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shop ceiling and insulation ideas

Troubleshooter | Posted in General Discussion on January 27, 2021 04:58pm

Barn looks like this. I will either cover the ceiling with sheet metal or sheetrock. For insulation I would like at least R30 maybe R38 (southern CO).
If I go with batts I will install them myself and then have the metal or sheetrock installed.
How would you install the batts? Staple clear plastic underneath the trusses and then lay the batts in from the top side? Looks like R38 comes unfaced.
If it had a paper face I could staple it from the bottom but plastic is probably easier anyway. How far could a contractor blow insulation if I went that route? It would be hard to climb up into the trusses and blow it I think. 

For walls probably 2″ foam and then R13 batts or just R19. If R19 do I cover insulation with vapor barrier?
Barn is 40 x 40 but I plan on only insulating one side and the center. I will put a hanging shop curtain or tarp to partition off the other side. So the heated area will be about 1200 sq ft with 12′ ceiling for 600 sq ft and above the roll up doors probably 14′ for the other 600 sq ft.
I will heat with a large wood stove during the day and have a hanging shop heater. Will also replace the two 10×12 rollup doors with insulated doors- probably R9

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Replies

  1. SteveL_MI | Jan 28, 2021 08:00am | #1

    If this were my space, I would buy a drywall lift and put 4'x12' sheets of 5/8" drywall on the ceiling first and then insulate to R50 or whatever is recommended. I had a project like this and I paid to have cellulose blown in even though I did every other part myself. I would not replace the doors until you have everything up and running. My guess is you will be plenty comfy without the insulated doors as long as they are fairly air tight.

    1. Troubleshooter | Jan 28, 2021 09:58am | #2

      Thanks. Looks like the HF drywall lift doesn't go to 12' so will have to look for another affordable one

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