Many older buildings in cities all across the country are made of brick, and unfortunately weren’t insulated during their time of construction. During renovations, it may seem like a good idea to start insulating a brick building from the inside, but that might be a huge mistake. This is due to the fact that the process will often keep bricks too cold in the winter, causing them to freeze and crack. Over time they will break or crumble, ultimately affecting the structural stability of the building. In order to avoid this, the insulation process is often done from the exterior. Before speaking to a contractor about commercial insulation in Sacramento, CA, learn more about your options.
Exterior Insulation
Brick buildings will often be insulated from the outside in order to prevent the bricks from freezing. One of the most common methods places a layer of rigid foam covered with synthetic stucco against the building. While it’s a great way to improve insulation, it also alters the exterior of the building to the point that many prefer alternate methods, especially if the building holds some form of historical importance.
Interior Insulation Options
While it’s certainly more difficult to insulate a brick building from the interior, a qualified contractor should be able to analyze the brick’s condition and make an educated decision as to whether or not it would be safe to proceed. Even being a professional, being cautious isn’t always enough, and sometimes the best thing for them to do is recommend exterior options instead. The colder the temperatures are in your city, the less likely you are to successfully insulate the interior of a brick building, as there’s a higher risk of the bricks freezing and cracking. Colder areas also require thicker insulation, which complicates the job even further.
How to Get Started
You’ll first want to get in touch with a certified commercial insulation contractor and ask them to inspect your building. They’ll be able to determine whether the bricks that the building is made of are likely to freeze or not, as different bricks will have varying results. Your contractor will be able to recommend the best way to proceed in order to successfully avoid making the building more vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. Under no circumstances should you make this decision without proper inspection, as the bricks used to build the exterior are likely different from the ones on the interior. Also, if any additions were constructed or renovations were made, a third or fourth kind of brick might have been used, so you don’t want to take any chances.
For a professional inspection of your brick building in need of commercial insulation in Sacramento, CA, contact the experts at 5 Star Performance Insulation, Inc. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our team will ensure that your insulation project is done right and that the stability of your brick building isn’t compromised. This is not the kind of job you want to leave to amateurs, so call us today to schedule an inspection and get things started.