A barndominium is a home built inside a metal building, and it needs to be insulated like a home. The steel roof and walls conduct heat fast, the building has long eaves and big overhead doors, and the shop side and the living side often share the same shell. Without a continuous air seal, the living area runs hot in summer, cold in winter, and the metal sweats where warm indoor air reaches it.
Spray foam is the most common way to insulate a barndo around Tulsa because it handles all of that at once. Closed-cell foam on the metal shell blocks condensation and adds rigidity, and it can be combined with open-cell foam on interior framed walls and ceilings for sound control. The result is an airtight home that is easier to heat and cool.
We work with owners building new barndominiums and with owners finishing out shells that are already standing. We price the living side and the shop side separately, because a shop may only need a condensation coat while the living space needs full R-values.
Tulsa tip
Spray the shell after rough-in plumbing and electrical but before interior walls are closed up. Ask your builder to leave room between the girts and interior studs so wiring is not buried in foam.
When a Barndominium Needs Spray Foam
- ✓New barndominium framing ready for insulation
- ✓Condensation on the inside of metal panels
- ✓Hot living space under the metal roof
- ✓Drafts around overhead doors and eaves
- ✓Noise from rain and hail on the roof
- ✓High electric bills in summer
Closed-Cell, Open-Cell or a Combination
Closed-cell foam goes on the metal roof and walls, where it acts as the vapor retarder and air barrier. Two to three inches is typical for the living area of a barndominium.
Open-cell foam is cheaper per inch and quieter, and it works well on interior framed walls, the ceiling over the living space, and between the house and shop. Many barndos use closed-cell on the shell and open-cell inside.
Barndominium Spray Foam Insulation Services We Offer
✓Living Area Shell
Closed-cell foam on metal roof and walls of the home side.
✓Shop Side Foam
A lighter closed-cell coat for the attached shop.
✓Interior Walls and Ceilings
Open-cell foam for sound and comfort.
✓House to Shop Wall
Air sealing and insulation between living space and shop.
✓Finish-Out Projects
Insulating existing barndo shells before interior finish.
Barndominium Spray Foam Insulation Cost in Tulsa, OK
| Project | Typical Range | What Affects It |
|---|---|---|
| 40x60 barndo shell, 2 in closed-cell | $10,000–$20,000 | Wall height and roof pitch |
| Closed-cell per board foot | $1.00–$2.00 | Thickness and access |
| Open-cell per board foot | $0.45–$0.80 | Interior walls and ceilings |
| Shop side condensation coat | $1.00–$2.00 per sq ft | 1 in closed-cell |
Planning ranges for the Tulsa area. Your free estimate prices the living and shop sides separately.
How It Works
- 1
Plan Review
We review plans or walk the shell to plan each area.
- 2
Prep
Windows, floors and rough-ins are protected.
- 3
Spray
Closed-cell on the shell, open-cell inside where planned.
- 4
Inspection Ready
We check thickness and leave the shell ready for drywall.
Related reading: Do You Need a Vapor Barrier? Do Mice Chew Through Spray Foam?