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Metal Pole Building Insulation?

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Guest User
5/14/2013
I am up in Seabeck/Silverdale WA State area and have inherited a pole building work shop. It was not used in a long time and mice have gotten into the insulation and destroyed it. We plan on fixing up the building to use as a computer shop / art studio, so need to insulate it and put Sheetrock up and control the moisture in the finished area. I am trying my best to avoid taking the metal siding off (way beyond me) and have also ripped out as much of the white vinyl insulation/vapor barrier out as I can since the mice destroyed it, really mad about that. Some back information: I have no idea if the shop is ventilated at all if it is its at the ridge cap there is no overhang at all. it was built back around 2002 As a rough idea. There where already condensation problems with just the standard vinyl backed insulation not horrible. the floors seems to sealed concrete that's good and the area we are finishing has a wood stove. I am currently cleaning the room that's to be finished and trying to figure out the best way to keep mice and rodents from finding their way in again. So what are my options in WA ST to insulate / stop condensation in the building. I have looked at the spray foam and right now that's all I can come up with besides taking off the walls and putting new insulation blanket up but I hesitate to do that since mice already created a problem the first time it was done that way. Also was thinking of doing 2" CC SPF then putting up insulation bats and sheet rocking but I don't know if that would cause a moisture problem in the wall.... Really looking for some good information here on what to do next have heard and read so many ideas that I am not sure what will really work and still work 10 yrs down the road. THANKS
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
5/15/2013
Right off hand, for what you're doing, I think foaming it will be best.
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!
5/17/2013
Todd is 100% correct. There are a host of insulation options depending on how you are going to finish and vent the space but the easiest (not cheapest in all likelihood though) is going to spray foam the underside of the roof. Any pictures?
Guest User
6/2/2013
Here are some pictures. Would love to hear other ideas. Did have one insulation guy suggest PACKING the wall cavity with fiberglass insulation as much as we could get in the wall so no air space and the insulation would be right up against the metal siding then put up Poly and sheetrock. Any problem with this? I know the metal is not air tight or water tight so would the insulation get wet with moisture from the outside and hold it against the wood framing and metal siding and cause rust and mold? It would be a lot cheaper if this would work but will it work anyone done this with success? also to just to make sure I don't plan on using a/c in the summer and might only keep it a little warm when not in use doing the winter.
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!
6/3/2013
I would skip the poly layer. That makes it a class I vapor retarder and will eliminate any ability for the wall to dry to the interior. http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/info-sheet-310-vapor-control-layer-recommendations/ Go with just kraft faced batts and try to keep the insulation from directly contacting the steel with something like Tyvek. Tell the cat to get a job too!

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