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Spray insulation in pole barn

esolinc | Posted in General Questions on

I have an non-insulated pole barn with vinyl over cedar siding exterior. I keep inventory for my business there and several dogs. I am considering spray insulation Square footage is 1600-1800 sq ft, with three aluminium overhead garage doors. I have a quote for open cell insulation for the walls and a separate quote for the roof. I live in the Raleigh, NC, area. Winters can get cold enough to freeze water in dog bowls.

1) Is open cell the best way to go?
2) Is spray foam insulation on the garage doors valuable, or will the extra weight be a problem for the track system?
3) Is there value in also insulating the inside of the roof? The barn is open with no ceiling; rafters are exposed.

Thank you!

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    John,
    You haven't described your wall and ceiling assemblies.

    The most important question is: do your walls and roof have any sheathing (plywood or OSB)? If you have wall sheathing and roof sheathing, coming up with an insulation plan is much easier than if you have no sheathing.

    If you can see steel roofing panels when you stand in the building and look up, that means you have no roof sheathing.

    If you can see the back side of the cedar siding from inside the building, that means you have no wall sheathing.

    One final question: Does this barn have a dirt floor, a gravel floor, or a concrete slab floor?

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