What our new construction insulation work includes
- Exterior wall assemblies. New wall framing gives full, open access to install continuous insulation and cavity fill exactly as detailed in the wall section, without working around finishes or existing wiring.
- Roof and ceiling assemblies. Roof decks and ceiling framing are open before the roofing or ceiling system goes on, which is the only practical time to install continuous or cavity insulation at the specified thickness.
- Metal building shells. New metal building shells are typically insulated with blanket systems installed against the purlins and girts as the structural steel and skin go up, before the liner panel closes the interior face.
- Below-grade and slab-edge assemblies. Foundation and slab work happens early in the sequence, so slab-edge and below-grade insulation gets installed and protected before backfill or slab pour rather than added later.
Buildings we install it in
We install it in warehouses and distribution centers, factories and plants, office buildings, and multifamily buildings, along with other commercial and industrial property.
Projects we scope differently
- New construction insulation describes work sequenced into a build in progress.
- If the goal is only to take out and replace insulation because it is damaged or wet, that is a replacement job.
- Small, defined fixes such as a torn vapor retarder or a displaced batt after another trade's work are a repair, not a new construction install, even on a building that was recently built.
Coordinating with the build schedule
On new construction. On a new project we work from the approved drawings and specifications, order material to match the submitted and approved assembly, and coordinate the install window with the general contractor's schedule so it falls after rough-in and before close-in. Crews install continuous insulation, cavity fill, and air-sealing detailing at penetrations and transitions, then the work sits ready for the local inspector before drywall, sheathing, or roofing covers it.
In an existing building. An addition or tie-in to an existing building follows the same drawings-and-submittals process, but the new assembly has to match into an existing wall, roof, or foundation that was likely built to an older code or a different system. We confirm how the new continuous insulation and air barrier tie into the existing envelope at the connection point, since a gap or thermal bridge there can undercut the new assembly even when the new construction itself is installed correctly.
Access, phasing, and safety on site
- Access. Access on a new building generally isn't the problem, since walls and ceilings are open framing. The variable is how much of the structure is up and how many other trades are working the same floor or bay at once.
- Scheduling. New construction insulation has to land in the trade sequence after rough-in inspection and before the drywall, sheathing, or roofing crew closes the assembly. Missing that window either delays the following trade or forces the wall to be reopened.
- Safety. Framing, rough-in, and insulation crews are often working the same floors at the same time, so fall protection and coordination around open floor edges, shafts, and stairwells follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M requirements for work at height on the job site.
- Fire-rated facings and barriers. Spray foam plastic used in a wall or roof assembly generally needs a thermal barrier such as 1/2-inch gypsum wallboard between the foam and the interior space under IBC Section 2603, unless the assembly has been tested and approved otherwise. Exterior walls of Type I through IV construction with foam plastic generally need testing to NFPA 285.
Why project teams choose Insulation Company
On many projects this work is scoped alongside commercial insulation and commercial air sealing, and one written estimate can cover both.
- The commercial and industrial division of Polar Insulation, headquartered in Wewahitchka, FL
- New construction and retrofit work, for contractors, developers, owners, and facility teams
- A written estimate before any work is scheduled
- Proposals include a W-9, state contractor licensing details, and a certificate of insurance
From estimate to installation
Send drawings or photos and the building address. The price is built from building size and assembly count, specified system and R-value, and continuous insulation extent. The written estimate names the system, the coverage area, the R-value target, any removal, and the schedule.
- Review drawings and specifications. We review the architectural and mechanical drawings, insulation specification section, and any energy-code compliance documentation to identify the assemblies, required systems, and thicknesses before ordering material.
- Prepare and submit for approval. Product data, and samples if required, are assembled into a submittal package and sent for the architect's or engineer's review so the installed system matches what gets approved.
- Confirm rough-in is complete. We check with the general contractor that framing, electrical, plumbing, and low-voltage rough-in are complete and inspected in each area before crews start, since reopening a closed cavity is disruptive.
- Install to the specified assembly. Crews install the specified insulation type and thickness in each wall, roof, and floor assembly, detailing air-sealing at penetrations, rough openings, and transitions between assembly types.
- Stage for inspection. Completed areas are left open and accessible, not yet covered by drywall, sheathing, or roofing, so the local inspector can view the installed insulation and any required vapor retarder or air barrier.
Questions from facility and project teams
What has to happen before insulation can be installed on a new building?+
Framing, along with electrical, plumbing, and low-voltage rough-in, generally needs to be complete and inspected first. Installing insulation before rough-in is finished usually means the cavity gets opened again later, which slows the schedule rather than saving time.
Does new construction insulation need a submittal?+
Many commercial projects require product data, and sometimes a sample, submitted for the architect's or engineer's review before material is ordered. That submittal step confirms the system matches the written specification, so we prepare and send it ahead of the planned install date.
What do you need to price a new construction insulation project?+
Drawings or photos, the building address, and the areas involved. The estimate turns on building size and assembly count, specified system and R-value, and continuous insulation extent.
Where it is used
Complementary services
Service areas
Planning a new construction insulation project?
Send the building type, location, approximate size, and what needs to be insulated. We review the details and follow up with next steps.
Prefer to call? (850) 639-9272