Fabric Building Insulation Guide | Kits & Other Brands

Prepared by MAX Storage Buildings · Updated October 27, 2026 · Insulation supply only

Can you insulate a fabric building?

A fabric building can be considered for insulation when its frame, attachment arrangement and complete enclosure are suitable for the proposed use. The building brand alone does not answer that question. Review the actual structure and project requirements before ordering.

MAX DrySpan 6R20 is 6-inch, R-20 fibreglass insulation with white protective facing, offered as a supply-only package. Its long edges are pinched and sealed flat as supplied; the short, 4-foot cut ends remain open and are sealed during installation. MAX accepts enquiries for its own buildings and other brands. Installation, building modifications and approval of the attachment design are outside the insulation supply offer.

DrySpan material section with facing pinched flat along the long edges, an open short cut end and a 4-foot insulation width that excludes the flat margins — The long edges are pinched and sealed flat as supplied. The short cut ends remain open and are sealed during installation. The 4-foot insulation width excludes the flat margins. Select the diagram to view it full size.

Measure the envelope, not just the floor.

The envelope is the roof and walls surrounding the space. For an arched or peaked roof, the inside profile is longer than a straight line across the floor.

Send these details to MAX

Building brand, model and approximate year, if known
Width, length, peak height and sidewall or foundation-wall height
A cross-section drawing or measurements of the inside roof and wall profile
Door and other opening dimensions on each end wall
Whether you want the roof/sidewalls, end walls, or both
Your town/province or postal code for the supply quote

For initial planning, roof/sidewall area follows the measured interior profile × length. End walls are calculated separately, less the openings that will remain uninsulated. Final ordering must also account for the layout, joints, cuts and waste. Do not order from width × length alone.

Don’t have every measurement yet? Start with the dimensions you know.

Check the building as a whole.

Support and clearance

Confirm where insulation can be supported, the added loads and clearances around trusses, bracing, doors and equipment. Use the building manufacturer’s instructions and an appropriate project professional where needed. Do not improvise attachment points from a product photograph.

Heat loss, air leakage and moisture

R-value describes resistance to heat flow through the material. Gaps, compressed sections, framing and air leaks affect the finished assembly. Taping the joins alone does not address every door, penetration or ventilation requirement.

DrySpan has 4 feet of insulation width, excluding the flat margins. The long edges are pinched and sealed flat as supplied; the short cut ends remain open and are sealed during installation. Mating seams use 3-inch-wide vinyl tape. Seal field cuts and joints with the specified compatible material. Ask for the tape specification and quantity in your quote. Confirm the moisture-control plan for your climate and use, especially for high-humidity activities.

Lighting, fire requirements and intended use

Adding opaque insulation under a light-transmitting roof changes daylight inside. Include lighting in your plan. Check the product documentation and any fire-performance or interior-finish requirements for your proposed use with the relevant authority or project professional.

For general insulation principles, see Natural Resources Canada’s insulation materials guide. That guidance does not certify DrySpan or approve a particular fabric-building retrofit.

Hung below the trusses.

The concept below follows the peaked roof profile of a MAX building, with the insulation lowered beneath the trusses to conceal the steel framework. Measure the finished interior profile at the proposed insulation position and check the remaining clearance for doors, lights and equipment.

Illustrated 50-foot-wide MAX interior with white-faced insulation, taped 4-foot courses and galvanized self-locking washers — Illustrated 50-foot-wide MAX interior with 4-foot insulation courses, 3-inch taped seams and galvanized self-locking washers. Check the finished clearances for your building. View full-size concept →

Four-foot courses. Taped mating seams.

DrySpan has 4 feet of insulation width, excluding the flat margins. The illustration shows adjacent courses following the roof and wall profile, with 3-inch-wide vinyl tape covering their mating seams. Confirm the layout for your building before measuring the final material and tape quantities.

The suggested hanging method

A suggested hanging method only. This is not an engineered design. Confirm the support arrangement, cut ends, joints and final peak closure for your building before cutting or hanging.

Row cables through the trusses.

A 3/32-inch galvanized cable runs the length of the building, taking one turn round the web tube at each intermediate truss. The suggested end connection shows two wire rope clips; follow the selected clip manufacturer's instructions. Set out one cable row at the peak, then every 3 feet along each side of the roof and the walls.

A hanger every 2 feet.

Straight 12-gauge wire pieces are recommended for making the corkscrew hangers. Each hanger spins onto a row cable and passes through the insulation. A self-locking washer at least 2 inches in diameter, sized for the 12-gauge wire, supports the blanket from below. Bring it snug without crushing the insulation, then snip the wire flush at the washer.

Work up both sides toward the peak.

Install all cable rows first. Prepare and label manageable insulation pieces. The insulation is 4 feet wide, excluding the flat margins. Start at one wall base and work upward toward the peak, supporting each piece before moving on. Repeat from the opposite wall base and finish with the planned closure at the peak.

Plan the cut ends and joints.

The existing long side-seam layout uses 3-inch vinyl tape. Shorter pieces add cut ends and a final peak closure: confirm their support and facing-closure details for your building before cutting. Every piece needs mechanical support. Tape closes the facing; it does not carry the panel's weight.

