Barn roof insulation

Barnbuilder · Jan 19, 2018

Need some of your thoughts. I built a barn for a customer almost 14 years ago and used that bubble wrap insulation under roof. Well its deteriorating and she is tired of looking at it.

I have a product that is better but my concern is stapling it to the bottom of the 2"x4" stripping. Won't we have an issue with condensation collecting at the stripping and rotting it? She's not interested in removing the metal and installing the insulation then putting the metal back down. Which, to me, is the proper way to do it. Aesthetically I don't think there is a lot of choices. She doesn't want spray foam and she doesn't want to cover it with a ceiling.

Thoughts

Peter 315 · Jan 19, 2018

Removing the metal and installing the insulation then putting the metal back down. Which, to me, is the proper way to do it , Thats the only it will look right, Very nice looking barn

Deere Dude · Jan 19, 2018

I wouldn't be interested in removing mine either or spending any money on it but sometimes removing and replacing is the only way to do it right.

Are the panels screwed down or nailed? I would agree that condensate would collect between the two pieces of insulation. The insulation we have now seems tougher than what that stuff looks like from here in my living room and should hold up a lot better.

It is a nice looking barn by the way. I would live in it except for the crappy insulation.

Barnbuilder · Jan 19, 2018

Thanks guys. Metal is screwed. It has a full apt over the tackroom where the caretaker lives. This is what I use now. Not a good picture but its foil one side white on the other. The white has string in it like shipping tape. Insulation is fiberglass, about 3/8" thick.

BleedingOrange · Jan 19, 2018

What is the purpose of the existing insulation ? What R value is in your new insulation ?
Is there any way you could cover it with styrofoam sheets, 1 or 2 inches thick, even if you had to cut them to fit ?

Barnbuilder said:
Thanks guys. Metal is screwed. It has a full apt over the tackroom where the caretaker lives. This is what I use now. Not a good picture but its foil one side white on the other. The white has string in it like shipping tape. Insulation is fiberglass, about 3/8" thick.

View attachment 536460

Billrog · Jan 19, 2018

You'd get more R value out of it by stapling it under the perlins where it wouldn't be compressed ( also giving you an air space in between) and there's no reason for condensation.

Einthewoods · Jan 19, 2018

Billrog said:
You'd get more R value out of it by stapling it under the perlins where it wouldn't be compressed ( also giving you an air space in between) and there's no reason for condensation.

Agree. I have always thought the idea was to keep the warm air in the barn off of the metal to prevent condensation. Putting it under the purlins with the air space would do that.

Joe Malovich · Jan 19, 2018

anything under 1" for insulation is in my opinion, useless. A good option is to add soffit and ridge venting if needed then install insulated sheathing to the underside between the rafters and paint it.

Barnbuilder · Jan 20, 2018

She's not going to go for isocyanate nailed underneath. She doesn't want metal on the ceiling or t&g pine. Even if you staple the insulation under the stripping or bottom of the rafters the condensation is going to pool.

Peter 315 · Jan 20, 2018

I guess take the roof off insulate roof back on with ss screws

goeduck · Jan 20, 2018

I am not a roofer by any means but I do not see how it could be done properly from below. It would seem it would be faster from the top a few joists worth at a time and move across the structure so that the entire roof is not down at once. If that is her concern.

Tompet · Jan 20, 2018

Barnbuilder said:
She's not going to go for isocyanate nailed underneath. She doesn't want metal on the ceiling or t&g pine. Even if you staple the insulation under the stripping or bottom of the rafters the condensation is going to pool.

Impressive "barn"! t&g would look really nice....what is it she is trying to accomplish? Just aesthetics on some level...

rgr33 · Jan 20, 2018

I like the idea of spray foam insulation, without removing existing metal roof, it seems the simplest way to go.
What is her objection there?

John Fitzgerald · Jan 20, 2018

Is she blaming you after 14 years? What kind of warranty do folks expect? Whatever you do is going to be a mess, taking the roof off and old insulation off, or cutting new blue board to fit between the joists. Could the old, drooping sheeting be glued back into place with spray adhesive? Maybe staple screening over the joists to hold it up and camouflage it?

I agree the best way would be to take the roofing off a couple of pieces at a time and put new insulation under. New screws would be in order, with a tiny squirt of high premium caulk in each hole. Even the screw gauge might need to be a size larger to use in existing holes. I have taken screws out and then put them back, only to not hold. It would take longer than roofing a new barn.

EddieWalker · Jan 20, 2018

If removing the metal is not an option, I would tape up the torn insulation. Foil tape seems to work the best for me, but I would research what the best tape would be for the damaged material. Then I would cut pieces of rigid foam and fit them between the purlins. I would remind the client that you will only do the job if you can do it the best way possible.

Doofy · Jan 20, 2018

Sounds like a NO WIN situation to me.

Barnbuilder · Jan 20, 2018

Easy guys! She is an awesome customer. She just wants it fixed. She wants it to look good. I'll probably have to meet with her husband and see if I can talk him into removing couple sheets at a time and replacing insulation.

What's up there is falling apart. As soon as I touch it it's going to hit the ground. Where it has fallen the condensation is dripping and it's driving her nuts.

She knows it's not my fault. I've done a lot of work for her over 14 years and intend to keep that work relationship going. Just wanted to see if any of you had any other ideas.

Only bad thing is I fell getting in my Bobcat and tore the ligaments in my thumb. Wil require surgery and I'll be out of commission for couple months.

goeduck · Jan 20, 2018

I can imagine the condensate bothering her plus it looks like it is hitting the wall in that one spot and marking that nice woodwork. They seem to have the bucks, so you just have to talk them into doing it right.

John Fitzgerald · Jan 20, 2018

That's a steep roof! You would need a climbing harness and ropes to be safe. I wouldn't even try to get on it without ropes. Would the cupola have to come off too, or was that built before roofing? How did you roof it the first time?