Pole Barn & Garage Insulation in Traverse City, MI

Pole Barn & Garage Insulation is common work around Traverse City, where pole buildings store boats, RVs, trucks and equipment, and many owners turn them into heated shops. Bare steel loses heat quickly, and when warm, damp air meets cold metal it condenses and drips on whatever is underneath. In a region with this much snow and cold, that can happen most of the winter.

Closed-cell on steel

Closed-cell foam bonds directly to steel panels and framing, seals seams and fastener holes, and keeps damp air off the cold metal, which stops condensation at the source. HomeGuide lists it at R-5 to R-7 per inch. It also quiets rain and adds stiffness. Open-cell foam is not used on steel because vapor passes through it to the cold surface.

Storage or heated shop

We size the foam to how the building is used. A storage building that only needs to stop dripping can get a thinner layer on the roof and upper walls. A shop heated through a January where average lows sit near 17F needs more foam on the roof and walls and careful sealing at the eaves and big doors.

Snow loads and roofs

Foam adds very little weight, but heavy snow on a steel roof is a reason to check for leaks and loose fasteners first. We look at the roof before we spray it.

Garages

Attached garages need the shared wall with the house sealed so fumes stay out, and the ceiling under any bonus room insulated. Detached wood-framed garages can take foam or batts with air sealing.

Barriers

If people work inside, foam generally needs a thermal or ignition barrier depending on the product, and we tell you up front whether your building needs one.

Call (231) 640-5435 or book a visit and we will measure your barn, shop or garage. Get a free estimate