Another insulation post….

[mr.ragtop]

Sooooo I’ve been through more threads on here than I can remember at this point. All trying to find answers and opinions on islnsulating a sided pole barn and what to do with vapor barriers

So this building might end up being taken down in the future. This is due to being small for my needs. Looking at how to possibly attach another building to it, but that’s for another thread……

That being said I don’t want to do spray foam as it would be a pain to take back down later. The easy button is batting style but with having no vapor barrier, I’m lost on which side I need that on. Seems like most guys already have the bubble wrap already installed to help with that but I don’t have that option on this one. Building was built months before I bought the property. I’m open to foam board but it has terrible R value for for the price. Same for using it as a vapor barrier and then running batting over it.

I’m just south of Nashville, in Alabama. So it’s normally hotter but we still see cooler and freezing temps for winter. At this time I’m really just wanting knock out the roof so it’s not just cooking me to death (can feel it radiate TONS of heat).

I’m assuming SOMEONE has had this same situation in the past. I appreciate any help!

 

[Firebrick43]

Are you wanting to heat/cool the structure continuously or just while you're using the building?

Bubble wrap under the roof is not insulation and does little to combat the results of heat or cold. Its purpose is for condensation control on the bottom of the roof panels.

Can you show a pic from further out so more can be seen.

How far is it between the steel trusses?

Do you have vents anywhere? Ridge vents, end vents, and/or soffit vents?

All these things are very impertinent on the solution needed.

 

[mr.ragtop]

Not looking to heat or cool at this time, BUT I want to keep that in mind since I’m not sure what the future holds for this building.

As for venting, there isn’t much for dedicated vents. Just the smell raised areas that can vent to the outside. I put spray foam in them to seal out wasps last year but easy to remove also.

Trusses are 8’ apart.

 

[Firebrick43]

My personal opinion is that many solutions will have an issue without ventilation that is non existent with your building. Even if just the ribs of the R panels are open there is significant ventilation for the sake of the building itself.

If mine, and looking for a cost effective and easy to disassemble solution I would open the channels to restore ventilation and add vents in the roof or gables. I would then hang purlins from the bottom chord of the trusses and insulate between them with fiberglass batts that would leave a significant air space above to be ventilated by the aforementioned vents. I would then personally add a liner panel to the interior of the shed.

The question is how to attach the purlins to the bottom of the trusses and if they are rated for the weight?

 

[mr.ragtop]

What running a foam board style? Not as good for R value but seems that it can act as a vapor barrier if sealed correctly? Then I should be ok to run batting over it. Not happy about extra cost, but seems cheaper, easier then hanging the extra stuff to form the “gap” for air flow with just batting.