Insulation and Condensation Control for Steel Buildings

Should I insulate my steel building?

Short Answer: This depends on what you use your steel building for. This blog will cover insulation options such as radiant barriers, batt and rolls, and spray foam insulation. Another topic will be how to help minimize your steel building condensation.

Insulation may be important depending on how you will use your metal building. Insulating your building has many benefits that help manage severe temperature swings. For example, problems such as condensation, rust, corrosion, mold, and mildew can happen in your metal building. Advantages for insulating your metal building may include:

stable temperature
save money
fire protection

Controlling Condensation

Condensation is when your metal building sweats because of the change of temperature inside the building. A solution for condensation in a metal building is CondenStop. CondenStop is a thin spongey layer that absorbs moisture. This is directly applied to your metal panels during manufacturing. The spongey layer absorbs moisture and stops it from dripping off of the panel. In addition, CondenStop benefits include:

Avoid corrosion and rust
Additional water protection
No dripping
Higher fire safety class

Popular Insulation Options

Radiant Barrier

A radiant barrier is bubble insulation that functions as an additional thermal barrier. The radiant barrier helps reduce heat transfer in a metal building. The radiant barrier reflects radiant heat to stabilize the temperature. Depending on the perm rating of your bubble insulation, you can prevent moisture from passing through. Most importantly, perm rating below 1 will not allow moisture to pass through. If the perm rating is higher than 1, moisture will pass through. One benefit to the radiant barrier is more condensation control. Additionally, the white design gives a clean, finished look to the inside of your steel building. Other benefits of the radiant barrier may include:

Blocks up to 96% of radiant heat transfer
Prevents condensation
Unaffected by humidity
Battles against mold and mildew

Batt and Roll

Batt and Roll are a blanket insulation. This insulation is standard and widely available. This insulation comes in batts or rolls. Batts are installing pieces; whereas, rolls are rolled out between the structures frame. Blanket insulation consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. In other words, Batt and Roll are a great affordable and practical solution to keep in mind as a insulation option. However, you can find Batt and Roll insulation made of other materials. A few thing to look for in Batt and Roll insulation include:

Energy efficient
Moisture barrier
Noncombustible

Spray Foam

Spray foam is a polymer foaming agent that can be sprayed onto steel walls and ceilings. The liquid turns into solid material filling every space. Spray foam will not let the air break free nor insects from entering the building. However, be careful if spray foam is sprayed wrong. If sprayed wrong moisture can be trapped between the panel and the foam. Therefore, this can cause corrosion and rust on the metal panels. We recommend hiring a spray foam professional so there is no room for mistakes! A professional will apply proper techniques and carefully watch installation. Spray foam has an excellent reputation and has been a successful insulation option in the steel building industry. Other great benefits include:

Additional strength
Noise reducer
Fire and smoke barrier
Less humidity and mold

Conclusion

Insulation and condensation control can be managed and maintained with the recommended options. Insulating your building and providing the proper upkeep will help prevent unwanted moisture. While we still recommend getting insulation, we went over a cost-effective alternative called CondenStop. Using CondenStop can still help provide a solution for your steel building’s condensation. All provided options will help regulate your building with more efficiency!

If you would like more information on what material will be used on your building. Check out our blog on What Material Will Be Used On My Building?

Midwest Steel Carports, Inc.

www.midweststeelcarports.com

877-799-9634

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