As trivial as insulation may seem, when planning industrial, farm and commercial steel buildings, it can affect a company’s bottom line quite drastically. Properly insulated structures retain heat more efficiently, reduce heating costs and allow for proper thermal resistance. However, not all insulation solutions were created equal.
In most situations, careful consideration should be given to insulation solutions providing maximum efficiency, while remaining cost-effective.
Three things to consider when insulating a steel structure are:
1. R-Value and Its Relationship to Heating Costs.
In the simplest terms, R-value is the measure of a building’s thermal resistance and heat loss between its interior and exterior, and is used to determine the effectiveness of an insulation. Essentially, the higher the R-value, the greater the heat retention.
Some insulation solutions contribute to a greater R-value for a structure however, achieving the highest R-value may not be the best solution for your building.
For example, industrial steel buildings often have a steady flow of outside air due to frequent opening of overhead doors, and of course, a greater flow of air within a space, contributes to heat loss. With that in mind, investing more upfront for insulation, may not result in heating and energy cost savings.
2. Common Methods for Insulating Steel Buildings
- Traditional, vinyl-backed insulation is one of the most common metal building insulations. These blanket-style insulation rolls — which come in different depths with different R-values — reduce the transfer of heat and condensation.
- Spray foam insulation expands as it is applied, and can be extremely effective in filling hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. In terms of R-value, spray insulation is a superior preventative option.
- Insulated panels attach to the exterior of a building much like the metal skins commonly used on steel industrial structures. Two metal skins are used in each panel with a solid foam core. The panels are customizable, offering various interior- and exterior-facing surfaces, and they are a durable option as well. Insulated panels require a greater investment upfront, but as they are extremely durable, the investment makes sense for some.
- A combination of the different types of insulation might be used throughout a metal building, particularly for the interior. As an example, vinyl-backed insulation for a shop area is a cost-effective, durable option, however insulating an office within the building, different frames and traditional insulation would provide a better solution.
3. The Ideal Insulation Equation
A typical metal structure with a steady inflow of outside air needs an interior heating system. We recommend traditional infrared heating solutions matched with vinyl-backed insulation. Overall, this will provide comprehensive and cost-effective heating.