Insulating Metal Buildings
Steel framed homes and The Icynene Insulation System®
Steel framing is beginning to be recognized
as the cost-effective winner over
wood across the entire spectrum of the
residential housing market. Not only
do they make economical sense, when
properly constructed and insulated, steel
framed homes can be every bit as energy
efficient as wood framed homes.
However, insulating metal buildings comes with its own set of challenges. Eliminating air leakage, establishing thermal breaks and solving condensation problems require extensive detailing to ensure that the building performs to expectations.
That’s where Icynene® comes in. A remarkable spray-in-place soft foam insulation, Icynene® not only insulates, it air seals. Available for spray application or as a pourable foam, Icynene® expands and cures in minutes. As it expands, it forces its way into every corner and crevice completely filling the cavity to create its own continuous air barrier.
Icynene’s gap-free foam repels moisture and virtually eliminates the need for a poly vapor barrier, a building wrap, and a lot of foaming, caulking and supervision (see local building codes).
Meeting the Insulation Challenges for Metal Buildings:
- Increased productivity - a 2,500 sq. ft. building can be insulated in less than 2 days
- Saves time and labor costs - framer and air sealer involvement not required
- Saves money - four functions in one: building wrap, poly vapor/air retarder, caulking, professional air sealing and insulation
- Eliminates moisture problems - no more sweating ceilings, corrosion or moisture caused by air leakage
- Controls air leakage - vastly improves energy efficiency
- Solves framing challenges - fills any cavity, complicated ceiling designs are easy to insulate
- Maintains original cured form - does not shrink, sag or settle
- Creates maximum indoor air quality
- Extends the life of the building and the systems within it
- In commercial buildings, Icynene is the oneapplication, permanent solution to corrosion problems and temperature control
Below is a summary of the product specification. Please ask for full product specifications before using.
| Environmental Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| • CFCs or HCFCs | none |
| • Formaldehyde | none |
| • Corrosiveness | negative |
| • VOCs after 30 days | none detectable |
| Flammability Characteristics | |
| • Flame spread ASTM E84 | <20 |
| • Smoke developed | <400 |
| • Fuel contribution | zero |
| • Oxygen index | 23 |
| Physical Properties | |
| • Density | 0.5 lb/cf |
| • Thermal Resistance | R-3.6/in |
| Heat flow reduction through 1” | 72.7% |
| Heat flow reduction through 3.5” | 92.2% |
| Heat flow reduction through 5.5” | 95.0% |
| Heat flow reduction through 10” | 97.3% |
| • Vapor permeance - 5” | 10 perms |
| • Sound transmission class | 37 |
| • Noise reduction coefficient | 70 |
| Evaluations and Approvals | |
| B.O.C.A., I.C.B.O., S.B.C.C.I., N.E.S., C.C.M.C. | |