barn insulation

[onemoretry]

So I am arguing with myself about what to do with insulation (new construction, two buildings). I am currently thinking about wet blown in cellulose for the walls, and dry cellulose for the roof. I do have a section of roof however, due to the design that will be part of the ceiling, so I am not yet sure how to do that. I am planning on finishing all of the inside of the building with shiplap. My questions, what else should I consider? How can I find an insulation contractor that will return my phone calls? Does anyone know any insulation people in mid western maryland? Which end of the cost spectrum is right (I have been told both for a 24X36 building and a 30X48 building, both two stories, as seen in the pictures below) $4k-$24k? The general consensus is that using cellulose doesn't require vapor barrier, is this true? Has anyone found a website that rates local contractors that is worth a ####?
Pictures for your viewing pleasure and that may clarify my questions from above.

 

[Dragster Racer]

Man, that is one nice structure. Shame to cover up the nice work! I am going through some of the same questions right now.

 

[waltmcq]

I have a hard enough time finding a stud, I'd go crazy in that building.
Amazing though.

 

[onemoretry]

Thanks, guys. It looks more difficult, but it isn't too bad. It is a whole lot stronger than standard though, so I will take that trade.
Check out the links in my sig for tons more pictures.
thanks again.

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

I have a hard enough time finding a stud, I'd go crazy in that building.
Amazing though.

This is the second time I have seen diagonal studs - the first also being on GJ. Is that a regional thing? How does it contrast to vertical studs?

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

So I am arguing with myself about what to do with insulation (new construction, two buildings). I am currently thinking about wet blown in cellulose for the walls, and dry cellulose for the roof. I do have a section of roof however, due to the design that will be part of the ceiling, so I am not yet sure how to do that. I am planning on finishing all of the inside of the building with shiplap. My questions, what else should I consider? How can I find an insulation contractor that will return my phone calls? Does anyone know any insulation people in mid western maryland? Which end of the cost spectrum is right (I have been told both for a 24X36 building and a 30X48 building, both two stories, as seen in the pictures below) $4k-$24k? The general consensus is that using cellulose doesn't require vapor barrier, is this true? Has anyone found a website that rates local contractors that is worth a ####?
Pictures for your viewing pleasure and that may clarify my questions from above.

Nice work - see if this thread does not answer most your questions

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infinsul2.html

 

[Bull]

This is the second time I have seen diagonal studs - the first also being on GJ. Is that a regional thing? How does it contrast to vertical studs?

The other instance might have been my structure. Not a regional thing, as the builder does these across the country. Just a design peculiar to the Geobarn company.

Onemoretry, I have discovered that R-19 kraft faced batts and 8 mil poly sheeting are cheap at Home Depot. I am going to install these in my walls, using a utility knife to make slits in the kraft paper on the R-19 before applying the vapor barrier over it. It would make more sense to use unfaced batts, but the kraft faced product was actually cheaper at Home Depot.

For the ceiling, I seem to recall that I will be able to fit kraft faced R-30 up there, which to me seems like enough.

Insulation is so easy to install, I would not pay anyone a lot of money to install it. The spray-in expanding foam is one exception to that rule that I might make, but that's not in my budget for this barn I have.

I have lived in an older (1930s) home since '99 that has ZERO insulation in the walls and attic. Attic was not even accessible until last week. I'm doing a couple rooms a year, gutting and insulating them. My point is that, although I have had to pay more for heating than I should, completely uninsulated structures have been inhabited by people for years. So, while fiberglass batts and a poly vapor barrier might not be the SUPREME insulation setup, I am sure that for our Geobarns they will make for a structure that can be reasonable heated so we can pursue out hobbies out there in the colder months.

Oh, and I am considering burying moth balls and Irish Spring soap bars in each wall cavity to deter rodents...I have read that both of those things work well to repel mice, who usually love to rip apart those fiberglass batts and live in them, which grosses me out.