I have a 20x22x8 building with 2x4 stud walls 24" OC. It has 2x4 trusses spaced at 24". The building is covered with metal with double bubble sandwiched between the roof panels and trusses. There is no insulation on the walls and the ceiling is open. It has a 9x7 insulated garage door and an insulated 36" walk thru door. I am looking at double bubble for the walls and covering them with cabin grade T&G. I am thinking of adding a single zone mini split later. What would you recommend for the Central Arkansas climate.
Insulation Ideas
- Thread starter CPTpatt
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racecougar
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I wouldn't waste any money on "double bubble". Are you going to put in a ceiling? Does the building have soffit and ridge venting?
CombatNinja
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Are you talking about radiant reflective foil?
billconner
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I agree with racecougar. R11 fiberglass would do much more. I'd recommend a ceiling and insulation on top of it as first step.
The t&g walls are ideal for dense pack cellulose blown in. Just leave top board off and blow.
Could use t&g for ceiling also.
Both wall and ceiling Is put in a poly vapor barrier.
The t&g walls are ideal for dense pack cellulose blown in. Just leave top board off and blow.
Could use t&g for ceiling also.
Both wall and ceiling Is put in a poly vapor barrier.
acer66
Well-known member
I also agree with racecougar and R15 is no problem with simple fiberglass even I prefer rockwool.
The longer you think you will stay in there the more it make sense to spend money on insulation.
The longer you think you will stay in there the more it make sense to spend money on insulation.
CombatNinja
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Also, CPTpatt, what is your location? That is a pretty relevant question when beginning to devise an insulation strategy.
billconner
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in first post - central Arkansas.
My Old Tools
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Stuart in MN
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If you read up on it, despite what the manufacturers may claim that bubble insulation has a minimal R value. You're going to be better off with fiberglass or some other more traditional product.
What is your budget?
What is more important: Keeping cost down today or keeping cost down over time? (aka do you want to invest or have a quick solution?)
Can you do the work yourself or need to hire it out?
Do you know what zone your are in? I would guess the mini split means you need heat and cooling.
What is more important: Keeping cost down today or keeping cost down over time? (aka do you want to invest or have a quick solution?)
Can you do the work yourself or need to hire it out?
Do you know what zone your are in? I would guess the mini split means you need heat and cooling.
acer66
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Good questions and it looks like zone 7b could be it.
haveissues
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Agree with everyone else - the bubble insulation is a waste of time. I would put fiberglass bats in the wall and blow in the ceiling.
WisJim
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My building has steel siding and roofing and I went with full sheathing of walls and roof with blandex and housewrap for a stiffer building and a better insulation job with spray foam. I think it was worth the extra expense--but all my materials were at pre-Covid prices (got it all just as Covid began and before prices rose).
I'm in Central Arkansas as well with a 30x30x12. Double bubble on walls and ceiling, no other insulation although the walls are covered in OSB. You didn't mention if you want to heat/cool full time or only when using. I only heat/cool when I am using the shop. I heat with a wood stove without issue. Cooling is via a 36k mini-split. It takes much longer to cool down in the summer than to heat up in the winter.
I thought about adding insulation, but after I went around air sealing by taping all the seams in the double-bubble and spray foaming the occasional gaps around the edges, I noticed a tremendous improvement all around. So much so that I decided insulating wasn't work the effort/cost.
Again, big difference between occasional use or full-time conditioning.
I thought about adding insulation, but after I went around air sealing by taping all the seams in the double-bubble and spray foaming the occasional gaps around the edges, I noticed a tremendous improvement all around. So much so that I decided insulating wasn't work the effort/cost.
Again, big difference between occasional use or full-time conditioning.
acer66
Well-known member
Sealing the building envelope is the first and like you mentioned big step.
I like spray foaming the bottom 3" of wall cavity to seal up the sheathing and bottom plate.
Metal-Marc
Well-known member
I went with Rockwool for my garage.
I have double sided radiant foil (no Bubble) The bubble has no practical use and is a waste of money, the reflective barrier works well, where an air gap is maintained between the metal panels that see direct sunlight and the foil; it will reflect radiant heat from a heater back in as well. If you are trying to hold a comfortable temp with out the heat or AC running continuous you will need good insulation and vapor barrier. A wood stove is a good continuous source as long as it is in use.
Mike65
Well-known member
We had our 24' x 25' metal shop/garage completely done with 2" of spray foam, walls & ceiling.