Insulating and pop doors

[Heather J]

We're building a 8x12 coop/feed storage/tool shed (yeah, the tools will get about 6 square feet, and the rest will be for the birds!) and I want to insulate it. Could I stretch a sheet of plastic over the insulation for now to keep the birds out of it until I can get something more permanent up, or will the birds peck at that too? It's pretty thick, at least 10 mil, and I could run two layers if I need to. I have almost a whole box of the stuff.

I also wondered what kind of latch you use on your pop doors. I'm going to set mine up so I can open them with the pull of a string from the no-bird section of the coop. Do you just tie a rope or chain and pull them up, then secure them at the top, then release them and the weight pulls them closed? I've done searches, but there are so many threads with info on pop doors, and I haven't found directions quite like I wanted to do.

Better yet, is there a miracle latch that will keep the door shut at night, then hold the thing open, and can be operated from five feet away? I'm kidding, of course. I can't afford to buy three automatic doors, and I want to have the ability to split the coop for breeding next summer, so I need three doors, and I'll split the run a bit.

 

[keljonma]

Yes, you could cover the insulation with plastic until you can cover it properly. However, it has to be very secure so that a flying bird doesn't dislodge it. Also, if you have any seams, make sure they are covered so that no droppings end up on the insulation.

 

[LynneP]

We documented the insulation process in our coop as we built it beginning in February 2008. To see one way on insulating and using vapor seal and Typar under the cladding, link to our home page below. It's worth doing well!

 

[Heather J]

LynneP, what's Typar? Did you duct tape the vapor seal before you put on the OSB or plywood? Did you seal it all the way around with the tape then? We are having the cement poured on Monday (I spoke with the contractor just today). I wanted to go less expensive with a cinder block base, but my dh is all about doing things right so they don't have to be done again, so we bit the bullet.

As long as we're killing our budget for a professional cement job, I might as well make sure the inside is finished right. We already have a bunch of insulation, so we won't have to buy all of it, and like I said, we have oodles of vapor barrier.

Thanks for your help, both of you!