Metal Building & Shop Insulation in Galveston, TX

Metal building and shop insulation solves two problems that hit steel buildings on the Gulf Coast: heat and condensation. A bare steel roof in a Galveston County summer heats the space below it. At night and on cooler mornings, humid air touching the steel condenses and drips onto vehicles, boats, tools and stored goods. Over time that moisture speeds corrosion.

Why closed-cell foam

Closed-cell spray foam sprayed on the inside of steel panels keeps the steel surface from being exposed to humid indoor air, so condensation stops. It also insulates, blocks air leaks at the seams and eaves, and adds stiffness to the panels. Open-cell foam is not a good choice against steel in humid climates because it lets vapor through.

How much foam

A storage building may need only enough foam to stop condensation. An air-conditioned shop or office needs more thickness on the roof and walls to keep cooling costs down. We match the thickness to how the building is used.

Garages and wood-framed shops

Attached and detached garages, wood-framed shops and boat storage can be foamed on walls and the roof, or insulated with blown-in material where there is an attic or ceiling.

Cost

HomeGuide lists closed-cell foam at $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot installed and Fixr lists new-construction foam at $2.75 to $6.50 per square foot. Building height, panel profile, foam thickness and any coating change the total.

Corrosion and salt air

Near the bay and the Gulf, steel buildings face salt air on top of humidity. Before spraying, we look at the panels, fasteners and purlins for rust. Foam covers the inside of the steel and makes it harder to inspect later, so anything that needs repair or replacement should be handled first. We point it out on the visit and note it on the quote.

Doors, vents and the rest of the envelope

Foam on the walls and roof only does its job if the big openings are handled too. Roll-up and overhead doors, wall vents, ridge vents and the gap along the base of the walls all let humid air in. We seal what can be sealed and discuss ventilation for buildings that need it, such as shops with fuel-burning equipment.