Insulating a steel sided pole barn?

Josh in Pa · Feb 4, 2013

I am planning on building a small shop for my farm. Steel siding inside and out is the plan. What should be in between for insulation? I am worried about condensation. What have you done that worked well? Thanks,
Josh

Anonymous-0 · Feb 4, 2013

We built a 36 x 56 pole barn for a client last spring. He insulated the building himself using blown in R30 in the ceiling and sprayed foam in the walls. His wall is also R30. All interior is steel siding. You may require a different amount of insulation for your project depending on your location.I would recommend that you use a vapor barrier under the roof sheeting and on interior surfaces before attaching steel liner panels.

dpendzic · Feb 4, 2013

the trick to preventing condensation is to have a vapor barrier with the lowest perm value toward the heated side, then each building material/insulation should have a progressively higher perm, so that the moisture can keep migrating to the outside air.

John B. · Feb 4, 2013

I wanted to use spray on foam in my pole barn years ago and the man who represented the foam company did not recommend putting foam on the steel due to its expansion and contraction of the metal.

Larry NEIL · Feb 4, 2013

I furred my pole barn with 2X4 and used 8" bats of insulation. 18" of insulation blown in the ceiling with vapor barrior on both. Used 1/2" plywood 4' high in storage area with drywall above and 8' plywood in shop area....easy to put hangers/shelves up.
Also have a heated floor.

Russ from MN · Feb 4, 2013

If you want it well insulated how about a 2x6 stud wall 2' oc and regular trusses. That's how I built my shop on a slab with foam down in the ground 18". treated bottom plate and 12" treated plywood around the bottom.

Rollie NE PA · Feb 4, 2013

Former employer had several pole buildings built. They were metal ceilings and side walls.
The ceilings were insulated with blown in Insul safe fiberglass. The side walls were 8" X 8' wide rolled fiber glass, unfaced. plastic was used as the vapor barried. Insulating with 8ft wide batts goes pretty quick.

Goose · Feb 4, 2013

How does sprayed foam compare price wise with fiberglass covered with particle board?

I'm putting up a 30'x48' shop, in fact they should finish erecting tomorrow. Haven't made up my mind yet about insulation.

Insulating a steel sided pole barn?

Josh in Pa

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Anonymous-0

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dpendzic

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John B.

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Larry NEIL

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Russ from MN

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Rollie NE PA

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Goose

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