Insulation for Metal Buildings

Insulating your metal building can do more than just help moderate the temperature - and save on energy costs by doing so. Insulation also does the important work of reducing condensation. But when deciding on the insulation to use for your steel building, there are a few factors to take into account.

Qualities of Insulation

All insulations are not interchangeable. Many are made with specific purposes in mind, or work best in certain environments, so it’s important to know what you are looking for.

R-Value

The R-value signifies the insulation’s resistance to heat flow or heat transference. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation is at its full thickness. R-value is determined by the type of insulation, density, and thickness.

Type of Insulation

Insulation comes in many forms, each with their own pros and cons. Here a few of the most common:

• Fiberglass batt is a very common insulation due to its easy installation, though there can be thermal bridging if there are any gaps.

• Spray foam comes in two forms — open cell and closed cell — and works well to reduce and seal air leaks, though it is known to absorb moisture, leading to rust.

• Foam board or rigid board insulation is durable and can be used for walls or ceilings, though it usually needs to be combined with moisture barriers or flame retardant facing.

• Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) can be expensive, though they are simple to install and have a distinct, finished look.

Vapor Barrier

When insulating your metal building, take the time to consider whether your insulation needs a vapor barrier. Also called a vapor retarder, this fabric facing reduces how much water vapor enters the metal wall and ceiling cavities, which would otherwise lead to a condensation buildup and rust.

RHINO Steel Building Insulation Options

RHINO Steel Building Systems understands the importance of insulations to your custom metal building kit design. For those who only need the basics, we offer the option of fiberglass that runs three to eight inches thick, providing R-10 to R-30 energy ratings. This insulation includes reinforced backing, saving you the labor and cost of chicken wire support.

However, for those looking for the best metal building insulation system, we offer RHINO’s Pro-Value Insulation Package. The Pro-Value package involves making the walls deep to ensure there is enough room for the insulation without it being compressed. The insulation provides superior “in-place” R-values — the packages are available from R-19 to R-30 for walls and R-20 to R-40 for roofs — allowing you to save as much as 50% on energy consumption. On top of that, we utilize a bright white vapor barrier fabric that is 300% stronger than the traditional vinyl. The clean look of the finish (also available in other decorator colors), is also durable, so many owners opt to leave it exposed.

Want to know more? Reach out to our designers today.