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Insulating my pole barn

784mula

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Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
3
I am putting styrofoam insulation 1.5" on the walls & 2" for the ceiling. Later I will put a second 1.5 on the walls. I can always add to the ceiling with rolled insullation. Not planning on putting anything else for the ceiling as far as OSB goes. May do the walls with OSB last. I am going with the 75000 btu Mr Heater Maxx. Southern Michigan area 26x36x10. Any thoughts & comments will be welcomed.
 
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Steve in Mi

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Joined
Mar 13, 2007
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1,042
Location
Mid Michigan
I am putting styrofoam insulation 1.5" on the walls & 2" for the ceiling. Later I will put a second 1.5 on the walls. I can always add to the ceiling with rolled insullation. Not planning on putting anything else for the ceiling as far as OSB goes. May do the walls with OSB last. I am going with the 75000 btu Mr Heater Maxx. Southern Michigan area 26x36x10. Any thoughts & comments will be welcomed.

STYROFOAM™ is a trademark of the Dow Chemical Co. so I'm assuming you are talking about a Dow product. If so the R value is ~ 5.5 to 6 per inch. Also if this is a commercial building (i.e., the public will enter - a business) or an inhabited space (living quarters) the STYROFOAM™ will need to be covered with an approved flame retarding material. 1/2" drywall or sheetmetal are two of the approved materials. Even if it is not a business and depending on how you will use the space I hope you are awear of the potential fire hazzard with exposed STYROFOAM™ and further that there will be no surprises to you or your insurance carrier. Probably not the comments you wanted.

If the pole barn is not yet built you might consider putting some Dow foam under the floor. The calculator here; http://www.heatershop.com/btu_calculator.htm
indicates that with good insulation an outside temperature of zero F and an inside air temperature of 60 F it will take a little more than 65,000 btu. (~ 9 in the sidewalls is not what I would call good, I think average is 11 to 13). Most of the time you won't need a temperature rise of 60 F because Michigan has lots of 20 degree days but it also does get colder (below zero) for periods. Also I can not attest to the accuracy of the calculator in the link but they do sell heaters and it might be safe to assume this is the tool they use to size them. I'm only a messenger that's telling it as I see it.
 
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784mula

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Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
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What about roll insulation with the paper backing for the walls & OSB over it? OSB for the ceiling & roll insulation between the trusses.

With a Mr. Heater 75,000btu (Propane with horizontal venting) do I need to be concerned about carbon monioxide if I sleep in there?
 
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