Insulation

[da20captain]

Long time lurker/admirer finally building my own pole barn. Have searched but have not found what I am looking for.

Plan is for 50Lx40W PB with 30x40 of it enclosed. Per building code for the area I will be using 8x8 post and 2x8 BOOKSHELF girts and purlins metal siding. Overkill if you ask me. It will be built in the Charleston, SC area.

My question is what sort of insulation should I use? For the cheaper route could I do R13 batts and lay them horizontally and staple deep in the 2x8 cavities? Should I do a Tyvek wrap if I do fiberglass? Is this double bubble wrap worth anything? I have considered foam yes but it may be out of the budget. What do the experts suggest. I want to do it right but I do not have an unlimited budget. Any and all advise will be appreciated.

 

[zippyslug31]

I'm far from an expert on the subject, but I have an internal shop inside my pole building. It was professionally insulated where they placed the batts inside the walls and followed this with some Tyvek-type stuff on the inside of the shop (so the batts are between the wrap and the exterior metal skin).

Only mentioning this since what I've noticed is that when I get the odd tear in the wrap material, I can definitely feel the outside air temp sneaking thru the odd rip! It's pretty profound and I would have never guessed that simply sealing out some air would have mattered much.

So, what I'd offer as a takeaway, is that the wrap plays an important role in the overall insulation of a space. Definitely put some on the inside, after you fill the wall cavity with insulation.
Addendum: and, yes, this stuff tears fairly easily, so you'll probably want to follow the wrap up with some sort of wall surface - either rock it, OSB, or whatever. I went OSB and it's great.

 

[PWC Repair]

Sounds like your looking to save money if you can. Check this out https://charleston.craigslist.org/mad/d/framingham-polyiso-rigid-foam-insulation/7161092342.html
Maybe buy a truckload, then sell off the rest when you're done? I did 3" on my shop....bought off craigslist.....and shoved it in even with the purlins on the ceiling. Left an air gap that has worked out great! It doesn't do much for sound deadening but I wasn't concerned with that. My shop heats easily and cost me less than r13 fiberglass without any itching. Pics in my build link below.

 

[nadogail]

Back in the '50 sawdust was often used as an economical insulation. Later cellulose fiber came into fashion, both are low cost depending on your location.

My father collected those Styrofoam peanuts from packing boxes and used them.

 

[Sawlog]

Pole barns are hard to make tight without spray foaming the whole thing.
Stopping the air does more then insulating. I have been working on a hybrid pole barn lately at work. Traditional footing with pole barn construction above grade. They took 1in foam board and cut it between all the book self 2x6s, then sprayfosmed all the wood to foam board joints. Then they are hanging fiberglass after. This will also keep the fiberglass from ever touching the metal which is a good idea. When that metals sweats the fiberglass will get wet and never dry out.

 

[da20captain]

Thanks fellas.
Can you even run batt/fiberglass insulation horizontally without sag?

Any experience with rock wool?