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Steel building insulation question

CarQuestions

New member
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Messages
4
Location
Arizona
Greetings...new to the forum as the guys from the HAMB suggested I post this here...looking forward to being involved in this forum.

I have an existing steel building (Z purlin and steel panel sides and roof) in Arizona and it is FRICKIN HOT.

I bought InsulationStop "Double Bubble Foil Radiant Barrier" rolls and I need advice on how to install it.

First attempt was to install the rolls on the walls and I used Radiant Guard double sided tape

The next morning I came in and the radiant barrier rolls had all fallen down...the tape stuck to the walls just fine (I cleaned the steel panel surface with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol) however the tape completely peeled off of the foil inside surface of the radiant barrier.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a double stick tape that will stick to both the foil and the steel panel surface? This has to work for both the walls as well as the ceiling.

I see other techniques to retrofit a steel building includes attaching wood furring strips to the purlins with self drilling screws and then stapling up the barrier to the wood strips however that is a significant cost plus it is a huge PITA...

IF...I have to go with the wood furring strips then I can drill them to the ceiling purlins OK however the walls I do not have purlins and in the case of the walls I would need to glue the wood strips to the side wall panel because I do not want to have to drill through the side wall.

Ann suggestions/advice/well wishing/moments of silence for me would be most appreciated!!!
 
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readhead

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Dec 8, 2012
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6,177
Location
Durango, Co.
Return the bubble wrap. It is a failure waiting to happen. One source for retrofit insulation is distributioninternational.com. Their number is 505-843-7255. There are others with similar products.
 

TTMotorsports

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Jan 8, 2019
Messages
1,107
Location
Lucerne Valley, CA
Therm-all
They are in phoenix and sell retrofit kits for steel buildings. R13 r19 etc. My 4000sq ft 50x80 shop would have been around 3800 for full r19 kit but I got it and I stalled when erecting the building. Was cheaper and faster that way.
 

readhead

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Joined
Dec 8, 2012
Messages
6,177
Location
Durango, Co.
Thermall is an excellent choice. Shop around a little. Right now there is a price war on insulation.
 

bevel

New member
Joined
Aug 6, 2019
Messages
2
Location
Az
Had the same problem with my metal building in Heber and its a lot cooler than valley
I used metal strips an screw them into the uprights
i had a industrial insulation company that we use at work
they are doing a great job can post pictures Saturday after they finish
 

Slowbuilder

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Mar 14, 2016
Messages
265
Location
Chandler, AZ
I would think you're gonna need to do something about isolating/insulating the primary and secondary steel from the inside of the building. If the sheathing is mounted directly to the primary/secondary steel without any thermal barrier, then it's going to radiate into your interior like a heat sink.
 

cory58

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Joined
Dec 23, 2015
Messages
234
Location
Charlotte, NC
Radiant barrier bubble wrap is better than nothing, but barely. That was the only option offered by the company that built my metal garage. Should have saved the money and used it as a down payment on real insulation. The 4 ton heat pump in my garage running all day barely keeps the temp below outside ambient when the sun is shining.

If it’s no too late, return the radiant barrier bubble wrap.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 
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welder57

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Feb 26, 2011
Messages
414
Spray on insulation will void panel warranties and rust out panels faster, that's why it will void the warranties. Check with SilverCoat and Bay Insulation they make and have info to install insulation on existing buildings. In your part of the world R19 would be the minimum I would use for both walls and roof.
 

Slowbuilder

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Mar 14, 2016
Messages
265
Location
Chandler, AZ
SilverCote supplied the insulation that was included in my steel building - I recommend them. The product was easy to install, and their customer service was great. When I discovered that they had underestimated the amount needed for my roof, they sent an additional roll, no charge, no questions asked. I have R-25 in the walls, and R-30 in the ceiling, and it makes a huge difference.
 

Slowbuilder

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Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
265
Location
Chandler, AZ
Give them a call - here's their retrofit package for R-19. For my 43x25, the building supplier quoted about $2000 for an R-19 package. Direct from Silvercote may be less.
 
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