Commercial Exterior Wall Insulation - Why It's Important Especially in the Summer

June 12, 2016

Once specified (or recommended), Spray Foam Insulation is the most effective and efficient application for exterior wall systems. Delivering maximum energy efficiency, moisture control, and airflow management, spray foam provides more benefits and advantages than any other comparable product. Applied into exterior wall cavities, or installed as a continuous insulated wall system, there is no better approach to wall insulation. In fact, in most climate zones, building code requirements now specify continuous insulation wall systems as requisite. As a continuous insulation wall system, Spray Foam Insulation will provide superior performance in an all-in-one application. For commercial purposes, SFI seals wall penetrations air tight like no other product or combination of products. Additionally, overall installation costs are lower than other options, entailing less labour and far less material waste. Most importantly, SFI coats and covers entirely - enveloping every void and cavity that might provide an opportunity for energy drainage. For curved, irregular, or uneven surfaces, no product can cover like SFI. When installed as a continuous insulated wall system, Spray Foam Insulation adapts effortlessly to practically any architectural approach, unique or otherwise. With other product applications, there are persistent issues with air leakage and moisture control. Not so with SFI. As well, spray foam is unrivaled in sealing small wall penetrations and joints, not to mention insulating odd and awkward spaces. The biggest advantage, of course, is that spray foam is an all-in-one application - a one-time installation that will never require replenishment or replacement. The big promise with Spray Foam Insulation is energy efficiency performance. This is particularly vital during summer, when cooling demands are at peak. With inadequate insulation, a typical commercial building experiences significant loss of conditioned air through various penetrations. But with spray foam, the building envelope is sealed tight - air leaks are effectively blocked, the accumulation of moisture is effectively prevented, and indoor temperatures remain consistent with less stress on HVAC systems. All of it contributes to sizable, ongoing energy savings. At Great Northern Insulation, building envelope upgrades (commercial and industrial) are key to reducing energy costs. Properly executed, an upgrade that integrates Spray Foam Insulation will significantly reduce energy consumption through the year. And for GNI, one of the most critical aspects is the return-on-investment (ROI) on such projects. As such, the experts at GNI employ advanced computer technology to assess every commercial insulation project, recommending an approach that will deliver the best benefits and financial returns over the long term. For GNI, it's all about building science - identifying and resolving air leakage paths; determining R-Values that will deliver the optimum in performance; and pinpointing moisture drives so that moisture-laden air can be better managed. In commercial buildings, controlling air leakage is the single most important strategy with respect to enhancing energy efficiency. This is precisely why Spray Foam Insulation has become integral to the professionals at Great Northern Insulation. The short-term benefits speak for themselves; the overall project investment is cost effective; and the long term savings on energy costs make economic sense.