Foam Sheeting for Garage Insulation

[Phil De]

My new steel garage is sweating like mad ... the roof is insulated but the walls are not. I'm planning on insulating the walls with 1/2 inch foam sheeting from Home Depot. Cost is reasonable at $13 per 4x8 sheet. The sheeting apparently has a vapor barrier on one side. I'm most concerned with keeping the moist air away from the cool steel walls which causes condensation. I live in the Florida panhandle and we do get some cold weather in the winter months. I'm not concerned over heating or cooling issues as much as the condensation problem. I plan to use panel adhesive to bond the insulation sheets to the metal siding after snugly fitting it between the steel studs. Any comments?

 

[bazzateer]

I'd fit it across the studs leaving an air gap between the foam and the steel walls. This allows for any moisture in the gap to evaporate instead of rusting the walls from the inside.

You could even put a little extra insulation in the space as long as you leave an air gap. It will also make it easier to tape the seams to maintain the integrity of the vapour barrier.

Your way would still leave the studs as a cold surface for the moisture to condense on.

 

[Phil De]

Leaving an air gap between the insulation sheets and the metal walls sounds like a good idea. I guess the air gap itself provides some insulating value as well .... rather like my puffy sleeping bag.