Properly insulating your commercial building may be one of the smartest investments you can make. Not only will your business become “greener” by requiring less energy to heat and cool, you’ll also benefit from noise reduction and employees who are more comfortable in their work environment. If you’re considering commercial insulation, you probably have plenty of questions. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about commercial insulation.
How Do You Determine What Type of Insulation to Use?
One determinant of what type of insulation to use in your commercial building is what the building is used for. If it’s a warehouse, it will generally have different requirements than if it’s a place where employees and customers interact. Weather conditions are also a major determinant of insulation type. Commercial building insulation in a warm, humid climate will be different from insulation in a cold, dry climate. Other factors affecting insulation include the building’s size, orientation, and presence or absence of sheltering elements like shade.
What Does R-Value Mean?
R-value is thermal resistance value. It is defined by the National Commercial and Industrial Insulation Standards Manual as the ability of a product to block, rather than transmit heat. The higher the R-value, the better a product is at preventing heat transfer.
Can Insulation Help with Condensation Problems?
Insulation can help with condensation problems, or it can make them worse. It’s important for a commercial insulation installer to thoroughly evaluate your building before making recommendations. If your insulation is placed correctly, it can help prevent condensation problems. If not, the result can be wet insulation that can result in mold problems.
Can Insulation Help with Noise Problems?
One of the most appreciated side benefits of proper commercial building insulation is better soundproofing. You will probably notice a decrease in traffic noise, and if your commercial building is divided into rooms, and if insulation is placed in wall spaces, you’ll notice a decrease in noise transmission within the building as well. Insulation can be a great soundproofing solution because it also lowers your energy bills while reducing sound transmission.
Is an Energy Audit Worthwhile?
You will have better results with commercial building insulation if your insulation specialist makes a thorough inspection of the building, including places where the building’s shell may be leaking and making your heating and cooling system work harder than it has to. An energy audit shows you what you can do to cut energy costs, and it will inform your insulation specialist about the type of insulation that will work best. If an installer does basically the same insulation job for every customer, you may not be getting the best possible insulation. Choose an installation specialist like those at A Best Insulation who will evaluate your situation carefully before making a recommendation on the type of insulation that’s best for you.
Read more about Commercial Insulation Considerations for Buildings in Warm Climates!
