Pole Building Insulation Question

[PapaRiley]

Hello Everyone! I am new to this form so i apologize if I am asking a question that has been answered on here before but I tried searching and couldn't find the answer I was looking for. I am currently having a 36x24x15 pole building being built in Cle Elum, WA area. I have an 80,000 BTU heater I plan to put in and also plan to insulate. I have an idea for the walls but not sure on the ceiling. There is no roof overhang therefore no soffit vents to allow an attic with a ceiling and blown in insulation (which I know is the correct way to do it). Spray foam is out of the question too. I was planning on putting up fiberglass insulation between the roof purlins which will be 24" OC. I have read however that this is not ideal because it will cause condensation issues. Is there another way to do this or something to cause if from condensating?

Thanks,
Riley

 

[Captain Spaulding]

What kind of heat, and do you plan to heat it all the time or only when you are in there?

 

[PapaRiley]

Plan on putting a propane heater, something like a Mr. Heater 80k unit. I’m thinking when gone would keep it at 55 or something so it doesn’t get super cold in there.

 

[bullnerd]

80,000 sounds high? Did you calculate this or is it a guess?

I have no advice on heating a space without soffit and ridge vents, I don't know enough about the subject.

Good luck, heat is good!

 

[Radix2]

You don't have to use soffit vents to vent an attic.

If no soffits, then you can use gable vents. ( like the millions of homes before soffit vents got popular)

I would blow in cellulose in the ceiling since it is simpler, does a better job and is inexpensive.

 

[PapaRiley]

I just guessed on the 80,000. Figured better to go bigger than not big enough.

I always assumed attics had to have low point and a high point for air circulation, didn’t know gables and ridge vent would work.

Let’s assume I still decide not to go with a ceiling because I want the trusses for storage even though I know I would have to sacrifice insulation to do this. Have any suggestions on a good way to insulate?

 

[Captain Spaulding]

If you have exposed metal roofing on the inside, any warm air that contacts the metal will lead to condensation. If you have a ceiling below, that can cause rain onto the ceiling which isn't good. Same way with insulation bats. The answer is a vapor barrier someplace in the mix to completely isolate the air inside the shop from the roofing metal.

Figure up the cost of a (ceiling) + insulation + vapor barrier + (vents) and the effort to install it before dismissing spray foam since it would be a one step solution.

 

[dmulally]

I am insulating my pole shed at the moment. I unscrewed all the roof sheets (9 meters long) and slid builders/roofing paper above the joists and below the sheets. Was a slow process but now I have a barrier between the metal roof and the insulation.

 

[PapaRiley]

Thanks Captain Spaulding. That makes sense if I put up Vapor Barrier that would help. Your right too I should probably at least get a quote on spray foam before I say it is to expensive.

dmulally - that sounds like an interesting idea. Are you insulating between the roof purlins then too?

 

[Jake40]

If your gonna insulate between the roof joists make sure you stuff the cavity tight with insulation. You don’t need ventilation if the cavity is packed tight. If you use a faced insulation you don’t need to put up any plastic because the paper is a vapor barrier. This isn’t 1970 anymore plastic is bad.