How to insulate dad's pole barn?

[ks701]

Hello-

My dad has a 30x40 pole barn that we currently use as a storage shed, but I have convinced him that we should finish it out and make it a more useable space.


The building already has a concrete floor, so the first item of business is to insulate the building. Spray foam is out of the question as we don't want to spend that kind of money. In doing some research, I am understanding that we need a vapor barrier before we insulate.

What is the best way to do this?

Here are a few pictures I happen to have on my computer that have the walls int he background..

 

[bgarrett]

I saw what you said about spray foam but its the best and it is worth it

 

[Wood'nMetal]

What makes you think spray foam is out of the question? By the time you calculate the cost of a comparable R-value plus vapor barrier, the costs could be close. Spray foam has also become much more mainstream, hence more affordable. I wouldn't discount it, yet.

 

[gungatim]

see if you can find some used warehouse insulation. I found all I could use on craigslist from a commercial roofing company, when they reroof big steel buildings they pull the old insulation and replace it with new. Then they sell it cheap, as it is cheaper than hauling to the dump. I did my whole 30x40 for a couple hundred bucks. The insulation is foam core with fiberglass facing on both sides, 4 x 8 x 1.5". It's only an R11 but works really well. It's light enough to put up on the ceiling yourself, and it's the same thickness as a 2x4 so it fits flush between the wall battens. I just slipped behind the poles and used some little 2" squares of 3/16 luan plywood I cut out on the table saw and drywall screwed every so often to hold the panels in (where a sign or cabinet wasn't already there), and did the same on the ceiling with 2" drywall screws. The nice thing about it is that aside from being cheap, its easy to cut with a knife (score and snap), and it can be painted if need be. If you think R11 is not enough, my barn stays toasty warm throughout the Michigan winters with just a small woodstove. Of course, as money permits, you can always throw more fiberglass batts up in the ceiling on top of the foam. I left one 4 x 3 ft. piece unscrewed with little plywood wings to slide out of the way to easily get access to the ceiling area for storage of miscellaneous stuff and to run wire or whatever when needed.

I'll try and find a pic to post.

 

[bimmer1980]

Yeah, used PolyIso is a good option. I have seen it on craigslist in 3-4" thickness. Some of it is taped tho, you have to watch out for that.

Another option is to go to a pole barn manufacturer and buy bats of insulation that are wide enough to fit between your poles.

Or just use regular unfaced bats and staple the edges to the purlins.

 

[gungatim]

here's a few you can see the black foamboard in the background.

 

[gungatim]

notice for the lights, I just pulled the bulbs, put up the board, then used a bread or steak knife to slice around the housing. Some day maybe I'll make some wood trim pieces or something but hey--it's just a garage! for holes or gaps, I just used a can of spray foam from the hardward store to stop up any gaps.

 

[70C-10]

In doing some research, I am understanding that we need a vapor barrier before we insulate.

What is the best way to do this?

Your talking about installing Tyvek?
I would insulate, vapor barrier & tin.

 

[orange72blazer]

Hello-

My dad has a 30x40 pole barn that we currently use as a storage shed, but I have convinced him that we should finish it out and make it a more useable space.


The building already has a concrete floor, so the first item of business is to insulate the building. Spray foam is out of the question as we don't want to spend that kind of money. In doing some research, I am understanding that we need a vapor barrier before we insulate.

What is the best way to do this?

Here are a few pictures I happen to have on my computer that have the walls int he background..

Here is a good thread on different ways of insulating your walls.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176129