Insulation for Grow Room - How to Insulate a Steel Marijuana Building
Have you heard about a marijuana grow house? If you are part of a weed business you most certainly have, but for those who are new to this topic, we refer to a specially designed building that can imitate ideal climate conditions suitable for marijuana growth. The fact more and more people are becoming marijuana growers dramatically increased the demand for building these structures, and insulation of those buildings is a number one concern. In the lines below you will find out everything you need to know about marijuana houses, including where they are legal, how to build them, what type of insulation to use in general, what to pay attention to regarding wall insulation and vents, etc.
What is Marijuana grow house?
A marijuana grow house is an indoor farm that can recreate a perfect microclimate for this plant to thrive unstoppably. It is an actual greenhouse with sophisticated systems based on climate control and it's usually surrounded by a steel-based housing structure. Good marijuana houses need to have proper lighting that tremendously affects weed growth, then a watering system in place as well as a nutrition delivery mechanism, adequate ventilation and air conditioning system, a humidity monitoring system, as well as a perfect setup for growing rooms. It all needs to be in perfect synchrony in order for this plant to flourish. So if you are planning on building one of these houses, you will definitely have to think about house insulation, about the size of the object which will depend on how large of a business you want to make, and about creating ideal conditions regarding water, nutrients, heating, humidity, and lighting.
Marijuana house is legal, where?
The very first thing everybody wonders, regarding this topic, is if marijuana grow houses are even legal, and if they are, where exactly is that allowed. Growing marijuana is legal in those states that legalized medical or recreational usage of weed. In Canada, marijuana is legal, as well as in a great number of states in the US. According to the latest update, the medical use of cannabis is acceptable in the eyes of law in 39 US states and the District of Columbia, and recreational usage by adults is legit in 19 of them.
California was the first state that supported weed usage for medical purposes only, back in 1996, and since then California was joined by Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Main, Washington, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, North Dakota, Iowa, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Utah, South Dakota, Mississippi, Virginia, and Alabama. But bear in mind that not all of them allow its usage for recreational purposes.
What material to use for building the grow house?
At the point when you decide you want to build a structure for marijuana growth, the question is what grow room materials to use, and what's the most effective way to build this greenhouse. Of course, there are several different approaches you can take, but if we are talking about professional marijuana grow houses, then we are referring to objects that are at least 100 square feet large. That being said, a pole barn grow room of this kind and size is best and most durable if wrapped with steel walls.
There are many benefits the steel building structure brings. First and foremost, the way it’s designed and the flexibility it endures allows this type of grow room to be made without windows, which is perfect for marijuana, given at one stage it needs complete darkness to grow. And when it comes to all other aspects a weed grow house asks for, the humidity and heat management, the irrigation and the lighting, a steel building is actually the most economical and most reasonable solution. Finally, metal building insulation, the durability and longevity of its structure, and its ability to withstand humidity are the reasons steel buildings are mostly used in agriculture. And on top of that, modern steel structures can be made without interior beams, which is a huge benefit given the fully open space allows growers to set up a fully functional working area.
But before you dive into this project and before you invest in building marijuana grow house, make sure to check with the authorities in your state what is the official stand regarding this matter, and what are local building requirements. Each state and city have its own licenses for marijuana cultivation facilities. Also, bear in mind that not all steel buildings are government-approved for this purpose, and not all of them can support all the necessary systems we already talked about that are needed for marijuana growth.
Wall insulation and vents
Now let us focus on the matter of insulation for a grow room. One thing is clear - if you want to make sure you have a highly productive grow room you simply need to invest in proper insulation. And that’s especially important in steel buildings that have a tendency to easily accumulate heat from outside and where humidity combined with warm temperatures can lead to condensation.
When picking the right insulation for this type of building, and for this particular purpose, there are several things to think about. First, you need to know all the choices you have:
- Prodex total 5m plus that has air, vapor, and radiant barrier
- Spray foam insulation that’s a great moisture barrier
- IMPs that are super durable and cost-effective
- Cement board wall panels that are weather-resistant and sturdy
- Fiberglass panels which are a very low-maintenance solution
Then you have to understand that your insulation, whichever you choose, needs to create an air seal. That’s super important for grow room insulation because the absence of an air seal will damage the temperature control and possibly create a moisture problem.
The ventilation system is another thing to think about when setting up a place for weed to grow. The vents are an essential thing since this plant, like any other, needs fresh air to exist and thrive. Vents will allow ideal temperature and humidity conditions to happen, and they will remove any odor from the building for sure. They are especially crucial in hot climate areas where warm air can easily accumulate inside the structure.
What type of insulation is the best for grow room?
There are several options you can choose from when insulating marijuana grow house, we mentioned them above. Which pole barn insulation for this purpose is the best is up to you to decide, but the fact is these three are your best choices according to experts.
Prodex Total
The 10m Prodex Total plus, as well as 48-inch Prodex Total 5m plus are great options since they both work great in hot and cold climates. Also, no matter which one you use you will have one solution for several potential problems - condensation, heat, and cold. This type of insulation is very light and elastic, it seals around nails, it won’t lose its shape over time, and it can be installed in a short time frame. These are great solutions for steel walls, especially because they both are twice as thick as regular Prodex, and because they are great at reducing condensation.
Spray foam
Spray foam insulation is great because it has the ability to create an air seal and stop moisture attacks. But spray foam should be left as it is, uncovered, given any panels placed above it or drywall could lead to moisture problems. Spray foam has excellent temperature and humidity control, which is a must in marijuana grow buildings, it’s very easy to apply, and it prevents mold and mildew from growing inside the object. This insulation material is very stable - the volume of foam won’t increase or decrease over time, so it won’t compromise the created conditions for the planet to bloom.
Insulated metal panels
IMPs, or insulated metal panels, are another adequate insulation solution given they are moisture-resistant and safe from growing mildew and mold. Also, they are fire-resistant and environment-friendly with a high R-value. In terms of how easily they can be attached to the steel construction, they are very flexible due to the fact they can come in a variety of curved and flat surfaces. And on top of that these panels are pretty durable and cost-effective insulation options. Bear in mind that these panels are usually pre-fabricated and that they come with a concealed fastener, so the installation time for them can be very short.