The cost-effectiveness of American steel buildings is much talked about, Although some consumers may find that they are slightly more expensive than traditional construction methods, it is heartening to know that they have been proven to provide more savings in the long run.
Savings when choosing prefabricated construction are many including reduced labor costs since most of the tedious jobs are done at the factory, lower insurance costs since steel framing is non-combustible, lower materials costs because you pay only for the exact dimensions of the steel used and minimal maintenance costs due to steel’s inherent strength and durability.
There’s another form of savings in American steel buildings – insulation. Because of modern insulation systems, American steel buildings have evolved into various applications and configurations including churches, schools, business and commercial establishments and even residences.
Insulation of American steel buildings spells savings for building owners. Savings come in the form of a significant reduction in energy costs since the use of heaters and air conditioners to achieve comfortable indoor temperatures are lessened.
Heat transfer between the building’s interiors and the outside environment is the primary cause of discomfort of the occupants. Installing insulation to the walls and roof of American steel buildings minimizes heat transfer. In addition, insulation also rules out the presence of moisture, thereby prolonging the life of American steel buildings.
Insulation stabilizes indoor temperature at more desirable levels. Other advantages offered by insulation include improved overall appearance of the building’s interiors and reduced condensation and noise transmission. And since you don’t have to buy a lot of heating and cooling equipment, there is more space available for you to use.
And when you speak of insulation, the concept of U-values is not far behind. In laymen’s terms, the U-value is a measure of the heat flow between a building component such as a wall or roof. For American steel buildings located in warm climates, U-values measure the amount of time it takes to keep the buildings cold. For those located in cold climates. U-values measure how building components keep heat inside the structures.
Whatever the case may be, the higher the U-value, the more heat flows through. Therefore, a low U-value is desired.
Indeed, insulation for American steel buildings saves money, provides greater indoor comfort and improves the health of building occupants. Choosing the right insulation system and hiring professionals to do the installation is the best option that will ensure a quicker return on the investment.
Posts Tagged ‘Insulation’
Insulation Equals Savings for American Steel Buildings
Monday, March 19th, 2012Insulationn Brings Warmth to Your Modern Home
Sunday, March 11th, 2012Metal buildings have grown in popularity as modern homes. But although home-owners are okay with using the latest technology for building, they still want to maintain a certain ambience inside their residence. Installing insulation is one of the best ways to give a traditional feel to your contemporary home.
Foam insulation is one of the most widely used insulation systems for metal buildings. This rigid foam insulation is typically integrated into the metal building envelope. Its basic function is to retard heat transfer from in and out of the building’s walls. This type of insulation is also doubly effective when used with metal facings or panels, as it also acts as air barriers.
When outdoor air infiltrates a building at a natural, uncontrolled rate, it does more damage than help since it affects the air quality inside the building. So instead of cutting on air conditioning costs, you actually use up more energy than you should. And that’s exactly what you want to keep from happening.
Fiberglass cavity insulation on the other hand is popular as a cost-effective, energy-efficient insulation material for metal buildings. This type of insulation has benefits other than ensuring top thermal performance. Fiberglass cavity insulation is also good for controlling sound – it can absorb sound and reduce sound transmission. However, one of the main drawbacks of this type of insulation is the deteriorating R-value, whereas foam insulation is known to have a stable R-value for the long-term, usually up to the end of the useful life of the metal building.
Cellulose insulation is probably the emergent type in the market today, although foam and fiberglass are still very much available. Cellulose insulation’s eco-friendly characteristic makes it especially attractive for today’s metal buildings. Post-consumer recycled paper makes up 85% of cellulose insulation, while maintaining other features as fire-safety, sound-control, and an R-value to match that of other types of insulation.
By choosing cellulose insulation for metal buildings, you are essentially recycling and putting to good use as much as 40 years’ worth of post-consumer paper, such as newsprint. Moreover, cellulose insulation is good for both wall and attic insulation – the primary functional areas that make foam insulation distinct from fiberglass insulation.
All in all, the three types have advantages and disadvantages relative to each other. But the choice depends on your needs and your priorities. Needless to say, all three will bring you the basic function of giving your metal building cozy warmth.
Which Facing is Best for Your Steel Building’s Fiberglass Insulation?
