HOUSING
PIH-65
pork industry handbook
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
Insulation for Swine Housing
Authors:
Vernon M. Meyer, Iowa State University
Ralph W. Hansen, Colorado State University
Brian Holmes, University of Wisconsin
Douglas Overhults, University of Kentucky
Reviewers:
Keith Bjerke, Northwood, North Dakota
Ray Huhnke, Oklahoma State University
Byron Leu, Iowa State University
Concern for energy conservation is one good reason to consider high levels of insulation in swine buildings. Increasing insulation levels from poor to adequate will reduce fuel requirements in a farrowing and nursery building and may make supplemental heat unnecessary in some buildings. Insulated walls have less temperature difference between the inside wall surface and the inside air temperature (see Figure 1). This cuts radiant heat loss from the animals and makes them more comfortable. It also helps
keep swine buildings dry by eliminating sweating or condensation on inside surfaces. The condensation has a high concentration of ammonia and other dissolved gases and is very corrosive. Proper insulation will therefore prolong building life. In an unheated building, insulation will conserve more of the heat produced by the animals so that ventilation works more effectively. Summer comfort will also be improved with insulation.

Insulation Materials
There are three commonly-used types of insulation available. They may be classified as follows:

Loose-fill: The loose-fill type insulation is most often used in ceilings. It is usually not recommended for walls because it may settle and leave a part of the upper wall without insulation. This problem can be avoided if the material is properly blown or packed into the wall. The loose-fill mineral fiber materials, such as fiberglass and rock wool, are fire-resistant. Cellulose fiber materials, however, require fireproofing treatment. Select cellulose insulation to meet specification ASTM C-739 of the American Society of Testing Materials or GSA HAI-515C of the General Services Administration.

Batts or blankets: This type of insulation is often used in the walls in stud-frame construction and also in ceilings or under the roof of a naturally ventilated building (see Figure 2). For most swine buildings, the batts and blankets are sized to fit between studs spaced 2 ft. on center. Mineral fiber is a common batting material, but cellulose fiber, correctly treated for fire resistance, can also be used.

Rigid insulation: This insulation material is available in board form of two general types. One is wood or cellulose
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics. State of Indiana. Purdue University and U. S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. H. G. Diesslin, Director, West Lafayette, Ind. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex or national origin.