A pole barn structural building provides a long-lasting and cost-effective equipment and machinery storage solution.
If you own a pole barn, you certainly want to ensure that it is well insulated to control heat loss and gain.
So, do you want to insulate your pole barn and look for the cheapest ways possible?
You can’t underestimate the importance of insulating a pole barn. Hence, we have carefully described several cheapest ways to insulate a pole barn in this crucial guide.
Cheapest Ways To Insulate A Pole Barn
Several factors ride on insulating a pole barn effectively.
Some of these include finding the correct type of insulation, ensuring the building is safe enough to protect your equipment, and saving some money while you’re at it.
Of all these factors, finding cost-effective ways to insulate your pole barn stands out. Hence, the need to find the cheapest ways to insulate a pole barn arises.
Here are some of the cheapest ways to insulate a pole barn:
Rockwool Pole Barn Insulation
Fiberglass Pole Barn Insulation
Foam Board Pole Barn Insulation
Spray Foam Pole Barn Insulation
Rockwool Pole Barn Insulation
An excellent way to easily regulate the temperature of your pole barn is to insulate its walls and roofs with Rockwool.
It is made from premium rock wool and used to improve a pole barn building’s insulation performance.
This insulation option has a higher thermal efficiency than other options.
Rockwool has a high potential to resist moisture and mildew from entering the walls of a pole barn.
It is one of the significant reasons it is a good option for insulating pole barns.
Also, it is a cheap heat retention option to consider as the materials are readily available in the market.
Rockwool pole barn insulation is similar in effectiveness to cotton pole barn insulation.
The only difference is that the latter is much more expensive and quite challenging to find in the market.
Pros Of Rockwool Pole Barn Insulation
It has durable, fire-resistant properties
It offers adequate noise reduction in pole barns
You can easily customize Rockwool insulation at a low price
It prevents the growth of mold by allowing moisture to escape
It offers excellent heat retention and thermal insulation performance
Cons Of Rockwool Pole Barn Insulation
It is a hefty method of insulating a pole barn
The installation process requires a lot of energy and time
It’s pretty tricky to calculate the percentage of recycled materials present
Note
This insulation option is mainly applied in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Fiberglass Pole Barn Insulation
The most commonly used type of pole barn insulation is fiberglass insulation.
This insulation method involves fiberglass material made from plastic reinforced with glass fibers.
It is one of the cheapest ways to insulate a pole barn because it’s a traditional method.
The rolled fiberglass option comes in the form of batts and blankets. It is readily available and easy to install.
You can use rolled fiberglass to insulate your pole barn walls, floors, and ceilings.
Pros Of Fiberglass Pole Barn Insulation
It is a lightweight insulation option
It can be installed as a DIY project
It is readily available and easy to install
It slows down the transfer of cold air and hot air
It offers the lowest cost amongst other insulation options
Cons Of Fiberglass Pole Barn Insulation
It is not great with pole barn structure reinforcement
Fiberglass insulation has to be replaced after a few years
It may require a denser top-layer of insulation to strengthen it
It does little to prevent warm air from contacting the pole barn walls
The material does not prevent moisture from penetrating the pole barn
The itchy particles from this insulation option can cause health hazards
Note
If you decide to go with this insulation option, you must ensure it is not disturbed while in use.
Foam Board Pole Barn Insulation
Foam board insulation is a common type of insulation for pole barns. Foam boards are rigid panels made of polyurethane and polystyrene materials.
They help in insulating exposed walls found in pole barns. They are widely used across different pole barn structures.
This pole barn insulation option can be pretty cheap as you’ll get to choose from various thicknesses and facings.
So, depending on your pole barn installation project, you have the freedom to choose the length and thickness of insulation you want for your pole barn.
Some foam boards offer a vapor barrier to prevent moisture and water from penetrating the walls of pole barns.
It is why it is one of the best and cheapest ways to insulate a pole barn.
Pros Of Foam Board Pole Barn Insulation
This method of pole barn insulation is water-resistant
It prevents mold from deteriorating a pole barn structure
Its rigid nature adds reinforcement to the walls of a pole barn
Most foam board options are reasonably priced and easy to install
The expanded polystyrene board is the cheapest material on the market
Cons Of Foam Board Pole Barn Insulation
It’s a complicated type of insulation to install if you lack the expertise
The structural panel requires special installation equipment or tools
The Foam board installation process takes some time to ensure effectiveness
The foam board sheets have to be custom cut to fit the areas to be insulated
There’s a tendency of airflow into the pole barn through the sheets-boards joints
Note
With this insulation option, you must get the help of a professional during installation.
Spray Foam Pole Barn Insulation
Another cheap way to insulate a pole barn involves using spray foam. It is a very effective way of regulating the temperature inside a pole barn.
The cost of this insulation option might be higher than traditional insulation methods, but it is very affordable at the current clime.
Spray foam insulation was going to make this list despite its explosive properties. It is due to its durability, cost-effectiveness, and easy installation process.
Spray foam insulation can’t be easily damaged because of its closed cells. So, it comes highly recommended for pole barns.
Pros Of Spray Foam Pole Barn Insulation
It is a durable insulation option for exposed pole barn walls
This insulation option will help in reducing monthly energy bills
It prevents the infestation of pests and is safe for the environment
It creates an air seal that regulates temperature and humidity levels
It prevents the growth of mold or mildew because it doesn’t retain water
Cons Of Spray Foam Pole Barn Insulation
Poor installation can damage the pole barn
Spray foam insulation can be highly flammable
Slightly more expensive than the other options described
Note
Due to its chemical properties, the use of spray foam installation is dependent on location.
Conclusion
Pole barns are pretty easy to construct.
Their unique structure makes them great for use as workshops, garages, home offices, and most importantly, as agricultural storage buildings.
However, you must ensure heat loss or gain around your pole barn is controlled effectively.
It is made possible through proper insulation of the walls.
While planning to insulate your pole barn, it is also essential to find the cheapest ways that won’t dig a hole in your pocket.
We believe the ways described will help you save some money while insulating your pole barn.
