ORLANDO CENTRAL Blog

What is the Best Insulation for Commercial Buildings in Orlando?

Building codes and standards are constantly updated, and they can vary depending on the region or city where you live. Doing so helps keep the buildings up-to-date and safe, even if the methods can seem extreme or tedious to those that aren’t in the industry. In order to avoid potential fines and safety hazards, your insulation team should have the necessary information on hand. This includes the various codes and standards that apply to commercial buildings. 

While these codes cover everything from roof solar reflectance to fenestration, insulation is heavily standardized to reduce health hazards and enhance the building’s envelope. As such, insulating a commercial building will take more than just laying down a few fiberglass batts! Therefore, it’s important to know what type of insulation to use and how it can affect your building’s comfort and safety for everyone that will pass through it in the years to come. 

Commercial Building Regulations 

As mentioned earlier, regulations will shift depending on your location. Variables can come in the form of historical district regulations, average energy consumption, and regional weather, and natural phenomenon. These standards are updated about every three years. For example, the seventh edition of Florida's building codes was published in 2020 while the sixth edition was released in 2017. 

Luckily, locating building code regulations isn’t an in-depth research project. The International Code Council is a great resource to use for reviewing and comparing codes, which is where the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation will direct you to see all of their most up-to-date documents. If you're concerned with your experience or equipment, it's important to know that you can reach out to a local insulation contractor to learn more about the insulation needs in your building. 

Great Commercial Insulators While the Department of Energy provides an in-depth look into where a residential home should be insulated, there isn't a similar diagram for commercial buildings. However, unlike their code requirements, the placement of insulation in a commercial building should practically mirror the 

residential suggestions. Temperature regulation is the main function of insulation material. Consider a multi-story building that has different businesses and offices on each level; in order to keep the desired temperature of each area, efficient insulation coverage is crucial. 

Batt Insulation 

Batt insulation is pre-cut material that is sized to fit most industry standards. Most often made from fiberglass or mineral wool, this type is used throughout the walls, floors, and ceilings of a building. The R-value, which is the numerical value that measures the material’s resistance to heat flow, can range from 3.1 to 3.7 per inch. For example, a 4-inch thick batt can have an average R-value of 13.6. Your choice of R-value will depend primarily on where the batts are installed. 

Materials like fiberglass and mineral wool are non-combustible and are a great consideration for fire resistance and safety. However, they need additional consideration when working around fixtures like electrical boxes, plumbing vents, and other ductwork and wiring. While batts are most often considered the cost-effective choice, there will need to be additional sealing and moisture or vapor resistant materials in the areas batts are installed. 

Blown-In Insulation 

You’re most likely familiar with blown-in insulation if you’ve seen fluffy, loose-fill insulation along your attic floor. Most often made from fiberglass, cellulose, and even mineral wool, blown-in insulation is one of the best types to fill in small spaces and cracks. This reduces the need for most air sealing additions and, if densely packed into walls and floors, is a great choice for noise reduction and sound barriers. 

The R-value of blown-in insulation ranges from 2.7 to 3.3 per inch, which also depends on whether the material is loose-fill or dense-packed. The R-value depends on the density and therefore in many cases, batts have a higher R-value return for the amount of material used. However, in many smaller, tight-fit spaces, it's just as cost-effective for commercial building insulation needs. 

Spray Foam 

Spray foam, also known as spray polyurethane foam (SPF), is a chemical-based insulation that creates a strong insulator and air barrier. The material starts as two chemicals mixed on-site which requires training and experience to correctly develop before the mixture is fed through an applicator gun. Most often used on ceilings, within walls, and in between joists and floor cavities, the insulation is sprayed onto a surface where it rapidly expands and fills any cracks or holes. 

There are two types of spray foam insulation, with closed-cell having an average R-value of 6.9 and open-cell having an average R-value of 3.7. Spray foam is one of the more costly choices, but it lasts longer and requires less material to be installed. Both insulation types have their advantages; for example, closed-cell is a better vapor barrier and open-cell is a more useful 

sound barrier. However, both are commonly used in commercial settings and can even be installed along the roof. 

How to Choose the Best Insulation 

To effectively insulate a building, careful consideration should go into balancing various needs. Where your building is located, the number of people that will be passing through or continuously working there, and even potential natural disasters are just a few of the more obvious needs that need to be met. When it comes to choosing the right material, Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando can provide a more in-depth analysis of your building's requirements. In addition to our professional experience, we also have more information on choosing insulation and comparing the benefits of each in this article. 

Consulting Your Local Insulation Contractors 

Industry standards and regulations can not only be extensive but a mistake can become costly to everyone involved. It's important to not only have industry experts on hand for guidance but also to ensure the job is done correctly. The decision-making process for insulation is just as important when considering materials for the foundation, supports, and wiring. 

At Koala Insulation of Central and West Orlando, we understand the need to be thorough, fast, and efficient. Our team believes comfort and safety shouldn’t be sacrificed for cost and we work extensively with builders and contractors to find the best material for the best rates. For more information on choosing insulation and effective material coverage, contact our team today to find out how Koala Insulation can contribute to your building project.