Did you know that parking garages have been around for over a century? The first parking structure, built in 1918 in Chicago, IL, pioneered the era of vertical parking structures. Over the past 100 years, builders have perfected the parking garage, both in design and function.
The development of parking structures into what they have become today evolved over time. For example, when parking garages were first built, they did not incorporate insulation. Today, many parking structures are built with parking garage insulation.
Let’s find out why you should insulate a parking garage, along with which type of insulation to use, and where.
Why Insulate a Parking Garage?
Parking garages aren’t exactly warm and cozy structures. Their purpose is to provide parking for vehicles within close proximity to densely populated destinations. Even so, there are still many reasons to insulate a multi-level parking structure.
Thermal Comfort
Parking garages offer some protection from the elements, including cover from rain, snow, and wind. Although they are usually not heated or cooled due to the need for ventilation, some parts of the parking deck may be, such as an office space, stairwells, or mechanical rooms. Insulation around these small occupied spaces can provide improved thermal comfort and can prevent freezing of mechanical equipment.
Parking garage ceiling insulation (or roof insulation) can also improve the thermal comfort of the levels below by reducing vertical heat loss or heat gain in hot climates. Entrances and exits may also be insulated to reduce heat loss at these access points.
Protection from Freeze/Thaw Cycles
In very cold climates, insulation can help protect structural elements from the harsh freeze/thaw cycles that occur each winter. Particularly below grade, where earth directly touches the structural elements, a cushioned layer of insulation can help minimize any detrimental impact that the freeze/thaw cycle may have on a structure’s foundation.
Reduce Condensation
When humid air cools too quickly on a cold surface, condensation can occur. Condensation in a parking garage can cause problems to the structure, like corrosion, cracking, spalling, structural failure, mold growth, and more. Condensation can also lead to an increased risk of slipping, falling, and accidents.
Building Codes
Local building codes should always be referenced during the design phase of a parking garage to check if parking garage insulation is required by code. In some cases, only parking garage ceiling insulation may be required, while other codes may have additional specifications. Pay special attention to building codes when your parking structure is adjacent to an occupied space, because the separating wall, floor, or ceiling is likely to require insulation.
Noise Reduction
Some types of insulation can provide sound-dampening properties. Noise reduction for parking garages can be achieved by adding insulation to the rainscreen and at surfaces that separate parking areas from occupied spaces.
Insulating a Parking Deck
Now that we’ve covered why parking garage insulation is necessary, let’s cover some common applications:
Slab and Below-Grade Insulation
Cast-in-place concrete is a popular material used in parking garages. Concrete is susceptible to cracking due to exposure to freeze-thaw cycles and should be insulated to reduce the impact. Foam insulation boards, such as polyiso or extruded polystyrene (XPS), are a great choice for insulating the slab of a parking deck structure.
Rainscreen Insulation
A rainscreen provides additional protection to the interior space of a parking garage while still allowing air to flow through. Many rainscreen systems require insulation beneath the finished exterior surface. Polyiso is a popular building material used in continuous insulation applications on exterior parking deck walls.
Roof or Ceiling
Adequate insulation on the roof or ceiling of a parking garage is an effective way to minimize undesired heat loss or heat gain that may occur over the large surface area above a parking deck. Spray foam insulation is sometimes utilized in ceiling applications due to the irregular shape of parking structure ceilings. However, leaving insulation exposed can subject it to the elements and may require regular maintenance to ensure proper functioning.
Polyiso Parking Garage Insulation
Polyiso foam board insulation provides a versatile solution for insulating parking garages. The modular boards can be customized to fit project-specific specifications, including R-value, fire ratings, and vapor permeance. The modular nature allows polyiso to be installed in a continuous insulation fashion to reduce thermal bridging and energy inefficiencies.
Rmax provides several polyiso insulation products that can be utilized in parking decks. ECOMAXci® FR Air Barrier is an easy-to-install and effective solution for rainscreens and below-grade applications for parking garage structures. Below-grade insulation reduces the impact of the freeze-thaw cycle while also protecting waterproofing.
Proceed with Caution: Choose the Best with Rmax
Picking the right insulation for a parking garage can be an overwhelming task. Enlist the help of our well-trained insulation gurus at Rmax to help you pick the right products and meet your project’s needs. Contact us today!