Vapor barrier and heating

[KSMTNE]

Hey all, fairly new to the site but love digging through all these posts. I live in Iowa and built a 35x35/12 ft pole barn. I am now framing and insulating the interior. In the walls I’m using R19 w Kraft paper with OSB sheeting . My question is re the ceiling. I have framed it flat at 12 ft and am preparing to put in corrugated metal as the ceiling and 10-12” of blow in insulation above. Do I need a vapor barrier on the ceiling before installing the corrugated metal?

Second I have already built a small office space so 144SF of my 1200SF is already handled. Now I want to heat the remainder. I have a 100amp panel run from the house. Struggling with the decision of propane (requires new tank placement) Vs electric. Need to heat to 60-65F 5 days per week. Nights and weekends it can drop to 45-50F. Not concerned about cooling, as it is down in a low valley where it never gets unbearably hot.

Thanks much for the help.
RWV

 

[KSMTNE]

A few pics...

 

[Kobuck]

I sure would use a vapor barrier. On mine I used Dura-scrim. It is tough stuff!

 

[KSMTNE]

Thx Kobuck. Appreciate it.

 

[kelpaso1]

Hey all, fairly new to the site but love digging through all these posts. I live in Iowa and built a 35x35/12 ft pole barn. I am now framing and insulating the interior. In the walls I’m using R19 w Kraft paper with OSB sheeting . My question is re the ceiling. I have framed it flat at 12 ft and am preparing to put in corrugated metal as the ceiling and 10-12” of blow in insulation above. Do I need a vapor barrier on the ceiling before installing the corrugated metal?

Second I have already built a small office space so 144SF of my 1200SF is already handled. Now I want to heat the remainder. I have a 100amp panel run from the house. Struggling with the decision of propane (requires new tank placement) Vs electric. Need to heat to 60-65F 5 days per week. Nights and weekends it can drop to 45-50F. Not concerned about cooling, as it is down in a low valley where it never gets unbearably hot.

Thanks much for the help.
RWV

From my understanding, the paper IS the vapor barrier, so no, nothing else needed. Of course the paper goes to WARM side of the room.

 

[zanexx]

From my understanding, the paper IS the vapor barrier, so no, nothing else needed. Of course the paper goes to WARM side of the room.

he is blowing in the attic so there wont be paper (Kraft) backing up there. It definitely wouldn't hurt to have an extra layer of protection from the attic. The most amazing product I've come across in 20 years of insulating tho is Radiant Barrier. Works like nobodys business when applied to the underside of a metal roof. I have a black metal roof, and on a sunny summer day that 1/4" of material doesn't even get that hot, you can lay your hand on it as long as you can hold it there. The part of my shop without it, will scald your hand in a matter of seconds. You can get it in single bubble or double bubble, buy it off the internet cheap or thru your local metal distributor. If you want an extra layer of protection Im telling u its the way to go. BTW, dont try to buy it at big box store unless you just love taking a big one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The point of a vapor barrier is to prevent moisture from getting into your insulation. This why "house wrap" is so important on metal sided buildings or between any sheet metal and insulation.

Humans tend to give off a lot of moisture. Plus we use various appliances that increase the moisture inside a home. Less in a heated but not lived in space.

 

[KSMTNE]

he is blowing in the attic so there wont be paper (Kraft) backing up there. It definitely wouldn't hurt to have an extra layer of protection from the attic. The most amazing product I've come across in 20 years of insulating tho is Radiant Barrier. Works like nobodys business when applied to the underside of a metal roof. I have a black metal roof, and on a sunny summer day that 1/4" of material doesn't even get that hot, you can lay your hand on it as long as you can hold it there. The part of my shop without it, will scald your hand in a matter of seconds. You can get it in single bubble or double bubble, buy it off the internet cheap or thru your local metal distributor. If you want an extra layer of protection Im telling u its the way to go. BTW, dont try to buy it at big box store unless you just love taking a big one.

Thx Zanex. Will use the radiant barrier for sure in the attic space over the office that I am leaving accessible for storage.