Pole barn insulation must eliminate condensation, protect against radiant heat and cold.

The best insulation for a pole barns will keep the inside of the structure cool in summer, warm in winter and dry all the time. This requires the insulation product to be a radiant barrier, reflective insulation and vapor barrier - Prodex Total Insulation!

A pole building insulation system requires a vapor barrier, reflective insulation and radiant barrier. Why? The sun's rays on the metal surface creates unbearable heat inside a pole barn in the summer. Cold winter temperatures are exaggerated by the metal roof and wall sheeting making it frigid inside. Warm temperature on a cool metal roof or wall creates sweating (condensation). Prodex serves a true vapor barrier and condensation eliminator. It has a high R-value: R 16 and it prevents radiant heat transfer (primary source of heat-flow). It's superior to fiberglass batt in pole barns because it is unaffected by humidity or water -- It doesn't mildew or promote fungus growth and it keeps the barn cool in the summer -- It doesn't promote nesting for rodents, bugs and birds. It is also much easier and less expensive to install. It is superior to double bubble insulation in pole barns because the heat from the metal roof and walls doesn't cause its polyethylene micro-bubbles to collapse. With a pressure of 6 PSI Prodex compresses just 6%. When the load is relieved it takes back its initial shape. The density of the foam is between 1.25 lb/ft (sq) - 1.87 lb/ft (sq). This gives the material real body. Prodex Reviews

What to look for in the ideal pole barn insulation for sale: radiant heat barrier, R-value (not affected by humidity), vapor barrier, eliminate condensation, not allow for nesting of rodents, install easily, sound deaden, increase lighting efficiency, have credentials.

Radiant Heat Barrier

Ever wonder why it's so hot and wet inside a pole building in the summer and so cold and wet in winter? The metal skin magnifies the heat of the summer and frigid temperatures of the winter. Metal is a very good conductor of heat and cold. In hot weather, metal framing and sheeting rapidly transfers the sun's heat into a building, and in cold weather it rapidly transfers the heat out of your building. When warm air comes in contact with the cool metal sheet, condensation occurs.

Prodex reflects 97% of the radiant energy (primary source of heat flow) that strikes it. It also reflects back the heat inside your building. Each unit of radiant heat energy that is reflected away from your barn in the summer, and each unit that is reflected back during the winter, means less operation of your heating and air conditioning system - Less wear and tear on your equipment - Less money you pay in utility costs.

Vapor barrier, Condensation and R- value

Prodex is a class 1 vapor barrier. In addition to providing vapor protection it also eliminates condensation. When a cold surface comes in contact with warm air it creates moisture on the surface (cold bottle outside in summer). Prodex eliminates the moisture (condensation) from forming on the metal sheeting. This prevention is important - Even though the wood in a quality pole barn will be treated, water trapped between fiberglass insulation and the exterior of the barn will, in time cause, cause rot, rust, oxidation, mold and fungus growth - conditions that will degrade the wood and shorten the service of the building. Condensation can also result in ruined crops or bacterial growth.

Pole barn insulation options: Fiberglass insulation is not the solution. Once the fiberglass insulation gets damp (and it will in a pole building) it will stay damp. Once damp it loses R value. Not only will you have trapped moisture in the blanket causing rot, rust, oxidation, mold etc, the damp blanket will provide less and less R value as the moisture builds. Couple this with the fact that fiberglass insulation does not prevent radiant heat transfer (primary source of heat flow) and you can see why fiberglass insulation is not the recommended insulation for pole barns. The R-value of Prodex R 16 pole barn roof insulation is unaffected by humidity.

Nesting of rodents, bugs and birds

Unlike fiberglass insulation, Prodex does not provide for the nesting of rodents, bugs and birds. Rodents, bugs and birds aren't able to digest the aluminum.

Ease of Installation

It's a lot easier to install a 5mm roll of Prodex than a bulky 6 inch roll of fiberglass. Pinching 6 inches fiberglass between the framing and sheeting is not easy.

Installing Prodex in a new or existing pole building

Sound deadening

February 20, 2013