Heating For An Existing Pole Barn?

[mltdwn12]

We should be closing on a home in Berkeley Springs, WV next month. It has an existing ~30 x 50 pole barn with power and the concrete floor already poured in 2 of the 3 sections. My plan is to use the larger center section to store my boat and maybe a car. The side to the right with the garage door will be used to build fiberglass parts (hoods, bumpers etc.) So currently there's no heating in the building, and from what I've read in floor heating is the way to go, but with an existing slab I have to look at other options. The builder (Timberline in Hedgesville, WV) says they can come in and insulate the building. So any suggestions on what type of heater to install? Electric, gas? I'd like to keep the larger area ~50 degrees in the coldest part of the winter and the smaller side needs to be at least 65 degrees to lay up fiberglass. I may look at closing in the left side to give me more covered space. Thanks for any input
Craig

 

[rburke65]

Welcome. Ya might want to put your location in you profile. Heat? What's available and at what cost? As always, the more insulation the better.

 

[mltdwn12]

Welcome. Ya might want to put your location in you profile. Heat? What's available and at what cost? As always, the more insulation the better.

Profile updated

 

[6768rogues]

I have a 40x60 and a 36x48 in western NY. Each has a 100,000 BTU Reznor natural gas hanging furnace. One was propane but I changed it to NG last year. They work well in our climate, which is colder than yours. The up front cost is low and zero floor space is used.

 

[mltdwn12]

I have a 40x60 and a 36x48 in western NY. Each has a 100,000 BTU Reznor natural gas hanging furnace. One was propane but I changed it to NG last year. They work well in our climate, which is colder than yours. The up front cost is low and zero floor space is used.

So since the two sides I want to heat are separated, I'd need two hanging units and one tank outside? Can you control these setups with a thermostat. I might sound dumb with these questions now that I'm moving to WV, but 34 years in Phoenix, heat has never been something we had to add to our shops Now, A/C, that's a different story!

 

[6768rogues]

If you have two areas to heat separately you can use two units. They can be supplied by a common tank. I bought a 100K BTU unit last year for about $700; yours should be smaller and cost less. They use a regular low voltage thermostat like a house furnace. I used mercury thermostats and mounted them out of level so I can turn them down to the 40s if I want to. I have owned other brands and my experience is that Reznor is the only brand to buy.

 

[MrSurly]

I would make the assumption that if you are laying up 'glas, any combustion heater would a bad idea from a safety standpoint. Maybe a sealed combustion type? I think I would consider electric or maybe an oil/baseboard system where the combustion would be remote. Maybe I'm over-thinking it.


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[finn]

I would look at removing the sliding barn doors and replace them with an insulated garage door before you try to heat the building.

A couple of hanging heaters will work, one for each area.

75k btu units would be adequate in your climate.

 

[mltdwn12]

I would make the assumption that if you are laying up 'glas, any combustion heater would a bad idea from a safety standpoint. Maybe a sealed combustion type? I think I would consider electric or maybe an oil/baseboard system where the combustion would be remote. Maybe I'm over-thinking it.


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Spaying the gel-coat is always a concern. What I typically do is warm the garage up to about 70 and then turn the portable heater off and remove it from the room before spraying. I let the mold sit for an hour or two before turning the heater back on. In this case I may have to look at some kind of a sealed or remote unit. No need to blow the place up

 

[mltdwn12]

I would look at removing the sliding barn doors and replace them with an insulated garage door before you try to heat the building.

A couple of hanging heaters will work, one for each area.

75k btu units would be adequate in your climate.

I did speak with the original builder and he said they probably could get rid of the sliding door. I'm not sure if I could get two doors in there or one big one. I'll have to do some measurements when I get back east.

 

[6768rogues]

I have sprayed cars in my Reznor heated building. I turn the heat up a couple of days in advance. The floor, contents and car get up to temperature. I turn off the heater, paint, let it dry, air out the building and turn the heat back on. It will go at least a day without heat once it is warm. For a continuous operation, I could heat at night and work in the day.

 

[Cropgun]

See if you can work that tractor into the deal on the house. I just bought a 2r series JD and holy **** is it useful. Best money I've spent on a tool in a long, long time.

 

[mltdwn12]

See if you can work that tractor into the deal on the house. I just bought a 2r series JD and holy **** is it useful. Best money I've spent on a tool in a long, long time.

I already asked, I guess it's his son's and he needs it Guess I'll be looking for one!

 

[Cropgun]

I already asked, I guess it's his son's and he needs it Guess I'll be looking for one!

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