There have been many different types of insulation used for walk in coolers—some common types you may be familiar with are fiberglass, cellulose, and styrofoam. A walk in cooler must be an excellent insulator as well as structurally solid. Newly established federal energy standards narrow the field; therefore, modern construction utilizes rigid plastic insulation. This type of insulation eliminates the substantial heat loss that occurs through wood framing materials (be careful—some companies still use wood framing materials).
So, step one in selecting a highly efficient walk in cooler is avoiding wood frame construction. Step two is deciding between the two available choices of plastic insulation that both surpass federal standards.
Polyurethane is the highest R-value per inch insulation available for walk in coolers and freezers. The raw ingredients are mixed, injected, and cured at the time of panel manufacture. Urethane bonds with the metal and fasteners to provide a long-lasting panel. Polyurethane’s chief drawback is that water vapor can build up within the insulation over time; eventually this will degrade its insulating properties.
Extruded polystyrene is the other alternative for walk in coolers and freezers. It is produced in large batches by US based chemical manufacturers and extruded by specialized machinery into usable sized panels (in controlled conditions). The end product is a highly efficient walk in cooler with R-values rivaling that of polyurethane. Extruded polystyrene has an added advantage of repelling water vapor and does not absorb moisture over time.
Rather than favoring one type over the other, SRC Refrigeration offers both types of insulation for our customers. This allows SRC to maintain flexibility in manufacturing and also cut down on lead times. Whichever choice you make for your walk in cooler or freezer, SRC has a solution to offer your business.
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