Mistakes to Avoid When Insulating Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are highly energy efficient and weather tight, but in environments with extremes of heat and cold, you’ll want to add insulation. The right insulation for steel buildings will reduce your energy costs, improve indoor air quality and help you avoid the hazards of moisture retention. There are a number of common mistakes people make when insulating steel buildings. Being aware of these problems ahead of time can make your insulation project run more smoothly and ensure that your new building is environmentally sound and safe.

Choosing the Wrong Insulation for Steel Buildings

Some types of insulation won’t work well with steel buildings because of the way their constructed. In general, you’ll want to avoid blown-in loose-fill insulation because most metal buildings don’t have appropriate cavities to fill. Spray-on insulation is generally a good choice because it won’t reduce the size of the interior, but rigid foam or fiberglass insulation is a top choice.

Not Joining Seams

Fiberglass insulation and rigid foam panels butt up against each other side-by-side, creating a barrier between the outside walls and the inside air. Many people neglect the final step in installing this type of insulation in steel buildings – taping the seams. This isn’t disastrous when insulating other types of buildings, but steel is a great heat conductor. Cold or heat will find its way between the panels unless you tape them over. The few minutes it takes to apply a strip of tape along each of the seams will pay off in dramatically decreased energy costs.

Blocking the Vents

Vents are part of a steel buildings air quality control. They allow air circulation that reduces moisture condensation and cuts down the risk of mold or mildew growth. It’s important that you avoid covering the vents with insulation when you’re installing it, or you’ll compromise the air quality in your metal building.

Not installing Enough Insulation

As noted, steel buildings conduct heat more efficiently than other types of construction – and in terms of heat loss, this isn’t a good thing. There’s no such thing as too much insulation, so choose a higher grade of insulation and make sure you’re getting the most effect for your work and your money.

Cutting the Insulation Inaccurately

Measure twice, cut once. If you’re installing insulation that needs to be cut to fit, take the time to measure and cut accurately so that the insulation fits the walls without gaps. A smooth fit ensures that your metal building will be fully insulated.

Steel buildings can save you money and provide space you need for storage, garages and other uses. Proper insulation can even make them suitable for use as living quarters. Take full advantage of the potential for your metal building by insulating it properly.