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      Installations — how to install

      How to Install BlueTex™ Between Old Insulation and Existing Metal Girts/Purlins

      How to Install BlueTex™ Between Old Insulation and Existing Metal Girts/Purlins

      Note: This method involves removing the screws from the outside of the building.

      If you're looking to cover old insulation from the inside of the building, without removing exterior wall screws, you can find that installation info here.

      Use this install method to do a partial wall refinish (select sections) or the full wallIf doing the full wall, the top screws (near the roof edge) are NOT removed from the outside. They are usually “hidden” by either trim or gutters.  

      Method #1 - Bluetex Pro is pushed between old insulation and behind metal purlins after removing screws from outside

      Supplies Needed:

      1. BlueTex™ Pro 2mm 50" wide insulation

      2. BlueTex™ 3" wide white vapor barrier seam tape

      3. BlueTex™ 48" wide aluminum term bars (screws included) or some other bar to hold the insulation against the girts (wood is a good alternative)
      Use a drywall knife or putty knife to push between old insulation and metal purlin

      Covering up the ENTIRE WALL

      If you're doing the full wall, you will cover from the ground to roofline in one piece.

      Step 1: Measure the wall/section height & add 6" to it.

      1. If your insulation has areas where it's fallen off or is missing, take the time to fill in these areas with some batt insulation so the thickness of the wall is uniform.

      2. Measure your wall height + 6" and cut this off your Pro 2mm roll.

      3. Gather your aluminum term bars (or other material you're using) and your drill.

      Step 2: Remove a section of exterior screws & anchor your bottom piece.

      1. Begin by removing the screw panels from outside for the section you are working on.

      2. Pull the BlueTex™ PRO from the ground upward, guiding it between the old insulation and the girts/purlin(s) continuing until you get to the top girt/purlin on the wall.

      3. Let the top piece of BlueTex™ hang in place while you secure your floor piece.

      4. Go back to the ground and prepare to attach the bottom of the BlueTex™ to the ground/bottom of the wall using one of the three options below to connect it to the floor/L-bracket. Our recommendation is to do Option 3. 

      Option #1 - Tuck BlueTex™ insulation between the old insulation and L bracket.
      You might have to cut the facing if your original insulation was taped to the L-bracket.

        • Cut BlueTex™ straight for bottom edge.

        • Use drywall taping knife or 6” putty knife to push BlueTex™ in between the old insulation and your L-bracket.

        • Re-use screws from outside to girts to secure; the screws should line up.

        • OPTIONAL: Use a thin piece of metal or something like a coat hanger to line up the screw holes if needed. Push from outside and get help putting through original holes. Once one is in, the rest should line up easily.

      Option #2 - Push BlueTex™ insulation ON TO existing screws through the floor L-bracket. 

        • If you have screws coming through the L-brackets you should be able to use our insulation washers and push on to secure.

        • A ½" deep socket works great and use either a hammer to tap on or if you have a hammer drill with hammer only or chisel mode works great to push it on.

      Option #3 - Screw BlueTex™ insulation into metal panel rib cavities.

        • This is similar to the push on screw method except you use our ¾" self-drilling screws and insulation washers to secure the BlueTex™ to the bottom L-bracket. With this method you do NOT undo the exterior metal screws on the bottom L-bracket, you only undo the screws in the middle purlins.

        • The KEY here is you can only put the screws where the ribs are in your panel. Otherwise, the screws will penetrate the exterior metal.

        • Depending on your metal panel type the ribs are usually 9-12 inches apart. The good thing is they are very consistent, so double check the center to center rib distance on the outside of building.

        • Cut into the old insulation to find a rib, or use a screwdriver to poke through the insulation and find the center of a rib.  Then, you can precisely make marks on the L-bracket (or ground) for where the screws will go.

      This customer did not remove screws at bottom L-Bracket. They used the BlueTex Insulation washers and pushed onto panel screws to secure BlueTex Insulation on the front side of the L-Brackets

      Step 3: Pull your BlueTex™ tight and secure the top portion.

      1. Once the BlueTex™ is secured to the bottom L-bracket at the floor level, go to the top of the wall and push upward on the "tab" at the top EAVE STRUT. This will make the BlueTex™ smooth and tight. BE SURE IT IS STRAIGHT UP/DOWN.

        Push upward to make BlueTex Insulation smooth and tight
      2. Then use our aluminum term bar and screws (or a wood strip) to secure the BlueTex™ to the bottom of the top eave strut In the CENTER ONLY. 
        If you go with wood strips, we recommend preparing several pieces of wood at a time by pre-drilling 1/8" holes through the wood to prevent splitting. Then, pre-load your screws into the pre-drilled holes so you're ready to go.

