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R-19 insulation - 5.5 or 7" gap better?

estesbubba

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Joined
Jul 29, 2014
Messages
20
The girts for my pole barn are mounted on the outside of my posts. My posts are 5.5" thick so from the inside edge of the pole to the steel is 7". I'm going to insulate using R-19 and use furring strips on the inside of the building. If I put the furring over the posts there will be 7" between the steel and OSB. If I toenail the furring flush with the posts there will be 5.5" between steel and OSB. Is one way better than the other?
 
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Bib Overalls

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Dec 4, 2006
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3,318
Location
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Assuming you are going to finish the walls (to protect the insulation, if nothing else) I would stud the cavities out with 2"x6" material (actually, 1.5"x5.5") on 16" or 24" centers flush with the inside plain of the posts. Use a pressure treated 2"x6" for the bottom plate. If the 1.5" next to the outside metal bother you then fill it with 1.5" ridged foam.
 
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rieferman

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May 18, 2009
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2,586
Location
Collegeville PA (30 min west of Philly)
The pole barn company (considered a high end builder) that I used to sell for put 2x4 horizontal studs at 24" OC on the inside of the posts as you note you are planning to do. We used 24" wide R19 paper faced batts in the vertical direction in between these interior studs and the exterior studs - butted edge to edge tightly and stapled at the top. They were a nice tight fit and did not sag over time (evidenced by later remodels/repair work where we pulled down walls to find the insulation exactly where we left it).

The extra air space between the insulation and the exterior siding and interior wall covering provides a dead air space which further helps the insulation values of the wall structure.

Tip: Install the interior studs before you hang the insulation. It will take you a few sheets to get good at weaving the batts into place, but once you're used to it, it's nice to have the interior studs acting as another set of hands to hold the insulation.

Tip 2: If you know of locations where you plan to hang things on the walls (e.g. cabinets) place an extra horizontal stud there. Also, frame flush around openings (e.g. windows) so you don't have to hunt for the horizontal studs when installing trim later.
 

ezover

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Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
2,412
Location
3rd rock from the sun
heading outside to hang r19 in the barn today. only type i could find was 15" wide so i am installing studs every 15" on center. with PT 2x6 for floor plate. i decided not to use furring strips on the inside to cut the cost down. on hind site it would have been much easier hanging the OSB, no need to cut the osb sheets to end on a stud for nailing.

also i am not worried about hanging anything on the walls, i have industrial metal racking. anything i hang will be light weight enough for studs.
 
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