insulating a pole barn

[hog1340]

The walls are typical pole barn sheet steel with 4x6 poles and 2x4 every 2ft going up.
Can I just put insulation in between the 2x4, say 1 1/2 inch foam? Do I need some kinda vapor barrier? I really don't want to stud the walls out.

Also for the ceiling I have 4 ft trusses, my thought was to again use 1 1/2 to 2 inch foam board and just screww to the trusses.

I live in NJ and plan on using a radiant baseboard type heating system.

Thanks all

 

[Vicious_Cycle]

You didn't state how large the structure is, but if you're only using 1.5" foam for walls/ceiling, I would venture to say you are going to have a cold barn or a huge heating bill... or both.

 

[rodnok1]

I second the cold barn using only 1.5 inch foam. My father in law has the foam on the ceiling AND 4 inches of fiberglass on top(N Ohio) with 2x4 stud walls insulated. A better idea might be to double the foam up and put it over studs from top to bottom. If it's a big building consider segmenting it in the winter and only insulating/heating part of it. You'd be surprised how much could air a sheet of plastic can keep out.

 

[hog1340]

Thanks for the replies. So if I use 1.5 between the 2x4s and then 1.5 over top all the way up that should be sufficeint? Should I then cover the insulation with osb? And do I need any kind of vapor barrier?

The pole barn is 26x40, and I have a oven in it for powder coating, so if that's running it should help out.

Thanks again Ed

 

[OneNut]

I just built a pole barn and am looking at the same question about insulation...
would it be better to leave out the 1.5 insulation between the 2x4s and just leave that a air space and go with a 2" insul. board on the stringers up to the ceiling.....I think you would still need the vapor barrier...

 

[Franz©]

A) put the insulation on the inside of the 2x4 purlins and leave airspace between the skin and the foam, or spray foam directly onto the skin. Packing board against the skin leads to problems on down the line, and the purlins still conduct heat.

B) vapor barriers are on fiberglass for a reason, to prevent the naturally occurring water vapor inside the building from getting into the glass and accumulating. A vapor barrier serves no purpose on a foam insulation since the vapor cannot permiate the foam.