How to Stop Condensation Dripping in a Metal Pole Barn

To stop condensation dripping in a metal pole barn, keep warm, moist air from touching the cold metal. The most reliable fix for an existing barn is closed-cell spray foam bonded to the underside of the roof. In most unheated barns, about 1 inch is enough.

Why Metal Barns Drip

On clear, cool nights a metal roof loses heat to the sky and drops below the dew point of the air inside the barn. Moisture condenses on the steel, then drips when the drops get heavy or the sun warms the roof in the morning. In humid northeast Oklahoma this happens often in spring, fall and winter.

Find the Moisture Sources

• A dirt floor, or a concrete slab poured without a vapor barrier
• Animals, wet hay or wet equipment
• Unvented propane or kerosene heaters, which add water vapor
• Water pooling against the base trim from poor drainage

Step 1: Fix the Sources You Can

Improve drainage away from the walls, use vented heaters, and put a ground vapor barrier over dirt floors where practical.

Step 2: Insulate the Roof

A 1-inch closed-cell coat on the roof bonds to the metal and keeps moist air off it. For heated buildings, use more thickness and include the walls. See pole barn condensation control.

Step 3: Keep Air Moving

Ridge and eave ventilation helps carry moisture out, but in humid Oklahoma weather it rarely stops dripping by itself.

What It Costs

A roof condensation coat typically runs about $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot of roof, or about $2,500 to $5,000 on a 40x60 barn. Read what it costs to insulate a 40x60 pole barn.

Pole Barn Insulation Pros Tulsa offers free on-site estimates and written quotes seven days a week, 8am to 7pm. Call (918) 880-2499 or request a free quote online.