Replies

1. 
   jackofalltrades777 | Aug 22, 2023 01:22pm | #1

   It will come down to your budget and local installers. Either method can work to achieve your R-Value. Spray foam is more money and carries with it a little bit of risk if not sprayed on properly and not detailed properly. The rolled batts are less money and can be done as a DIY. It really comes down to budget and local trade skills.

2. 
   walta100 | Aug 22, 2023 06:45pm | #2

   I know I am wasting my time in trying to convince you but energy efficient steel building is an oxymoron.

   Yes, a steel\pole building is low cost in terms of dollars per dry square foot and makes a great place to park your tractor out of the rain. When you decide to heat and cool the space almost everything that made it low cost to build becomes an expensive problem that you must deal with by the time you add up the cost of making the barn energy efficient you have spent everything you saved building the low-cost shell and if you don’t fix the problems the high energy bill wipe out every thing you saved with the shell over time.

   Problem #1 Steel is a great conductor of heat. Putting Insulation between the steel framing as almost useless as the heat takes the easy path thru the steel bypassing your insulation. The only effective way to insulate a steel frame is on the exterior and then cover it but this cost to much money.

   Problem #2 it is almost impossible to keep the conditioned air inside the drafty barn. Because the steel is corrugated for strength its shape makes it almost impossible to air seal when two surfaces meet.

   Problem #3 the steel framing is so widely spaced you end up building wood walls in the gaps to hang drywall.

   Problem #4 low-cost fluffy insulation does not work so you are stuck with expensive spray foam.

   If you are looking for positive and helpful suggestions for insulating your steel building find your way to the Garage Journal dot com in the “General Garage Discussion” forum and post a questions

   Walta

1. 
   tgtguy | Aug 22, 2023 09:38pm | #3

   Thanks for the info and tips.. I'm pretty far into this at this point. Barndominiums may have started as gigantic structures but now they are a mix of that and normal size homes. We'll be about 1700 sq ft with an unfinished attic. No garage. I realise the metal is a problem as far as insulation. But we'll have 12 inches of room in the exterior walls to figure that out. Closed cell foam seems like the best choice but it is expensive.Open cell might be an option also...and I've seen people using mineral wool also. As far as wood framing, Sheetrock has to be hung so not many options there. I'll check out those sites, thanks