Steel buildings that are not properly insulated or buildings that have old or torn insulation, can contribute to condensation problems and thermal energy loss. Retrofitting insulation between purlins or wall girts not only saves on energy bills, but it also addresses any existing condensation issues.
Over 50% of all steel building insulation projects are retrofit applications. Retrofitting insulation in existing metal buildings with new insulation will help to seal air leaks and improve energy efficiency. Adding new insulation will add additional R-Value which saves energy and money in the long run.
We supply insulation rolls that are pre-cut to fit within your purlin and girt spaces of your existing steel building. After the insulation is cut to your specific measurements, facing materials are applied to insulation blankets to serve as a vapor retarder. Facing material offers a clean finished look in any metal building environment. There are several facing options to choose from.
Benefits of Retrofitting Insulation
- Adding insulation to an existing building will help to seal air leaks
- Increases the R-value/thickness of insulation
- Increases the energy efficiency of your building and reduces energy costs
- Improves condensation control
- Tax-saving benefits when you add insulation to your building
- Increases the lighting efficiency by providing a bright reflective surface on the walls and/or roof
- Improves interior appearance of walls and/or roof
Retro-Fit Installation Process
Retrofit Installation Process
Wall Installation
Typically the first girt is 7’4” above the floor with the upper girt spacing being 6’ or less. In this application the insulation between the 7′ 4″ girt is installed vertically. Above that the insulation is installed horizontally. A base angle should be installed at the floor of the perimeter of the insulated area. This will provide an attachment point for the facing as well as help seal the bottom and provide a moisture barrier. When the upper girts are less than 6′, the insulation rolls are factory pre-cut to the proper size then laminated to the fiber glass and labeled accordingly. In some instances the first girt is not 7′ 4″ and all girts are 6′ or less. All insulation is installed horizontally in this case.
Stick Pins
Stick pins can be applied to a clean steel surface with glue to hang the blankets. Once the insulation is installed over a stick pin, a friction washer is placed over the pin to keep the insulation in place. The pointed pin tips are then cut off with a wire cutter. This application gives you a quilted look.
InsulHold Coils
Insulhold Coils are ideal in retrofit projects to help hold insulation in place and from sagging. Arrows, which are contoured for strength, stick within the fiberglass and provide holding power to the insulation. InsulHold bands are used independently, however, for additional support steel banding, steel liner panel, or an insulation fabric covering such as Energy Saver are optional.
Roof Installation
Typically, metal building purlins are spaced 5’ apart. 5’ fiberglass blankets are standard. Anything other than 5’ wide can be factory pre- cut to fit the existing purlin spacing prior to lamination. The factory pre-cut roll length is then determined by the spacing of the bays or the distance between the rigid frames. The purlin depth varies with 8” being the most common. All rolls are cut, then labeled to help insure that the blankets are placed in the proper space.
Banding System
The most common method of adding insulation to a metal building roof is with a banding system. Steel bands, typically 1” wide (depending on the manufacturer) are screwed to the under side of the metal purlin 30” apart creating a grid system in the roof. The factory pre-cut rolls are then fed through, above the steel bands and secured. The steel bands act as a support to the fiberglass blankets.
Refacing Insulation
Refacing insulation materials can give your metal building a brand new look and improve thermal performance. To achieve this, you can choose to cover the old facing with new facing materials, or add a new layer of fiberglass with new facing materials attached. Applying a new layer of insulation will also increase the r-value while giving your building’s interior a clean, new look and feel.
