DIY Insulating Steel Buildings

Not all steel buildings need insulation. If you’re simply planning to store your gardening equipment in your new storage shed or garages, chances are that you don’t need to worry about insulating it. If you’re in a temperate climate with few extremes of heat or cold, steel buildings really don’t need insulation. Thanks to the way they’re constructed, steel buildings are surprisingly weather-tight, which leads to little heat transfer between the interior and the exterior.

If, on the other hand, you’re putting up a metal building to house animals or to use as a workshop or home office in climate with extremes of hot and cold, insulation is an important part of your construction plans. The better the insulation you choose for your steel building, the less it will cost you to keep your building at a comfortable temperature. You can hire a contractor to put in the insulation, or, if you’re reasonably handy and know how to follow instructions, you can insulate your new building yourself.

Types of Insulation for Steel Buildings

While there are many types of insulation on the market, the two most commonly used in steel buildings are blown-in foam insulation and fiberglass insulation. Foam insulation generally requires interior walls in your building, and it can be tricky to work with. If foam insulation is your preference, you may be better off hiring a professional to do the work. Fiberglass insulation, on the other hand, is relatively easy to put up and can be used with or without drywall interior walls.

Fiberglass insulation comes in rolls that you roll out and cut to size to fit your walls. It’s best applied before you put up interior walls, and can be enclosed between the exterior and interior walls. Interior walls add an additional layer of insulation as well as making the interior of your building more attractive.

In addition to fiberglass insulation, you’ll also find insulation on the market that’s made with recycled materials, including shredded denim and wool. Those should be treated with a flame retardant and with an inhibitor to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Actually applying the insulation is a relatively simple matter. Generally, you’ll measure the walls to determine the sizes to cut your sheets of insulation, then apply double-sided tape to the interior of the steel walls where you’ll be applying the insulation. Carefully unroll the insulation, pressing it against the double-sided tape to secure it in place. Make sure that the insulation has a bit of sag to it to allow for proper airflow. Work your way along the side of the building to insulate each wall in its entirety.

Once your insulation is up, you’ll place sheeting over the it, and insert metal strapping into it to hold the insulation in place. Finally, finish your walls with drywall as desired.

Some steel buildings require special handling when you’re applying insulation. Be certain that you consult the specs for your particular building and follow any instructions to install insulation safely.