February 12, 2012. A steel building insulation system requires a reflective insulation, radiant barrier and vapor barrier. Why? The sun's rays on the steel surface creates unbearable heat inside the building in the summer. Cold winter temperatures are exaggerated by the steel wall and roof sheeting making it frigid inside. Warm temperature on a cool steel roof or wall creates sweating (condensation). Prodex serves a true vapor barrier and condensation eliminator. It has a high R-value: R 15.67 and it prevents radiant heat transfer (primary source of heat-flow). It's superior to fiberglass batt in steel buildings because it is unaffected by humidity or water -- It doesn't mildew or promote fungus growth and it keeps the building cool in the summer -- It doesn't promote nesting for rodents, bugs and birds. It is also much easier and less expensive to install. It is superior to double bubble insulation in steel buildings because the heat from the steel roof and walls doesn't cause its polyethylene micro-bubbles to collapse. With a pressure of 6 PSI Prodex compresses just 6%. When the load is relieved it takes back its initial shape. The density of the foam is between 1.25 lb/ft (sq) - 1.87 lb/ft (sq). This gives the material real body.

The best insulation for a steel building will keep the inside of the structure cool in summer, warm in winter and dry all the time. This requires the insulation product to be a radiant barrier, reflective insulation and vapor barrier - Prodex Total Insulation!

The ideal steel building insulation product: R-value (not affected by humidity), vapor barrier, eliminate condensation, radiant heat barrier, not allow for nesting of rodents, install easily, sound deaden, increase lighting efficiency, have credentials.

R-Value, Vapor barrier, Condensation

Prodex is a class 1 vapor barrier. In addition to providing vapor protection it also eliminates condensation. When a cold surface comes in contact with warm air it creates moisture on the surface (cold bottle outside in summer). Prodex eliminates the moisture (condensation) from forming on the steel sheeting. This prevention is important - Water trapped between insulation and the building exterior will, over time, cause rust, oxidation, mold and fungus growth - conditions that will degrade the steel walls and shorten the service of the building. Condensation can also result in ruined crops or bacterial growth.

Fiberglass insulation is not the solution. Once the fiberglass insulation gets damp (and it will in a steel building) it will stay damp. Once damp it loses R value. Not only will you have trapped moisture in the blanket causing rust, oxidation, mold etc, the damp blanket will provide less and less R value as the moisture builds. Couple this with the fact that fiberglass insulation does not prevent radiant heat transfer (primary source of heat flow) and you can see why fiberglass insulation is not the recommended insulation for steel buildings. The R-value of Prodex R 15.67 steel roof insulation is unaffected by humidity.

Radiant Heat Barrier

Ever wonder why it's so hot and wet inside a steel building in the summer and so cold and wet in winter? The steel skin magnifies the heat of the summer and frigid temperatures of the winter. Steel is a very good conductor of heat and cold. In hot weather, steel framing and sheeting rapidly transfers the sun's heat into a building, and in cold weather it rapidly transfers the heat out of your building.

Prodex reflects 97% of the radiant energy (primary source of heat flow) that strikes it. Each unit of radiant heat energy that is reflected away from your building in the summer, and each unit that is reflected back during the winter, means less operation of your heating and air conditioning system - Less wear and tear on your equipment - Less money you pay in utility costs.

Nesting of rodents, bugs and birds 

Unlike fiberglass insulation, Prodex does not provide for the nesting of rodents, bugs and birds. Rodents, bugs and birds aren't able to digest the aluminum.

Ease of Installation

It's a lot easier to install a 5mm roll of Prodex than a bulky 6 inch roll of fiberglass. Pinching 6 inches fiberglass between the framing and sheeting is not easy.

Installing Prodex in a new or existing steel building   

Installing Prodex in a steel quonset hut

Sound deadening

How many rolls of insulation should I order for my building?