lining shop walls w/metal

[40cpe]

I've ordered metal to cover the interior of my new shop to protect the insulation from damage. As the picture below shows the girts that the exterior panels screw to are 2x4 attached with the wide side to the shop structure. I'm planning to attach the interior panels directly to the inside of the same 2x4s instead of framing out with stud walls. I realize this will leave the 4x4 support posts exposed, but my main objective is to protect the bubble/foil insulation from damage. The interior panels will sit on the 2x4 treated base plate. My question and concern is about proper drainage and airflow behind the panels. Should I let the interior panels sit directly on the base plate or space it up slightly, say 1/4"?

I don't expect a lot of moisture to get behind the panels except maybe when I power wash the floor or wash a car in one end of the shop. I'm just looking for something I might not have thought of.

 

[JC23]

No pic...

 

[Kevin54]

All white walls JC!!!!

 

[40cpe]

No pic...

well. the pics were on there on the preview

 

[JimVonBaden]

Is the metal flat or does it have ridges?

Jim

 

[40cpe]

It has the 3/4" reinforcement ridges like the roof and exterior panels. I asked a couple of places about just buying the un-formed flat sheets but they didn't seem responsive to that.

 

[jdub63]

I think the crown of the R panel will allow any moisture to escape, unless you "seal" it to the plate. That 4' span between post is going to require alot of cutting each panel only covers 30" or so.

 

[40cpe]

I think the crown of the R panel will allow any moisture to escape, unless you "seal" it to the plate. That 4' span between post is going to require alot of cutting each panel only covers 30" or so.

The bottom board on the wall is a 2x6 and is flush with the slab. It is also butted against the 2x4 treated base plate but it is not sealed so moisture can run out there, too.

I'm leaning toward a small gap at the bottom to help with circulation up the ribs.

There will be some cutting of the panels to fit but some of the runs are 12' unobstructed.

 

[ChevyIINova]

My shop is 40x50 and steel framed. The wall supports are five foot apart. I placed the sheets right to left instead of up and down. The company I bought the metal from (Wheeler Metals) cut every piece to the exact length I asked for so I did zero cutting. It just took me 1,000 screws to install it all but it was very cost effective. I used the 29ga metal and with my walls being 8 foot tall I was able to double the bottom foot with the cut off section to get the wall height correct.