Commercial buildings have different insulation requirements than homes — governed by ASHRAE 90.1 rather than IECC residential codes. The requirements vary by climate zone, construction type, and building use. Here's what to know.
Residential buildings follow IECC (International Energy Conservation Code). Commercial buildings follow ASHRAE 90.1 — a more complex standard with higher requirements. Both use climate zones, but ASHRAE adds construction type (mass wall, steel frame, wood frame) to the calculation.
Exterior walls (all framing types), roof assemblies (above deck vs. below deck), floors over unconditioned space, below-grade walls, and mechanical rooms. Each has different R-value minimums under ASHRAE 90.1.
Steel framing creates significant thermal bridging — heat flows easily through steel studs, bypassing the insulation in the cavity. ASHRAE accounts for this by requiring higher R-values or continuous exterior insulation (CI). Mineral wool continuous insulation is common in commercial steel-frame construction.
Mineral wool is the preferred insulation for commercial buildings that need fire ratings, sound control, or moisture resistance. It's non-combustible, dimensionally stable, and maintains its insulating properties when wet. For hotel corridors, office party walls, and mechanical rooms, mineral wool is standard.
Commercial projects typically need large quantities — multiple pallets, often across multiple deliveries as construction progresses. We supply multi-pallet orders with coordinated delivery windows so materials arrive when your crew needs them, not before.
Call us with your project specs: square footage, application (wall, roof, floor), framing type, and climate zone. We'll confirm the right R-value for code compliance and quote the quantity. Multi-site and phased delivery available.
We supply wholesale fiberglass and mineral wool insulation with next-day delivery across all 50 states. Call us or request a quote online.