What is the correct Insulation?

[Mr. D]

Got a garage quote on a metal 30 X 40 X 12 garage and the insulation package is Double Bubble. When I google that it appears to be very thin and more of a moisture barrier vice insulation.

Product Description
Double Bubble Foil Insulation is very thin (1/4" to 5/16"), with a foil surface on each side. This insulation is rated and tested by reflectivity and emissivity. It is 96% reflective and 4% emmissive, meaning the product only allows 4% of radiant heat to pass through it. To put it simple, the insulation does not try to slow the way heat passes through it, the insulation tries to eliminate heat from passing through it.

This insulation is constructed of a double layer of polyethylene bubble insulation, bonded to two radiant barrier metalized sheets. The insulation not only works well to reflect radiant heat, but it also works as a vapor barrier, preventing condensation which can cause mold. Double Bubble Foil Insulation is primarily used for pole barns, metal buildings, basement walls, crawl spaces, and storage units.

Is this the correct insulation or is vendor taking the cheapest route????

Thanks
Dennis

 

[346ci]

That sounds like the same all those square tube metal buildings use. I know it works for condensation which is a 100% must for that type of building if you get frost, not sure how good of a job is does for temperatures.

The locals here offer a thicker type but of course it costs more.

 

[Gummi Bear]

It will help a ton with radiant heat.

Not sure what part of the country you’re in, but that is really valuable here in Texas, our summer gets hot

You can add a layer of fiberglass insulation with that, and gain quite a bit I’d imagine.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[Mr. D]

North Alabama for location so the winters are not all that cold. Also the building is a square tube metal frame type construction.


Guess I'm use to seeing the white vinyl sided insulation that is used on Red Iron frame type buildings.

 

[346ci]

If the roof gets frost during the night, once the morning sun hits it, water drops will form on the underside and drip all over the content inside your building. If you want to see a level of mad you haven't been before, that would be a good way.

 

[transamfan]

My old building had the single bubble stuff in roof and walls. Its basically just bubble wrap with a foil on both sides. Double bubble is just 2 layers of bubble wrap between the foil. It has around an R-6 from what I was told depending on product and how its installed. It helped insulate some of course but my new building is going with something better. a condensation blanket under roof metal is a MUST HAVE. its fine for that and you can always add true insulation to roof later if needed. Im putting in a ceiling and blowing in cellulose but Im still putting in a condensation blanket to help till ceiling is up.

 

[BMWBOB]

I'm not sure of the brand, but my new pole building has the foil type insulation layer between the steel and the shop. Worked excellent for condensation. We have hot summers here (E WA) with intense sunlight. On the old portion of the shop I haven't put a membrane up yet: the roof metal was so hot you couldn't leave your hand on it. The wall with the foil insulation was barely warm to the touch (97 degree day).

The old fiberglass coated plastic is garbage, in my book. This stuff is way better.

Tell him you want a sample of the material. It should stretch to seal around the screws but it should not tear easily. The stuff on my building was by far not the cheapest - you get what you pay for.

I did use the cheap stuff for covering the wall insulation above what I sheeted with OSB, and that looks good and worked great to brighten up the space.

 

[bullnerd]

"If you want to see a level of mad you haven't been before, that would be a good way."

LOL! Thats a good quote!

I think it depends on what level HVAC you intend doesn't it?

I'm not an HVAC guy, but it sure seems like, after reading lots of threads here, bubble stuff is not highly sought after.

 

[mgbbob]

I have the double bubble in my new 35 x 24. It does a fair job of holding heat but I plan on adding some additional insulation. For the price it seemed like a good deal and holds the line until I can do more. I stayed warm down into the low 20's with a 35000 bTU torpedo heater last winter. It definitely helped this summer. It is a place to start for a little bit of money. I priced a contractor adding 4" of insulation bats and it was another $3500 so I think I will do in myself as time and money are available.

 

[stm317]

It's not insulation, it's a radiant barrier. If there's an air gap between the metal and the barrier, it can reflect some radiant heat away from the inside of your building. But, it has little or no R Value that actual insulation has. And If there's no air gap between the metal and the double bubble, then it's basically just a vapor barrier.

Double bubble isn't all bad. But real insulation will give you a much more comfortable and efficient building.

 

[Mr. D]

Sounds like Double Bubble is what I need at a min to stay away from the "If you want to see a level of mad you haven't been before, that would be a good way." The term insulation package is just a play on words.


Right now the plan is to have the building installed with the Double Bubble and than on my own dime and labor install 8' panels around the walls so I guess that would be the time to add some insulation. Would insulation behind these 8' panels on a 12' wall make a difference?

 

[Stuart in MN]

It may be good for radiant heat protection, but the insulation R values they provide are usually pretty bogus - it may have a value of 1 or so but that's about it.