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Dave_H_M's avatar
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2014

Getting Some Heat Out of the RV Storage Barn?

I have an uninsulated pole barn. I know there is not much hope to keep the heat down in there, but maybe if i could get some relief it would make it easier on the fifth wheel I store in there. I considered the gable type mounted one that mounts on the vertical surface close to the gable. I have a loft in the North end of the barn and it will facilitate work from the inside of either the gable mount or thru the roof mount.

Is it worth it in my application.

On the gable one, I have read a lot of reviews that they will flap in the wind. We have some helatious winds from the north here so I guess I could latch it closed permanently in the winter.

Experience with fine winter snow filtering in would also be appreciated. It seems like at least once in a winter we have a big adz north wind with fine snow that i have went to great lengths with the expanding foam to keep out of the north side of the barn.

What do you think I should do - Roof, Gable, or forget it?

9 Replies

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  • Led_67's avatar
    Led_67
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    X2 on the ridge vent also besides the gable vents have you considered cieling fans to help circulate the air ??
    Stagnant air will cause a building to heat up more quikly verses a building with constant airflow...Think of it this way, Convection air will move dependent upon thermal properties but with fans to assist the air movement you can expect the temperture to drop by several degrees.

    Good Luck
  • KJINTF's avatar
    KJINTF
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    Yes they do indeed work and work very well - A very good low cost solution

    I have the plastic gable type louvered vent behind an AC powered fan in my shop. To keep the snow & cold out plus stop the wind chattering I built an insulated box inside around the fan with a hinged door. Well worth the effort it easily drops the inside temps and allows air to circulate.

    Or you could do as I did for the RV summer storage - Installed two 120watt solar panels on the roof and a 16" 12Vdc powered thermostat controlled Fan with the same vent assembly. They both work great
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Jul 23, 2014
    We have similar issues with aircraft hangers. The cheapest item is to merely put vents near the top and bottom of the south and / or west facing sides, then staple plastic vapour across the inside of the framing. This can also be done with the roof.

    This captures the heat created by sunshine on the walls and roof and channels the majority of it right back out again.
  • Dave_H_M's avatar
    Dave_H_M
    Explorer II
    Jul 23, 2014
    othertonka wrote:
    I assume you are talking about a FAN. Am I right?


    :S what an oversight - yes a fan - hot air exhaust type
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    The best venting will come with a continuous ridge vent. I like the GAF spun material rather than the formed plastic vents. The formed plastic vents tend to deform from the intense heat. If you use the spun material vent, you'll need to either buy ridge covers or form your own out of metal (assumes you have a metal roof). The ridge vent is installed after 1 1/2" of roof sheathing on each side of the ridge is cut from the peak. A 40' piece of continuous ridge vent is equivalent to more than a dozen fixed vents.

    White roof spray is also a good idea. I applied elastomeric roof coating to my trailer with a conventional Graco airless sprayer.
  • More_To_See's avatar
    More_To_See
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    Check into painting your roof with a thick white Elastomeric covering. All the big box stores have it from various manufacturers. Roughly $125 for a 5 gallon can. Only a very high end professional spray pump can handle something that thick so you'll likely have to roll or paint it on by hand. And they generally recommend two layers.

    The product does not like ponding on the roof since that may allow water to get under it - and the dirt collecting in those areas absorb heat instead of reflecting it.

    And you may have to prep your roof before applying the Elastomeric product.

    I had two side-by-side metal shipping containers and after using Elastomeric on one of them the difference was amazing.
  • down_home's avatar
    down_home
    Explorer II
    Jul 23, 2014
    A lot of barns, were open, at the bottom and the gable ends up top. Cool air comes, in the bottom and exits as hot up high. Cousin's Grand Father, in Indiana, had hinged doors or whatever on the bottom.
    I imagine rodents can come in too but there is screening

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