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EdwardB
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Reged: 07/09/04
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Posts: 2
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Loc: Michigan
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Best way to insulate a pole barn??
07/09/04 05:58 PM
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I have a typical 30 x 40 pole barn with a shingle roof. We are located in Northern Michigan with winter temps typically from 0 to 25 degrees, although they sometimes dip to -20.
There are apparently a huge number of ways to insulate these structures, but I have yet to see a consensus  on the best way, or at least a preferred way. Maybe there isn't one, but I would like to here what worked or didn't work for people.
Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated!! 
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mysticokra
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Reged: 03/14/03
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Posts: 168
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Loc: Jackson County, Al
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Re: Best way to insulate a pole barn??
[re: EdwardB]
07/10/04 08:11 AM
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What do you use the barn for? What's your budget?
Do you want to trap passive heat or contain heat you provide?
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EdwardB
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Reged: 07/09/04
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Posts: 2
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Loc: Michigan
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Re: Best way to insulate a pole barn??
[re: mysticokra]
07/10/04 11:52 PM
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I plan on using a portion, maybe 16 x 30, of the barn for a woodshop (it will probably be walled off from the rest). The remainder wiill be a general purpose shop, used for things such as storage, working on equipment and a place for a workbench.
My intent was to use propane and\or wood heat in the shop. The building is very sheltered and shaded - I'm not sure how well a passive system would work.
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mysticokra
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Posts: 168
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Loc: Jackson County, Al
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Re: Best way to insulate a pole barn??
[re: EdwardB]
07/11/04 07:09 AM
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Then one of your initial issues will be maintaining reasonable range of humidity. Since the area you plan to use for the workshop is not that large I would insulate the walls with at least an r-19 fiberglass with vapor barrier. One propane heater would handle the area well and could be set to come on when the temp drops below 50degrees. You might also consider a floor covering on top of the concrete and exterior insulation on the slab. Basically, it's just like building a house.
Without some humidity and temperature management your wood will be difficult to size for any prolonged project.
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John350
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Reged: 07/30/04
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Re: Best way to insulate a pole barn??
[re: EdwardB]
07/30/04 05:57 AM
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If you can afford it, have it foamed. I sectioned off a 18x30 area to work on cars but since I was installing a furnace and spend a lot of time in the barn I wanted efficiency in keeping the heat in for the winter (Michigan). I ran across a guy who works for Foam-Seal in Lapeer,MI. He insulates houses and barns on the side using spayed foam. The foam and company have been around a long time and there are no formaldehydes or other harmful chemicals in the foam. One inch of this foam gives you about R-6 value. I had him do the walls and also the ceiling directly applied to the roof sheating (3" thick foam). This past winter when the temps started staying cold around Dec, I left my furnace on 24 hrs a day and set the T/stat at 40 degress when I was not in the barn. When I'm working I set it at about 60-64 degrees, I am in there maybe 8-10 hrs per week during the winter and my son is also using it one or two days a week. I used less than 150 gal of propane for the entire winter. The foam is airtight and keeps out any type of drafts or moisture. I have a insulated 10' rollup door and a side entrance door. The entrance door is not energy efficient but I am happy with the foam. Foam costs about 30% more then batt insulation but the difference in heat retention and it also makes things quieter in the barn was worth it to me. Plus I didn't have to spend a lot of hours insulating and itching and building a ceiling.
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