I have an existing 24x36 pole barn I’d like to be able to throw some heat into during the Iowa winters. It’ll be electric heat (30,000 BTU). Won’t be heated all the time, just when I’m out messing around. There’s no ridge vent or soffit vents. I don’t want to put in a ceiling. Spray foam is out of my budget. Is fiberglass rolls not a good idea? I was thinking about running some 2x6 up the roof deck under the perlins and adding some unfaced R21. This will give me a 3.5” air gap between insulation and steel. Then follow up with some white 12mil plastic as a vapor barrier. I’d probably do something similar to the walls - frame in some 2x4s and insulate with R13. Anyone have experience with this? I don’t want to go through the trouble and money, and have the insulation get ruined after a few years. Thanks!
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Pole barn insulation…
- Thread starter Dakremer
- Start date
karoc
Well-known member
Have no experience at this, but I watch YouTube while back where I guy took ridged foam sheets installed them between his purlins. Which he also left 1” air gap between metal and foam boards. Maybe search on YouTube see find something that give you some ideas
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Infrared will be the ticket, IMO. Heat people and stuff instead of the air since you don't want a ceiling and 30k is well short of what you'll need for that space
earlybirds
Well-known member
I used 2 inch thick polyiso foam sheets screwed to the bottom of the perlins in my 30x40 pole barn. I put a double layer of 1-1/2 inch pink foam sheets on the walls(first layer between the girts, second layer over the girts) and 5/8 thick plywood on top.
BTW. I use a hanging 100,000 BTU Modine Hot Dawg forced air heater(separated combustion) to quickly bring the temp up to 65 or 70 degrees from the 40 degrees I maintain while not working in there. This works great for me. I wouldn't change a thing.
BTW. I use a hanging 100,000 BTU Modine Hot Dawg forced air heater(separated combustion) to quickly bring the temp up to 65 or 70 degrees from the 40 degrees I maintain while not working in there. This works great for me. I wouldn't change a thing.
billconner
Well-known member
I *think* your best buy is vinyl faced fiberglass and batten it to the purlins. No doubt some order lead time and planning install, but hard to imagine insulation and vapor barrier in one for lower material cost.
Based on your use and lack of venting, I would not concern myself with an air space. Trying for a better seal of vinyl will help more.
Based on your use and lack of venting, I would not concern myself with an air space. Trying for a better seal of vinyl will help more.