      3. Have a helper pull the edges upward to make sure BlueTex™ is smooth and tight as you secure the term bar and cinch the insulation behind it.

      Step 4: Replace the exterior screws and seal your seams.

      1. Replace screws from outside to cinch/lock BlueTex™ between your metal panel and wall girts/purlins.

      2. Finish the wall by taping all your seams with our 3" wide seam tape

       

      Covering The Bottom Partial Wall Only

      If you're only doing the lowest section of the walls, between the ground and the first purlin, follow these instructions:

      1. Start with the BlueTex™ roll on the ground and pull the piece up and between the old insulation and purlin, overlapping by at least 3”.

      2. Continue upward, past the actual purlin about 6” so you have a tab you can pull later, to tighten the BlueTex™.

      3. At this point, the BlueTex™ should be straight up/down with about 6” sticking past the top of the purlin. Secure bottom of BlueTex™ to floor L-bracket.  SEE Bottom/Floor Connection Methods in Step 2 above.

      4. Next, you will want to pull upward on the BlueTex™ with moderate pressure to make it smooth and taut/tight. Once it’s tight, reuse the screws from the outside in existing holes through the metal skin, through the BlueTex™ Insulation and into the purlin.

      5. Fold the BlueTex™ down on the purlin and use the purlin as a cutting board to trim off excess insulation.

        Fold the BlueTex™ down on the purlin and use the purlin as a cutting board to trim off excess insulation.

      6. Tape the seams with BlueTex™ 3” white vapor barrier seam tape. Tips for the best seaming: 

        • It’s best to have at least two people sealing the seams.
        • Pre-cut the length of tape needed, keeping the tape flat. 
        • Have one person hold the top and press down the seam while the other person pulls the tape tight and holds about 12"-18" inches away. 
        • Continue until the seam is covered and tight.
      Flexible and easy to install behind equipment/panels etc.

      Barn and Shed Installation - Blocking Heat Only

      Barn and Shed Installation - Blocking Heat Only

      Goal Temps in Non-Conditioned Buildings

      The main problem with heat gain in a metal building is that it will absorb so much radiant heat that the inside temperatures will far exceed the outside temperatures. The simple solution to this is a radiant barrier; it will essentially act like shade. Reflecting 97% of that radiant heat out of the structure is the key to a comfortable space, even without conditioning it.

      We have many customers who have used radiant barrier on garages, barns, carports, airplane hangars, work sheds, warehouses etc. with great results in comfort. It's important to remind yourself that structures under this category are just that: structures. This means they will not feel or operate like conditioned or living structures; they will be hotter/cooler than a home/office space and they'll also likely be wetter, and that's ok. That being said, the goal for these types of buildings is to take the edge off the continual heat gain in the hot months and to help temper the chill in the colder months.

       

      No Need for Traditional Insulation

      On a non-conditioned building, there really is nothing better than a radiant barrier to control the heat gain. Structures like sheds, carports and barns can all benefit greatly by adding a layer of radiant barrier near the roof line and any sun-catching walls to keep the heat out. On a non-conditioned building, traditional r-value insulation is not necessary since you're goal is NOT to keep conditioned air (cold or hot) inside of it, but rather just trying to keep it comfortable when in use. Therefore, the most realistic expectations you can have for a building that you are not heating or cooling, is to get it at (or close to), outside air temperature (also known as ambient air temperature). Getting the air temperature lowered is largely relative to the amount of ventilation you have going through the structure. However, keeping the inside of a metal structure at or near ambient temperature is practically impossible if you do not have a radiant barrier. The radiant barrier will work to reduce the surface temperatures, and the ventilation to help bring the air temperatures down.

       

      How to Install

      Like most installs of this nature, getting the BlueTex™ closest to the exterior of the building will bring about the best overall results, specifically for hot climates.

      If you're doing new construction, you can wrap the outside of the frame with BlueTex™ too, just make sure the FOIL SIDE of the product has at least ¼" to ½" of an air space between it and the exterior/interior sheathing. You can see more info on how to install here: Install BlueTex™ in Your Metal Building

       

      What About Moisture?

      Interior moisture (condensation) is created when relatively warm-moist air hits a cold surface (usually the metal of the building). One of the biggest issues we hear of with metal buildings are customers trying to find a solution to "sweating buildings" and we get it! We've written an extensive guide to teach you (1) what causes moisture in your metal building and (2) how to stop it.

      Did you know? The problem itself may be what you're using the building for! Livestock, agriculture products, grain etc. are all commonly stored inside barns and sheds. These items will produce high levels of moisture & sometimes there's not much you can do about that. The best way to protect yourself against moisture forming inside a structure like that is to have plenty of ventilation to keep moisture from sticking, and pair it with a radiant barrier to stop the huge swings in temperature inside the building.