Will Ceiling Insulation Help in an Unheated Metal Building?

The primary purpose of insulation is to help maintain the temperature of an indoor area. Since heat naturally moves toward cooler areas, insulation works by providing an extra barrier for heat to move through.

Winter Benefits

During the winter, the inside of a building is significantly warmer than the temperature of the outdoors, even if the extra warmth is only provided by body heat and running equipment. By adding insulation to your building, you effectively increase the amount of heat that stays inside by making it harder for it to escape. This is especially true in the case of ceiling insulation, because warmer air rises.

Summer Benefits

During the summer, the inside of a building is usually cooler than the temperature of the outdoors, due to the lack of direct sunlight. Adding insulation to a building for summer time purposes works in exactly the same manner as for winter, but in reverse. The heat outside is constantly moving toward cooler areas, and an extra barrier between outdoors and indoors could make a significant difference in the temperature of any building.

Additional Benefits

Depending on the type of insulation used, there are other benefits to ceiling insulation. Many companies now provide reflective insulation for metal buildings, which will not only serve to increase the visibility within the building, but may also improve the building's appearance.

References

• Department of Energy: Insulation Fact Sheet
• HIGH-R: Owner Benefits
• Insulation 4 Less: Prodex Total Insulation 48 Inch