Ceiling ? Pole barn

[drg5490]

Need some ideas..I have a 24 ft wide pole barn with 2x4 trusses spaced every 5ft.( not how I would of done it but it's what I have) . I would like to close off the ceiling and use a metal ceiling with blown insulation..figuring this would be the lightest covering..now my question is how can I beef up the lower part of the 2x4 that spans the 24 ft in order to nail nailers onto the bottom side to attatch the metal to without worrying if the truss is gonna sag? Should I sister additional lumber on both sides of the bottom or cut plywood strips and sister to the truss?? Not needing to heat the whole area above the ceiling line...Thanks

 

[BNZ Automotive]

My trusses were 48" and were just fine. I did contact the manufacturer (metal liner panel) and they said the 48" was fine. I am guessing you were using the cellulose insulation?

Maybe you could just ask the manufacturer and its possible the 60" is still OK which would save you a ton of grief and expense.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Maybe you could just ask the manufacturer and its possible the 60" is still OK which would save you a ton of grief and expense.

2X

Trusses are amazing structures. They can look quite spindly and actually carry a surprising amount of weight.

 

[sublime68charger]

Pics would help.

But shooting from the hip on this can you add 24' 2x6 between each rafter and center between them? And then tie your ceiling metal to both the trusses and the 2x6? maybe out at the middle of the 2x6 run a 2x4 to each rafter to try and keep the 2x6 equal distance from the trusses?

Just my thoughts.

Is there room on top of the sill plate to get a 2x6 to stand vertical?
Without hitting the roof line?

 

[sublime68charger]

But like others have said find out what the truss rating load is?

Maybe I'm over building things.

 

[rburke65]

Probably not the trusses that cause the concern.....it's the metal ceiling liner. Call THAT manufacturing and ask them if the metal liner will span the 60" with it loaded with the cellulose! Good luck.

 

[drg5490]

Ilooked at the trusses and can't find any stamps or information on them. The building was already here so I have no info on the manufacturer. They appear to be just your standard 24 ft utility type truss that you would get at a big box store. A couple of the trusses are somewhat weathered which is my main concern for hanging the ceiling on

 

[s_ontario]

trusses will hold the weight of the steel ceiling and blown in insulation fine but 48" spacing on your steel is to much the lap will open up over time run 1x3 strapping 24" centers opposing direction of truss then steel will go opposing to the strapping

 

[rburke65]

I'm thinking that the seams probably would open after time and that s_Ontario plan would work.

 

[BuickFarmer]

trusses will hold the weight of the steel ceiling and blown in insulation fine but 48" spacing on your steel is to much the lap will open up over time run 1x3 strapping 24" centers opposing direction of truss then steel will go opposing to the strapping

Can you explain what lap you are speaking of opening up and why? not doubting, jus not sure I understand...

 

[Jbullfrog]

Tack 6ml plastic up, overlapping and taping the seams, before you hang the steel for a vapor barrier and to keep the fluff from working through the seams. If you miss with a screw leave it as it will hold in the steel and keep the fluff from leaking.

 

[BNZ Automotive]

Why not set a couple of saw horses 5' apart and lay a panel on them to see how much flex is possible? I know that fiberglass is lighter than cellulose but will cost you more and I don't think it's as efficient.

I think you will be surprised how much the ribbing adds to the strength of the panel. My panels really locked together tight at the seams and I can't see any chance of anything opening up or falling through. They overlap each other and are not just butted up.

 

[Flatland Dave]

You should consider the poly liner with blown in insulation. My builder added it saying there is something in the cellulose insulation that will eventually eat holes in the steel.

 

[BNZ Automotive]

You should consider the poly liner with blown in insulation. My builder added it saying there is something in the cellulose insulation that will eventually eat holes in the steel.

My understanding is that this is an old myth and started back when ammonia was used as the retardant. If there is water/moisture present then the insulation will help to hold it in place and of course cause corrosion. I see doing some research that all cellulose insulation currently is regarded as non corrosive as per ASTM Standard C-739.

 

[Flatland Dave]

My understanding is that this is an old myth and started back when ammonia was used as the retardant. If there is water/moisture present then the insulation will help to hold it in place and of course cause corrosion. I see doing some research that all cellulose insulation currently is regarded as non corrosive as per ASTM Standard C-739.

