28 x 40 x 16ft pole barn,,,insulate or not ?

[cvcman]

I use my pole barn to store my tractor, truck, 4 wheeler mowers etc..may someday have a motorhome or trailer ..
I live in Fingerlakes area of NY...Ive had it up two years...it VERY loud during a rain storm...
Thought about having it insulated with spray foam or something under the roof deck...
Would it be worth it for a storage barn ?I have a 100 amp service and concrete floor...

 

[The Cobbler]

insulation will keep it cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter. if you plan to heat it, insulation is a no brainer.
100 amp service, you must have some plans for it.

 

[cvcman]

insulation will keep it cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter. if you plan to heat it, insulation is a no brainer.
100 amp service, you must have some plans for it.[/QUOT

Well I put the service in just in case I ever get a motorhome and also just to have power there for the door openers etc...

Is spray foam the best ?? I will probably never heat it that why im wondering if its even worth the cost....just do the roof ?

 

[like2wheel]

Spray foam the roof just to keep the noise down?

What is your roof pitch?
I have a currently uninsulated metal roof barn slightly larger & I was pleasantly surprised about the noise level while raining.

Mine is 6/12, maybe flatter is louder?
I seem to have lots of purlins maybe that helps too.

Either way, spray foam seems like it would be an expensive solution to dampen the noise of raindrops.

 

[brownsmustang]

If it's just storage and noise level of the rain is a concern then no I wouldn't insulate it for the few times you happen to be in there during a rain storm.

 

[bdog]

If it is purely storage I wouldn’t bother but if you spend time out there working I definitely would. I have three shops at my place one is insulated (spray foam) that I work in and the other two are for storage and are not. It is a night and day difference walking in the insulated or non insulated on either cold or hot days.

I will never have another shop that I work in that isn’t spray foamed it is great.

 

[cvcman]

If it is purely storage I wouldn’t bother but if you spend time out there working I definitely would. I have three shops at my place one is insulated (spray foam) that I work in and the other two are for storage and are not. It is a night and day difference walking in the insulated or non insulated on either cold or hot days.

I will never have another shop that I work in that isn’t spray foamed it is great.

Did you insulate the entire structure walls too ? Did you cover the foam with wall board or anything ?
Size of the building and aprox cost ?
Mine is 28 x 40 x 16 ft...both overheads are insulated steel inside and out

 

[cvcman]

Spray foam the roof just to keep the noise down?

What is your roof pitch?
I have a currently uninsulated metal roof barn slightly larger & I was pleasantly surprised about the noise level while raining.

Mine is 6/12, maybe flatter is louder?
I seem to have lots of purlins maybe that helps too.

Either way, spray foam seems like it would be an expensive solution to dampen the noise of raindrops.

I think my pitch is 5/12 ? In a semi heavy rain the sound is VERY loud

 

[cvcman]

I think my pitch is 5/12 ? In a semi heavy rain the sound is VERY loud

I’ll look at the invoice and see the actual pitch

 

[ShutterBugg]

Put a ceiling in it and blow in some insulation. That'll keep the noise down and keep it cooler/warmer.

If you're going to spray foam, you need to choose wisely. If moisture is trapped between the foam and the metal, it'll rust out before you'd like.

 

[kj_mustang]

Is the overhang soffit material solid, not perforated? If not, you have no ventilation other than the cupola, which may not have much if any. If you put in a ceiling and insulation, than you need to vent the attic. Spray foam isn't cheap. You are looking at a few grand to do 2 inch thick closed cell on that roof deck. If budget is not an issue, spray foam the whole thing and you will love it. Easy to heat and a/c and rain/wind noise is much better.

 

[cvcman]

Is the overhang soffit material solid, not perforated? If not, you have no ventilation other than the cupola, which may not have much if any. If you put in a ceiling and insulation, than you need to vent the attic. Spray foam isn't cheap. You are looking at a few grand to do 2 inch thick closed cell on that roof deck. If budget is not an issue, spray foam the whole thing and you will love it. Easy to heat and a/c and rain/wind noise is much better.

Soffit is all vented/perforated and full ridge is vented too...Wonder about using that reflective insulation board for a ceiling ?

 

[kj_mustang]

Looked like you had trusses every 4 feet so unless you know they have a high enough bottom chord load rating, I would stick with a lightweight ceiling material, metal, foam board, etc.

 

[nadogail]

Insulated is better.

 

[Toyomech]

If you value whats inside I would insulate. Without insulation you're protected from sun and rain but still experiencing temperature swings that could accelerate rusting.

 

[Dragfluid]

Put a ceiling in it and blow in some insulation. That'll keep the noise down and keep it cooler/warmer.

If you're going to spray foam, you need to choose wisely. If moisture is trapped between the foam and the metal, it'll rust out before you'd like.

x10
A ceiling and 19" of celulose (settles to around 17") will be way more cost effective than foam. And noise will no longer be an issue.