Finding the Right Insulation Material for Your Business Needs

Aside from simply abiding by the National Building Code and all other applicable standards, business owners should invest in finding the right insulation material to improve employee and guest comfort, reduce energy consumption, and increase their profit margins. When you crunch the numbers, it’s clear that insulation will save much more than it will ever cost, often many times over! But exactly what materials will help you meet those projected figures? Just as your business is unique, your insulation design should be too. A bakery will have very different needs than a clothing retailer. Because of this, there is a wide array of insulation materials to fit every application and budget. 

 

Design Considerations

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of insulation materials, we want to outline some of the factors that will impact their performance, and ultimately their usefulness. This is key to recognizing which materials will do well for your mechanical systems and which ones will fall short.

• • Temperature Range. Not all insulation materials are built to withstand the same temperatures. Your insulation should be able to contain whatever maximum temperature range your business processes generate.
    • • Touch Temperature. This refers to the temperature on the outside surface of insulated equipment. Anything that is regularly touched by staff and customers, or even in an area where it is possible to accidentally brush up against should be outfitted with insulation that can dissipate the extreme temperatures of the equipment enough that it does not injure passersby. 

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• • Exposure. Depending on the type of business you have, your equipment could be exposed to a number of elements. Fire, water, freezing temperatures, UV radiation, and more! Whatever insulation material is used should be able to combat those elements without breaking down. 

• • Physical Space. Insulation takes up space, but depending on the material it could take up a little or a lot. The area around the equipment to be insulated is often a deciding factor when it comes to choosing materials. 

• • More Than Just Thermal Protection. The first thing most people think of when they think of insulation is to reduce thermal transfer. Two other major benefits are sound dampening and condensation control. You can read our other articles to find out why these are valuable qualities in your insulation. Check them out here and here. 

 

Common Insulation Materials

• Spray Foam Insulation. Spray foam insulation is made by mixing unique liquid components that react when combined, expanding to create a foam that can form air, moisture, and vapour barriers.
  • • Benefits. This type of insulation boasts a high R-Value, is water-resistant, and is airtight.

• Fibreglass or Mineral Wool Batts. Made from sand and recycled glass, in the case of fibreglass, or recycled natural fibres, in the case of mineral wool, batts offer an easy-to-handle installation while being more eco-friendly than other insulation materials.
  • • Benefits. Aside from easy installation, these batts tend to be non-combustible or fire retardant, adding an extra layer of protection to your building. 

• Loose-Fill Insulation. Fibres, foams, cellulose, and mineral wool can all be blown into an area insulation blower. Due to its loose nature, this method is very versatile.
  • • Benefits. Loose-fill insulation results in a seamless, thick layer capable of heat rapping and soundproofing even the tightest spaces. 

 

There are many other insulation materials and forms beyond the above list, but there’s no way we could fit them all into one article! The ones we’ve described are simply among the more common types used in commercial applications. For a detailed and accurate assessment of your business needs, contact your locally trusted mechanical insulation contractor at Westcal Insulation today!