Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - insulating steel frame

Hello,

I am building a steel-framed apartment inside of a metal building. Because of where I am in the process, insulating with rigid foam between the exterior siding and metal studs (as the article in DIY suggests) is VERY inconvenient. Would you recommend using roll-type insulation (as I had planned) or placing rigid foam between the interior drywall and studs or doing it the right way and removing the siding already in place and adding rigid foam? If I use roll-type, do you have any suggestions for adhering it to the metal studs?

Thanks, Nesbitt

PS Does rigid foam have a comparative R-value to roll-type?

Greetings Nesbitt,

Not only is it inconvenient, it costs alot and the foam is not that much better than the roll (fiber glass {FG}) type.


For metal buidings I recommend to my customers radiant barriers (RB). They are much more efficient and easy to install. They also act as a vapor barrier and will not get mold/mildew or cause condensation, which can damage the building and increases the operating costs.

You can either apply to the inside of the existing walls or to the inside surface of the new walls. You can use spray glue to temporarialy attach the RB to the surface of the studs and then apply the drywall over it. Tuck the RB in so that there will be an air gap between the RB and drywall. There also materials for the ceiling.

For more info, enter your search engine, "radiant barriers" or "reflective insulation".

Thank you for considering my opinion.