The days of barns being made only from wood are long gone. Metal barns tend to be more affordable than wooden structures of a similar size, and metal buildings will require less maintenance over their lifespan. However, one important thing to consider with a metal barn, whether you are building a new one or trying to improve an existing barn, is insulation.
Since metal so readily conducts heat, there will be significant heat transfer from outside to inside in your barn, and that’s not always a good thing. By adding insulation, you can neutralize the temperature inside the barn, along with enjoying some other benefits. In this post, we’ll get into the details of how metal barns are insulated and what you might need to do to improve the performance of your current barn.
No Insulation? Watch for Two Big Problems
Given that a barn is not expected to be as comfortable as something like the inside of your home, you’d be tempted to think that skipping insulation on this metal structure would not be an issue. There are a couple of problems that can pop up when you don’t insulate your metal barn, however, and those issues may cause the space to not function as well as it would otherwise.
- Extreme temperatures. As mentioned, metal easily conducts heat. So, when it’s hot outside, it’s quickly going to get very hot in your metal barn. The opposite is also true and cold temperatures can easily slip inside. This is a problem for any animals that may be living in the barn, and it can be an issue for things you store in the space like equipment, supplies, etc. Adding insulation won’t make your barn completely climate-controlled, of course, but it will go a long way toward cutting down those temperature extremes.
- Condensation. In addition to temperature swings, you may also have condensation problems in your metal barn. Without insulation, the temperature differential between inside and out can cause the air to condense on the barn’s walls when humidity is high enough. This can create water or rust problems inside your building, which can make the space harder to effectively use.
Two Options for Insulation
Insulting a metal barn can be thought of in two separate categories: having insulation installed when the barn is first constructed, or having it added later as an upgrade. Without a doubt, the best way to go is to have your insulation included in the project from the beginning. At American Carports, Inc. our insulation is part of the warranty so you’ll get optimum performance from day one.
If you already have a metal barn that has plenty of useful life left and you would like to add insulation, it’s possible to do so. However, it’s important to note that any warranties that are still covering the building’s condition will be voided when using third-party insulation. Also, if you choose to use our insulation, the siding of your metal barn needs to be vertical for the installation to be possible. While it’s possible to add your own insulation as a DIY project, you’ll get far better results by bringing in an experienced and knowledgeable contractor to advise you on the right materials and installation methods.
Make It a Priority
Considering how much proper insulation can bring to your barn, it’s a no-brainer to put this near the top of your priority list. The best option is to order a new metal barn from American Carports, Inc. and use our insulation to make sure you get excellent performance from day one. We have a Build & Price tool here on our site that will allow you to design your ideal structure in just minutes. You can easily contact us if any questions come up. Thank you for stopping by!
