Replies

1. 
   floorheater | Feb 12, 2006 09:32pm | #1

   Yep, that will keep the heat in better than nothing at all. Look for large company remodels, like burger king or mcdonalds. They gut to the shell and throw away all the insulation. Good way to insulate the garage, just throw the inslation in the bays on top of the plastic a little at a time. good luck.

   Dave

    

    

     

1. 
   Espo | Feb 12, 2006 10:53pm | #2

   Thanks floorheater. I figure if I staple plastic to the underside and topside of the joists the air space in between will help...thanks for your ideas.

2. 
   csnow | Feb 13, 2006 12:21am | #3

   You could use Tyvek.  It's easier to work with, and the white color will make the space brighter.

3. 
   TJK | Feb 13, 2006 12:50am | #4

   For about 20 cents a SF you can put up Tekfoil. They have a product that is foil/bubble/white poly, about 1/4 inch thick. It will perform the same function, but in the Summer, the foil on the upper side will reflect heat that would normally radiate down from the roof, keeping the garage cooler. The white side will reflect light and make the garage easier to light.

4. 
   rasconc | Feb 13, 2006 01:11am | #5

   If you are going to put any insulation on top like floorheater said you might put some lattice on after you staple up the poly. Shoot it up with a roofing nailer or nail it with drywall nails.  That will seriously increase the tear out resistance.

   Bob

5. 
   dustinf | Feb 13, 2006 02:11am | #6

   You can buy 1" thick 4x8 sheets of Styrofoam at home depot for under $10 a sheet.

    

    

1. 
   Espo | Feb 13, 2006 02:37am | #7

   Tyvek and / or tekfoil sound interesting..

   Do you think foil faced 1" sheets would be better than 1" styrofoam? Do you think it would radiate more heat back into the room?

   Thanks for all your comments fellas!

   Dave

1. 
   MarkH | Feb 13, 2006 03:29am | #9

   No way would I ever put a flamable ceiling in a wood heated room. I would definately go for foil faced over anything unfaced.  Have you ever seen styrofoam or polyethylene burn?  It's incredible. Tyvek is said to be non flamable, cheap and white, passes moisture, lightweight etc, so that would be my choice.

1. 
   moltenmetal | Feb 13, 2006 05:01am | #10

   Polyethylene sheeting and Tyvek/Typar are both made of polyethylene.  Both will burn, but so will wood.  Most codes do require foam insulations to be covered with something with a lower flamespread, and yes that's a good idea.  If your woodstove is installed properly, you've got an insulated chimney and proper set-backs between any bare pipe or the woodstove's sides/back and any combustible materials.  If insulating your ceiling will affect those setbacks, make sure you deal with that or you could have serious trouble on your hands.

   If you're going to be occupying your shop, do yourself a favour and insulate the ceiling before installing that poly or Tyvek.  If  you don't do it now, you'll be wishing you did later.  If mineral fibre batts are available in your area, use them as they're relatively inexpensive, completely fire retardant, and are much denser than fibreglass so they do a better job of reducing air movement within the batts.

2. 
   dustinf | Feb 13, 2006 06:53pm | #11

   Foil faced would definetly be better, but more expensive. 

6. 
   WayneL5 | Feb 13, 2006 03:28am | #8

   You would be asking for trouble by using flammable materials along with a wood stove.  Drywalling the ceiling would be a much better move.

7. 
   johnnyd | Feb 13, 2006 07:12pm | #12

   The poly of course, will be better than nothing, but besides a few more dollars, what is stopping you from screwing up some pole barn steel...white is nice....and then blowing cellulose in there?

1. 
   Espo | Feb 13, 2006 07:29pm | #13

   Another good idea....thanks johnnyd

   Dave

1. 
   brownbagg | Feb 13, 2006 07:32pm | #14

   I,m waiting for some sip panel to insulate my shop roof, just cut and nail. But then I have a metal bldg with nothing to nail too.. 2+3=7

1. 
   BossHog | Feb 13, 2006 08:04pm | #15

   I'm with the guys who say not to use a flamable material in a shop. ESPECIALLY with a wood stove in there. How about using sheet metal for the ceiling? (The stuff they use for pole barns) Big pieces go up quick. Get white so it will reflect light. And you can dump lots of insulation on top.
   Without rocks there wouldn't be sand.