitchen, freeing up space for storage or improving access. The heat given off is also not going to increase the temperature inside the house further during the summer. As tumble dryers can run loud, keeping them in a separate building prevents you from being disturbed, even when they are operating at full speed.
Before going ahead and putting a tumble dryer inside a shed, there are lots to consider. The condition of the building and whether there is already an electrical supply are important factors. some types of tumble dryers may also be better suited to being placed in an outbuilding. Let’s take a look at the considerations when moving a tumble dryer into a garden building.
Can I put a tumble dryer in my shed?
In short, yes a tumble dry can be put in a shed, provided precautions are taken to keep them both safe. Before installing the tumble dryer, the shed should be in a suitable condition and completely sealed from any outside water ingress.
The first factor to take into account is the type of tumble dryer you have. Vented tumble dryers feature a hose that vents the water from the machine. Moisture build-up inside a timber shed will soon result in damp and rot beginning to form on the wood. The shed will need a vent cut into the wood where the exhaust hose can be connected to. Once the vent is installed, a sealant should be applied around the edges to prevent water from getting in from outside.
With a condenser tumble dryer, the water is collected in a container, avoiding the need to vent out the hose. An air vent should still be placed in the shed walls to prevent moisture from building up and allow heat to escape, especially during the summer. A netted air vent can be used to prevent bugs from getting inside.
Tumble dryers have a tendency to move around slightly if they are not connected to anything on either side. Be sure to take this into account and consider fixing it into position.
A well built and good condition shed will be required. An old garden building may become damaged, leading to gaps in the walls, from the frequent rattling of a tumble dryer. The base of the shed should also be solid, we recommend using a concrete base where possible.
Guide: Does my shed need a vent?
How should I get electricity into the shed?
Electricity needs to be fitted into the shed before a tumble dryer can be installed. An external source such as solar power cannot be used as tumble dryers use a lot of electricity. Most models are rated between 1.5-3kW and use an average of 4.5kWh per cycle.
Any electrical work needs to be carried out by a qualified electrician. Be sure to let them know the shed is going to house a tumbler dryer, so the wiring installed can handle the high throughput of electricity required.
Installing electricity into any garden building is usually the same and can be completed in under a day by an experienced electrician. An armoured cable is run directly from the main electrics inside the house. The armoured cable protects the wiring against damage and is buried underground to avoid a trip hazard. As this cable can be expensive, a shed further away from the house is going to cost extra to get connected to the electricity supply.
A separate consumer unit is usually fitted inside the shed to keep the electrical supply safe. If the electrician knows a tumble dryer is going inside the shed, they might install an outdoor socket. The outdoor socket will be covered to protect it against moisture and condensation that can build up if there’s not enough ventilation when using the tumble dryer, particularly in a small shed.
The electrics in the shed will fall under part P of the building regulations. Once the electrician has completed the work, they can issue a certificate to say the electrics comply with building regulations. If you plan to sell the house in the future, the buyer may request to see the certificate.
Can I use any shed?
Before installing the tumbler dryer, it’s important to check out the quality of the shed. Best practice would be to purchase a brand new building that isn’t going to begin showing signs of wear anytime soon.
The shed should be sturdy and show no signs of movement in the walls. Framing on the interior should be in good condition without any cracks. The floor should also be substantial too as tumble dryers can be heavy and rattle against the floor when in use.
Check for signs of water leaking by going into the shed after it has been raining. There should be no water droplets on the floor and all of the walls should be dry to the touch. As timber moves slightly over time, common places for leaks are where different panels join together. If a leak is found, sealant can be used to close the gap and make the building watertight again.
The timber should also be treated correctly on the exterior to prevent premature ageing and damage. A high-quality garden building paint will prevent water from penetrating into the timber, protect against rot and damage from the suns ways. We also recommend treating the inside with paint to protect against damage from moisture.
Will the shed need insulating?
Whether the shed needs insulating will depend on where its located and how else the garden building is being used.
Thermal insulation will prevent heat that builds up inside from escaping during the winter months. Keep in mind this may mean in the summer that the shed becomes excessively hot if there’s not enough ventilation for the hot air to escape. Heat insulation generally is not required when installing a tumble dryer inside a shed. But you may wish to use it when using a condenser dryer to stop the water from freezing inside the machine.
Sound insulation may be needed if the shed is near your own or a neighbours property. Tumble dryers can make a lot of noise and the thin timber walls of a shed won’t do much to quieten the sound. Thick sound insulation will lower the noise levels for anyone outside the shed, not annoying the neighbours when it’s in use during the evening.
Like most garden buildings, sheds are easy to install insulation. The interior timber framing creates the perfect cavity to fit insulation between. Once the insulation is in position, the interior will be lined with a wooden board such as plywood or OSB. If installing insulation, make sure it’s fireproof and safe for use inside the walls of a shed.
Further thoughts
Tumble dryers are designed to be kept inside a house, usually in a utility room or kitchen. Check out the manufacturer’s warranty before installing it inside a shed to make sure you will be covered if the tumble dryer breaks. Some manufacturers may not cover you if it has not been installed and used in line with their recommendations.
Safety is particularly important with tumble dryers as there have been instances in the past where they have caught on fire. When in use, the tumble dryer should never be left unattended. Keep in mind, a shed is a timber construction and any fire inside could soon engulf the building. We recommend installing a fire alarm above the tumble dryer to ensure you are quickly aware if any problems occur with the machine.
Guide: Metal vs wood shed – which is best?
Summary
Overall, it’s completely possible to install a tumble dryer inside a garden building such as a shed. Doing so can create extra space inside the house and prevent you from being disturbed when the machine is in use.
Before fitting the tumble dryer, we need to make sure the shed is up to scratch. A high-quality structure that’s solid and level is required to prevent any movement when the tumble dryer is in use. Electricity will need to be installed by a qualified electrician that will run an armoured cable to the shed. Thermal insulation isn’t usually required, but sound insulation may be needed if the machine is loud enough to be heard from outside the shed. With any tumble dryer installation, it’s important to take safety first.
My tumble dryer is in an outside shed. The very cold weather has caused it to freeze. Although it starts fine it’s not taking any water into the reservoir Do you think it will thaw and still work?