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Using BlueTex™ to Keep Your Building Above Freezing

Posted by Edward Fritz · March 06, 2025

How Do I Insulate If I Just Want to Keep My Building from Freezing Inside?

For many building owners, the goal isn’t necessarily to fully heat and cool a space year-round, but simply to keep the inside from dropping below freezing temperatures. Whether you store equipment, vehicles, livestock, or other valuable items in your metal building, preventing freezing temperatures can protect your investments and help maintain a more stable interior climate. You don't need tons of R-value to keep things above freezing, just a radiant barrier and a heat source. Fortunately, BlueTex™ metal building insulation products provide an efficient and cost-effective way to help you achieve this goal, particularly when you combine it with a portable space heater like this one.

How BlueTex ™ Insulation Helps Prevent Freezing Temperatures

BlueTex™ Insulation is designed to work as a radiant barrier and a vapor barrier, reflecting radiant heat and controlling moisture inside metal buildings. While traditional insulation slows the rate of conductive heat transfer, BlueTex™ actively prevents heat loss by reflecting infrared energy (radiant heat) back into the space. This makes it a perfect companion to a small heating source in non-conditioned or semi-conditioned spaces. Below we go into more detail on how you can use BlueTex™ + a heat source to make your building more comfortable.

Using BlueTex ™ with a Space Heater

If your primary goal is to prevent freezing temperatures, a simple and effective solution is to combine BlueTex™ insulation with a portable space heater. Here’s how it works:

The space heater provides a steady heat source. Even a small, energy-efficient heater can generate enough warmth to keep the temperature above freezing in a 300-400 sq ft space.
BlueTex™ Insulation reflects that heat back into the space. The foil layer of BlueTex™ reduces heat loss by preventing infrared radiation from escaping the building, allowing the heat from the heater to stay inside longer.
Less energy is required to maintain above-freezing temperatures. Because BlueTex™ minimizes heat loss, your heater doesn’t have to work as hard, leading to potential energy savings.

The Best Way to Install BlueTex ™ for Heat Retention

If preventing heat loss is your top priority, the orientation of BlueTex™’s foil layer can make a significant difference. For maximum efficiency:

Face the foil surface toward the outside of the building. There is a common misconception that the foil has to face the direction of the heat you're reflecting. While that's a good rule of thumb, foil has a secondary property called emissivity. Emissivity is simply the ability of a product to not release radiant heat. This means even if the foil is facing the exterior of the building, it can still work to stop heat loss from radiating through the foil and out of the building. This ensures that the heat generated by a heater is held back into the interior space instead of being absorbed into the insulation or walls.
Keep the foil surface toward an air gap. The radiant heat blocking properties of BlueTex™ work only if the foil is not covered or touching something else. If you want to install additional insulation in your walls, make sure your foil layer does not make contact with the exterior metal. If the foil touches another surface, it will no longer help with heat retention in the building.
Seal all gaps and air leaks. While BlueTex™ will help retain heat, eliminating drafts around doors, windows, and other openings will further enhance temperature stability.

Additional Tips for Maintaining Above-Freezing Temperatures

Use a thermostat-controlled heater. This will help maintain a consistent temperature without excessive energy use.
Consider insulating doors and windows. Adding weather stripping or additional insulation around entry points will prevent cold air from seeping in.
Monitor moisture levels. If your building is prone to condensation, ensure you have proper ventilation or a dehumidifier to maintain a stable environment if you plan to run heat often.

A Simple and Effective Solution

If you’re looking for a way to prevent your building temperatures from dropping too low without the expense of a full heating system, BlueTex™ Insulation provides a practical and energy-efficient solution. By pairing it with a small space heater and following best installation practices, you can create a warmer environment and protect your valuable assets from the cold.

Using BlueTex in a Carport to Prevent Condensation

Posted by Edward Fritz · September 04, 2024

Condensation can be a common issue in carports, especially those with metal roofs. The formation of moisture not only creates a damp environment but can also lead to rust and other damage to vehicles and stored items. One effective solution to combat your moisture problem inside your carport is using BlueTex™ metal building insulation.

Why BlueTex ™?

BlueTex™ is a reflective insulation that not only helps in maintaining temperature but also acts as an air and vapor barrier against condensation. By reflecting radiant heat, it keeps the metal surfaces of your carport warmer on sunny days, reducing the chances of moisture forming when the temperature drops. This is particularly beneficial in carports where the roof and walls are often exposed to varying temperatures throughout the day.

BlueTex™ also creates an internal air barrier, separating the air inside your carport from the metal skin. This separation reduces your chances of condensation, since the BlueTex™ can stay warmer than the metal framing and skin.

In a cold climate where you're using heat, you want to consider the BlueTex™ 6mm Supreme product for maximum moisture control in your metal building. The Supreme is a foil-foam insulation that blocks radiant heat loss and helps the metal stay above the dew point. A layer of 6mm Supreme and a little heat can go a long way toward helping to stop a condensation problem in a carport.

Closing Up Your Carport

To maximize the benefits of BlueTex™, it's important to ensure that your carport is as sealed as possible. Enclosing the sides of your carport can significantly reduce the exposure to external elements, such as rain or snow, which contribute to moisture buildup.

By limiting airflow from the outside, you can better control the internal temperature and humidity levels, making the BlueTex™ insulation more effective. To learn more about how BlueTex™ helps stop moisture in metal buildings, read our Guide to Moisture Control for Metal Buildings.

Ventilation as an Alternative

If fully closing up your carport isn't an option, proper ventilation becomes key. A well-ventilated carport allows for adequate air circulation, which helps to disperse moisture-laden air and prevent condensation from settling on the metal surfaces.

Installing vents at strategic points, such as near the roofline or at the end walls, can create a steady flow of air, minimizing the risk of dampness and the associated problems. This means your carport area will be very cold on cold days, but maintaining a temperature as close to outside air temperature as possible is how you will avoid moisture forming inside.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to fully enclose your carport or focus on improving ventilation, using BlueTex™ metal building insulation is a smart move to combat condensation. By understanding and controlling the environment inside your carport, you can protect your vehicles and belongings from the damaging effects of moisture. To learn more about moisture in metal buildings, start with our Guide to Moisture Management in Metal Buildings.