Insulating a pole barn is essential for maintaining a stable indoor environment, protecting stored items, and improving energy efficiency. Proper insulation helps regulate temperature, reduce energy costs, and prevent moisture issues, making the barn more functional and comfortable.
How To Insulate A Pole Barn
How To Insulate A Wood Framed Building With SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation
Most of our customers install SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation without hiring an installer. Below are suggested methods for both new construction and retrofitting applications.
To insulate your pole barn with SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation, you will need:
- Reflective tape
- Double-sided tape
- Staples, nails or screws
- A utility knife
The reflective tape is used to seal seams which enhances the performance of the insulation.
The double sided tape can be used to hold the insulation in place (especially in windy conditions) during install.
The Most Popular item is SmartSHIELD 10MM. The following are excellent 5MM choices: SmartSHIELD 5mm Reflective Insulation and SmartSHIELD 5mm White Insulation . Other options include: Single SmartBUBBLE Insulation or Double SmartBUBBLE Insulation.
New Constructions: Roof/Wall Insulation Over Purlin
Recommended SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation item: SmartSHIELD 10MM, SmartSHIELD 5MM, SmartSHIELD 1/4 Inch, SmartSHIELD 20MM
Alternative insulation: Single SmartBUBBLE Insulation or Double SmartBUBBLE Insulation.
- Roll the insulation perpendicular to and over the frames - To optimize performance, allow insulation to sag a couple inches.
- Tape seams with reflective tape.
- Attach your sheeting.
New Constructions: Roof/Wall Insulation With Two Layers Of SmartSHIELD
Most Use Only One layer of SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation.
Recommended SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation item: SmartSHIELD 10MM, SmartSHIELD 5MM, SmartSHIELD 1/4 Inch, SmartSHIELD 20MM
- Follow steps 1 - 3 above for the outer layer of Insulation.
- For the inside layer - Roll out the insulation over the inside of the framing. Run the insulation perpendicular to the framing.
- Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation to the inside of the framing.
Retrofitting: Roof/Wall Insulation With Or Without Existing Insulation
Retrofitting insulation in your roof and walls can significantly improve energy efficiency and indoor comfort, regardless of whether you have existing insulation.
Recommended SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation item: SmartSHIELD 10MM, SmartSHIELD 5MM, SmartSHIELD 1/4 Inch, SmartSHIELD 20MM
Alternative insulation: Single SmartBUBBLE Insulation or Double SmartBUBBLE Insulation.
- Roll out the insulation over the inside of the framing. Run the insulation perpendicular to the framing.
- Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation to the inside of the framing.
Retrofitting: Roof/Wall Insulation Between Girts
Recommended SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation item: SmartSHIELD 10MM, SmartSHIELD 5MM, SmartSHIELD 1/4 Inch, SmartSHIELD 20MM
Alternative insulation: Single SmartBUBBLE Insulation or Double SmartBUBBLE Insulation.
1. Attach Insulation Between The Framing
- Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation between the framing.
- Leave an air gap of 1 inch or more between the insulation and the sheeting to optimize performance.
2. Attach 2nd layer of Insulation Under The Framing - Most use only one layer.
- For the inside layer - Roll out the insulation over the inside of the framing. Run the insulation perpendicular to the framing.
- Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation to the inside of the framing.
By retrofitting insulation between girts in your roof and walls, you can significantly improve the thermal performance and energy efficiency of your building. Selecting the right insulation materials, ensuring proper installation, and maintaining good ventilation will help create a more comfortable and efficient indoor environment.
Any pole barn that uses fiberglass insulation rather than SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation will have moisture issues (typically hidden behind facing), Loss of R-value (consequence of the moisture) and heat gain.
SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation: One solution for Heat, Condensation and Cold. It combines the benefits of a radiant barrier, reflective insulation, and vapor barrier - All in one product!
A pole barn insulation system requires a reflective insulation, radiant barrier and vapor barrier. The metal skin causes sweating (condensation), unbearable heat in summer and frigid temperatures in winter. SmartSHIELD serves as a true vapor barrier and condensation eliminator. It has a high R-value and it's the number one performing radiant heat barrier. It's superior to fiberglass in pole barns because its R value is unaffected by humidity or water - It doesn't mildew or promote fungus growth and it adds a radiant barrier to keep the building cool in the summer - It doesn't promote nesting for rodents, bugs and birds. It is also much easier and less expensive to install. Unlike expensive spray foam insulation, SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation prevents radiant heat transfer. It is superior bubble insulation in metal buildings because the heat of the metal skin doesn't cause its polyethylene micro-bubbles to collapse. Reflective aluminum foil on each side of a 5mm closed-cell polyethylene foam center.
Ever wonder why it's so hot and wet inside a pole barn with metal sheeting in the summer and so cold and wet in winter? The metal skin magnifies the heat of the summer and frigid temperatures of the winter. Metal is a very good conductor of heat and cold. In hot weather, metal framing and sheeting rapidly transfers the sun's heat into a building, and in cold weather it rapidly transfers the cold in. When a cold surface comes in contact with warm air it creates moisture on the surface (cold beer can outside in summer). SmartSHIELD eliminates the moisture (condensation) on the metal sheeting, it prevents the heat from entering your building in summer and leaving your building in winter!
You'll have a cool, dry structure in summer and a warm, dry structure in winter. It is used as a stand-alone or supplemental insulation. It is ICC-ES Recognized - It reflects 97% of radiant heat (the primary source of heat flow). SmartSHIELD works well in HOT and COLD climates. Other benefits of SmartSHIELD include sound deadening, sealing around nails, no promotion of mold or mildew, no nesting for rodents, birds, or bugs, easy installation and more.
SmartSHIELD Reflective Insulation Insulation: One solution for Heat, Condensation, Cold and Airflow. It combines the benefits of a radiant barrier, reflective insulation, and vapor barrier- All in one product!
