Patricia's Construction and Contracting Blog: Tips for Novices to Experts

What Are Your Choices for Commercial Insulation Materials and Installation?

by غزل موسوی

Insulating a commercial building can often be costlier than insulating a home, simply because commercial buildings are usually larger, and a building owner may want the insulation to be placed between walls and floors and not just underneath the roof. This makes it very important that a commercial building owner know his or her choices for commercial insulation materials and installation; some materials are cheaper to install but don't work as well as other costlier choices, but you also don't want to overspend on a material that isn't right for your building. Note a few choice for commercial insulation and discuss these with your contractor.

1. Fiberglass

This is one of the more common types of insulation, and it's very flexible in that it comes in rolls that are easily put into place, or can be blown into areas between walls and floors. It's also one of the most affordable options. However, fiberglass doesn't completely stop airflow from one space to another so your building may still be drafty after its installation, and fiberglass may be susceptible to pest infestation. You may need to consider the cost of regular pest extermination when considering fiberglass insulation.

2. Spray foam

Spray foam can be easier to manage in hard-to-reach crevices of a building, more so than fiberglass. It can also better stop the airflow between spaces, as spray foam may more readily fill in those small cracks and gaps between building materials. Spray foam may also be used around pipes and vents, as it adheres or sticks to these pieces so it's easier to install than fiberglass rolls.

3. Rigid board insulation

Rigid board insulation is just as the name implies; this material is sold in long boards or pieces that are cut to fit in between walls or floors. Rigid board is very good at insulating a space including cutting down on sound waves, so that your building is quieter overall. It may be one of the more expensive choices for installation but because it insulates so well, it can mean lower energy bills a more cost effective solution overall. However, it's also good to note that because rigid board is manufactured and sold in long pieces, it may not always be the right choice for retrofitting a building, or insulating it after construction. If the walls and floors are already in place, blown foam insulation may be an easier installation since drywall doesn't need to be removed to install new insulation.

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