Techshield on walsl in Pole Barn

[kinglake]

Anyone use Techshield as wall sheating? I am planning on using OSB anyway, but want to know if getting techshield for the radiant barrier will be helpful. I would think I will need to face the foil "out" to keep the heat in instead of its normal use in attics. It's $3/sheet extra.

My polebarn has the bubble insulation but doesn't have any radiant barrier currently.

Any thoughts?

 

[BeezFun]

I'd talk to a company that sells this stuff, it's not so straightforward. To be effective it's supposed to be surrounded by at least 1/2-3/4" of air space. So sandwiching it between your sheathing and siding won't necessarily do anything. You also want to think about what direction you're trying to reflect the heat, and whether it changes with seasons. It also has to be permeable to moisture to prevent condensation. And it's tough to work with and tape edges.

 

[kinglake]

I read about the air space, and that will not be a problem.

I do have a question about taping the seams. When used in a roof, they don't tape seams. I don't think I would need to either would I? It isn't insulation, just a reflective surface.

 

[BeezFun]

I do have a question about taping the seams. When used in a roof, they don't tape seams. I don't think I would need to either would I? It isn't insulation, just a reflective surface.

If it's in the wall and acting as your housewrap, then you tape the seams to stop air infiltration. If you use the sheets with foil preapplied you can also caulk the seams but that's harder. If you're using some kind of housewrap, or interior plastic liner, then you wouldn't need to tape it. Be careful with moisture condensation, foil is not generally permeable, although they do make some kinds that are.

 

[kinglake]

Thanks Beez. Based on what you say, I think I will give it a try. The shop already has a vapor barrier installed so I should be able to get by without taping/caulking. The techshield that is available at my local orange box has perforations in the foil anyway so I don't think it would work as a vapor barrier anyway.

 

[BeezFun]

Glad to try to help, I really encourage you to talk with the place where you buy this product and explain your situation. Better yet call the manufacturer. I don't know what climate you're in, and that makes a difference which side you put the vapor barrier on and how it interacts with the foil. What you really need to be sure you don't do is allow moisture to migrate into the wall cavity and then have it trapped there so it condenses.