Thursday, February 10th, 2011Faced fiberglass blankets are particular types of insulation materials used in prefabricated steel buildings. Facing materials are applied to fiberglass blankets not only to serve as vapor barrier but also as a protective cover over the insulation material. In addition, a faced fiberglass insulation offers a clean finished look that enhances the appearance ceilings and walls of steel buildings.
Choose facings that meet stringent requirements for strength, durability, and permeability. These are the types of facing materials applied to insulation of steel buildings:
· WMP-VR
This is the cheapest kind of facing made of polypropylene in the front and kraft paper in the back. This is the industry standard facing commonly used in steel buildings that do not require heavy facing.
· WMP-VR-R
This is the most commonly used facing made of polypropylene on the front side and metallized polyester backing on the back side. It provides higher permeability than WMP-VR but they are both typically used in steel buildings that do not require heavy facing.
· WMP-10
This facing material is faced with polypropylene in the front side and white kraft paper in the back. Slightly heavier than the WMP-VR, it is generally used for insulation of walls of steel buildings that are exposed to light and moderate traffic.
· WMP-50
With polypropylene facing on the front side and metallized polyester backing on the back side, this type of facing is typically applied to insulation used in walls of steel buildings that are exposed to heavy traffic and abuse. It is heavier and stronger than WMP-VR-R.
· GymGuard
Faced with polypropylene on the front side and polyester fabric on the back side, this type of facing is applied to insulation used in steel buildings meant for use as sporting facilities and high traffic areas.
· Black Facing
Matte finished and faced with polypropylene on the front side and kraft paper or metallized polyester on the back side, it is commonly preferred by designers who want to divert attention from the ceilings or walls of steel buildings. Besides, it is cheaper alternative to painting.
Recommended Insulation for New Steel Buildings (continuation)
Monday, February 7th, 2011The never-ending increase in energy costs has made insulation an indispensable part of any construction project, especially in the construction of steel buildings. Insulation for steel buildings can provide the following benefits:
· Improved appearance of the walls and ceilings
· Greater comfort for occupants
· Significant savings in fuel and electricity costs
· Substantial reduction in condensation and noise
· Reduction in the need to invest in heating and cooling equipments.
Faced fiberglass blankets are typical insulation materials for new steel buildings. However, custom laminated fiberglass blankets that are 6 inches thick, compressed between girts or purlins and exterior panels of steel building, does not a provide high R-value because of its limited thickness.
To achieve the required 10 inches R-32 or 12 inches R-36 fiberglass thickness, building professionals often compress the insulation material to the 8 inches deep cavity of purlins and girts. However, no matter how thick the insulation material is, filling the 8 inches deep cavity of purlins and girts only gives steel buildings at best an R-25 performance.
To prevent condensation in new steel buildings, double layers of insulation, representing high R-values of performance, are installed. Prior to the installation of the roof panels, the pre-cut fiberglass blankets, help up by steel banding, are placed at the bottom of the purlins.
To ensure that there is no break in the facing at each purlin, the fiberglass blankets come with a 10 to 12 inch long tab extension, which is placed over the purlin prior to the placements of the top layer of insulation and the roof panel installation. Overlapping the tabs creates a continuous seal for the fiberglass facings that effectively prevents moisture to work its way through the insulation edges.
After this installation, unfaced fiberglass blankets are laid over the top of the purlins and girts for additional insulation before installing the exterior panels. This system provides a high R-value, a continuous vapor barrier, and a thermal break – an effective measure in preventing condensation in new steel buildings.
Recommended Insulation for New Steel Buildings
Friday, February 4th, 2011Insulation adds value to steel buildings. In fact, the development of new technologies for insulation specially designed for steel buildings has made these metal structures popular solutions for a wide variety of construction needs including homes, schools, offices, churches, warehouses, aircraft hangars, shopping centers, and many more.
The amount of insulation for new steel buildings depends largely on the purpose of the structure. For any climate-controlled building, a good vapor retarder or vapor barrier facing plus an insulation thickness that meets local codes will do the job of preventing condensation and promoting energy efficiency.
