Learning About Products Made In Industrial and Manufacturing Plants

Launching an Eco-Friendly Business? How Can You Ensure Your Building Space Reflects Your Ideals?

3 March 2017

Ryan Baker

Although the number of companies advertising their ecologically-minded products, services, or business philosophies has boomed over the past few decades, being green isn't always just a savvy marketing strategy—taking efforts to reduce waste and improve efficiency can be good for a business's bottom line as well as the health of the environment.

And when it comes to insulation, you may often find that your eco-friendly options are cheaper right off the bat, even before factoring in the additional cost savings you can realize by minimizing heat loss. Read on to learn more about your "green" options for insulating an industrial or office building. 

Green spray foam insulation

This insulation is nearly identical to oil-based spray foam insulation in both appearance and function; however, rather than being derived from crude oil, like most types of spray foam insulation, green spray foam products are made from soybean oil or another type of vegetable oil. This allows the insulation to be produced from recycled oil rather than drilling fresh crude oil, saving money and the environment.

Like regular spray foam insulation, soy-based foam insulation is ejected in a mousse-like form that quickly hardens as it dries, creating a barrier nearly impermeable to heat and air. Spray foam insulation is ideal when it comes to insulating tight or hard-to-reach areas, as the foam nozzle can make it into cracks and crevices that would otherwise be nearly impossible to insulate. 

Recycled cotton insulation 

Another viable option for insulating a building can include recycled cotton batting—made from shredded strips of old clothing, blue jeans, and other cotton-based products. This insulation costs next to nothing to produce, making it an economical option for any fledgling business, and can be blown in (just like blown-in fiberglass insulation) quickly.

In addition to keeping climate-controlled air inside where it belongs, recycled cotton batting is incredibly sound-absorbing, and can be an inexpensive and effective way to soundproof your building at the same time you're insulating it. 

However, one disadvantage of recycled cotton insulation is its flammability. Just like regular cotton, cotton used for insulation can combust easily; so if you're insulating an industrial building where the inner walls or ceiling becomes very hot on a regular basis, you'll likely want to stick with your more flame-retardant insulation options instead. Alternatively, you can coat this recycled cotton with a flame-retardant chemical prior to blowing it into your space to reduce the risk of combustion.

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