Protect Your Investment: Insulation Solutions for Your Steel Building
Spray foam insulation is one way to protect your steel building from heat being lost and cold from getting in.
There is nothing like a Prairie winter to remind you of the importance of wearing layers. From the bottom on up, the more you put on, the better protected you will be.
The same could be said about a steel building. Rather than just be reliant on walls and a roof, a building needs layers within to keep it protected from the elements and to seal the warmth in and keep the cold out.
However, there are other reasons why a pre-engineered steel building requires insulation. It prevents heat from transferring, minimizes the buildup of condensation and mold, provides noise protection, adds more fire resistance, and reduces energy consumption.
There are a number of ways to insulate steel buildings, which add to their longevity, resiliency, and strength.
The Great Barrier
Insulation is measured by the resistance of heat flow through the thickness of the material, or R-value. To improve R-values in insulation, it helps to install some sort of barrier protection. Radiant barriers are often used in metal building systems to reduce heat gain and cooling costs. They consist of highly reflective material that reflects the radiant heat rather than absorbing it. However, radiant barriers do not reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials.
Thermal Solutions for Steel Buildings
There are a number of thermal insulation materials. Five of the most common include:
- Fiberglass
- Mineral wool
- Cellulose
- Polyurethane foam
- Polystyrene
Steel building manufacturers can apply these thermal insulation materials in many forms. Some of these include:
- Loose fill
- Batt and blanket
- Spray foam
- Rigid board
Builder on board
When it comes to choosing which insulation is right for your building project, a pre-engineered and structural steel company will take into consideration your location and weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation. Some areas of the building may require different insulation solutions.
In some cases, a higher R-value insulation, combined with a barrier backing will be required in areas such as floors, ceilings and walls for added protection. If properly installed and maintained, pre-fabricated buildings can be highly durable, energy-efficient and well-insulated for many years.
For more on this subject, read Is an Insulation Retrofit Right for Your Pre-Engineered Steel Building?
Metal Structure Concepts has years of experience in designing, supplying, and installing economical steel buildings all over western Canada. Our custom steel buildings suit a number of industrial and commercial purposes. Learn how our professional constructed buildings can save you time, money, and energy by contacting us today.