The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Insulation is a critical element when it comes to designing a building. It’s the very reason why the occupants stay in relative comfort while residing in the building. It serves a vital function for all commercial businesses and facilities that rely heavily on temperature control.
Why Is Insulation Needed?
Building energy requirements are promoting higher energy efficiency through tighter and more insulated buildings. A structure that adheres to code, on the other hand, barely meets the legal minimum and does not provide additional value to customers.
Buildings designed and constructed above code, including professional commercial building insulation installation, are more energy-efficient, healthier, and quieter, giving you a competitive edge.
The Benefits of Insulation
#1. Energy Efficiency
The impact of energy efficiency is that it lowers carbon footprints by saving the occupants money on bills and reducing Greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The advantages are becoming increasingly important as energy costs rise and people become more aware of their carbon footprint.
Your HVAC system will have to operate extra to keep up with temperature changes in a poorly insulated structure. Depending on the season, your HVAC equipment will need to deliver additional temperature control to compensate for the loss or increase of heat. You’ll not only waste the electricity you’ve previously paid for to control the temperature of your property, but you’ll have to pay more to compensate. It will result in tremendous energy and financial waste.
As the energy efficiency trend becomes more significant in property transactions, commercial construction experts will adapt to this development by designing and constructing buildings that surpass regulations and set themselves apart from the competition.
If you are planning any maintenance to look after your HVAC system, consider installing aluminum insulated gasketed access panels to provide a safe and convenient entry point for your personnel to do their work. It will make work efficient, especially if you need it regularly.
#2. Comfort
Temperature control is a significant factor in how happy people are. Dissatisfied inhabitants are less likely to be present in an unpleasant building that has many temperature issues. Thermal comfort gets influenced by insulation and air sealing, although code compliance is no assurance of satisfaction.
It’s tempting to believe that more targeted heating and cooling control is the key to please inhabitants in a facility. Heat will constantly travel to chilly places without sufficient insulation and airflow sealing. It means inhabitants will consume significantly more energy to keep comfortable.
A well-insulated building will be far more pleasant than one that is not. Heat can exit the building in the cold season and enter during the summer if it is not adequately insulated. This heat transmission will be decreased or avoided with adequate insulation, and your interior rooms will remain at the degree you desire.
#3. Noise Reduction
The noise issue is becoming increasingly prevalent as more open workspaces, floating walls, and glass features develop. Acoustic design is a complicated process influenced by various elements such as locations, building type, and occupancy. While insulation itself may not provide a peaceful work environment, the acoustic design and solutions still need to include this. Different acoustic qualities of insulation types should also be examined and analyzed.
Modern construction trends aim toward sustainability where contractors and designers construct buildings with the smallest carbon footprint possible. What does it mean for commercial construction professionals? Green rental rates can be up to 20% higher than the national average, resulting in higher rental prices and reduced vacancy rates.
Considering and selecting insulation type is a crucial component of sustainable design, as it helps reduce power consumption, improve air quality, and provide more comfort. Particular insulation materials can also help meet recycled content criteria and reduce Greenhouse gas emissions.
Insulation Types for Commercial Buildings
Commercial building insulation comes in a variety of kinds to meet the needs and characteristics of the building.
Fiberglass board: To insulate HVAC ductwork, the utilization of rigid fiberglass board insulation is standard. These ducts have a thin metal substance that allows warm air to escape or cool air to warm up readily. You can halt this process by board insulation, which saves both resources and costs.
Spray foam: This insulation material comes in a semi-liquid form that is sprayable into place utilizing a piece of pressurized equipment. When the foam cures, it becomes light but solid, sealing air leaks and providing excellent insulation.
Fiberglass blanket: This insulation type is a pretty familiar material for most people due to its popularity. It comes from layers of fiberglass stacked together to form a thick layer of blanket. In most cases, the blanket gets placed between two thick sheets of cardboard or paper. Blanket insulation, also known as batt or roll insulation, is typically installed between joists and beams in the walls and floors.
Loose-fill insulation: This material’s utilization is as loose-fill insulation consisting of cellulose or fiberglass pellets. You can spray this insulation into places like wall cavities and floors. It’s also useful for insulating spaces with odd forms or challenging access with other types of insulation.
Rock wool: Also known as mineral wool insulation, often utilized to insulate pipelines and manufactured from high-density mineral wool. Pipes, water heater tanks, and other features that require insulation can have blanket-style insulation covers produced from the same material.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know some of the most fundamental knowledge about commercial building insulation, the next step would naturally be to call in a professional to proceed with your project. Only through a licensed contractor can you genuinely have a level of assurance for quality work.
