Best options for steel building insulation

[RNN14Wolfe]

Hello guys,

I'm going to have a 30x40x12 Versatube building put up in my back yard for my new personal automotive shop.

I live in Colorado Springs, so it gets very cold regularly, obviously I need to insulate this thing very well. I was leaning towards spray foam (closed cell), because of the nature of the irregular shaped panels, However, resistance to flammability is paramount to me, as I'm also a welder/fabricator and torches and welding sparks will be present often.

What do you all recommend?

 

[ZipSnafu]

Welcome to GJ. A lot of metal building manufactures will not warranty a building with spray foam. I used a blanket type of insulation on mine when it was built and have been very happy with it. Not sure about the fire resistance of it though.

 

[readhead]

Blanket insulation will be the easiest and least expensive. That size building will use 2x4 tubing which gives you some other options. Rigid foam sheets or FG batts installed after erecting. If you are installing a ceiling I would opt for blown in installation. If you don't use blanket insulation then you should install a thermal break tape under the sheeting.

 

[RNN14Wolfe]

This will be an open span Versatube span, with no trusses in the way, so I'm kind of lost on how I will able to get insulation to stay on the ceiling.

 

[RNN14Wolfe]

I might have to go with the rigid foam panels and glue them to the ceiling, but I'm concerned with the R-value. I think maybe spray foam might be my best bet.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Spray foam is the best because it seals all air leaks. It is expensive, so you will need a second layer of something. If you are concerned about sparks, then you need and interior wall of plaster board/plywood/OSB.

I call ******** on violating the building warranty, but you should contact the manufacturer before installing. Also use closed cell foam. Open cell holds moisture.

 

[Astross89]

http://www.bayinsulation.com/products/faced-fiberglass/

They have a location near you. If you don't mind driving a little. I ordered from them at really good prices. And when your building is being installed. Pay the installers to install the insulation at the same time.

I chose

WMP-VR-R Plus (PSP)
Tech Spec
Safety Data Sheet White or black finish. Low cost general purpose facing with a low .02 perm.

 

[PWC Repair]

I insulated mine with 3" foam sheets bought as seconds off craigslist. That's R18 for about 55 cents sq ft! It was somewhat labor intensive but I'm glad I did it.

 

[RNN14Wolfe]

Thanks for the help guys. Yes, I think closed cell foam is gonna be it. I'm still coming out ahead in price versus putting up a stick building. By at least $10,000

 

[RNN14Wolfe]

So, I contacted Versatube and they assured me that spray foam insulation would have no effect on my warranty, and that they would even put that in writing!

 

[Falcon67]

This will be an open span Versatube span, with no trusses in the way, so I'm kind of lost on how I will able to get insulation to stay on the ceiling.

Most people here that use roll insulation use chicken wire.

 

[Randy in Maine]

One of my welder buddies used some sort of steel siding on the inside of the building also to cover up the spray foam. He did not do the whole place (used sheetrock on the rest) just the welding/grinding area.

 

[haulinbass08]

Guys I'm in the same boat as the OP. I'm getting ready to build a Versatube as a DIY with my sons and a few buddies. I'm in Texas so I have the problem with the other side of the weather spectrum, HEAT. So insulation is a must for me to be able to work in the summer in the shop.

I've been trying to figure out how and when you would put up the closed cell foam sheets. I read somewhere to put it between the hat channel and the frame? Then I read that some put it between the metal sheet and the hat channel.....

If I use vinyl backed roll, most builders put it between the metal sheet and whatever purlins/c-channel/hat channel they are using. I'm pretty sure they do this so they don't have to use chicken wire to hold it back..

Which is the easiest to do at time of build and which is the proper way to do either one? My next choice is a DIY spray foam kit. A buddy of mine did that after he had his shop built and he said it was relatively painless, although it was more expensive than the other options.