Articles — metal building insulation

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

1. Use a thermostat-controlled heater. This will help maintain a consistent temperature without excessive energy use.
   
   
2. Consider insulating doors and windows. Adding weather stripping or additional insulation around entry points will prevent cold air from seeping in.
   
   
3. 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.

When insulating a metal building, one of the most common questions we encounter is whether customers should use faced or unfaced insulation. The answer depends largely on your building’s intended use, climate control needs, and the type of radiant barrier insulation you’re installing. Let’s explore the key considerations to help you make the best choice for your metal building.

R-Value and Climate Control Needs

For buildings that are not climate-controlled year-round, traditional R-value insulation isn’t always necessary. In non-conditioned or semi-conditioned spaces, radiant barriers like BlueTex™ metal building insulation products are the most effective insulation solution for controlling heat gain and loss.

Additionally, BlueTex™ creates an interior vapor barrier to help you control moisture inside the building, when installed properly. Radiant barriers work by reflecting up to 97% of radiant heat, keeping your building cooler in summer and warmer in winter without the need for thick layers of insulation. Since R-value is specifically designed to resist conductive heat flow, it’s best suited for fully conditioned spaces where heating or cooling is maintained year-round.

If your building will be fully climate-controlled, R-value insulation becomes beneficial. In this case, you’ll want to ensure that:

• The radiant barrier layer is installed closest to the exterior metal surface, with an air gap between the metal and the foil surface to maximize its effectiveness.
• The R-value insulation is placed on the interior side, closest to the living or working space, to contain heated or cooled air efficiently.

Layering Insulation in a Metal Building

For optimal performance, the insulation process in a metal building should follow these steps:

1. Install the radiant barrier: Use a product like BlueTex™ 2mm Pro or BlueTex™ Thermal Wrap, which both include a built-in vapor barrier. Ensure there’s an air gap between the foil layer and the exterior metal for maximum heat reflection.
2. Add R-value insulation if needed: If your building will be fully conditioned, install batt or other R-value insulation between the framing. Spray foam insulation works great with the Thermal Wrap product. This dual-layering helps resist conductive heat transfer through the framing, while the radiant barrier tackles radiant heat coming off the sheet metal.

Faced vs. Unfaced Insulation

Once the radiant barrier is in place, the next step is deciding between faced or unfaced insulation. Here’s how to determine the best option for your building:

• If you’re using BlueTex™ 2mm Pro or Thermal Wrap:
  These products already include a vapor barrier, so there’s no need to add faced insulation. Using unfaced insulation is sufficient because the vapor barrier function is handled by the BlueTex™ layer.

• If you’re using BlueTex™ Foil Only (micro-perforated):
  The Foil Only product allows for vapor permeability, so you can choose either faced or unfaced insulation depending on your preference. If you opt for faced insulation, the facing should always point toward the interior of the building. This aligns with best practices recommended by professionals in the building science community, including Green Building Advisor, ensuring that moisture control is maintained effectively.

Why Vapor Barriers Matter

Moisture management is a critical aspect of insulating metal buildings. Without proper vapor control, condensation can build up inside the walls or roof, leading to mold, mildew, rust, or other structural issues.

If you’re using BlueTex™ products with an integrated vapor barrier, you’re already a step ahead in preventing moisture problems. However, if your building has a history of high humidity or is located in a region prone to moisture buildup, you’ll want to ensure your insulation layers are installed correctly to avoid trapping moisture.

Conclusion

Choosing between faced and unfaced insulation depends on the type of radiant barrier you’re using and the climate control needs of your metal building. For non-conditioned spaces, BlueTex™ radiant barriers alone are often sufficient. In fully conditioned buildings, R-value insulation should complement the radiant barrier, with the radiant layer closest to the exterior metal surface.

If your radiant barrier includes a vapor barrier, such as the BlueTex™ 2mm Pro or Thermal Wrap, unfaced insulation is typically the best choice. For micro-perforated products like BlueTex™ Foil Only, the decision between faced and unfaced comes down to preference and specific moisture control needs.

For more information and step-by-step guides to insulating your metal building, visit BlueTexInsulation.com. Our team is here to help you create a comfortable, energy-efficient space that meets your unique requirements.

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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.