In this blog, we are going to walk through everything you need to know about pole barns and insulation. Keep reading to find out more!
Table of Contents
Can you insulate a pole barn?
Yes, you can insulate a pole barn. Insulation is ideal for the barn’s walls and ceiling because it can help you keep the temperatures you want. Insulation helps make your home colder in the summer and warmer in the winter by not allowing the internal air to escape. Insulation is also excellent for the environment by reducing the usage of gas, propane, and electricity. Insulation is also fire-rated, which will keep your pole barn safe and help you feel secure.
Keep in mind if you’re using your pole barn for animals, you might not need insulation because animals generate a lot of their own heat.
What is the benefit of pole insulation?
Insulating a pole barn has a lot of benefits. For example, it can help control temperatures inside the pole barn, make it more comfortable for people, and even increase the building’s life span. Also, excess moisture and condensation are caused by uncontrolled airflow, which can lead to rust, mold, and mildew. These things can harm not only the building but also the vehicles, equipment, and other items stored in a pole barn. Pole barn insulation helps reduce that excess buildup of moisture.
What is the best insulation for pole barns?
Foam boards, fiberglass, and spray foam are the most commonly used materials for insulation of various pole barn styles. Whether you use your pole barn as a garage to store your tractor and muscle cars or as a workshop…preventing unwanted air movement into and out of the structure is critical.
Fiberglass insulation is great because it is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to assemble. This material functions by slowly transferring cold and hot air by trapping it in the material.
Spray foam insulation is an excellent choice for pole barn ceilings because it completely seals airflow within the structure.
Foam boards are moisture resistant, so they are great for basement wall foundations and are primarily used on pole buildings’ exteriors.
What is the cheapest Pole Barn insulation?
Fiberglass insulation is the cheapest option compared to any other insulation material, and you can install it yourself. Things to consider when buying fiberglass:
- It does not stop moisture from getting into the pole barn
- It is very vulnerable to moisture and increases the likelihood of mildew and mold growth.
Can you insulate a pole barn with spray foam insulation?
Definitely. Most contractors use spray foam to insulate a pole barn, but the owner decides whether to use open-cell or closed-cell spray insulation. Open cell foam insulation is a type of spray foam that may be more prone to retaining water or moisture. However, it is easier to manage and fill the studs/wall because it is not as rigid as closed-cell spray foam. Closed-cell foam insulation offers airtight seals that last longer than open-cell foam and closed-cell foam is highly resistant to water and moisture.
What are spray foam insulation’s advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages of spray foam
- Spray foam is an excellent choice for pole barn ceilings because it completely seals the structure.
- Spray foam insulation can help reduce monthly energy bills for heating and cooling the pole barn.
- It is easy to install
- Spray foam lasts longer than any other insulation material
- Spray foam insulation can reinforce your walls and roof.
Disadvantages of spray foam
- Compared to any other insulation material, spray foam is the most expensive.
- Spray foam insulation in the pole barn would have to be installed by an experienced contractor because it is too complex for a do-it-yourself project.
- Spray foam can sometimes shrink.
What is the cost of insulating it with spray foam insulation?
The size of the area to be insulated is the most important factor in determining the cost of insuring your pole barn. The next thing to consider is whether the contractor will use open-cell or closed-cell spray foam. Once you know the additional cost of those options, it costs anywhere from $1.00 to $1.50 to insulate a pole barn with spray foam.
How is spray foam pole barn insulation installed?
Before spray foam pole barn insulation can be installed, any items in the building must be moved to the center of the structure. After making sure that everything is out of the way, the installation crew will tape plastic over the windows and doors. They then suit up and begin spraying the walls and ceiling using tools that hold the foam inside. When the project is completed, the crew cleans up and conducts a final walkthrough with the owner.
What is fiberglass insulation?
Fiberglass is a traditional type of insulation material used in homes and pole barns. Fiberglass is a type of insulation made primarily of glass. As an insulating material, fiberglass traps air and slows heat transfer. It is lightweight and inexpensive; you can install it or let a contractor do it.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass insulation?
Advantages of fiberglass
- Effective and Affordable
- Humidity and high-temperature resistant
- Fire-resistant
- Easy installation (DIY)
Disadvantages of fiberglass insulation
- Personal protection must be worn when installing fiberglass insulation in pole barns because the material can cause itching, rash, and skin irritation.
- Moisture issues
- Fiberglass insulation can sag over time.
How is fiberglass insulation installed?
Fiberglass insulation is easy to install; you can even do it yourself. The tools and personal protective equipment you need are a pencil, tape, utility knife, stapler gun, putty knife, mask (N-95), full-sleeve shirt, goggles, & a hat.
- First, measure the cavity height on the wall where you want to insulate and cut the insulation. If the wall is longer than the insulation, you can use two fiberglass insulation sections.
- Second, make sure everything is tight and cut around the electrical outlet. When you reach an electrical box, trim the insulation so that it fits snugly around it. To guide the cut, run your knife blade against the outside of the box. But don’t cut too deeply, or you’ll nick the wire.
- Third, Precision cutting is critical (actually, slightly oversized cuts are best). A piece that is cut too small leaves gaps, while one that is cut too large bunches up and leaves voids. Fit first, then cut. Air leakage is common in the small, tight spaces around windows and doors. Stop these leaks by reaching back into this space using the putty knife.
How long does it take to insulate a pole barn?
The barn’s size determines the time it takes to insulate a pole barn, and the contractor has experience. A large pole barn may require two days to install, or two crews may complete the installation in one day. If you’re insulating the ceiling and the wall, it may take longer than two days. Here are some of the insulation and their average pole barn insulation
- Fiberglass insulation: 1 day to insulate and a half day to clean up
- Spray foam insulation: Spray foam insulation requires two days to insulate and a half day to clean up after the insulation.
Foam board insulation: A foam board takes about two days to insulate a pole barn.
Pole Barn Insulation In PA
When insulating a pole barn, you need an experienced contractor. Otherwise, the quality of the job will not be perfect, you’ll end up losing money, and the insulation will not be effective to the fullest. We have been in the business of pole barn framing and insulating pole barns for more than 19 years in PA. With Extreme Pole Buildings, you can rest assured that your pole barn is insulated with quality workmanship and effective insulation. For more information, contact us.
Are you looking for pole barns in State College, PA, or pole barns in Columbia, PA? Check out our Areas We Serve Pages and see all the places we can build you a pole barn.
