Insulating a pole building that was never insulated when built.

[mrmineo1]

I have a 40x30 pole building with a drywall ceiling and attic for some reason they previous owner insulated the attic but never did the walls. I have been afraid to insulate them because I didn't want to cause a moisture trap. The siding is t1-11 the back side is what i see on the inside of the building beside the girts. Concrete goes right to the boards at grade. I figured there should have at least been house wrap or something. I do turn the heat on in here in the winter and luckily I there is an 125000 btu oil furnace so its warm if I want it to be but I would prefer insulation. I built none of it I just use it any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

[loganb]

If you put your location in your user profile it'll improve the quality of the recommendations.

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[340derek]

I did a section of my pole barn last year 14’ X 50’ for a work shop. What I did was slide 1 1/2” Owens pink foam between the posts and outer wall, then used 6’ wide pole barn insulation horizontally cause I have 12’ high walls. Framed with 2x4’s horizontally to the outside of poles with 2x6’s in between the 2x4’s up the pole to make flush, then used 6 mil plastic over the insulation and sheet rocked. By the way I wing everything I do and this is in Minnesota.


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[mrmineo1]

Your method was what I was thinking but I was concerned about moisture between the wall and the insulation.

 

[Bigshow0003]

This has been discussed alot of this forum. Use the search function and you'll have days worth of reading. And there's tons of arguments about moisture in a steel building.

Tons of insulation options too... Spray foam, Pole barn batts (pre cut to the size of your pole spacing, 8' x 10' for example), Framing with Batts, Foam Board, A combination of these, etc etc.

Spray foam is most expensive but seals your building up tight - no air gaps means no moisture. That's the best way to go if money isn't an issue.

Money was an issue for me so I spray foamed only the roof deck. Then, at the recommendation of my builder, I used great stuff to seal all seams and corners in the walls. After that I framed on 24" centers, with 24" R19 batts in between. Faced insulation so no need for vapor barrier. Then OSB 7/16 walls, primed and painted white. Thermostat set for 50 degrees, and although the winter has been mild so far, my Modine Hot Dawg heater barely runs.

I'm in far northern WI, near the UP.