The best shop insulation will combine a high R value, radiant heat barrier and vapor barrier.
It will will keep your shop Cool in summer, Warm in winter and Dry all the time. To do this, It must combine radiant barrier, reflective insulation and vapor barrier components.
A complete shop insulation system will include:
- Radiant heat barrier
- Reflective Insulation
- Vapor barrier
- Eliminate condensation
- Not be affected by humidity
- Not allow nesting for rodents, birds or bugs
- Credentials
- Install easily
- Compares favorably to alternatives
PRODEX Total is the one shop insulation product that addresses all items above.
PRODEX Total = radiant barrier + reflective insulation + vapor barrier.
Metal shops are uniquely affected by: Radiant heat, condensation and Cold.
1. Radiant Heat Barrier:
Ever wonder why it's so hot inside a metal shop building in the summer? It's the radiant heat. You can insulate against radiant heat! In addition, the metal skin magnifies the heat of the summer and frigid temperatures of the winter. Unfortunately, metal is a very good conductor of heat. In hot weather, metal framing and sheeting rapidly transfer the sun's heat into a building, and in cold weather they rapidly transfer heat out. -- Making it either hotter or colder inside than the surrounding temperature outside. The concept is simple: each unit of radiant heat energy that is reflected away from your building in summer, and each unit reflected back in during winter, means less operation of your heating and air conditioning systems, less wear and tear on your equipment, and less money you pay in utility costs. Prodex AD5 reflects up to 97% of the radiant energy that strikes it. Prodex AD5 has proven to be an outstanding radiant heat barrier, reflective insulation and vapor barrier. By reflective back 97% of the energy that comes into the building it helps keep the inside temperature of the metal skin close to the outside temperature of the metal skin - This serves to prevent condensation!! Your shop insulation options are limited to products that address radiant heat, condensation and cold. Shop insulation materials of Prodex AD5: 5mm (1/4 inch) closed cell polyethylene foam sandwiched between two 99% pure aluminum, low emissivity surfaces
2-5. R-Value : Vapor Barrier : Condensation : Effects of Humidity on R value
Prodex Total AD5 measures an R 15.67 as a shop roofing insulation. Unlike fiberglass insulation, its R value is unaffected by humidity. A metal building can feel like a tropical rain forest inside. Moisture trapped within fiberglass insulation will cause its R-value and effectiveness to drop dramatically as water is a very good conductor of heat. Even though the metal in a quality metal building will be treated, water trapped between the 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 life of the building. Condensation can also result in ruined crops or bacterial growth. Adding traditional fiberglass batt insulation to slow the loss of inside heat from a metal building creates a problem. Air infiltration through the building exterior in humid areas will also allow some moisture in below the roof decking and into the insulation. As any amount of moisture seriously degrades the insulation capabilities of fiberglass batt insulation, fiberglass is not the recommended insulation for metal shops.
Condensation can be a more significant problem in a metal building than temperature control. Moisture from rain, groundwater, humidity and human activity like washing, cooking and breathing creates the potential for several problems in metal buildings. First, the presence of water or ice in the insulation seriously degrades both the thermal performance and service life of fiberglass, paper, wool and other traditional insulation materials. Second, water in contact with metals contributes to corrosion and lowers the service life of the building. Third, collection of water can lead to dripping, staining, mold, mildew and odors. All of these problems can be solved with a properly installed metal building insulation system. A good metal shop insulation will have a vapor barrier. Even in only moderately humid climates, condensation can cause serious problems in an unprotected metal building. To avoid this problem, adequately ventilate the building and install a vapor barrier even if you do not plan to insulate. Prodex AD 5, a steel shop insulation acts as a vapor barrier or vapor retarder by limiting the passage of water vapor thereby preventing condensation within the insulation or on the interior surfaces of the building.
6. Nesting of rodents, birds or bugs
Properly insulating a shop requires a shop insulation materials that won't provide for nesting of birds, rodents or bugs. Rodents, birds and bugs don't like aluminum. Prodex insulates totally: Eliminates condensation, cools the building in summer, warms in winter, creates a vapor barrier that protects the building and is uninviting to rodents, birds and bugs. Prodex Total AD5 is the best metal shop insulation:
7. Credentials
Prodex Total AD5 is ICC-ES recognized and Energy Star Qualified. Numerous real-time customer testimonial are posted on each product page of this website. In addition, Insulation4Less is an accredited BBB member.
8. Ease of Installation
If you have a new install, simply roll the insulation out over your framing before applying your sheeting. If you're doing a metal shop insulation retrofit, staple or glue to the underside of your framing. Click for more on metal building insulation installation. It's a lot easier to install a 5mm thick roll that only weighs 35 lbs in a building vs a bulky 6 inches of fiberglass batt that has to be pinched between the framing. Quonset shop insulation can be glued easily to bottom of corrugated panel. Click for quonset hut insulation installation.
9. How Prodex compares to other insulations in shop buildings.
It is superior to double bubble insulation in metal buildings because under pressure, the air in bubble insulation escapes while the Prodex micro-cells maintain the air. Prodex has a high quality core which keeps its shape when exposed to forces.
Click comparison test between Prodex and Bubble Insulation. Rima International. 2009-2010 "Its About Saving Energy" Building
Awards Winner - Metal Building, Congratulations Prodex..." click to read more about award. Prodex Total Insulation auto seals once it is fastened, screwed or stapled. This prevents leakage when a roof is nailed to a structure.
Click for support information on Prodex sealing. Because of its high R value (
15.67), not being affected by moisture, its radiant barrier, ease of installation and condensation reduction ability, it is by far the best
shop insulation product available.
Traditional fiberglass insulation has no effect on radiant heat transfer (The primary source of heat-flow). Estimates are between 80 and 90% of the radiant heat striking fiberglass will pass right through it.
Disadvantages of Fiberglass insulation
- Does not stop radiant heat transfer. The primary source of heat-flow in and out of your structure.
- Potential health risks such as lung damage
- Batts do not seal wall and ceiling cavities tightly
- Needs an additional vapor barrier to protect it from moisture
- Can settle resulting in a decline in effectiveness
- Compressing the insulation reduces its effectiveness
Resistance to heat transfer drops dramatically when wet
- Moisture buildup between the fiberglass and the building exterior cannot evaporate and causes mold, mildew and decay
- Humidity can affect the r value of fiberglass insulation.
Sound:
Metal skin on a building can exaggerate the sound of rain and hail. Prodex Total AD5 greatly reduces the level of both exterior and interior noise. Rating 19 db sound reduction. Click for more details on noise performance test.
Increased lighting efficiency
Metal building insulation is frequently installed with surfaces that are visible from the inside. Reflective building insulation provides a bright, attractive wall and ceiling treatment that acts as a reflector to increase lighting efficiency. Prodex AD5 reflects light, making it easier to illuminate the building interior. Installing Prodex makes it even easier to illuminate the building interior as its surface reflects light very efficiently. In addition to light reflectivity, the Prodex surface can provide an aesthetic appearance.