best insulation on cheap build

[lt1driver]

due to city codes decided to put up a 15x22 x 10-12' high metal building on 4" slab with one entry door ( 10'wx8'h) to pull car in. no interior walls so should I....just hang up bat insulation on inside of metal, spray some type of insulation on metal, or ????? what about moisture? I live in west texas where low temps in winter can be in low teens but usually high teens to low 20s and only for several days then somewhat warmer during the day. frequent winds and winter is from jan -early march mostly.....heat will be from bullet style 35btu kerosene heater. thanks.

 

[cyamaha2007]

The cheapest would be to get the insulation package with the building. I think they call it vinyl backed insulation. Regular bats can be problems due to condensation.

 

[Modifieddriver]

I'm in the same situation with a post steel building.

I'm having them install the vinyl backed 3" roll insulation.

I'm in western South Carolina and I think our climates are about the same or we might be slightly more moderate. It sometimes gets into the teens here, but usually no frost in the ground.

Anything else will be more expensive and a pain to install. The building installers put it on at the same time as the roof and siding. Done deal and no more screwing around.

 

[40cpe]

There is foil backed bubble insulation designed for metal buildings. It doesn't absorb moisture like fiberglass and isn't as bulky to compress between the sheeting and the purlins.

I just had a building built and went with what is known as "Low-E". It is two layers of bubble backed with foil on both sides. The type I had installed has a white coating on the inside to make the interior easier to light. I understand that the vinyl backed insulation of any type will get brittle and split.

I got thoroughly confused looking at the options and had to choose, and this was it. It wasn't the cheapest option, but I won't cover this and wanted what I thought to be the longest lasting.

 

[Boomer343]

The more I get a spray foam company to insulate the more I like the result.

Really eliminates the bugs and other pests while eliminating air infiltration and cutting down on noise both from outside and in.

Check around you may find it has cost benefits that the other kinds of insulation can't match.

 

[NHBandit]

I'm in the same situation with a post steel building.

I'm having them install the vinyl backed 3" roll insulation.

I'm in western South Carolina and I think our climates are about the same or we might be slightly more moderate. It sometimes gets into the teens here, but usually no frost in the ground.

Anything else will be more expensive and a pain to install. The building installers put it on at the same time as the roof and siding. Done deal and no more screwing around.

^^^^^^^^ This is what I'm doing as well. I'm just over the mountains in East Tennessee and after beating up the salesman from National Barn Company I got them to cut me a really sweet deal on the insulation. Not sure how it all figures out with the other stuff I got them to throw in but I ended up with a quote of $11,600 for a 30x40 framed for 2 10x10 overhead doors (not supplied), walk through door, scissor trusses,2 gable vents, 1 window & fully insulated. That price is delivered AND assembled, tax included.

 

[Falcon67]

Spray foam would be your first choice if you can swallow the $3~$5 a sq/ft of wall coverage. I would not use batts unless you are covering the inside walls like a house. You have to keep air and moisture out of the wall. Failing that, use the vinyl stuff. It might actually rain tonight for the first time in months, so "moisture" is a relative term here LOL. My Hardipanel acts a bit like metal and will show external condensation on quick temp changes, but the walls are sealed and there's no condensation in the wall.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The more I get a spray foam company to insulate the more I like the result.

Really eliminates the bugs and other pests while eliminating air infiltration and cutting down on noise both from outside and in.

Check around you may find it has cost benefits that the other kinds of insulation can't match.

The big down on spray foam is its initial cost which is the OP biggest issue.

Also, unless something is added to the foam, it is not bug and/or rodent proof.

 

[Highbeam]

Foam at 3-5$ per SF is absolutely ridiculous and should be off the table for pretty much any shop build where standard options would work. Compare to 30 cents per SF for FG batts which are made for walls. Every time somebody mentions foam I just don't understand what they are getting that is worth so much more.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Foam at 3-5$ per SF is absolutely ridiculous and should be off the table for pretty much any shop build where standard options would work. Compare to 30 cents per SF for FG batts which are made for walls.

Agreed, but I don't think you can install FG batts on to metal exterior walls.

Every time somebody mentions foam I just don't understand what they are getting that is worth so much more.

The big advantage is that, if properly installed, it absolutely seals all cracks. Zero air flow. Great for odd corners. No vapor barrier is required.

It is also fast. Sheet rock crews can start the next day.

 

[oldschool59]

Roxul insulation makes a product called Roxul Plus . A stone based insulation designed for metal buildings.It is batt style and a lot cheaper than spray foam and a higher R value than "bubble " style .