There are different options to choose from in steel building insulation. Sealing the vapor barrier facings or providing a continuous covering such as polypropylene helps prevent the passage of water vapor into the insulation materials. Besides, providing a thermal break at each roof purlin or wall girt, insulation prevents heat or cold transfer.
An excellent thermal break for steel buildings can be achieved by either laying insulation over the top of the girts and purlins before the metal panels are screwed down with ¼ inch Thermal Break Tape or with ½ inch or 1 inch Thermal Blocks.
Typically, erectors of new steel buildings compress up to 6 inches R-19 faced blankets between the wall girts or roof purlins and the exterior metal panels. However, any insulation material over 6 inches used in this method of installation can cause the roof or walls to bow a bit, creating a wave effect. Any insulation of at most 6 inches over the top of the steel framing of steel buildings acts as an excellent thermal break. However, it does not provide a high R-Value due to its limited thickness.
(to be continued)
Benefits of Adding Insulation to Steel Buildings
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011Do you want to own a steel building but are concerned about the talk of how steel buildings get hot in summer? Well, fear not and read on. Steel buildings are popular solutions to just about any building configuration one can imagine. They are, no doubt, one of the strongest and most durable structures mainly because of the physical properties of steel, the primary material used in this type of construction.
However, since steel is a material known to be a very good conductor of heat, steel building interiors can get hot during summer and cold on winter days. Aside from this, a bigger concern is the fact that steel buildings are also especially susceptible to condensation.
Condensation is a source of moisture infusion into walls and roofs of steel buildings, creating corrosion and molding problems. To avoid condensation without adding insulation, some building owners install vapor barriers on the walls and roofs of steel buildings or they just ensure that the metal structures are properly ventilated. However, insulation is still the best method for preventing condensation.
Now, for temperature control, the location and final use of a steel building significantly influences the type and amount of insulation needed. For example, if the steel building is occupied most of time, insulation is a must especially in areas where it gets quite hot or cold. On the other hand, insulation may not be necessary for a steel building used as equipment storage.
As an added bonus, insulation also helps control the transfer of sound from one location to another, which is important for steel buildings used in commercial and agricultural applications. Besides, the use of insulation materials with a white facing brightens up the interiors of steel buildings because they reflect light more efficiently.
Adding insulation maximizes the value of steel buildings and addresses many of the energy and moisture issues that compromise the performance of these metal structures. Don’t worry about the cost of insulation because it will pay for itself with the energy savings realized over the life of your steel building.
Spray-applied Polyurethane Foam Insulation for Steel Buildings(continuation)
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011The real value of foam insulation for steel buildings can be recognized during the application process. Since the materials are spray-applied and adhere to the substrate they come in contact with, every crack and crevice is filled along the way, creating a tight building envelop that amounts to reduced energy consumption. SPF insulation materials provide thermal and moisture management systems for steel buildings.
In addition, compared to other insulation materials such as polystyrene and fiberglass, the R-value of spray-applied polyurethane insulation for steel buildings is almost twice as much. Besides, polyurethane insulation can:
· Increase the structural stability of steel buildings
· Serve as vapor barrier that helps reduce build up of moisture
· Provide acoustical insulation
On the downside, there are many concerns about the use of SPFs for insulation of steel buildings. First, extra care must be taken when handling polyurethane foam insulation because this material is combustible. During storage and installation, they must not be exposed to open flames, cutting and welding torches, electric heaters, high intensity lamps, and smoking materials.
In addition, an SPF system, alone, can be costly when compared to traditional insulation products for steel buildings. During the actual application, fumes and mists from the spraying process are created that can be harmful. Contact with these can pose various health effects to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Applicators, helpers, and occupants of steel buildings within close proximity to the spray operation, must protect themselves from fumes, mists, and spills through the use of respirators, solvent resistant gloves, and protective clothing.
Spray-applied Polyurethane Foam Insulation for Steel Buildings (continuation)
Monday, January 31st, 2011Still on the subject of spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation for steel buildings, the following steps have already been undertaken including determination of insulation thickness, selection primer, selection of a vapor retarder, and selection of the spray polyurethane system. The last step is to select either a protective coating system and a thermal barrier, the choice of which depends on the place of application of the insulation material.
