Preparing Pole Barns for Winter
A pole barn is most often used for storage, but many people also choose to use them as workshops. Some convert pole barns into stores, or even homes. Pole barns are also frequently used to shelter livestock.
If you live in a region with cold, snowy winters and plan to use your pole barn as a working or living space, for either your family or your animals, it is important to prepare it for winter. Here are some simple steps you can take to insulate and heat your pole barn.
Most pole barn owners choose to lay a concrete floor, which can provide some protection from cold in the winter. However, if you decide to leave a dirt floor in your pole barn, you can still keep it warm. Add gravel around the walls of your pole barn to seal off any spaces between the bottoms of the walls and the dirt floor. This will help you keep cold air out of the building.
You can also keep your pole barn comfortable by insulating the walls and ceiling. Stuff sheets of blanket insulation into the spaces between the beams in the walls and staple it to the beams. You should also put insulation between the rafters in the ceiling. After you have inserted the blanket insulation, cover it with sheets of nylon-reinforced plastic wrap or building wrap. For even more protection from the cold, you can cover the insulation with foam board or drywall.
Once you have insulated your pole barn to keep cold air out, you need to figure out how to generate heat inside. You have several options, including forced air, electric, geothermal, wood, propane, kerosene, or corn pellets. Choose the right fuel by taking into account factors such as your pole barn’s size, design, and location, as well as fuel costs. You can also install radiant floor heating before you lay a concrete floor. Installing ceiling fans and setting them on a low speed can draw heat upward and circulate it throughout your pole barn.
A pole barn can provide you with valuable storage, work, or living space. By taking some simple steps to insulate and heat your pole barn, you can keep it comfortable so that you can make the best use of it year-round.
When you are ready contact CHA Pole Barns to talk about your pole barn project.