Another guy looking for insulation help...

[bens]

Last night I could see my breath in my cold barn. So it's time for some insulation. I have a 42'x75' Morton builsing. The columns are 7' 6" OC. Walls are 10' and 15' high. Soffit and Ridge vents.

During the winter I get out to the barn a couple times a week or more and would like to be able to warm it up to a tolerable temp. And if I could keep it above freezing at all times, that would be great. I'm thinking of going with a furnace with basic duct work through the barn.

Here are my guidelines (some of which my be unreasonable):
1- no drywall, i like the "barn" feel that it has now and will cover the insulation with wood of some sort. Would love to find some old barn wood and use that.
2- no ceiling, I like the open trusses. I realize there is a loss of heat up there, but I use it for storage and it makes the barn feel bigger.


Questions:
1- What type of insulation will be cheapest and still effective
2- Any suggestions for insulating and sealing a 14' x 14' sliding door?
3- Can I insulate the underside of the roof and not put in a ceiling? If so how does this effect the soffit/ridge venting?
4- Any reason not to use a standard furnace or should I go with a few Hot Dawg type units?

I'm open to any other suggestions and criticisms. Here are a few pictures to give you guys an idea what I'm working with.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Willy Victor]

Bens the open look ceiling ain't going to work, you'll loose all your heat through the ceiling.

Willy

 

[bens]

Thanks Willy, I was afraid that's what I would hear.

What do people with steel buildings (H beam construction) do for insulation? They would have an "open" truss design correct? and would have to put the insulation at the roof and not add a ceiling?

 

[twostory]

What do people with steel buildings (H beam construction) do for insulation? They would have an "open" truss design correct? and would have to put the insulation at the roof and not add a ceiling?

You could spray foam on the inside steel roof panels. It would cost some money, but would insulate and not affect your open truss area.

 

[Junkman]

You can't do what you want, the way you want. You either insulate, drywall, and cover with wood, or endure the cold. Barns are supposed to be cold.... workshops are supposed to be warm. You can't combine them into one. You can section off a piece to do what you want, but my guess is that isn't what you are looking for. Dress warmer is the solution.. Junk

 

[bens]

Junk, why must drywall be used? If I let Morton insulate it they wouldn't use any.
There must be a way to insulate this thing. I may have to give up my open trusses, but it will not be cold next winter (I hope).

Thanks for the comments.