Steel Building Insulation Options

Insulation serves a number of important purposes in steel buildings. Besides providing resistance to heat transfer, it also minimizes the buildup of condensation in a building and reduces the level of outside noise that can be heard within. If you plan on heating and cooling a structure, a little extra expenditure on insulation will yield major savings in long-run energy costs.

R-Value

Before getting into the different types of insulation, as well as the benefits of properly insulating your building, it’s important to understand the R-value. Simply put, the R-value is how the power of insulation to prevent heat transfer is measured. The more effective a layer of insulation is, the higher its R-value is.

This table shows the respective R-values for different thicknesses of fiberglass blanket, a common type of insulation:

However, it’s important to note fiberglass blanket insulation is not the most efficient choice in a steel building. For the best insulation, choose a combination of fiberglass and reflective insulations (such as eFoil or Solar Guard).

There are a variety of insulation material options available, and new technologies are coming to public attention as thermal resistance and energy savings become more of a concern in green building design. Below, from the Insulation Fact Sheet (DOE 2002,) are the R-values for some common insulation materials expressed in R-value per inch of material:

Types of Insulation

Benefits of Good Insulation

Negating Condensation
Condensation is a major concern in metal and steel buildings, as rusting from a result is a common occurrence. Insulation serves to protect a structure from condensation and the side effects that stem from it, creating a vapor barrier to reduce how much condensation takes place directly on the panels. A concrete foundation that isn’t fully cured can be a contributing factor to increased humidity, which is another issue with steel buildings. Diligent installation is more impactful in stopping air infiltration than the type of insulation itself.

Temperature Control
Choosing the right insulation for a metal building kit helps to reduce energy consumption and in some states, allow those constructing the building to claim tax incentives for making the effort to save energy. Steel panels alone offer no protection from the outside temperature, meaning there is no natural barrier to heat and cold. Adding the right type of insulation helps to control the conduction of outside temperatures. The result will be a building that stays cooler in warmer months and warmer once the temperature drops.

6 Other Benefits of Good Insulation

• Prevents mold from growing
• High R-value (thermal break)
• Vapor barrier
• Easy installation
• Doesn’t allow nesting for rodents, birds or bugs
• Recognized by ICCES and qualified by Energy Star

4 Final Factors to Consider

Facing:
The part of the insulation that faces the inside of the building is known as the facing. Facing material must be carefully selected if it is going to be left exposed. In this case, the facing doubles as the inner wall material, and needs to be a type which is reinforced with a layer of scrim (fiberglass or nylon mesh). This will increase its durability, protecting it from punctures and scratches. Because of its more vulnerable location, the durability of wall facing is more important than that of the roof facing. “Bird proof” varieties are available for agricultural buildings.

It’s worth noting that the color of exposed facing will contribute to the light inside. With white or reflective foil facing, fewer sources are required to light up the interior. Blackfacing may be preferred for a darker ambiance.

Liner panels:
Both partial and full-height are available from some manufacturers, which protect the insulation and contribute to the inner appearance of their buildings. General contractors can also be hired to add walls. When the insulation is covered and protected, the durability of the facing can be increased.

Permeability:
To minimize the transfer of condensation, insulation facing with a low perm-rating must be chosen. With a perm-rating of 1.0, plain vinyl is not considered protection against condensation. Facing with a perm-rating less than one-tenth (0.1) will provide sufficient protection against condensation for most applications.

Workability:
Certain types of insulation cannot be shipped or installed in cold weather during winter. It is a good idea to ask the manufacturer about the material’s workability if a project is taking place in a cold climate.