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Insulation Question

uk.cats

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
23
Location
Western KY
My 30x40 pole barn has bubble wrap insulation on all walls and ceiling too. Thinking about adding more. What, if any, insulation can I add overtop of the bubble wrap on at least the ceiling?
 
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Deltarat

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2006
Messages
341
I have a 30x50 pole barn with the foil bubble wrap on walls and ceiling as well. I am interested in the responses. I have heat and air and can heat and cool it but, I want to be able to do it easier and cheaper.

I bought some 4x8 x 1" sheets of Styrofoam to put on the ceiling. I was wanting to screw it across the lathes holding the metal on, because it would require very little cutting. This would leave a 3 1/2" air space between the foam and the foil against the metal. My ceiling is is arched, so there are no ceiling joists.

The other option would be to cut the foam to fit between the 2' on center lathes up against the foam with no air space. This would require a considerable amount or cutting.

Any opinions on which would be better?
 
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uk.cats

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
23
Location
Western KY
I have a 30x50 pole barn with the foil bubble wrap on walls and ceiling as well. I am interested in the responses. I have heat and air and can heat and cool it but, I want to be able to do it easier and cheaper.

I bought some 4x8 x 1" sheets of Styrofoam to put on the ceiling. I was wanting to screw it across the lathes holding the metal on, because it would require very little cutting. This would leave a 3 1/2" air space between the foam and the foil against the metal. My ceiling is is arched, so there are no ceiling joists.

The other option would be to cut the foam to fit between the 2' on center lathes up against the foam with no air space. This would require a considerable amount or cutting.

Any opinions on which would be better?

I'm not sure which would be better, insulation is defintely not my area of expertise which is why I was hoping for some other posts here. Maybe we'll get some suggestions...
 

Valkyrie0002

New member
Joined
Feb 15, 2013
Messages
1
Location
Fredericksburg, Va
Just insulating the ceiling will only stop some of the heat loss/ heat gain. You loose as much energy per SF of surface area thru the walls as the ceiling . Heat goes to cold- its hot air that rises.

2" thick Dow foam board (R-10) fastened to the inside face of the frame would work very well but it should be covered by OSB or drywall, etc as it is flammable. Need to make sure the foam board is sealed at the seams and capped off at the top and bottom to seal off the wall cavity between the foam and exterior shell or it will not work.

Bubble wrap is not very effective as it has little R-value. As long as nothing touches the inside face of the existing bubble wrap it will reduce radiant heat in the summer. When anything is applied to a radiant barrier's inside surface it will then conduct heat straight thru to the material it touches.
 

Deltarat

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2006
Messages
341
I know the bubble wrap does not have a high R value and is not the best insulation but, it does make a big difference in my shop. On a 103* day, you can not touch the metal on the outside and the inside is only barely warm. I just want to add more.
 

nicracing

New member
Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
2
I just had an insulation complany come in and install 6" batts on all 4 walls for $1200.00. My shop is 40 x 60.
 
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samert111

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2010
Messages
185
Location
Rockford, Mi
I'm not familiar with the foil bubble wrap insulation but if it also acts as a vapor barrier then you do not want to put additional insulation like fiberglass batts over it on the inside (warm side) of the building as it will trap moisture between the outer foil and new insulation.
 
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uk.cats

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
23
Location
Western KY
I have a 30x50 pole barn with the foil bubble wrap on walls and ceiling as well. I am interested in the responses. I have heat and air and can heat and cool it but, I want to be able to do it easier and cheaper.

I bought some 4x8 x 1" sheets of Styrofoam to put on the ceiling. I was wanting to screw it across the lathes holding the metal on, because it would require very little cutting. This would leave a 3 1/2" air space between the foam and the foil against the metal. My ceiling is is arched, so there are no ceiling joists.

The other option would be to cut the foam to fit between the 2' on center lathes up against the foam with no air space. This would require a considerable amount or cutting.

Any opinions on which would be better?

What do you use to heat your 30x50 shop?
 
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