With the solex acting as a radiant and vapor barrier, does it create any kind of condensation issue to have faced insulation on the opposite side as well?
Good question. This hasn't been an issue as far as I know. In this video, I showed that one area by the breaker box without sheetrock, I'm kind of OCD and check everything often, and I have never seen any moisture between the inner and outer walls. I will say though, that now that the sheetrock is complete and I have water in the shop (bathroom), I don't allow for huge temperature swings to prevent moisture issues. I always keep the shop above 50 or so in the winter and below 80 or so in the summer. I need to do another follow up video because it is currently near 0* and I have the shop at 60* with a 5k electric heater. You working on building a shop?
Ok that is good to know, I’m working on a 40x72 and have the shell and concrete up and already have the solex installed when I thought about having two vapor barriers being an issue maybe. We plan on doing a 40x12 section for a living space to at will be heated by mini splits but will not be heating the rest of the shop at this time at least. I’m assuming if I keep the heated walls constant it ought to be ok but am doing some asking around and reading in how to do it right, whatever that is lol
There are a million different ways to do it and everybody thinks their way is right. This is how I did it and it has been great so far in the Midwest. Having half the shop not heated might add some extra complexity, it is good that you are thinking on it now. I would wonder since your concrete is already poured and there is no thermal break, if the unheated portion would suck the heat out from under the heated area. Guess it depends somewhat on the flooring used or maybe you could use some of that basement subfloor stuff that has plastic on the bottom of plywood to create some separation from the concrete, then you could just pad and carpet as usual. (Could be a terrible idea, I'm just throwing thoughts out there) I just recorded an update on my shop heating and will post it in the next couple of days. Not directly relevant to your situation but might offer some ideas. Good luck!
Id love to go in my garage and work on something… but it’s 100 degrees out there! 😂
I hear ya there. The garage attached to my house is miserable hot!
The bigger benefit is dehumidifying the air. “Air conditioning”. It is comfortable when you are 15+ degrees cooler then out side.
For sure! Even a little bit helps.
What do you use to cool your shop?
With the solex acting as a radiant and vapor barrier, does it create any kind of condensation issue to have faced insulation on the opposite side as well?
Good question. This hasn't been an issue as far as I know. In this video, I showed that one area by the breaker box without sheetrock, I'm kind of OCD and check everything often, and I have never seen any moisture between the inner and outer walls.
I will say though, that now that the sheetrock is complete and I have water in the shop (bathroom), I don't allow for huge temperature swings to prevent moisture issues. I always keep the shop above 50 or so in the winter and below 80 or so in the summer.
I need to do another follow up video because it is currently near 0* and I have the shop at 60* with a 5k electric heater.
You working on building a shop?
Ok that is good to know, I’m working on a 40x72 and have the shell and concrete up and already have the solex installed when I thought about having two vapor barriers being an issue maybe.
We plan on doing a 40x12 section for a living space to at will be heated by mini splits but will not be heating the rest of the shop at this time at least.
I’m assuming if I keep the heated walls constant it ought to be ok but am doing some asking around and reading in how to do it right, whatever that is lol
There are a million different ways to do it and everybody thinks their way is right. This is how I did it and it has been great so far in the Midwest.
Having half the shop not heated might add some extra complexity, it is good that you are thinking on it now. I would wonder since your concrete is already poured and there is no thermal break, if the unheated portion would suck the heat out from under the heated area. Guess it depends somewhat on the flooring used or maybe you could use some of that basement subfloor stuff that has plastic on the bottom of plywood to create some separation from the concrete, then you could just pad and carpet as usual. (Could be a terrible idea, I'm just throwing thoughts out there)
I just recorded an update on my shop heating and will post it in the next couple of days. Not directly relevant to your situation but might offer some ideas.
Good luck!