Pole barn ventilation

[capitandiablo76]

Just had a 40x60x16 pole barn put up. I went with double bubble radiant barrier on the roof and sides. The builder rolled the double bubble from one side of the roof all the way over to the other side. He then cut just a slit in it right down the middle before installing the vented ridge cap. I questioned him about it and he stated that the slit would provide plenty of ventilation for the air to escape out of the ridge cap. My mind tells me that isn’t enough for air to escape. Should I have him go back and cut a 6” strip or so out down the middle?

 

[jkuro]

You also need some soffit vents to go with that ridge vent. Once the barn is sealed the ridge vent becomes useless unless a soffit or gable vent is installed. Works like a chimney cool air in the lower vent hot air out the top.

 

[capitandiablo76]

I have vented soffits down both sides

 

[bluedog225]

100% this. Just like a chimney. And as you probably know, the foil needs 3/4” min on one side or the other (doesn’t matter which). Low emissivity or high reflectivity. 97% efficient. If it is in contact with something on both sides, just a waste of material.

Nice barn.

 

[capitandiablo76]

100% this. Just like a chimney. And as you probably know, the foil needs 3/4” min on one side or the other (doesn’t matter which). Low emissivity or high reflectivity. 97% efficient. If it is in contact with something on both sides, just a waste of material.

Nice barn.

I assume you are saying that I should have him go back and cut an actual slot vs just the slit he has?

 

[bluedog225]

Yes. The ventalation is determined by the area of the openings. Bottom and top. A slit is not an opening. You want the free flow of air. Esp at low pressure. As the air heats, it will rise out the top.

The space on one side of the radiant barrier is a separate issue. I only bring it up because a lot of builders don’t understand this.

 

[capitandiablo76]

Thank you for confirming my thoughts. I won’t have anything on the bottom side of the radiant barrier. I will be doing metal ceiling with blow in insulation.