How would you insulate this garage/workshop?

[lhfarm]

I would call the "horizontal 2x4's" blocking. In some cases blocking at certain locations is required by code, for example several bays each side of a corner. In this case this blocking can be called a nailer. I did the same on my garage, it is 30 x 40, framed with 2x6. I put a 2x6 every 16 inches in between the studs to act as a nailer for my vertical pine siding, makes for a very stiff structure. To insulate, I simply used R-19 unfaced (2x6's) with 6 mil poly on top and then GWB, the ceiling I used R-30, 6 mil and GWB.

If I did my house and garage over today I would spray it with the expanding spray in insulation, maybe, I looked at doing 4 years ago when I built my house and it was prohibitively expensive, I couldn't imagine a payback, but that is when oil was $1.50 and appeared stable.

When it was built, I was told that they where nailers, required for the style of siding. I'm going to check for local companies that do foam.

 

[jwstewar]

The other thing to consider is blown in insulation. When we built our house, I had them go ahead and insulation the attached garage as well. We got an advantage because they were there doing the house already, but they were able to blow the cellulose insulation in cheaper with a greater R value than I could buy just the fiberglass insulation. Just something else to consider.

Now I just need to get a ceiling in the pole barn and have them come back and do it as well.

 

[Skerby]

if you still haven't started then just do this.. put up kraft faced rolls with 3/8" staples and leave it at that (i.e., just roll over top of the horizontal 2x4 nailers), cut and restaple to fit when you choose to put up drywall..

forget foam and forget blown insulation (with all those boxes?? ONLY if they were on a horizontal surface, like a ceiling...).. waste of time, money, and effort...

 

[LBrown59]

The other thing to consider is blown in insulation. When we built our house, I had them go ahead and insulation the attached garage as well. We got an advantage because they were there doing the house already, but
they were able to blow the cellulose insulation in cheaper with a greater R value than I could buy just the fiberglass insulation. Just something else to consider.

Now I just need to get a ceiling in the pole barn and have them come back and do it as well.

Plus you didn't have to do the installation .

 

[jwstewar]

Plus you didn't have to do the installation .

Exactly, and that was critical since that was critical for getting us in to our house and out of that trailer sitting on our driveway.

 

[LBrown59]

I'm still puzzled as to why the vertical 2x4s were installed faceing the wrong way

*Please explain what is the "wrong way" for the vertical 2x4s. I am mystified by this, they appear to be correctly installed to me.

*I was in the housing business for 33 years .
I worked with both Factory and site built homes.
Every home and or garage except pole barn construction had vertical 2 x 4 studs with the 2'' side facing the wall not the 4 ''side.
Pole barn construction is different in that the 2 x 4 studs run horizontal instead of vertical with the 4'' side facing the wall rather than the 2'' side against the wall.

At first glance of the OPs photo it would appear judging from the wall having both vertical and horizontal 2 x 4 studs The construction is some sort of combination of stick building and Pole building .
Taking a closer look that is not correct because if it was true stick building the 2 x 4 studs would have the narrow 2'' edge against wall instead of the 4'' wider flat side.
Upon closer inspection.
If it was a true pole building method of installing the 2 x 4 horizontal studs they would not be between the vertical studs but they would run across the vertical studs.
When I first looked at the picture I thought it was a combination of a stick built and pole building construction .
Taking a closer view I realize it's really a half breed between a distorted/altered stick built method and a distorted/altered pole building method.

 

[cast_and_blast]

I wouldn't rule out spray foam - they even make DIY kits. Just did our entire ceiling in our house here in MN and it makes a tremendous difference!!

Scott

 

[MarkV]

I assume you are refering to the horizontal 2x4s but why would they be necessary when the siding is already nailed to the vertical 2x4s?
I'm still puzzled as to why the vertical 2x4s were installed faceing the wrong way

*I was in the housing business for 33 years .
I worked with both Factory and site built homes.
Every home and or garage except pole barn construction had vertical 2 x 4 studs with the 2'' side facing the wall not the 4 ''side.
Pole barn construction is different in that the 2 x 4 studs run horizontal instead of vertical with the 4'' side facing the wall rather than the 2'' side against the wall.

At first glance of the OPs photo it would appear judging from the wall having both vertical and horizontal 2 x 4 studs The construction is some sort of combination of stick building and Pole building .
Taking a closer look that is not correct because if it was true stick building the 2 x 4 studs would have the narrow 2'' edge against wall instead of the 4'' wider flat side.
Upon closer inspection.
If it was a true pole building method of installing the 2 x 4 horizontal studs they would not be between the vertical studs but they would run across the vertical studs.
When I first looked at the picture I thought it was a combination of a stick built and pole building construction .
Taking a closer view I realize it's really a half breed between a distorted/altered stick built method and a distorted/altered pole building method.

Mr. Brown,

They must build different up your way than the do down my way. Obviously the vertical studs in the first photo are the structural members in the the building Ihfarm shows. I just don't see where you think they are facing the wrong way??? Any stick framed wall is going to have the narrow section of the framing member perpendicular to the top and bottom plate. Looks well built from what I can see. Very standard stick construction, I also have been in the construction industry for many years. The horizontal members are just as Ihfarm said, they are nailers to offer a nailing surface for vertical siding. Vertical siding such as board an batten can not be nailed to the vertical framing because you generally don't run 16 wide siding boards that would line up with the standard vertical framing. A good contractor/carpenter added the proper nailers for the the siding rather than try to nail them to the OSB sheathing. Standard stuff for stick framing.

MarkV

 

[lhfarm]

I have a quote from a local foam company. They want to do the side walls and underside of the roof. That way, I can keep the ceiling unfinished. No venting required (they actually seal around the edges). It isn't cheap, but it is within my budget.

I think I will probably go this route. Just wanted to finish this thread.

Thanks,

 

[IXLR8]

If you can afford the spray in foam.. that is the best way to go, it takes care of insulation, vapor barrier, air infiltration all in one shot. Let us know how it turns out.