Wall Insulation in Texas

[Wingrider72]

Sorry, not sure why message didn't post. Have a 50x60 Mueller building that the roof is currently insulated, but not exterior walls. Just wondering what others would suggest for wall insulation. Will be sheathing most of the interior atleast halfway up and building out several areas inside for bathroom, storage, shop, etc. I know spray foam is probably best option, but just wondering if I should bother insulating ALL of the exterior walls or just the areas I'll be framing/covering. BTW, I'm in Southeast TX close to the coast. Any input is appreciated.

 

[dcg9381]

Most of your heat gain/loss is at the roof. What kind of insulation do you have up there?
Is the building vented (ridge, etc)?

What you choose to insulate depends on what/how you're cooling it. In Texas, you know this whole thing is going to turn into an oven unless you move air through it. So if you insulate just the "living" areas, you're basically trying to put a cooler into an oven.. Which will work, just not ideal. I have buddies with 1/3 of their buildings HVAC'd, but usually the whole building is insulated.

If you're sheeting the walls, you can install bat - that will probably be cheapest, but you need it to go all the way up.

Depends on if you want to cool the whole 3000 sqft or not. That's a lot of space... I'm cooling one that's 2400 sqft, but not used full time.


What's the use for the building?

 

[Wingrider72]

Thanks, ceiling is rolled batting installed inbetween framing and skin when building was built. Has 3 of the spring loaded ridge vents. Not planning on conditioning the entire structure, just a full bath and adjacent room used for car /motorcycle storage with a Minisplit. May end up framing a small woodshop at the other end later and adding a separate, smaller system for it. Plan on framing and insulating these areas with faced, roll fiberglass insulation.

 

[dcg9381]

To me, in the summer, any uninsulated shop space is marginally usable in my old age - unless you're flowing air through it.
As you're framing - the traditional options are rolled insulation (easy) or blown in cellulose.
Foam is better (IMHO) but much more expensive and not really available in DIY options versus the cost of a contractor in Texas.

For me, it was so much easier to be once and done with foam. But I didn't frame in the whole thing...

I would have no hesitation building out "living space" and insulating that well (only) with HVAC. There are a few hangers out my way that have this setup.

 

[Wingrider72]

Re: Wall Insulation/Sheathing Interior Walls in Texas

Sorry guys, all the crazy this year has slowed down progress on my interior buildout, but wanted to post an update and get some input on something. Framing is complete on a small, 2 story buildout inside my 50 x 60 metal building. Plumbing and electrical are 90% complete, small mini split has been installed. Getting ready to sheath the 2 walls that face the inside of the shop area and insulate. What I'm wondering is.. what would be the best way to do this. My goal is to end up with siding on the "outside" of these two walls so it has the facade of a small house inside the building. My question is, since the inside of the building is not conditioned (but the "apartment" is) should I hang a layer of OSB/plywood, wrap with vapor barrier (or similar), then install siding?. Just a vapor barrier and siding.....or just Siding? The building itself is insulated, but I have 2 large roll up doors that are open quite a bit and am in South Texas where the humidity can get ridiculous.

I will take some updated pics and try to post in the next few days.

Any input is greatly appreciated.