Sealing drafts in shop

[kng]

I just finished a 22x26 detached shop. It is stick built, and currently uninsulated with no ceiling.

I have a Model 80 Buck stove installed. Saturday the temperature was about 45 and very windy. With the stove going it only got to about 57, which I thought would be much higher.

I have gable vents in both ends and soffit vents along the entire 26 foot lengths.

There was also quite a bit of draft coming from above the garage door itself. I adjusted the door the best that I could, and screwed up pipe insulation to stop the draft the best I could.

I also put up plywood over the gable vents.

My question is can or should I put up something over the soffit vents (fiberglass or foam insulation)?

The shop is just very drafty and I know this will help, but I don't want a mold/ventilation problem. I plan to remove all of this in the spring.

thanks!
-Kyle

 

[DoSumpthin]

I think it is important to have cold airflow under the roof. Perhaps put up a ceiling to hold the heat down, then let the attic be a cold space? Even if you didn't insulate it, just a barrier of some kind. I had a plastic sheet stapled to the ceiling joists for the longest time. Later added fiberglass above it.

 

[kng]

I agree a ceiling is ideal, but does anyone see any issues sealing up the vents in the winter?

thanks,
-Kyle

 

[jannan]

I don't see any problem sealing up most of the vents. Your Buck stove (wood burning, I assume) produces a very dry heat. Don't think you would have to worry about mold at least not till spring.JMO

 

[e-tek]

+1. You could seal up every vent and draft and still have ZERO mold issues - due to the large amount of air movement that will still occur through walls, OH doors, etc.

 

[mygarageone]

All you are doing is heating the great outdoors with out insulation and you can close every vent and still not heat the building , Insulate it.

 

[DoSumpthin]

You can have problems if you heat an un-insulated roof w/snow on it. This is why I suggested a ceiling with the attic as a cold space.

 

[Carguy99]

I worked for years in an unheated garage just like that. best thing i did was to cover the ceiling with plastic. I just stapled it up.

 

[mygarageone]

I worked for years in an unheated garage just like that. best thing i did was to cover the ceiling with plastic. I just stapled it up.

Sure it helps but mostly a lot of heat escaped into the great outdoors.
The heat retention rate had to be close to 0

 

[DoSumpthin]

I agree that heat loss will be significant without proper insulation but even a $20 stapled plastic sheet ceiling is better than nothing. It will help keep warm air from floating away as easily. Cold air from the vents can live upstairs instead of whipping around and making drafts in the work environment. Insulation can be added when possible.

Even tents and canvas carports can be heated. Sure, it's not efficient but enclosed areas should heat better than wide open?

 

[mygarageone]

I agree that heat loss will be significant without proper insulation but even a $20 stapled plastic sheet ceiling is better than nothing. It will help keep warm air from floating away as easily. Cold air from the vents can live upstairs instead of whipping around and making drafts in the work environment. Insulation can be added when possible.

Even tents and canvas carports can be heated. Sure, it's not efficient but enclosed areas should heat better than wide open?

True.