When the SPF system is applied to the exterior surfaces of steel buildings, it is essential that the foam be covered with a protective elastomeric coating system. This enhances the durability of the foam system by protecting it from the sun’s UV rays and other meteorological phenomena. It is of utmost importance that the elastomeric coating must bond to the polyurethane foam, making the coating a basic part of the insulation system for steel buildings.
Elastomeric coating systems that are designed for use over foam insulation of steel buildings form a protective membrane that provides long lasting water-resistance.
In choosing the appropriate protective coating system, consider the physical and performance characteristics of the material such as:
· Resistance to inorganic bases, acids, alkaline materials, and hydrocarbon solvents
· Permeance to water vapor
· High elongation values
· Preservation of physical properties through the years
· Resistance to UV rays
· Resistance to hail impact
· Life expectancy
· Ease of maintenance
· Resistance to dirt pick-up
· Adhesion to the SPF
· Combustibility
· Attractiveness
On the other hand, if the SPF system is applied to the interior surfaces of steel buildings, it must be protected by a 15-minute thermal or fire barrier. This thermal barrier is designed to slow the temperature increase of the foam in the event of a fire and to delay the foam’s involvement in a fire.
In the choice of a thermal or fire barrier, consider the following:
· Building code requirements
· Adhesion to the SPF
· Existing environment where it is to be used
· Ease of maintenance
· Attractiveness
(to be continued)
Spray-applied Polyurethane Foam Insulation for Steel Buildings (continuation)
Friday, January 28th, 2011After surface preparation and selection of the primer, the type of vapor retarder is selected based on the direction and degree of vapor transmission and the intended location of the SPF application. Insulation for steel buildings that use vapor retarder facing limits the passage of water vapor and prevents it from condensing within the insulation.
For instance, for steel buildings used as cooler, a vapor retarder is very likely to be required especially if the SPF is applied to the buildings’ exterior surfaces, which represent the warm sides of the buildings. On the other hand, for steel buildings located in cool climates that need to be heated, a vapor retarder will prevent condensation if the SPF is applied on the buildings’ interior surfaces.
The selection of a vapor retard is based on the following conditions:
1. Amount of perm rating required, which is based on vapor transmission and perm ratings of other component parts
2. Compatibility with adjoining materials
3. Recommendations from manufacturers
The next step is to select the SPF system. This insulation material for steel buildings, forms a seamless layer when sprayed on a substrate. The the thickness of the sprayed material depends on the specific insulation requirements. Typically, the contractor fabricates the product on site based on the manufacturer’s directions.
There are numerous varieties of SPF systems on the market today that are available in various densities, each of which exhibits different temperature limitations, combustibility features, etc. For economical insulation installations for steel buildings, SPF systems may be combined with each other or with other insulation materials.
(to be continued)
Spray-applied Polyurethane Foam Insulation for Steel Buildings (continuation)
Thursday, January 27th, 2011Spray-applied polyurethane foam may be applied to interiors as well as exteriors of steel buildings. In exterior applications, the SPF must be covered with an elastomeric coating for weather protection. On the other hand, when applied to interior surfaces of steel buildings, the SPF must be covered with a 15-minute thermal barrier for fire protection.
Some projects may even require the use of vapor retarders for condensation control and an attractive finish.
For a successful application of spray-applied polyurethane foam to surfaces and components of steel buildings, several general practices must be observed:
· Surface preparation
The SPF insulation system may be composed of the primer, vapor retarder, and the actual spray-applied polyurethane foam. Prior to the application of the SPF system, all the building components must be fixed firmly against movement. All the surfaces must be dry, free of loose dirt or any undesirable substance that would hinder the adhesion of any of the system components.
· Selection of primer
If the project requires a primer, selection is based on the type of substrate to be sprayed, the final use of the steel building, and the actual recommendations of the SPF and primer manufacturers.
· Selection of Vapor Retarder
Some building codes require an interior vapor retarder or insulation facing for steel buildings. The need and location of a vapor retarder are based on the following factors:
1. The design and degree of vapor transmission
a) Interior design temperature
b) Interior design humidity
c) Exterior design temperature
d) Exterior design humidity
2. The intended location of the SPF application
a) Interior wall or ceiling surfaces of steel buildings
b) Exterior wall or roof surfaces of steel buildings
(to be continued)