Ceiling,insulation, raccoons and possums

[xtremek]

I'd like a little advice. I want to insulated the barn so I doesn't kill me to heat it in the winter. I live out in the boondocks and vermits are a real possibility. My old man told me not to put wood or drywall on the ceiling because of the possibility of ***** or possums getting into what would become the attic. I'm thinking of just putting the insulation up with stringers running under the joists so they can't walk on the "ceiling". What do you guys/gals think?

 

[Erampu]

I think the critters will get in no matter what you put up there. You'd have to totally seal it off from intrusion, and that can get expensive.

 

[Highbeam]

Critters are everywhere. If it's not racoons, it's oppossums, rats, squirrels, mice, birds, bees, etc. Nobody's garage is exempt from the chance of critters moving into the attic. Yet, as you see, there are plenty of finished ceilings.

Do your best to rodent proof it and if they get in, then exterminate them. Don't let the possibility prevent you from enjoying your garage ceiling.

 

[Falcon67]

Hanging insulation from the rafters is fine, with or without a ceiling. Did that in my old shop. Won't do a thing to discourage critters.

 

[Mercy]

Mice and rats can get in almost anything in a barn. Rest assured the insulation will hold them up. I am ripping out a ton of R-30 right now that actually has tunnels in it from critters and it was only held with staples. You might be able to fix something so any baffles or vents are covered with hardware cloth. I am still trying to figure out if it's possible to have a critter-free space.

 

[xtremek]

I was thinking that if I put just the insulation up, the big critters would fall through it. I'm not looking to build a fancy man cave, just somewhere I can listen to the voices in my head when they tell me to alter my rides or fab a wild widget.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd seal up the barn before I did anything. While the mice maybe hard to keep out, you can always bait and set traps for them.

 

[Mercy]

I was thinking that if I put just the insulation up, the big critters would fall through it. I'm not looking to build a fancy man cave, just somewhere I can listen to the voices in my head when they tell me to alter my rides or fab a wild widget.

Since I am literally ripping this out today I will grab a couple bricks, climb up there, and see how many it holds (paper backed suspended between horizontal rafters with staples). Be back in ten or so...

ETA: Took 3 bricks at just over 2lbs each. Did it twice, held the 4lbs no problem, if I was delicate I might have gotten the 6 to stay up. It's stapled about every 8".

 

[xtremek]

Since I am literally ripping this out today I will grab a couple bricks, climb up there, and see how many it holds (paper backed suspended between horizontal rafters with staples). Be back in ten or so...

ETA: Took 3 bricks at just over 2lbs each. Did it twice, held the 4lbs no problem, if I was delicate I might have gotten the 6 to stay up. It's stapled about every 8".

Thx for the info Andrea. So I'm thinking that if I staple a little further apart, say every 12", my theory might work. I know it won't help with mice and rats. but it should slow down the ***** and possums.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Might keep them out of the rafters. But I think it's going to get monotonous rehanging the insulation every time one falls through. That and if they do fall through the paper is going to be ripped and sooner then later. You are not going to have enough paper to rehang it.

If you can attach it to the bottom of the roof beams not the ceiling joist. That gives you a bonus of being able to store some long stuff across the joist.

As stated above seal it up good and keep them out.