Architects and contractors can have challenges with commercial insulation building designs, because they are trying to achieve multiple goals. Some of these challenges include air sealing, acoustical performance and energy efficiency. When you’re talking about contemporary architectural designs, some of these goals can be difficult to accomplish with traditional types of insulation.
Another concern is sustainability. Commercial construction is trending toward sustainable designs and using green products that not only offer greater energy efficiency, but are affordable as well.
Acoustical insulation is increasingly important because the data shows that noise can negatively affect productivity. In fact, 71% of workers have complained about noise impacting their work.
Here we’ll take a look at some of the things you can do for your business’s building insulation, while comparing mineral glass wool with Icynene® Spray Foam insulation.
Architectural Design
Spray foam commercial insulation gives you the ability to be more flexible in your designs because spray foam can reach into areas where traditional insulation can’t. Spray foam is also the preferred choice in commercial insulation for hospitals and schools because it prevents pollutants and allergens from getting inside buildings.
Spray foam can seal air and insulate in only one step and won’t leave gaps. It insulates interior or exterior cavities, giving you greater energy efficiency in either application. At the same time, it improves the indoor air quality of the building by better controlling the air movement in and out of the structure. On exterior applications, spray foam can provide continuous insulation in commercial buildings, all while at the same time acting as the air and water-resistive barrier as well.
What is the Building Envelope?
The building envelope is a system of elements within a building structure that prevents the movement of air, heat and moisture. Spray foam can save money because it can take the place of multiple products of the building envelope system. Because spray foam can act as the insulation, air barrier, water barrier, and drainage plane, architects can eliminate the need for additional air and water barrier systems along with Rigid insulation. Spray foam can effectively perform all of those functions with a single product.
Mineral Wool vs. Spray Foam
Mineral wool is an effective insulation material and is ideally used for acoustical applications. Studies have shown that installing more mineral wool can help reduce energy costs when using it for thermal insulation. But more insulation doesn’t always translate to energy savings. Because Mineral Wool isn’t an air barrier, it can’t be the only part of the insulation and air barrier system. It has to have another product to stop the air and water penetration unlike spray foam, which performs all of these functions in a single application. The R-value of Mineral Wool is also substantially less per inch when compared to closed cell spray foam. It actually takes less spray foam to achieve even more effective results. That is one of many benefits of using spray foam.
At Superior Insealators, we’ll work with you to help you choose the insulation material and method that suits your project perfectly.
We offer commercial and residential insulation services. Some of our past projects include office buildings, schools, healthcare facilities, churches and factories. So when it comes to insulating your commercial property, we know how to help you achieve maximum energy efficiency without breaking your budget.
Superior Insealators is an ABAA (Air Barrier Association of America) Certified Insulation Contractor. Family owned and operated. Talk with us today!
