Steel panel ceiling - vapor barrier?

[Ck1]

I searched. Conflicting info.

In Michigan with a stick built barn occasionally heated, should I install a vapor barrier prior to installing the liner steel on the ceiling? I intend to blow in cellulose.

 

[geologist]

Most of the barns I've seen have a vapor barrier. It's not *that* much more time or money to put it in, and it *could* save you some heart ache in the end.

 

[jvitez]

Michigan gets cold. Check your degree-days of heating. I'd bet you're in the right climate to need a vapour barrier. It's code everywhere in Canada. 6-mil vapour barrier grade polyethylene, acoustical sealant, and red sheathing tape. Not much money, a bit of time, and you're done, and done properly for the life of the building.

Do it once, do it right!

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Agreed. Just do it. It cannot hurt. Besides unless you are caulking or seal taping each joint in your metal ceiling, it ain't air tight.

 

[PCO6]

I installed a vapour barrier on my walls and ceiling ... no regrets.

 

[ksj9393]

You should install a vapor barrier on the warm side of any insulation in climate zone 5 or 6. Failure to do so means water vapor from garage will travel into insulation, towards cold attic air, until the dewpoint is reached, where condensation will then occur. Things warm up, the frozen condensate melts, and you have a recipe for mold formation.

The only exception would be in the case of a "hot", or non-vented attic space.

 

[Ck1]

Ok, thanks for the advise.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Vapor barriers protect insulation from vapor. If you are generating moisture it would be a good idea. I you think you need a vapor barrier you might consider a couple inches of closed cell foam with cellulose on top...our standard practice on pole barns.