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What insulation is best for metal buildings in Corning NY

What Insulation is Best for Metal Buildings?

When considering insulation for a metal building, the first question to ask is if insulation is needed. The answer depends on the building’s use and its location. But it might surprise you that the answer is more often “yes” than “no.” Insulation is a good idea even when a building doesn’t have a heating or cooling system.

Why Insulate Metal Buildings?

What if your metal building is little more than a shed where you keep outdoor tools and lawn equipment out of the rain? Is there any reason to insulate a building that sees little in the way of human habitation? Yes — even in these conditions a metal building can benefit from insulation.

Any time there is a big difference between the temperature outside a building and the temperature within, condensation can take place. Condensation is nothing more than moisture from the air that settles on building surfaces. This moisture accumulation will eventually speed the formation of rust — and we all know the pitfalls when this happens.

This is where insulation saves the day. Even though it’s not being used for human comfort or energy efficiency, insulation helps equalize the temperature between the inside and outside of a metal building. By lowering the temperature differential, there is less chance that condensation will occur, and this helps prevent the formation of rust.

So, insulation is an aid in preserving a building’s structural integrity, even when it’s not being used for more obvious reasons.

Whether being used for rust prevention, human comfort, or energy efficiency, if you’ve decided that your metal building would benefit from insulation, the next logical question is what kind of insulation is best. And, as with many other questions in life, the answer is not always straightforward. Let’s dive in...

Batt and Blanket

Batt and Blanket is a type of insulation that looks quite similar to the fiberglass rolls used in most homes. It is usually made of fiberglass or rock wool. The best type of batt and blanket for metal buildings will include a radiant barrier on one side. Thermal protection ranges from R-3 to R-30 which, at the top end, provides better thermal protection than other types of insulation that are available.

Although batt and blanket might be considered “the best” for metal buildings because it can have the highest R-value, the construction of a metal building may prevent its use. Metal buildings often have wider spacing between their braces than a typical house, and the batt and blanket rolls are designed for the standard stud and joist spacing in traditional homes. If batt and blanket is compatible with your building, and if maximum thermal protection is a goal, then it may be considered “the best.”

As always, a consultation with an insulation specialist will determine whether bat and blanket makes sense for a given application, and whether it can be used at all.

Spray Foam

A popular insulation option for all types of buildings is spray foam which, true to its name, is applied by spraying. For metal buildings it is a popular choice for a number of reasons. Spray foam covers every inch of the building, including all the cracks and crevices. It is an excellent barrier to pests. It is also an excellent barrier to drafts, which can be a particular problem with metal buildings.

Some experts indicate that spray foam isn’t a good option for metal buildings because it can trap moisture when first applied, and the trapped moisture eventually leads to the dreaded rust problem. However, a well-trained and experienced professional has the ability to apply spray foam with techniques that eliminate the moisture problem. This is definitely not a DIY choice because of the expertise required for proper application.

The one potential drawback to spray foam is its R-value, which ranges from approximately R-3 to R-7 per inch. It would take several inches of spray foam to equal the R-value of batt and blanket, and it might not be practical to apply enough foam to reach the desired R value. Each installation is unique, however, and a qualified insulation technician will be able to determine if spray foam is a good option for the location and intended use of a given building.

Spray foam does have a good reputation when applied correctly, however, and it has been in use in the industry for several decades.

Bubble Insulation

Bubble insulation might be the least-well-known type of insulation for metal buildings. But if you’ve ever seen bubble wrap that is used for shipping fragile items, then you have an idea of what bubble insulation looks like.

Bubble insulation comes in rolls like the more familiar fiberglass insulation. It uses plastic bubbles as the insulation medium, and these are sandwiched between a radiant barrier that looks a little like aluminum foil.

The radiant heat barrier reflects heat away from the building and makes this type of insulation great for reducing or eliminating condensation problems. In fact, some types of bubble insulation are classified as full vapor barriers.

An additional benefit of bubble insulation is that it functions as a fire retardant. So, if you have any concerns about flammable materials or other conditions that could lead to fire, bubble insulation is a great choice. Also, bubble insulation isn’t affected by humidity, and it acts as a barrier to mold and mildew.

With all these benefits, it sounds like bubble insulation is perfect for metal buildings. So what are the drawbacks? Virtually none. The only consideration is that bubble insulation doesn’t offer the same R-value that can be achieved with batt and blanket. R-values range from R-6 to R-10, so bubble insulation falls in between batt and blanket and spray foam in its insulating abilities.

Which Insulation is Best?

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, choosing an insulation type for a metal building isn’t always a clear-cut decision. The type of building, usage, location, and even building construction has to be taken into account when choosing insulation. And, as with most things in life, it may be that a compromise between competing goals is the answer.

Choosing insulation for a metal building truly is one of those cases where a consultation with an insulation expert is needed to make the best decision.

Time to Insulate

If you’re ready to find out the best solution for insulating your metal building, then it’s time to talk with a qualified insulation expert — someone who will examine your building’s specifics to determine the best solution unique for you.

At Koala Insulation, our technicians are experts in all kinds of insulation materials and installation techniques. Our experts bring state-of-the-art equipment with them to thoroughly inspect your home or building top to bottom, inside and out. They will give you a detailed assessment. They will design a custom solution to meet your needs, and will help answer any questions you may have. And since every building is unique, your expert may suggest a combination of installation options to protect your building from cold, heat, moisture, and pests.

Don’t forget that the investment you make today will reap years of benefits in building protection and energy-saving benefits. Contact us now to schedule a consultation to start your journey toward higher energy efficiency and better protection for your metal building.