What You Should Know About Insulating Steel Buildings

If you’ve been considering the purchase of a metal building, you may have heard that prefabricated steel buildings such as steel garages, workshops and storage buildings are difficult to insulate. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to industry insiders. In fact, a properly constructed metal building with properly installed insulation is one of the snuggest types of structures you’ll find anywhere. So what accounts for the idea that steel buildings are difficult to insulate effectively?

In a nutshell, there are two reasons for that belief. First, steel transfers heat/cold more efficiently than wood. Thus, any metal parts of the building such as purlins and girts can transport extremes of heat and cold from the exterior to the interior. The second reason is that, quite frankly, the insulation in many steel buildings is improperly installed. The insulation may be cut to the wrong size or may not be properly covered. In fact, many of the problems with insulating steel buildings are the fault of the installer rather than the fault of the building. That’s why it’s important to use an insulation package that’s specifically designed for the steel building you buy.

When you order your prefab metal building, talk to the supplier/manufacturer about your insulation requirements. In many cases, the building can be engineered specifically to fit the type of insulation you plan to use. In addition, the best suppliers of steel buildings often offer insulation packages for the buildings they sell. The package will usually include a vapor barrier and special liner fabric to help cut down on condensation problems that contribute to mold.

Your metal building supplier can also offer you special insulation and installation tips, often customized to your area of the country. Larger companies that have been in business for any length of time have encountered many of the problems you are likely to run into when installing insulation for your building. Their experiences can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your insulation job is done properly.

If you’re considering a specific steel building insulation system, be sure to talk to your metal building supplier about whether or not it is suitable for the model of building you’re purchasing as well as whether it is appropriate for your location. Insulation that would be ideal for a building in Massachusetts might not provide enough cold protection for a metal building in Minnesota or enough moisture protection for a building in Florida.

Insulation is an important component of steel buildings that will have live occupancy, such as factory buildings, office buildings, barns or retail stores. Don’t overlook its importance when ordering your metal building.