Insulating my pole barn ceiling
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beenthere
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I drywalled and had insulation blown in.
Or rent the blower and blow it in after drywalling (depends on if you will have an opening to the 'attic' however).
I included a plastic visqueen vapor barrier because I have heat available.
Or rent the blower and blow it in after drywalling (depends on if you will have an opening to the 'attic' however).
I included a plastic visqueen vapor barrier because I have heat available.
PineRidge
Super Member
I drywalled, let a finisher do his thing, then I rented a blower from Home Depot and blew in the cellulose. I also used a vapor barrier since we heat the barn when there's a project underway.
Here is another alternative ceiling insulation
Here is another alternative ceiling insulation
Farwell
Veteran Member
I found that the cheapest thing to use is the blow in insulation.
I put in a moisture barrier (6 mil plastic sheeting) and covered that with 7/16 OSB. (this was back when OSB was much cheaper per sheet). I blew in 14 inches of insulation making sure that I did not cover the soffit vents.
I have not finished my walls yet. When I do, I think I will run OSB around the bottom 4 feet and finish the top with sheet rock unless the price of OSB gets back down where it is more affordable.
If I had more money at the time I did the insulating, I would have used R-39 fiberglass with facing for the ceiling and would have had the walls covered with the spray on foam.
Farwell
I put in a moisture barrier (6 mil plastic sheeting) and covered that with 7/16 OSB. (this was back when OSB was much cheaper per sheet). I blew in 14 inches of insulation making sure that I did not cover the soffit vents.
I have not finished my walls yet. When I do, I think I will run OSB around the bottom 4 feet and finish the top with sheet rock unless the price of OSB gets back down where it is more affordable.
If I had more money at the time I did the insulating, I would have used R-39 fiberglass with facing for the ceiling and would have had the walls covered with the spray on foam.
Farwell
OP
ericbx1500
Gold Member
My goal this summer is to insulate the ceiling only since this is where the majority of the heat loss is. I haven’t priced rolled versus blown in insulation. Is it that much cheaper? I am going to install some drop down stairs so I will have access if I go the blown in insulation route.
Sully2
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I’m looking to insulate my ceiling and was looking for some good ides. My thought right now is to just use faced insulation and then drywall. Anybody have any other ideas? My trusses are 16”oc. )</font>
Personally..??..Id use NINE INCH faced BATTS...installed from the bottom and then finish or left unfinished as you wished. 9 inches of batts is equiv to about 13 inches of blown in R factor wise.
Personally..??..Id use NINE INCH faced BATTS...installed from the bottom and then finish or left unfinished as you wished. 9 inches of batts is equiv to about 13 inches of blown in R factor wise.
Farwell
Veteran Member
I thought about installing the drop down stairs but I very seldom have a need to go up into the upper area of my barn so I have a 24"x48" opening in the center of the ceiling. I spent the money that the drop down would have cost on a 10 foot fiberglass step ladder. I have one of the drop down doors in another of my buildings. It is okay but I do not feel that it is very sturdy and I can do a lot more in my pole barn with the step ladder and the 24"x48" inch opening. I also have a 2 foot wide walk way down the middle of the attic made out of 3/4 inch OSB. This sure makes it easy to get around up there.
I do not remember what the price difference was and I did not do a lot of shopping around because I was working on a very tight time deadline but at the time is seemed like blown in was cheaper. The price can vary a lot between suppliers and it goes on sale once in a while as well. if you are not going to do the insulating until Spring you have the time to shop so I would do some serious price checking on the different insulation options and if the price is not that much different, I would go with the fiberglass because it is "sooooo" much neater, can be installed from below and has a built in moisture barrier. Putting up the 6 mil sheeting was not really that easy. Another thing I did not figure into the cost difference was the cost of the sheeting and I had to pay to rent the blower because my supplier's blower was broken.
Either way, make sure you and your helpers wear a face mask.
Farwell
I do not remember what the price difference was and I did not do a lot of shopping around because I was working on a very tight time deadline but at the time is seemed like blown in was cheaper. The price can vary a lot between suppliers and it goes on sale once in a while as well. if you are not going to do the insulating until Spring you have the time to shop so I would do some serious price checking on the different insulation options and if the price is not that much different, I would go with the fiberglass because it is "sooooo" much neater, can be installed from below and has a built in moisture barrier. Putting up the 6 mil sheeting was not really that easy. Another thing I did not figure into the cost difference was the cost of the sheeting and I had to pay to rent the blower because my supplier's blower was broken.
Either way, make sure you and your helpers wear a face mask.
Farwell
OP
ericbx1500
Gold Member
Farwell I just might put an access door up there instead. I only have an 8’ ceiling and I am not able to walk up there. I just store light stuff up there (florescence bulbs, pvc pipe) that’s about it.
kayssupply
Platinum Member
I used foil board insulation screwed to the trusses. I taped the joints with foil tape. I put the fiberglass insulation above. It is a great insulation and it reflects light great. I didn't have to deal with the finish and paint. If you want pretty go the other routes. In my " pretty " shop I used metal roofing as a finished ceiling. Not cheap, but tough.
GEB
Gold Member
I used the same metal thats on the outside for my celling
It comes painted /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif then blew the insulation in on top.
I had thought about droping it down to 10ft, glad I didnt
the new lift will make being me a little easier /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Gene
It comes painted /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif then blew the insulation in on top.
I had thought about droping it down to 10ft, glad I didnt
the new lift will make being me a little easier /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Gene
