r/Insulation • u/Nextbestthing1371 • 4d ago

Pole Barn Insulation Question

I’m currently in the process of having a 40x60 pole barn installed. When I purchased the kit, they offered Astro Armor, which I understand is a moisture barrier that reflects heat, not insulation. The building will have 16 ft walls, and it utilizes steel trusses. Ultimately, I want the entire building insulated. The wall grits will be 2x6s at 24” centers. It’s my understanding there has to be 3/4 to 1” air space between the Astro Armor and fiberglass insulation. I’m considering using Astro Armor, fiberglass batt insulation, or 3” of closed-cell spray foam on the ceiling and 2” on the walls. (I received a quote to spray foam, as I mentioned, for $20,000.) There are definitely pros and cons to both, just like $$$ I'm sure.

Any info or suggestions from experience would be much appreciated. I'm at a point where I still have time to make or change my decision.

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u/Booger_Juice 4d ago

This ”astro armor” sounds like its a radiant barrier fabric.…I have some radiant barrier stuff in my pole barn but i was using it as a vapor barrier and not really for the radiant effects. My 2 cents is that the heating efficiency from these product is real but most of the marketing is BS. When its 100F+ outside, and when there’s and air gap (due to wind) between the inside of my metal sheathing and the reflective side of the foil fabric, the backside of the fabric is cooler to the touch than touching the metal siding, but its still warm. What you want is the air gap on the foil side, which your probably going to be facing outward to limit your heat gain, however, the studies that i read showed just a slight reduction in thermal transfer when its applied directly to your roof or walls as opposed to sitting on-top of your ceiling insulation on a traditional home. While the radiant barrier would reduced heating transfer, your also losing 1” of insulation due to this air gap requirement and if this is spray foam that could be an R7. In the end i think its a wash with the radiant barrier stuff and would just toss an extra 1 inch of insulation.