How To Insulate A Pole Barn: A Step-By-Step Guide 


How To Insulate A Wood Framed Building With Prodex Total


Most of our customers install Prodex Total without hiring an installer. Below are suggested methods for both new construction and retrofitting applications.



To insulate your pole barn with Prodex Total, you will need:


  • Reflective tape - To avoid seam tape, order 10M or Fast Action
  • Double-sided tape
  • Staples, nails or screws
  • A utility knife

The reflective tape is used to seal seams which enhances the performance of the insulation. 


The double sided tape can be used to hold the insulation in place (especially in windy conditions) during install.


The most popular insulation for a pole barn is Prodex Total 10M. The following are excellent Prodex Total 5M choices: 48 Inch, Fast Action, 62 inch Fast Action, 72 Inch, White, 24 Inch, 16 Inch and Rustic.

New Constructions: Roof/Wall Insulation Over Purlin


Recommended Prodex Total item: 10M, 48 Inch, Fast Action, 72 Inch, White or Rustic


Alternative insulation: Reflective Bubble Reflective or Foil Fiberglass Vinyl








Prodex insulation on new construction over purlins



  1. Put double-sided tape on the top of the framing to keep the insulation in place against wind.
  2. Roll the insulation perpendicular to and over the frames.
  3. Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation to the framing. 
  4. Create an airspace between the insulation and the sheeting (wood, metal, siding etc) using 3/4" furring strips (ideal). Another way to create an airspace - Push the insulation in (make it sag) two or three inches. 
  5. Tape seams with reflective tape. To avoid taping, use 10M or Prodex Fast Action.
  6. Attach your sheeting.

Summary - Wrap the wood frame on the exterior with the insulation. Create an airspace between the insulation and the sheeting (wood, metal, siding etc) using 3/4" furring strips. Attach the sheeting


New Constructions: Roof/Wall Insulation With Two Layers Of Prodex


Most Use Only One layer of Prodex Total. 

Recommended Prodex Total item: 10M, 48 Inch, Fast Action, 72 Inch, White or Rustic


Prodex insulation on new constructions – 2 layers.

  1. Follow steps 1 - 6 above for the outer layer of Insulation. 

  2. For the inside layer - Roll out the insulation over the inside of the framing. Run the insulation perpendicular to the framing. 

  3. Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation to the inside of the framing. 

Retrofitting: Roof/Wall Insulation With Or Without Existing Insulation


Recommended Prodex Total item: 10M, 48 Inch, Fast Action, 72 Inch, White or Rustic.


Alternative insulation: Reflective Bubble Reflective or Foil Fiberglass Vinyl


  • Roll out the insulation over the inside of the framing. Run the insulation perpendicular to the framing. 

  • Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation to the inside of the framing. 

Prodex insulation on retrofitting – with or without existing insulation
Prodex insulation on retrofitting – with existing insulation



Retrofitting: Roof/Wall Insulation Between Girts


Recommended Prodex Total item: 24 Inch, 16 Inch, 10M, 48 Inch, Fast Action, 72 Inch, White or Rustic.

Alternative insulation: Reflective Bubble Reflective or Foil Fiberglass Vinyl


1. Attach Insulation Between The Framing



  • Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation between the framing.
  • Leave an air gap of 1 inch or more between the insulation and the sheeting to optimize performance.


2. Attach 2nd layer of Insulation Under The Framing  - Most use only one layer.

  • For the inside layer - Roll out the insulation over the inside of the framing. Run the insulation perpendicular to the framing.
  • Use roofing cap nails, screws with locking washers, or 1/2" staples to attach the insulation to the inside of the framing. 
Prodex insulation for retrofitting between girts
Prodex insulation for retrofitting between girts – 2 layers


Any pole barn that uses fiberglass insulation rather than Prodex Total will have moisture issues (typically hidden behind facing), Loss of R-value (consequence of the moisture) and heat gain. 

Prodex Total Insulation: One solution for Heat, Condensation and Cold. It combines the benefits of a radiant barrier, reflective insulation, and vapor barrier - All in one product!

A pole barn insulation system requires a reflective insulation, radiant barrier and vapor barrier. The metal skin causes sweating (condensation), unbearable heat in summer and frigid temperatures in winter. Prodex serves as a true vapor barrier and condensation eliminator. It has a high R-value and it's the number one performing radiant heat barrier. It's superior to fiberglass in pole barns because its R value is unaffected by humidity or water -- It doesn't mildew or promote fungus growth and it adds a radiant barrier to keep the building cool in the summer -- It doesn't promote nesting for rodents, bugs and birds. It is also much easier and less expensive to install. Unlike expensive spray foam insulation, Prodex Total prevents radiant heat transfer. It is superior bubble insulation in metal buildings because the heat of the metal skin doesn't cause its polyethylene micro-bubbles to collapse. Reflective aluminum foil on each side of a 5mm closed-cell polyethylene foam center.

Ever wonder why it's so hot and wet inside a pole barn with metal sheeting 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 cold in. When a cold surface comes in contact with warm air it creates moisture on the surface (cold beer can outside in summer). Prodex eliminates the moisture (condensation) on the metal sheeting, it prevents the heat from entering your building in summer and leaving your building in winter!

You'll have a cool, dry structure in summer and a warm, dry structure in winter. It is used as a stand-alone or supplemental insulation. It is ICC-ES Recognized - It reflects 97% of radiant heat (the primary source of heat flow). Prodex works well in HOT and COLD climates. Other benefits of Prodex include sound deadening, sealing around nails, no promotion of mold or mildew, no nesting for rodents, birds, or bugs, easy installation and more.

Prodex Total Insulation: One solution for Heat, Condensation, Cold and Airflow. It combines the benefits of a radiant barrier, reflective insulation, and vapor barrier- All in one product!

In the below testimonial, the customer ran the insulation a different direction than the method described above - That's fine. There is no wrong way to install if you remember to incorporate an air-gap of 3/4" or more. How you achieve the gap is less important. 










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