Insulating and Covering Pole Barn Inside Walls

[Ryanflathead45]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but searching did not turn up the answer I was looking for.

The construction on my pole barn finished awhile ago, and I'm starting to run the wiring, but I'm starting to think ahead to the next steps of insulating and covering the walls with metal.

I had the builders cover the ceiling with white metal, and blown in insulation, so that step is done...

The outside of the girts and posts was covered with a layer of bubble wrap insulation before the metal was installed. I have bookshelf style girts 2 foot on center, so my plan was to use rolled fiberglass insulation with the paper vapor barrier toward the inside of the building. But I have been reading several different things, and now I'm unsure if this is correct. Seems like the more I read the more confused I get...

Another question that has come up is the row is insulation the goes against the floor, is it ok for the fiberglass to lay right on top of the cement? Do I need some type of layer between the cement and the fiberglass??

Last question for now: How is the best way to finish the bottom edge of metal wall covering? Meaning so that it has a nice finished edge, but not like a J channel that will just collect dirt.

Any help would be great. Pictures would be even better.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

 

[Chris705]

Ryan - my $.02 below....I too am wiring my garage....can't wait to get to the insulation to keep it warm inside....!!

Sorry if this has been asked before, but searching did not turn up the answer I was looking for.

The construction on my pole barn finished awhile ago, and I'm starting to run the wiring, but I'm starting to think ahead to the next steps of insulating and covering the walls with metal.

I had the builders cover the ceiling with white metal, and blown in insulation, so that step is done...

The outside of the girts and posts was covered with a layer of bubble wrap insulation before the metal was installed. I have bookshelf style girts 2 foot on center, so my plan was to use rolled fiberglass insulation with the paper vapor barrier toward the inside of the building. But I have been reading several different things, and now I'm unsure if this is correct. Seems like the more I read the more confused I get...
You are thinking correctly. The confusion comes from differing thoughts on where will the moisture condense in your particular situation I think what you propose as fine. You will be predominately heating, the vapor will want to condense on the cold metal skin or even the bubble wrap you had already installed....Your scheme will prevent moisture from even reaching that surface due to the vapor barrier on the warm side. The rolls of fiberglass do allow for gaps and such so...you may want to think about a poly vapor barrier before you hang you finish wall material. That will surely prevent moisture laden air from reaching the cool metal.

Another question that has come up is the row is insulation the goes against the floor, is it ok for the fiberglass to lay right on top of the cement? Do I need some type of layer between the cement and the fiberglass??
Great question. Fiberglass will soak up moisture and that low slab edge might be cold? If you insulated your slab edge there should be no problem there. if you didn't the only thing I can think to do is for you to put a vertical strip of 1" insulation along the outside and even on top of the slab to prevent the fiberglass from absorbing any moisture coming from the slab. If you put a good vapor barrier under the slab then I think you can skip the insulation board.

Last question for now: How is the best way to finish the bottom edge of metal wall covering? Meaning so that it has a nice finished edge, but not like a J channel that will just collect dirt.
Lots of options...but as you explain it...I would put a vertical 6 or 8" pressure treated board down in front of your posts and girts and let the metal come down on top of that "base board" It will offer protection at this vulnerable lower edge where things get run into it and it gets beat up.

Any help would be great. Pictures would be even better.

I have no photos yet of my solution as I'm not there yet. Good Luck!

I

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

 

[65cayne]

...Seems like the more I read the more confused I get...

Me too. You're not alone. No shortage of differing opinions about pole barn insulation and venting.