Insulation for new workshop: Low-E reflective barrier foil

[hellspcangel911]

Hi Y'all,
In the final stages of ordering my steel 40x60 work shop. I need to figure out insulation, I was originally going to go with the fiberglass encased in plastic that you drape over the beams and purlins to be sandwiched by exterior paneling. This was being offered by all steel building companies, but this one.

These guys are pushing this product: http://low-e.com/lowe.html

Low-E insulation is foam not bubble and has a fire rating as opposed to the bubble. Anyone have any experience with it? Id be getting it in a R-13, its 3/16" thick and it looks pretty on the inside of the building.

Thanks

 

[dfiler2]

They usually make a lot of "reflective" claims, in reality it is less than an R-.5, that's "point five".

 

[Kaizen]

No way would I use that. For the money you are losing. Also hate the plastic bag insulation. Check out r&r buildings on you tube. Theirs looks like a stick built wall after install.


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[Stuart in MN]

That stuff can be useful as a radiant barrier, if you live in a hot area with a lot of sun. Otherwise, as said above the actual R value is very low.

 

[hellspcangel911]

wow $4k and I effectively get R.5.... thanks everyone for the insight, seemed too good to be true for my application. Ive seen the R&R buildings vids with Kyle - love his attention to detail, but havent seen anything I could use in a steel barn?
What product would you suggest vs the plastic bag insulation?

thanks!

 

[Kaizen]

wow $4k and I effectively get R.5.... thanks everyone for the insight, seemed too good to be true for my application. Ive seen the R&R buildings vids with Kyle - love his attention to detail, but havent seen anything I could use in a steel barn?
What product would you suggest vs the plastic bag insulation?

thanks!

For that price you could do a lot. No wall covering planned? Maybe sheet insulation? Never did a metal structure. Price an inch or two of spray foam.

I’d be looking very closely at all other items if that’s what they were going to charge for that. Wonder if it was going to be a building wrap under the steel sheeting?


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[Stuart in MN]

You should mention what state or country you live in - insulation requirements and methods vary quite a bit.

Also, define what you mean by a steel barn...is it like a pole barn except with steel structure?

 

[hellspcangel911]

I’m in Connecticut, I’ll do spray do am in the section that will be used as an office and the bathroom, but whatnim getting priced out is about $8500-12000 for spray foam with vapor guard . I don’t need that much insulation for the storage section.
I’m doing an Outback tube steel structure so everything is steel. I’m planning on doing a mini split for the office and radiant heat in the slab for the rest to be powered by a wood burning boiler similar to a Garn.

 

[ard]

Radiant barrier *IS* fantastic. But it isnt a replacement for standard insulation.

I dont like radiant with bubbles, etc. Adds cost, and virtually no real performance.

You need to insulate for conductive heat loss/gain...AND you should try and deploy radiant to keep heat out (or in, depending on where you live and the building design.)

12k to insulate an office and bathroom?!

 

[Bretny]

When i was looking you could get 1/2in or 1in foam board for about the same price. The R value was a hell of alot more the bubble foil.

 

[hellspcangel911]

$12k to spray foam the entire shell of the structure.

Ard- What would you do as a radiant barrier + insulation package?

Bretny- Foam board is an option but isnt it a real pain to install?

 

[DC73]

These guys are pushing this product: http://low-e.com/lowe.html

Waste of money. Put in a proper amount of insulation and do a good job air sealing. Any residual gain from a radiant barrier after that will not be cost effective.

DC

 

[hellspcangel911]

what type of insulation are you suggesting?

 

[DC73]

what type of insulation are you suggesting?

I'm not familiar enough with metal buildings to know what works best, especially in your climate. I'm a big fan of mineral wool insulation (Roxul is one brand) but not sure they offer a product that is easy to install in metal buildings. Maybe you can find some other folks who have a similar building to you and have already insulated it to find out what works and what doesn't work for your building in your climate.

DC

 

[rayra]

The only place I'd use radiant barrier is where it is meant to be installed, on the inner face of roof rafters under the roof deck. I'd call it next to useless in vertical walls.

 

[hellspcangel911]

thanks guys, it looks like ill be going with poly encapsulated fiberglass R13 and add spray foam in the office/bath areas.