We supply the insulation; you or your contractor hang it. We can provide the hanging hardware as a quoted option; your estimate identifies what is included.

Download the DrySpan information sheet (PDF) →

Download the current suggested hanging guide (PDF) →

Insulating the door opening →

Select any diagram to view it full size.

View from the end of the building with arrows starting at both wall bases and moving upward toward the peak; the final peak closure needs a project-specific detail — Insulation work starts at each wall base and progresses toward the peak. The arrows show the direction of work; cables still run front-to-back. Cut lengths, joint supports and the final peak closure follow the project plan.

Cross-section of a straight-wall building with a peaked roof showing row cables along the inside of the trusses, one at the peak, every 3 feet down the roof and on down the walls to the floor, with hangers and washers holding the insulation, and the same rule drawn on an arch and an arch on walls — The whole building: one row at the peak, then every 3 ft down each side and the walls.

Diagram of the row cable passing through the truss webbing, a wire hanger on the cable, and a locking washer under the insulation — What holds what: row cable, wire hanger, locking washer.

Steps showing the row cable taking one turn round the truss web tube, and two wire rope clips at the cable end — The row cable: one turn at each intermediate truss; follow the selected clip instructions at each end.

Steps showing the corkscrew hanger spun onto the row cable, pushed through the insulation, the washer pushed up and the wire snipped flush — Hanger and washer: spin on, push through, washer up, snip flush.

A suggested method only. MAX supplies the insulation. Confirm suitable supports and the facing-closure details for the building; your crew or contractor carries out the installation.

Insulation for another brand of fabric building.

Building kit, auction purchase or custom structure: request a MAX insulation-supply quote for the building you own. Start with your brand or seller below.

Keep your building’s identity in the quote. Two structures with the same floor dimensions may have different roof profiles, frame arrangements and support requirements. Every request is reviewed for the actual building.

Insulation enquiries for building kits and package sellers

TMG Industrial, Uncle Wiener’s, Suihe, Gold Mountain, Hills Industrial, Chery Industrial and the other names below identify buildings or sellers you may know. Choose yours to start a supply enquiry with the brand already filled in.

Have the kit details handy?

Include the model number from the crate, label, manual or order paperwork.
Tell us whether the building stands on the ground, a raised wall or shipping containers.
Note the roof shape, frame spacing and any existing liner. Photos or drawings help with the follow-up.

A seller’s name alone does not identify the frame or confirm it can support insulation. The actual model and attachment arrangement need to be reviewed.

Auction purchase or unknown brand?

You do not need to know the original manufacturer to start. Give us the approximate dimensions and any model number or name on the crate, manual or auction listing. We’ll follow up on the details needed for your supply quote.

Request insulation for my auction or unknown-brand building

More building brands and planning resources

The following manufacturer resources help identify the building and its original system; they do not confirm DrySpan compatibility.

Cover-All building insulation enquiries

Older buildings may have different frame series and roof profiles. Send the original model or serial information if you have it, along with clear photos of the frame and end walls.

Norseman’s information on existing Cover All buildings · Request a supply quote for my Cover-All building

Norseman building insulation enquiries

Identify the structure series and any existing liner. Ask your building supplier about support loads and approved attachment locations before choosing a retrofit arrangement.

Norseman insulation and liner information · Request a supply quote for my Norseman building

Britespan building insulation enquiries

Include the building series, span, length and foundation or wall height. Existing liners, doors and side openings affect the coverage to be quoted.

Britespan building FAQs · Request a supply quote for my Britespan building

ClearSpan building insulation enquiries

Identify whether the structure is fabric, metal or hybrid and send its model details. A material quote needs the actual interior surfaces and a suitable support plan.

ClearSpan insulation and environmental FAQs · Request a supply quote for my ClearSpan building

Calhoun building insulation enquiries

Send the building series and cross-section drawing, including foundation walls and openings. Floor dimensions alone do not establish roof and wall coverage.

Calhoun storage-building project information · Request a supply quote for my Calhoun building

Legacy building insulation enquiries

Identify the frame design and existing insulation or liner system. Keep existing ventilation paths and engineered support details in the review of any proposed retrofit.

Legacy enclosure and liner options · Request a supply quote for my Legacy building

Brand and seller names belong to their respective owners and identify buildings customers may own. MAX is not affiliated with these businesses. No universal fit, endorsement or manufacturer-approved retrofit is implied.

Price the complete supply scope.

Ask for a roof/sidewall package with end walls shown separately. Have the quote identify material quantity, tape and accessories, freight, taxes and availability. The insulation supply price is separate from the building kit and any installation labour.

MAX does not install insulation. Confirm your installer and hanging plan before committing to the material order.

Request my insulation package quote Talk to MAX

Just dealing with condensation?

If your main concern is condensation dripping onto stored equipment, first look at ventilation, moisture sources and the separate 400g inner liner. It carries no R-value claim. DrySpan is the thermal-insulation product; describe the problem so the quote matches what you need.

Insulating a fabric building.