Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - pole barn insulation in ceiling

I am insulation a 32x48 barn and have a celing that I want to insulate would r-19 be ok for the ceiling? I basically want to keep it warn in the winter to use as a workshop.

Your ceiling is where your heat goes, so you have the highest temperature differential, thus you have some of the highest heat loss. But, if you hold the temp down when not using the shop and only take it up to 65 when in use it won't be too bad. For fully heated living space, r=40 or 50 would be better. However, the effectiveness of ceiling insulation is tied to the rest of the building/insulation, so garage doors and windows might be dominating the loss, thus doubling the attic insulation might have limited benefits.

You can always add more later once you see how easy/difficult the area is to heat.

Bud