Insulation is all about regulating the temperature inside the pole barn. To know what type of insulation you will need, you have to look at your location and what the purpose of your barn is.

If you are in the lower half of the United States, you might be more concerned with keeping heat and moisture out so that equipment won’t rust. In the upper States, the goal will be to keep heat in so that equipment and people can use the barn.

There are various ways to insulate your pole barn. Many people will consider fiberglass insulation since it’s already being used quite often. This insulation is a man-made and is easy and quick to install. It is easy to cut, but making any adjustments with cuts or compressing will make it less effective and provide little resistance to the airflow. Fiberglass can cost up to $1 per square foot depending on the R-value and the thermal resistance one is looking for.

Another option is to use spray foam insulation. The cost of this insulation is much higher than traditional insulation. The installation of spray foam is also more expensive than other insulators because of the chemicals involved as well as the problems associated with a poor installation (which can bring the entire barn down. While the cost of spray foam insulation will vary, it can cost up to $2 per square foot, one inch thick.

Foil insulation or reflective insulation is another type of insulation that is cost-effective. The goal of this insulation is as the name says to reflect the heat away. The aluminum foil is usually attached to some material or there will be two layers of foil with foam or plastic bubbles in the middle. This insulation will reduce heat flow. This type of insulation is great in the summer, but in extreme cold conditions needs to be paired with other insulation.

The choice of insulation is dependent on your locale and the weather conditions that will exist. Make sure to obtain quotes from local vendors and compare insulations to find the best deal for what you need.