Architectural Talk

#Architectural Talk: The Chief Benefits of Insulating Commercial Premises. Insulation has become something of a national topic lately – in part due to the high-profile protests undertaken by activist group Insulate Britain over the last two years. Rising costs and worsening climates alike have inspired a push for domestic insulation programmes, but commercial premises are just as poised to benefit from insulation. What are the benefits to insulating a commercial location, and how would insulation be achieved?

Cost-Saving

The leading benefit to insulating your commercial premises is, naturally, financial in nature. The impact of inflation on business costs is no secret by now, but the sheer level of threat is well illustrated by a case study of the beauty industry – in which less than half of businesses are confident they will endure.

The leading cause of concern across industries is the price of energy, which has increased manifold. Insulation is a key step in mitigating the impact of the price hike, reducing reliance on heating measures and bringing overheads down in the process.

Increased Comfort

In acting to reduce reliance on heating systems through insulation, you are also working to make your premises more comfortable – both for workers and for your clients. Warmer spaces that remain resilient in the face of cold outside weather are more welcoming to customers, while workers are less likely to be distracted by their own comfort levels.

Sound Treatment

Another ancillary benefit provided by proper insulation solutions relates to sound. Whether double-glazed windows or cavity walls with fibreglass insulation, sound is trapped as well as heat. In the case of glazed windows, the vacuum between panes is an insurmountable barrier for sound, which can only travel through the frame bounding them. Insulated walls wick energy from soundwaves through air gaps and dense material. The end result is a more focused working environment for staff.

How to Approach Commercial Insulation

Achieving effective insulation in commercial premises is, granted, easier said than done. Commercial spaces are often larger than domestic ones, making the control of heat convection and airflow much more difficult. But there are nonetheless ways you can directly improve the insulation situation in your premises.

For one, partitioning areas properly can help with reducing heat transfer and airflow alike. Rather than squaring off open-plan administrative spaces with partition boards, proper stud walls with wool insulation and plasterboard can more effectively trap heat and improve comfort levels for desk staff.

Windows are another key weak point for business premises, whether showrooms or high-rise offices. Laminate films can be placed on window interiors to create an additional layer of ‘glazing’, but complete replacement with triple-glazed windows can be a strong way to reduce heat loss.