Pole barn ceiling questions

[lowerthanu]

Hey guys,

I am getting ready to put a steel ceiling in my pole barn. My question is, my trusses are 10' on center so I will need to supports between them to support and screw the steel to. My questions is what support spacing should be used for steel ceiling panels with blown in insulation? Is 2' on center necessary or can I just split it in 1/2 for 5' on center or 3rds for 3.33' on center? Trying to get my final materials list together so I can go buy everything tomorrow. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[BeezFun]

I think 5' centers would be fine if there's no load other than the insulation. If you happen to step on it while you're up there though it will almost certainly bend and deform. You can run furring strips perpendicular to the trusses, might be easier depending on the span of your barn. You could then use a more standard spacing like 2' that would be a little more solid. I'd staple up plastic as a vapor barrier before you put up the steel, otherwise it will be really easy for moisture to condense on top of the steel if you have any air leaks. Closer spacing also makes it easier to staple up the plastic.

 

[KennyG]

Agreed you can get by with 5' for insulation. The standard requirement is support every 4' but that's conservative. You didn't mention the overall dimensions but adding joists in a pole barn can be expensive because of the long spans. You might consider adding nailers every 4 feet perpendicular to the trusses. You would end up with the ceiling panels oriented 90 degrees to normal, but that might work out for you.

Definitely get the moisture barrier in place before the metal. Also, make sure you have good under roof ventilation so you don't have moisture condensing on the bottom of the roofing and dropping onto the blown in insulation.

 

[rrrkkk]

mine is put up on 8' centers sheets are 16' long and there is 24" of insulatin on them. This is a factory installation, been there 6 years no problem. Blown in white f/glas insulation. what does it take to hold up insulation?

 

[Mike476]

I agree I'd consider splitting it into 5' spacing and then strapping every 4' perpendicular to supports.

 

[rswyan]

Agreed you can get by with 5' for insulation. The standard requirement is support every 4' but that's conservative. You didn't mention the overall dimensions but adding joists in a pole barn can be expensive because of the long spans. You might consider adding nailers every 4 feet perpendicular to the trusses. You would end up with the ceiling panels oriented 90 degrees to normal, but that might work out for you.

Definitely get the moisture barrier in place before the metal. Also, make sure you have good under roof ventilation so you don't have moisture condensing on the bottom of the roofing and dropping onto the blown in insulation.

The trusses in our 42' x 72' are roughly 8' O.C. - plan is to put up 2" x 4"s every 4' in each bay (between each truss) to use as nailers for the steel liner panels, which are 20' long.

As mentioned above, the requirement is support every 4' .... dunno how much moisture blown-in (cellulose) insulation might absorb (making it heavier), but I'd prefer to see as little bowing as possible after going to the trouble of putting it up.

 

[MNBobcat]

The trusses in our 42' x 72' are roughly 8' O.C. - plan is to put up 2" x 4"s every 4' in each bay (between each truss) to use as nailers for the steel liner panels, which are 20' long.

As mentioned above, the requirement is support every 4' .... dunno how much moisture blown-in (cellulose) insulation might absorb (making it heavier), but I'd prefer to see as little bowing as possible after going to the trouble of putting it up.

When I did my ceiling last fall I called the manufacturer who makes the metal panels that Menards sells. I don't recall the company name but its listed on the Menards site or you could call Menards and ask for the name. The maufacturer told me that the distance the metal can span depends on the gauge of the panel that you use. I used the lighter weight ceiling panels which are a thinner gauge than the wall sheathing and my trusses are 4 foot on center. If I recall correctly, they said you could go as much as 6 or 8 feet on center.

My suggestion is to call the manufacturer and talk with them directly. They're going to be the experts when it comes to their product. Better to get the scoop from them than to find out later that you made a mistake.

You do need a vapor barrier unless you were going to insulate with spray foam.

 

[KennyG]

Where I got my panels (ABC Supply) all the interior liner panels are 29 gauge. They have a painted surface rather than galvalume. All the info I could find said support on 4 foot centers, for both walls and ceilings. I wouldn't be comfortable going to 6 or 8 feet with insulation on top.