Accessories for Texas Metal Building
Texas heat is no joke and if you’ve worked during Texas summer, you already know how hot it can get. Without insulation, your Texas metal building can feel more like an oven than a workspace.
If you’re investing in a metal building, insulation is likely already on your mind which is a smart move. Here at WolfSteel Buildings, we offer multiple insulation options including:
- Spray foam insulation (tubular & red iron)
- Fiberglass insulation (tubular & red iron)
- Solar reflective (tubular only)
However, choosing the best insulation material is just the first step. We always remind clients that if you want true thermal control, you need to think beyond insulation and include the right accessories from the start.
Why does choosing the right accessories matter for your insulated metal building?
If your goal is to control the temperature inside your metal building, the right accessories are key to getting the most out of your insulation.
Think of it like driving a car with the AC running but the windows down. The cool air escapes while hot air keeps coming in, making it hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. The same happens in a steel building if it isn’t properly sealed.
Spray foam insulation is a great example of a system that helps regulate temperature inside your building, but it only performs at its best when paired with the right accessories that support a tight seal and effective thermal control.
What are the must-have accessories for your insulated steel building?
In this blog, we’ll focus on three key accessories; garage doors, service doors, and windows, which all play an important role in any insulated metal building. We’ll break down each one so you understand why they should be carefully considered when adding insulation to your metal building.
Roll-Up or Overhead Garage Doors?
Roll-up doors are a budget-friendly option for Texas metal buildings, especially in standard sizes. They coil into a barrel above the opening. However, they are not fully sealed, which allows outside air to enter and makes temperature control more difficult. They can also leave small gaps that may let critters inside.
On the other hand, overhead doors use residential-style panels that lift and move along a track instead of rolling into a coil. Their panel design allows for insulation options like foam, helping improve thermal performance. They also provide a tighter, more secure seal compared to roll-up doors.
What does WolfSteel think?
The corrugated panel design and the gap that forms above the door as it coils over time prevent roll up doors to be fully sealed. Many metal building owners run to this issue especially when insulating because these openings let heat and outside air slip through.
To help address the issue, header seals have been commonly offered in the industry to which we did before to help minimize the gap at the top of the door. However, it does not provide complete seal because the sides of the panels, where the corrugated design still leaves small openings exposed.
To provide a better solution, we include brush seals as a standard feature on all our roll up doors. Brush seals are designed to close the top and sides of the roll up door.
While these can be a little pricey, they are the most cost-effective solution in reducing the infiltration of light, air, heat loss, and keeping out critters.
On the other hand, overhead doors are the best way to go if you’re aiming for thermal control. Our overhead doors come standard with weather stripping around the frame which provide a tighter seal. We also offer them as insulated with R6.8 and R10 values for improved temperature control.
Mobile Home Door or Heavy Duty Steel Door?
Standard service doors commonly offered for tubular buildings are the mobile home doors. They feature a lightweight aluminum frame, some insulation and are cost effective. Price usually ranges from $300 to $400.
Steel doors are made out of 20G steel skin with an insulated core. These are also pre-hung doors which ensures a strong, well-fitted jamb.
What does WolfSteel think?
Mobile home doors are not suitable when you spray foam your metal building. The pressure when applying spray foam can shift your mobile door drastically causing gaps to where air can penetrate.
On the other hand, steel doors feature interlocking edge seams that absorb closing pressures, minimizing the risk of damage and ensuring secure closure, even in demanding environments. This does not shift when spray foam is applied.
Steel doors are an excellent choice if you want to maintain the temperature inside your metal building. While they may cost more than mobile home doors, their durability and low-maintenance nature make them a great long-term investment.
Check out our previous blog comparing mobile home doors and steel doors here.
Single-Pane or Double-Pane Windows?
In the tubular metal building industry, the most common window type offered is the single pane window. These windows offer no insulation value because they consist only of one glass pane.
Unlike double pane windows, these have insulation value. Double pane windows are made up of two glass panes with argon gas trapped in between them which serves as the insulation barrier.
What does WolfSteel think?
Here at WolfSteel, we only offer double-pane windows because of their long-term quality and performance, especially in harsh Texas weather.
Based on our experience, most metal buildings are eventually insulated anyway, so it just makes sense to start with the right setup from the beginning.
Beyond improving overall insulation performance, double-pane windows also help reduce the risk of leaks and improve sealing. And if you decide to spray foam your building later on, there’s no need to replace the windows, saving you from additional labor and cost down the road.
Learn more about why we decided to offer double-pane windows only in this blog.
Overall, choosing the right accessories that complement the insulation in your Texas metal building can help reduce maintenance costs, improve indoor comfort, and enhance the building’s overall functionality. Accessories such as overhead garage doors, steel doors, and double-pane windows work together to keep your steel building energy-efficient, durable, and better protected against the harsh Texas climate.
By investing in the right combination of insulated components, you also create a more comfortable and efficient space year-round, whether your building is used for storage, work, ranch operations, or everyday living.
So if you need help in making sure your metal building is ready for the Texas heat, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Call us 844-941-0999
Or email us anytime at quotes@wolfsteelbuildings.com