Project Challenge

Homeowner Chris Kreple had always dreamed of designing and building a stylish, modern barn that would serve multiple purposes on his 6 acres of land in Hamilton, Mich., just a few miles from Lake Michigan. His goal was to create a high-performance structure from the best materials that would last for generations. Because of Michigan’s hot, humid summers and long, cold winters, he decided to incorporate continuous insulation that would provide long-term thermal performance, ensuring energy efficiency and interior comfort throughout the year.

After working from home during the pandemic, Kreple and his wife desired a home office outside of their main house. The new barn on their property would serve as an office space, as well as provide additional living space and accommodate a state-of-the-art workshop to house their cars, motorcycles and tools. In addition, the 32-foot-wide, 42-foot-long and 26-foot-tall structure was large enough at 2,500 square feet to offer ample room for extra storage space and a car lift.

The Approach

The building materials they selected were required to meet or exceed local building codes to ensure a high-performance structure, starting from below the ground. The Kreples chose a continuous polyiso insulation to be installed under the concrete slab and around the perimeter of the foundation, which is crucial to providing an energy-efficient building envelope. The rigid insulation is designed to improve thermal performance when installed on below-grade walls and under slabs. This new-to-market polyiso insulation is ideal for both residential and commercial applications.

“The polyiso product was very easy to use and install,” says Brad Rietveld of Great Lakes Flatwork, the contractor responsible for the installation. “It was a durable, rigid product that was easy to work with. I would definitely use it again.”

Atlas’ polyiso insulation is engineered using advanced technology materials. It has a foam core that provides moisture resistance and high compressive strength to withstand load pressure. The high R-value in a thin profile offers thermal performance that functions exceptionally well in the cold temperatures of northern climates, especially close to Lake Michigan, where wind gusts in winter are particularly brutal.

The Result

Installing the product enabled the Kreples to efficiently control the temperature of the barn and be comfortable all year long. It provided an R-value of 10 at only 1.5 inches, which makes a significant difference in controlling the temperature of the concrete slab in all seasons. The product has a high R-value per inch of continuous insulation options, allowing it to meet the code requirements easily with a thinner profile. Soil typically stays at a consistent temperature of 50 degrees at 4 to 5 feet below grade, regardless of where the home is located. Therefore, an insulated foundation helps create a thermal break, providing a more comfortable interior temperature while reducing strain on HVAC systems.

The product is engineered to effectively reduce energy loss through the foundation and manage overall costs associated with heating and cooling the interior living space. With its high compressive strength and exceptional durability to resist loads from soil, concrete and hydrostatic pressure, the polyiso rigid foam board is ideal for below-grade applications.

The project began in 2023 and was completed last year. The resulting barn is a modern yet rustic structure that delivers not only a functional, energy-efficient space but also an inviting escape conveniently located on the Kreples’ property. The exterior-finish materials used for the barn display a contemporary elegance, with beautiful stone and warm wood tones around the garage doors and a charcoal-gray metal siding with black-framed windows and trim. There is a cupola on top of the barn that is constructed from cedar wood, drawing in beautiful light throughout the structure. The industrial wood elements, along with the sleek modern design, create a striking statement in the Michigan landscape.

The multipurpose barn is two stories, with the main level featuring workshop areas and storage space, allowing the homeowners to store some valuable “toys” in the barn, including six dirtbikes, a road motorcycle, a tractor, a project racecar and a side-by-side ORV for those off-road adventures. The second-level loft has a bedroom, a bathroom, a small eat-in kitchen, living space and a large home office for the family to enjoy. The Kreples trust the product they selected to protect the family’s valuable possessions while supporting their investment and lifestyle for generations to come. This project was a complete success from start to finish, from the installation of the right product that delivers long-lasting performance and efficiency to staying within the budget.