Insulation is a big factor everywhere. It’s not only important in homes and industrial environments, but also in farms. Two major factors to account for in barnyard insulation, like in industrial sites, are moisture and temperature regulation. Temperature is a serious determinant of a farm’s profits. If a farm’s animals are feeling comfortable and relaxed in the temperature Goldilocks zone, chickens will lay more eggs, and cows will give more milk. In cattle enclosures, the temperature should be kept to at least 60 degrees. Meanwhile, cold regions may necessitate twice the amount of insulation. Finally, of course, like anywhere else, heating on a farm costs money and it pays off in the long term to keep all the good air trapped on the premises. A farmer can save 60 dollars a month in heating savings alone.
Insulation Materials
Types of insulation materials commonly used include:
- fiberglass
- Cellulose
- Polyurethane spray foam
- polyurethane spray foam
- Aluminum foil drip stops
Moisture in the air, especially in humid zones, results in damage to infrastructure value when landing on a cold surface. For that reason, the walls and roof of the facility must be kept warm. Thus, a vapor barrier needs to be installed on top of insulation, made of aluminum foil for example. In facilities housing animals, humidity can rise all the way to 80%. Meanwhile, mildew and mold will both rot and harm the value of the building infrastructure and bother the animals. Other materials are recommended for the ceiling and walls. Fiberglass and cellulose are not particularly moisture resistant, the former being one of the cheapest options that provides a rather low high R-value (R-6) as well. Shot out of a sprayer, polyurethane spray foam insulation (R-13) is the best performing, particularly the closed-cell version, capable of covering large open stud and roof cavities. To really have this job done properly and get the best barn insulation per square foot, you will need to hire a professional company to do the service for you. Enter your dimensions into a calculator to see how much it will cost you.