Metal Building Issues

[jimbosride]

30 years ago I put up a metal pole building. Its had a lot cars go thru it and it's a great work shop. 3 of the sides have cdx wood with tyvek
before the metal siding. The roof has a thin moisture cover before the metal. The issue is the building sweats about 4 months a year on and off depending on the weather.

Has anyone tried to control this? ceiling Fans .... de- humitfiers....? Or maybe a false ceiling. It is 980 sq ft.

Thanks

 

[dmoore]

I had the same issue on my 30 x 40 metal building until I insulated and closed it in. No more wide temp swings spring and fall. Then I decided to heat/cool it with a 3 ton Mitshibishi mini split. R-19 in the walls, R-30 in ceiling. 3 10 x 8 insulated garage doors with openers.

 

[493 Mike]

Check on a spray foam insulation? I have trouble in the summer, here in MI with humidity so, I installed a one ton split system A/C. It does not get much warmer than 70* normally in my shop but does get "muggy". That minisplit system did the job! My shop is quite large so even that small system is enough.
Mike

 

[hdwrench]

had same issue w metal roof . spray foam directly onto metal cured it . remove any space (air) that condensation can form .

 

[Jesse6869]

Insulate, i did spray foam for that reason but

expensive. What I regret is spray foam is flammable and i should have sprayed it with fire retardant paint. Didn’t do enough research at the time.

 

[j-c-c-62]

The flammability issue would concern me.
It still can be painted I believe.
It is the best insulator, and actually strengths the roof system slightly.

 

[Jesse6869]

The flammability issue would concern me.
It still can be painted I believe.
It is the best insulator, and actually strengths the roof system slightly.

The foam holds my shop together like glue wouldn’t change it. Those days are gone shop walls are sealed except ceiling.

 

[j-c-c-62]

But why not paint with the fire-retardant paint?
I am told insurance building inspectors dislike foam because it's hard to judge roof condition from the underside during inspections.
Full disclosure, my sister is a GC in Fla that does foam applications for past 20+ years.

 

[eldubb440]

The foam holds my shop together like glue wouldn’t change it. Those days are gone shop walls are sealed except ceiling. View attachment 1613008

I'd live in that

 

[Sam69sat]

I have a portable garage and was having condensation issues on cold mornings when the sun hit it. I bought a couple cheap vent grates and installed them on both ends up towards the top. It really helped and got rid of 95% of the condensation. Some type of venting system might help if you live on the dry side of Washington.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Having a sealed/painted floor helps reduce a potential big source of moisture thru the slab, unless a vapor barrier was place before the concrete, besides a number of other advantages, light, dust, spill clean-up, stains, etc

 

[Coronet_Arch]

I was taught to always insulate a metal roof even in unheated building or there would condensation on the underside of the panels. Metal building manufacturers use a white plastic wrapped fiberglass insulation for their buildings. It has the added advantage of reflecting light brightening the space.

 

[andyf]

My metal shop was fully insulated and it had heated floors. Never had an issue with condensation. I think keeping the floor warm was the key but the insulation also helped.

 

[hdwrench]

My metal shop was fully insulated and it had heated floors. Never had an issue with condensation. I think keeping the floor warm was the key but the insulation also helped.

View attachment 1660890

great looking shop ! i’m am envious!!! a large shop is our next big project, long overdue….we have done tons of projects and upgrades to our homestead the big sho is due . just have to pick where it’s going . where i want it has no access to power so it will be costly to bring in electric service. alternate location has power and semi flat so it would be an easy build , but quite a ways from my house . my house is the last electric service on my street . i would probably need to set 8 poles to reach the area i can build on .the other location has power at the road ….i own frontage on 2 roads …

 

[Don selleck]

1" of sprayfoam, heat. Bought a dehumidifier from a guy that grew weed, since the price of weed has declined in michigan since the big boys took over, used industrial dehumidifiers are pretty cheap picked one up almost new for $500, $2500 new. put in a minisplit ac also, for insurance, probably won't need it shop stays cool from concrete ground transfer.

 

[SureGrip]

Getting ready to have two 24X20' metal buildings put up (to get around City ordinance that won't let me do a single 24X40) and plan is to do 2" closed cell on the walls and 3" under roof deck. Planning on mini split AC and fans so hoping no moisture.