FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Insulating My Metal Building

Bib_Overalls1 | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on June 26, 2012 01:22am

Thirteen years ago, when we were building our house and shop I was here (Breaktime) almost every day.  But once the buildings were up my interest moved on to building hot rods.

I live in Northeast Arkansas (Jonesboro) with a climate that is hot and humid in the summer and moderate to cold in the winter.  I’m closing in on 70 and working in my shop has become increasinly difficult to work in.  The problem is heat in the summer, cold in the winter, and mosquitoes in between.

My only hope is a heat pump.

 

My problem is insulation.  Here are the details.

I have a metal clad building.

The building has metal posts and trusses and wood purlins. A 1″ layer of “Ag Board” is sandwiched between the metal skin and the purlins.  The Ag Board has a reflective aluminum foil on the outside and a white pebbled aluminum foil on the inside that clad a 1″ thick, R3 fiberglass panel.  All seams were sealed with tape.  In essence I have two inpermeatable external layers on the outside of my building.  The interior picture shows the hybred metal/wood structure (and the frame for the storage loft that I am building).

Obviously, R3 is not enough insulation and I need an upgrade.  My plan is to have open cell foam sprayed in the ceiling and unfaced fiberglass batts in the walls. 

The ceiling will be covered with 29 guage steel siding running horizontally.  Internal vents will be left open at the wall edges and the peak.

The walls will be finished with painted 7/16″ OSB.

All of this background is for a simple question.  With an impermeatable exterior do I need aditional moisture beariers under my planned vented interior metal ceiling and OSB walls? 

More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ratpoison/

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. DanH | Jun 26, 2012 07:33am | #1

    So, are on the outs with your wife so you'll have to be living in there?  Taking showers?  Cooking? 

    For the summer you want the moisture barrier on the outside (which you have).  In the winter, even if it got cold enough to worry about condensation (which is doesn't in Arkansas), condensation is not a problem unless there's a major source of moisture in the structure.  Since you're only using this for a shop, there is no significant moisture source.

    What you've got is fine.  Use whatever insulation you like.

  2. Amish Electrician | Jun 26, 2012 11:37am | #2

    First off, Bib, I'm just an houror so away from you, so I know exactly the climate you're facing. Let's back up a bit, first, and look at the building itself.

    First off, buildings of this type have three advantages: they go up quick, they're cheap, and you have a pretty good span between the posts.

    The problem is that they are terrible by every other measure. They're difficult to heat, cool, and ventilate; the acoustics are terrible; and they're hard to change. Let's look at how you can improve those things.

    The first is: ventilation. Especially in the summer, you need a way to vent the hot air from the top of the ceiling. I'd start with a pair of  fans placed near the peak, one at either end. Don't forget to add intakes for the replacement air.

    Now, for the comfort level ....

    First, I'd construct a double entrance, where you need to pass through two doors to get in. Screen doors are a plus. The idea is to keep unconditioned air (and mosquitoes) out, and conditioned air in.

    Reduce solar gain. Covering your entire windows - and not just the part that opens - with screen material will greatly reduce the amount of solar heating. Adding a 'cold roof' (essentially a second roof spaced above the existing roof, with a free-flowing air space between) will make a huge difference. Properly placed cypress trees can also throw shade on theplace when it's most needed. Simply painting the place white will make a big difference.

    Don't forget the floor. Simply laying foam panels on the floor, then topping with plywood or OSB, will make a huge difference in how you feel.

    I'd forget about making any moisture barriers. With your constant high humidity, I think you're better served by making sure there's plenty of ventilation.

    Finally, don't forget ceiling fans to keep the air moving.

  3. Bib_Overalls1 | Jun 28, 2012 11:27pm | #3

    DanH, Amish Electrician, thanks for responding.

    I'm going to stick with my basic plan and hopefully make incrimental imrovements in insulation and wall/ceiling covering over the next couple of years.  It would cirtainly be nice to go back to square one and start over.  At 69 I don't have the time and being retired, I don't have the money.  It is also important for me to keep my focus on what I like to do in my shop, build traditional hot rods, and not let marginal improvements to the facility sap away my time and resources.  Hopefully I will have the electric finished over the weekend and the ductwork sometime next week.  Then I can really start making tracks!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 686: Brick Steps, Ground-Source Heat Pumps, and Greenhouses in Nova Scotia

Listeners write in about fireplaces affecting family harmony and bionic suits, before asking questions about brick steps, ground-source heat pumps, and building a dome greenhouse in Maritime Canada.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 686: Brick Steps, Ground-Source Heat Pumps, and Greenhouses in Nova Scotia
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Efficient HVAC for a New Build
  • Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
  • FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data