These days, the sky is pretty much the limit on options that you can include on your pole building. The variety of designs, building features, and materials that you can choose for your building has exploded over the last decade as post frame construction has increased in popularity. But even as you’re mulling over all the choices, there are a few non-negotiables when it comes to items to include on your pole building. 

Vapor barrier is number one. 

Metal roofs are notorious for the annoying drips that occur inside the building. However, condensation is more than just irritating – it can damage whatever you have stored in your building, and compromise the lifespan of your structure. 

That’s where the vapor barrier comes in. Here at Pole Barns Direct, we recommend and install a single-bubble vapor barrier, which is designed to prevent such “inside rain” by keeping the metal from sweating. Unlike felt paper, which attempts to trap condensation until it can evaporate, single-bubble vapor barrier prevents the metal from sweating in the first place. In addition to keeping your post frame building dry on the inside, a single-bubble vapor barrier also reduces the noise of rain on your metal roof and adds a small insulating value.

But what is single-bubble vapor barrier? Think of it as construction-grade bubble wrap, with a white underside and foil on the top side that goes against the roof metal. In the morning when the sun comes up, the steel on your roof is cool and the humidity is high. As the sun warms the steel on the roof, the outside of the roof naturally heats up faster than the inside of the roof, creating condensation and allowing moisture into your pole building. Single bubble vapor barrier acts as a reflector. As the sun’s rays heat the steel, the heat radiates through the metal but is reflected back out of the roof by the foil side of the vapor barrier. This reflection of the heat reduces the temperature difference that causes the metal to sweat and drip. The vapor barrier also acts an umbrella. If any condensation is able to form, the drips fall on the vapor barrier and run out to the eaves of the building and drip outside.

Here at Pole Barns Direct, we believe so strongly in the importance of vapor barrier that we include it as a standard feature in every building that we quote. Be careful as you’re pricing your building project, and be sure it’s included in your package. 

Have more questions about building options? Want to find out more about our standard features? Contact us today! A member of our team will be glad to help.