I posted a topic about covering the walls on the inside of my pole barn and received some great feedback from you guys. I need to insulate it first, so what would you guys recommend. Money is a factor, but I will wait until I can afford it before I scimp on it. The building is 6x6cca posts on 8' centers. The truss are on 4' centers. The girts and purlins are on 24" centers. The walls and roof are 30yr metal siding. The building is 32x40x12. Is the thin radiant barrier stuff they make any good? I will be spending a good deal of time in it in the winters and summers. Ant input is appreciated.

 

I used 6 inch Owens Batts for the walls and laid them on edge horizontally from the floor up, just stacked that way really. Sounded odd to me, but thats what was recommended by a few people. Just plain old 4 mil plastic from a roll for a vapor barrier and sheetrock on that. Had the top blown in, R54 or 60 I think (MN). Before everything though, I put in "blocking" about the soffit area to keep the blown stuff from falling into them. Vapor barrier on the ceiling before the tin and under the concrete floor, and I'm happy with it. Stays REAL DRY and cool in the humid summer months. None of this sweating from the floor that I always had in my old garages. Window air conditioner I use at times, not to cool really, just to dry it out even more. 1200 sf. I'm on LP with a separate tank for the shed and use 400 gallons (a tank) a year keeping the heat at 50 when I'm not out there and 60 when I am. Plan on doing the insulation and barriers right from the start, you won't be dissapointed.

Forgot: I see you have 12 foot ceilings. Definitely get two big cheap ceiling fans also.

 

you may want to see if anyone in your are does sray foam insulation. if so ask for a quote. my friend had a very old farm barn done this way and it is very warm in the winter and also is draft free with good weather stripping around the doors.