Metal Pole Barn Ceiling Insulation, After It's Built

[flingwing1969]

First thing I would do is get some free flow ventilation going. You need to somehow get the eaves and roof ridge ventilated to create a airflow. Maybe install a exhaust/ventilation fan on the top gable ends. As already said ...what are the trusses centered on ( 2',4',8' ) as that will tell you what you can hang from the bottom chord.

They are 8' oc so not a lot of weight on the underside. Part of the building (about a third) will have a mezzanine - primarily for storage. The ceiling above that will be open trusses because I need the height, but that can be insulated with batts between the purlins - this space could be closed off from the rest of the shop and unheated. In that case, I would insulate between the Mezzanine's floor joists before I put in the sub-flooring, making it very easy to handle and just leave the ceiling open and ventilated in that area, hmmm - see, ya got me thinking. Thanks.

 

[flingwing1969]

Rather than try to insulate the roof proper, could you make it a cold roof from inside? Install a metal 'false' roof inside to capture and redirect any condensation and then insulate that false roof/ceiling. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that right, but hopefully others will chime in.

Thank you cloldsteelva, I do understand what you're saying. It would work on the bulk of the shop and I think I really like that plan. It will be easy and quick and I can just use the blown-in stuff up there. I already have ventilation all along both sides under the eaves so maybe a gable vent at each end and that should do it.

 

[flingwing1969]

My uncle used roll insulation and then held it in place with chicken wire. Not very attractive but gets the job done and can be put up with just two people and an extension ladder. Measure your run, roll out the chicken wire and cut a little long, roll the insulation on top of the wire and attach in a few spots, tack up the low side then work your way to the high side.

Thank you. I would have used roll insulation if I was building the place from scratch, I'm using it in two 20x24 metal shops I'm building - ceiling and walls. It is not the greatest r-value but it does stop the condensation issue from happening and is a good start if I decide to insulate later. The problem here is I really want to keep the open trusses, at least above the mezzanine I'm building in there, so I can't go across the bottom chord - the easy way out.

 

[Brake Weight]

He had an all metal building built for his business actually. He put the roll insulation (albeit it痴 totally enclosed in plastic) directly against the metal roof. If you did that you would essentially have all the space you want since it will tuck up between any rafters.

 

[flingwing1969]

He had an all metal building built for his business actually. He put the roll insulation (albeit itç—´ totally enclosed in plastic) directly against the metal roof. If you did that you would essentially have all the space you want since it will tuck up between any rafters.

Thanks. My roof is 22' up, I'll need a platform to handle the chicken wire and roll insulation for sure. Is this the stuff they sell at the metal building places?

 

[Brake Weight]

I’m not sure. He requested it get put in and they didn’t. He threw a fit and they half assed the section of roof already up and did the rest like they were supposed to do. It wasn’t even on location to put up. His is about that high and they needed a scissor lift. I didn’t realize yours was that high. You’ll just about need to subcontract it or get a scissor lift yourself.