Metal buildings offer an attractive option for business and homeowners who need an additional building or who need extra storage space. While they are durable and strong, they can present problems for the owner. One of the most pressing problems is metal building insulation. Metal Buildings can become very cold in Virginia during the fall and winter and no one is going to want to work in a frigid building. When you need to find how to insulate a metal building, you’ll need the information below.
Metal buildings have a lot of different uses on a property, and they have been a valuable addition to homes and businesses since the end of World War II. People like to buy metal buildings because they are strong, they last for decades, and they are made to exacting specifications. Even the steel itself is made of an exact metal blend. Metal buildings are used as a separate garage, workshop, storage facility, and business all over the United States.
While metal buildings offer tons of advantages, there are disadvantages to having a one as well. One of the largest challenges to owning a steel building is how to insulate it properly. Metal garage insulation or steel wall insulation is very important for two reasons. First, they tend to acquire roof condensation. Second, they need to be insulated from the cold in order to be habitable during the winter. Which leads to questions such as what kind of insulation is best? What is the best way to insulate a metal building?
There are different types of metal insulation, and you’ll need to do some reading to find the best insulation options for your metal building.
Many people have used blanket insulation for their metal buildings. You may have heard of blanket insulation or roll insulation. These represent the same insulation type. Blanket insulation comes in large rolls, or batts, that can be trimmed to fit your space. Usually, this type of insulation can be used in new construction, or in attics, crawlspaces or other areas of a building where there aren’t a lot of walls or crevices. Blanket insulation is a great way to soundproof a room, as well as to conserve energy in a building.
However, blanket insulation doesn’t help one of the largest problems with metal buildings–metal buildings tend to sweat. Metal building roof condensation is a problem, especially in places like Virginia, where the air tends to be humid. When the air becomes too humid, either in the building or outside, condensation forms, and the metal building, especially around the roofline, may appear to be dripping or sweating. Over time, metal buildings that have condensation can cause mold and mildew to form, as well as blisters or bubbles appearing on the building. No one wants to see any of these things appear, because it indicates corrosion may be taking place. Corrosion, if not stopped, will eventually lead to permanent damage.
While roll insulation is great for a lot of buildings, you may not want to use it if you are concerned about metal building roof condensation. That’s because roll insulation was made to make buildings warmer, not to prevent condensation. While some manufacturers or builders have wrapped roll insulation to allow for condensation issues, this really doesn’t solve the metal condensation problem. The condensation will slide off the plastic, it will find a way into the plastic. Condensation on a roll or blanket insulation will eventually cause the insulation to deteriorate.
If you are concerned about condensation in your metal building, you may want to try spray foam insulation. Spray foam insulation has been used for years in all different kinds of construction. It is particularly useful in smaller spaces that are difficult to insulate with blanket or roll insulation. Often, spray foam is used to further insulate buildings and protect against condensation. There are several types of foam insulation products available for use in steel buildings to keep condensation out, especially around the roof. Foam insulation is sprayed directly into an area by a contractor, so it is very precise.
Researchers note that spray foam insulation is great for eliminating condensation in metal buildings. This may be the best solution for your condensation problem, and it may also make your metal building warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Because there are different types of spray foam insulation, you may want to consult a contractor about adding spray foam insulation in metal buildings.
