I’m buying a new place that has a 30×50 pole shed. It is slabbed and has LP and 220v. I was toying with the idea of spray foaming the whole shebang. Worth it? Hire out? DYI? Skip it and just get a wood burner out there?
Even if you do get a woodburner you’ll never be able to heat an uninsluated shed that big. Grain of salt in the ocean.
What are your plans for thhe shed?
Grouse
Probably true. Would keep the stove near the working end of things. Plans are to do general shed stuff. Not restoring cars…not welding for hours…not growing illegals…you know.
I used to sell steel buildings and would talk to the owners when they were finishing them off. Everyone who sprayed foam loved it. Everyone said it was expensive but worth it and would do it again.
How tall are the walls?
At the very least you will want to spray foam the ceiling. It keeps the condensation from dripping on everything.
Spay foam. End of conversation!!!
If you don’t have any specific plans to work out there on a consistent basis, I’d say wait and see if you want to really do anything with it. I mean, if cost is no object, spray foam away. But that doesn’t really address heat or useage.
The problem with a shed that size is that even when fully insulated, it will take many many hours to heat up to a comfortable working temp from a winter ambient temp. And also, a personal pet peeve of mine is that all your tools will be ice cold for hours and hours, even when the air is finally warm. Nothing worse than working when every wrench or socket driver you grab is like grabing an ice block.
Now of course the gold plated solution is to simply heat the whole shed all winter. $$$$$.
Personally, I’d think about things for a while and figure out how much heated space I really want and are willing to pay for and then cordon off the shed accordingly into heated and unheated space.
Nice to have a shed that big, even just for dry storage.
Grouse
FG…totally what my train of thought was. Then,I thought about the fact that it might be nice to do it when it is empty. I thought about stealing a corner for a “shop”. Had conversations with guys that say just do it…if you ever sell, it could really help. Talked with one guy said that he sprayed and could heat it seasonally for less than 300 once it was sprayed. Possible?
Not sure of wall height. I’d say 10 at the most.
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FG…totally what my train of thought was. Then,I thought about the fact that it might be nice to do it when it is empty. I thought about stealing a corner for a “shop”. Had conversations with guys that say just do it…if you ever sell, it could really help. Talked with one guy said that he sprayed and could heat it seasonally for less than 300 once it was sprayed. Possible?
Was he using LP? How many big doors did he have? If I could heat a building like that for less than $300…..I would spray it in a heartbeat. I would actually spray it either way and put a basketball court/activity space for my three boys in it.
FDR
At the very least you will want to spray foam the ceiling. It keeps the condensation from dripping on everything.
We have a shed about this size un-insulated and dirt floor. It rains in there like an SOB. Would spraying the ceiling take care of all the issues with this? Wood rafters (trusses). Thanks.
It was LP…had a repurposed furnace. Not sure how he figured it. Going to house the boat and snowmobiles. Would also have a kennel with outside run for the pups. Workspace for general shop shenanigans.
I’m just curious… why couldn’t you do standard fiberglass insulation? Is it not possible on a pole shed or is sprayfoam that much better?
My detached stick built garage (20×40) is well insulated with fiberglass and the walls are covered in 1/2″ OSB (ceiling is sheetrock) and it holds heat like a MF.
If it was me I’d probably just do it myself. (after looking at some of the kits) Just do a section at a time, starting with the ceiling.
I’m just curious… why couldn’t you do standard fiberglass insulation? Is it not possible on a pole shed or is sprayfoam that much better?
My detached stick built garage (20×40) is well insulated with fiberglass and the walls are covered in 1/2″ OSB (ceiling is sheetrock) and it holds heat like a MF.
Totally could. Seems like spray on is a superior product.
My brother owns a couple of insulation companies and this comes up all the time. Even though it is money out of his pocket, he talks people out of spray foaming pole sheds. His thought is they usually have cheaper windows, the insulated garage doors are not very thick, plus how good can you really seal off the overhead garage doors? He tells them that if spray foam is what they really want, he’ll do it, but he didn’t even spray his own shed.
My brother owns a couple of insulation companies and this comes up all the time. Even though it is money out of his pocket, he talks people out of spray foaming pole sheds. His thought is they usually have cheaper windows, the insulated garage doors are not very thick, plus how good can you really seal off the overhead garage doors? He tells them that if spray foam is what they really want, he’ll do it, but he didn’t even spray his own shed.
Good insight. Thanks.
Dave Lozier –
Extremely expensive route and would take a semi load of tanks.
Riverruns –
No, you would end up rotting out your trusses.
Chamberschamp –
Stick built vs Pole frame are comparing apples vs oranges when it come to air infiltration, insulating, frost, and over all construction.
You can purchase pole barn insulation batts but you will never get close to the R-value and vapor barrier. Cost a fortune to heat that way.
Plus polyurethane spray foam adds structural integrity (and is a closed cell product. = built in vapor barrier). I wouldn’t use icynene spray foams. and most importantly not all spray foams in either category are created equal.
I have a friend who’s shed is spray foamed…. it’s the BEES KNEES 
I have a friend who’s shed is spray foamed…. it’s the BEES KNEES
Throw in some in floor heat, a bar and TV now you got yourself a hang out!
OK i’ll say it “Man Cave” (I hate that phrase)LOL
I’m buying a new place that has a 30×50 pole shed. It is slabbed and has LP and 220v. I was toying with the idea of spray foaming the whole shebang. Worth it? Hire out? DYI? Skip it and just get a wood burner out there?
Sprayfoam insulation is AWESOME! You can’t go wrong. Hire it out. It’s a big job.
Not sure if it’s the way to go in a garage. I would definitely insulate of some type no matter what.
actually… it has heat a bar & plus a butcher shop 
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<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mxskeeter wrote:</div>
At the very least you will want to spray foam the ceiling. It keeps the condensation from dripping on everything.We have a shed about this size un-insulated and dirt floor. It rains in there like an SOB. Would spraying the ceiling take care of all the issues with this? Wood rafters (trusses). Thanks.
An inch of spray foam on the ceiling will cut 99% of any dripping from condensation. I have 32 x 48 unheated shed and get very little water dripping. The only place it drips is by one of the trusses.
If you can afford it- DO IT. There is no question on the performance level if done right. Worth every penny of it. As mentioned, you still need to put in quality doors and windows
If you can afford it- DO IT. There is no question on the performance level if done right. Worth every penny of it. As mentioned, you still need to put in quality doors and windows
Thanks Randy. Overhead door is insulated and windows are quality dual pane. Side door is insulated steel. Now to plant that money tree…
I have a 26 by 50 garage with in floor heat. I did not spray foam cause it was going to be close to $8k for that. I don’t think it costs more than $50 a month to heat it and that’s at 65 degrees. If you were going to try to cool it in the summer I would say yes.
I have a 26 by 50 garage with in floor heat. I did not spray foam cause it was going to be close to $8k for that. I don’t think it costs more than $50 a month to heat it and that’s at 65 degrees. If you were going to try to cool it in the summer I would say yes.
There is a significant difference between a stick framed garage and a pole barn. Pole barns are the worse for air infiltration and condensation. Eliminating the ability to have moist air permeate is key with pole barns.
I divided my shed length wise. I insulated and heat only one side. I have a hanging furnace in the front corner. Just past the front bumper of the truck I have hung a tarp that can divide the space even more. That way if I only want to heat a smaller space for a quick job I can. If I have a winter boat project I can heat the whole side if I want to.
riverruns… By pouring cement floor in your shed should take care of the condensation problem… at least it has from sheds I’ve seen. Don’t know why but the pole sheds that I know with cement floors have little to none condensation?
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