.
Learn something new every day, Thanks!

 

[NUTTSGT]

You should consider the poly liner with blown in insulation. My builder added it saying there is something in the cellulose insulation that will eventually eat holes in the steel.

Like BNZ mentioned, this is from a local firm that makes cellulose insulation. Take it for what it's worth.

http://media.wix.com/ugd/275e9c_cf574d5925744b23bff3d240a299a5fe.pdf

I'd still use a vapor barrier to hold the insulation place incase panel needs removed for whatever reason.

 

[drg5490]

All good advise but do you think my bottom truss chord will sag much with the additional weight of the ceiling without strengthening the 2x4 bottom that are spaced 60 inches ? i plan on running 1x3 along the bottom of the trusses for attaching the metal, just not sure of the effect of the weight will have on the bottom off the trusses..the building is 24 ft wide x by 40 ft deep.

 

[jaker10]

I just ran into the same problem. My trusses are on 8ft. centers. My trusses have a bottom cord dead load rating of 1 lb. per sq. foot. How the hell am I going to put up a ceiling with that rating. Builder told me I could put a ceiling in it.

 

[BNZ Automotive]

The bottom can't sag without the top sagging. That's what makes structures strong when everything is tied together. It gets even stronger with the shear strength added when the liner panels are tied in as well. Obviously there comes a limit but I think people have done worse since there are greater spans than your 60."

I personally think you will be fine but I am no structural engineer and can't give advise as such.

 

[BNZ Automotive]

I just ran into the same problem. My trusses are on 8ft. centers. My trusses have a bottom cord dead load rating of 1 lb. per sq. foot. How the hell am I going to put up a ceiling with that rating. Builder told me I could put a ceiling in it.

Interesting. I thought my span was probably due to snow load and yours is twice my 4.' I am guessing your truss length is less than my 30'?

 

[jaker10]

30 ft. truss, 8 feet apart. building is 30x48. Has a 30 lb. snow rating but 1 lb. rating to hang.

 

[BNZ Automotive]

30 ft. truss, 8 feet apart. building is 30x48. Has a 30 lb. snow rating but 1 lb. rating to hang.

Hmm. Same size as mine. Does that mean you are near the limit? Because that doesn't sound like much. So 32 lbs for a 4'x8' area. Our code in central Ohio is 20lb snow load so maybe my building is over built but I never asked anyone about hanging a ceiling for them to tell me. I would think someone on here knows for sure or has done a project similar.

 

[jaker10]

If you have your truss blue print it has a box that tells top cord live load (TC LL), Top cord dead load (TC DL), Bottom cord dead load (BC DL) and bottom cord live load (BC LL), Mine are 25.0, 4.0, 1.0 and 0.0 for a total of 30.0 PSF. I'm hoping I'm reading it wrong. Somewhere on the computer I found a web sight the told what they all mean. I was told that BC DL is the lb. per square foot that you can hang from ceiling.

 

[jwvess00]

Hi there!

When in doubt, call an engineer. I did. It cost me $450 to have the whole building inspected but it was worth it. He gave me a lot of good advice.

The previous owner built my shop, 36x50 pole barn, trusses 5' OC. He did not finish the interior except for a dividing wall that I've since removed. The trusses were not tied together in a way that satisfied the engineer, and he wanted me to add some continuous load paths across the trusses for strength, among other things. With the recommendations he made, he calculated that the trusses would be good for a bottom chord dead load of something like 8lbs./sq.ft. (going from memory). I ended up putting 2x4s between the trusses 2' OC which is way more than the engineer spec'd but it gave me plenty of nailing surface for the ceiling material.

 

[Rickstir]

My trusses are on 8 ft. centers The Contractor built a grid of 2 x 4 between them. 1 inch insulation is under the roof tin. Gables are spray foamed. Hung white tin throughout. Very bright inside.

 

[jaker10]

Hmm. Same size as mine. Does that mean you are near the limit? Because that doesn't sound like much. So 32 lbs for a 4'x8' area. Our code in central Ohio is 20lb snow load so maybe my building is over built but I never asked anyone about hanging a ceiling for them to tell me. I would think someone on here knows for sure or has done a project similar.

No 30 pounds per sq. foot