I have a hangar in AZ and looking to insulate it. I think the thermamax sheets at Home Depot is what I want? They are fire resistant and 1” thick.

Do I need to leave an air gap between the insulation board and the metal hangar? And suggestions on how I insulate the roof (screwing seems to be not a desirable option). It’s a City hangar so nothing I do can be permanent (although for $230 a month I will be there for a LONG time).

Am I thinking about this the right way? What else should I consider?

I'd use stick pins and glue them to the inside of the metal hangar. Amazon has them as Self-Stick Insulation Hangars, You'd need the glue and washers also.

Andy

Jake: I am about to do the same thing on my hangars. I had seen the 1" foam, but wonder if it would be better to go for 2", since the work involved is similar.
I'll be looking for you posts on this, but would like to share some ideas by PM.

Thanks,


Tom

I insulated my east facing hangar wall with Prodex Total 10M Plus from www.insulation4less.com.

Cost was about $350 for the insulation and a case of adhesive. Took a half day to install. Before I was showing 110-115 by about 9am with a non-contact thermometer. Now it shows ambient temps. I used to not be able to work in the hangar before about 1pm.

After two years, there's only one small spot where the insulation is coming away. Most likely I didn't get enough on the wall before putting the insulation up. I still have 3/4 of a case of the adhesive. So if you go this route, you're welcome to the glue.

I saw those - they say don’t use when building could get hotter than 140F. That seems to rule out AZ......

I saw those - they say don’t use when building could get hotter than 140F. That seems to rule out AZ......

How useful is that metric? You used a non contact thermometer on a metal surface that was (on the other side) in full sunlight, and then you placed something (anything!) between that metal surface and your non contact thermometer, and the temp changed? That's expected result, you could have placed a piece of plywood up and observed the same

What is the change in ambient temp in the hangar, if any?

340sq/ft of 120F (I checked my notes. Normally it was 120-130F) surface radiating into the hanger is a pretty significant source of heat. Inside the hangar it was always well above 105F with a pair of 3' fans running. After the insulation was installed, the temps in the hangar were a few degrees below the OAT which is usually around 95.

If my description offended your sensibilities, that's too bad. In the future I suggest you not read anything I post.

Consider a radiant barrier rather than insulation. Very effective in your climate, probably more effective than a relatively thin panel.

Paint the hangar roof with white roof paint with titanium dioxide in it. It reflects the sun like a mirror.

Nobody is offended here, just trying to understand the claim. You put panels on your metal building and you suddenly have ambient temps in a shaded area, that's interesting to hear, I don't think it would work in my climate, you must be in a very dry area

Nobody is offended here, just trying to understand the claim. You put panels on your metal building and you suddenly have ambient temps in a shaded area, that's interesting to hear, I don't think it would work in my climate, you must be in a very dry area

As mentioned it would be best to have the Highest R value possible so the 2" Sheets should work best of the roof. To answer your question about the air gap, the answer is NO as you are not creating a "hot attic" besides that, the ribs in the metal will do any breathing necessary. The fact that you are in AZ should lessen the condensation factor to low levels which would be the main reason for an air gap in the first place.