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Ventilation suggestions Please!

86Garage

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Joined
Aug 8, 2026
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4
I just put up my first metal building and already wishing I had done things a little different, but here I am. I would like some ventilation suggestions please. Shop is 30x45x12 foot side walls. Metal tube frame building with bubble insulation heat barrier laying directly against the metal with no air gap. I wasn’t aware that’s how this contractor was doing it, but now that’s what I have.

The building is warm already. No soffit vents or ridge vent. That’s something else I wish I would have done. Planning on installing a ceiling at the truss height inside that’s about 14ft high.

I was thinking of putting a motorized exhaust fan with louvers at one gable end and intake vents at the opposite end? They would be above the interior ceiling that’s about 14 ft. Is this the correct way considering what I currently have? At what height should the intake vents be? I am trying to avoid putting anything in the roof directly as I am afraid it will leak into the ceiling/attic area and if it does by the time I figure it out too much damage will already be done. Any suggestions appreciated! Oh, location is central Tennessee. So warm humid climate.
 
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86Garage

New member
Joined
Aug 8, 2026
Messages
4
Just put up my 1st metal building. Already wish I had done some things differently, but here I am. Located in middle Tennessee. 30x45x12. Bubble insulation that the installer put the metal directly of the bubble wrap with no air gap.😡 It is already warm inside. I plan on putting a ceiling in it at the truss height which is about 14 ft. It’s a tube frame building with 4ft on center posts. No ridge vent or soffit vent, that’s my fault. Is my best option now a motorized lover fan on the gable end with air intake vents on the opposite gable end? How’s that effect the ceiling and blow in insulation I was planning on doing? Any suggestions appreciated!
 
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jack stand

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Feb 29, 2012
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3,392
Location
Lakes Region Maine
The additional fans that you mention can probably be added later without holding up most inside finishes.
It's ******** hot out and summer time, there's a point where you're hopeless fighting it. You might have a little different judgment with a less extreme temperature week.
But ventilation is the right track up until the air your pushing through is at blast furnace temps.
Have you ever ridden a motorcycle at 100*+/-? No matter how fast you go, it only gets worse .
 

bluedog225

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Jan 31, 2012
Messages
3,357
Location
Texas
If the bubble insulation is aluminum coated, it only needs an air gap on one side or the other. About 3/4”. Emissivity versus reflectivity. If you insulate, it would be good to incorporate a gap.

The fans will work. Though the ridge and soffit vents will be automatic passive airflow. And quieter.
 
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86Garage

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Aug 8, 2026
Messages
4
I was told if the bubble insulation is installed tight against the outside sheet metal you don’t want an air gap to the insulation or you have A pocket between the bubble wrap and the insulation that could accumulate moisture And mold could start?
 
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