Metal Building Insulation: Your Questions Answered
"I have a rather large metal building -- how will it help me to insulate it?" Of course the primary benefit of insulating any structure -- metal or otherwise -- is that it will provide a certain amount of energy savings. As metal buildings are sometimes constructed without any substantial insulation, adding metal building insulation can dramatically decrease your operational costs associated with energy consumption. But that is not all. Metal building insulation can help to reduce noise throughout your building -- for example, if you maintain a busy warehouse or factory. Also, adding metal building insulation can increase your buildings light reflectivity as well, making your metal building a more pleasant and positive environment in which to work. "How is fiberglass insulation installed in a metal building?" One of the most common materials used in metal building insulation projects is fiberglass. Typically this fiberglass can be used with other materials such as insulating foam blocks to improve its effectiveness. The fiberglass products used in metal building insulation usually are installed with a vapor retarding material. Special consideration must be given to the proper placement and positioning of the metal building insulation material as it is unrolled -- this job needs to be done correctly if the installation is to function properly, so don't hesitate to contract out for this work if you or your employees are not up to the task. "Do we need to take any special health precautions when installing metal building insulation?" If you will be installing fiberglass type installation, you should take a few precautions. In general, remember that this type of material can irritate your skin, so you should wear clothing that adequately protects your arms and legs when installing it. If you will be installing your metal building insulation on a ceiling area you should also wear head coverings (hats and caps are good choices) when handling this material. You should also wear gloves while installing your metal building insulation. You should also wear protection for your eyes and an appropriate mask to prevent breeding in of these fibers. "I'm concerned about the health impact of using fiberglass -- is there any other option in a metal building insulation material?" Most certainly -- and a good alternative to fiberglass is a reflective or radiant barrier insulation material. Commonly you will see these products offered with some kind of a metal foil backing. Not only do they have a great thermal efficiency, but they are thinner and lighter in weight than other types of metal building insulation products -- which makes it easier to install, and the added weight is minimal, so it will not put any additional stress on the roof or side panels of your metal building. In addition this reflective barrier insulation material can be purchased in large rolls at great savings -- and all you will need to do is cut it to the appropriate length and attach it according to the manufacturer instructions. |
