Insulated Metal Roof Panels: Pros, Cons, and Common ...
Insulated metal roof panels have become popular in the construction industry for commercial/industrial projects because they provide a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution. This article explores insulated metal panels, their benefits, disadvantages, and common applications.
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What are Insulated Metal Roof Panels?
Insulated metal roof panels have been used since the s and involve two sheets of steel or aluminum with an insulating core sandwiched in between. The exterior sheet serves as the roofing panel to complete the building envelope, while the interior sheet serves as a liner panel.
While many variables exist between manufacturers, exterior panel gauge options typically include 26 ga., 24 ga., and 22 ga. The most common gauge for the interior skin is 26 ga. And with thicknesses ranging from 2-6" of continuously poured-in-place polyisocyanurate foam insulation, IMP roof panels can be designed to meet virtually any thermal performance requirements.
As might be expected, you can find several different panel style configurations, colors, and panel widths from various manufacturers; however, 42" wide panels present the most cost-effective and quickest install option.
Click the video below if you want to watch the IMP manufacturing process at our sister company, Green Span Profiles.
Insulated Metal Roof Panel Benefits
From quick installation to energy efficiency, IMP roof panels deliver a host of benefits. Let's explore some of the most significant advantages of this unique product family a bit more.
- Quick Installation: IMP roof panels deliver external roofing, insulation, and ceiling liner in a single installation step providing a quick and cost-effective option. The left side of the photo below shows the various 6-8 components used to make the final roof assembly shown on the right side of the image. Each piece of the assembly must be specified, detailed, purchased, and installed. In contrast, an IMP panel accomplishes the final assembly in a single product and single installation step.
- Superior Insulation Quality: Continuously poured-in-place manufacturing process virtually eliminates insulation gaps and energy loss.
- Thermal-Break. A thermal break reduces or prevents the flow of thermal energy between conductive materials. Metal and glass are great conductors of energy. However, with an IMP panel, the insulation is an excellent thermal break between the metal panels. The red circle in the photo below highlights the area of Thermal Break.
- Energy Efficient: IMP roof panels deliver an R-Value of 7-8 per 1" of foam insulation that remains consistent over time. In contrast, open-cell structured insulations (like rigid board) allow air to replace the gases in the insulation over time. As this happens, the insulation value decreases. But IMP roof panels have a closed cell structure. Between the closed cell structure and the metal interior and exterior skins, IMP roof panels experience minimal thermal drift and consistent R-Values.
- Fewer Install Errors. Compressing the polyisocyanurate foam insulation found in IMP roof panels during construction is impossible. The same simply can't be said for traditional fiberglass insulation. For today's energy-minded building owners, compressed insulation equals energy loss. IMP roof panels virtually eliminate that possibility.
- Long-Life-Expectancy: Metal panel systems can last 60+ years, making metal one of the most durable roofing options.
- Minimal Maintenance: Metal panels require minimal maintenance over their 60-year life expectancy. In contrast, most other roofing products require ongoing maintenance, repairs, and often even require complete replacement once or twice in the same 60-year window.
Insulated Metal Roof Panel Disadvantages
- Panel Weight. Panel weight can be an issue since IMP roof panels often weigh over 10 lbs. per linear foot. Lifting machines routinely help with installation; however, some asymmetrical panel styles still require that crew members literally roll the panel into place on the preceding panel to complete the panel joint. Other T-Style systems, like our Ridgeline, simply push together and consequently represent a much quicker, easier, and safer option for installers.
- Longer Lead times. Depending on the manufacturer and construction schedule, lead time can also be an issue for IMP roof panels since 12-16 week lead times are common. However, with proper planning in the construction schedule, lead time becomes a non-issue. If you find yourself in a bind, contact us. We normally offer shorter lead times than many of our competitors.
Applications of Insulated Metal Roof Panels
Insulated metal roof panels can be installed on literally any project type. From cold storage to manufacturing facilities and literally, everything in between, commercial and agricultural building owners across all sectors appreciate the quick installation, long life expectancy, and how easily IMP roof panels meet the new stringent energy standards.
Conclusion: Insulated metal roof panels offer numerous benefits over traditional roofing solutions. They are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and easy to install, making them a popular choice.
Are they the right product for every application? Of course not. No product is. But could they be a great fit for your next roofing application? We'll let you be the judge after doing your research, but our guess is that it's quite possible they could.
Applications of Insulated Roofing Panels – Details You ...
Insulated roofing panels have been in use for a long time (, to be precise!). They consist of two sheets of steel or aluminum with an insulating core sandwiched in between. The exterior of the sheet serves as the roofing panel for completing the building envelope, and the interior of the sheet serves as the linear panel. Insulated panels for roofs and walls are a quick-build system that has innumerable advantages.
These include fire and sound protection, easy and quick installation, high insulation values, and high economics. Therefore, insulated panels are becoming a very popular option in construction projects. From large industrial and commercial warehouses to small and medium production areas and dedicated home-building projects, insulated roofing panels are being used. In the following section of the blog, we shall share details on the applications of insulated metal panels.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Warehouses Thermal Insulated Roof Panel. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Details on the Applications of Insulated Metal Panels:
1. Two Regular Pitches:
For the standard roof, the roof panels are supplied according to the pitch length. The length is established considering the front position compared to the eaves gutter model. Usually, the panel is installed on the frame that includes horizontally positioned wood strips. The position of the first strip, where the eaves gutter fin shall be hooked, and the last strip, positioned at least 20 cm from the ridge cap line, is crucial for allowing simultaneous fixing of the shaped ridge cap-panel strip. It is better to fit the fixing groups on all the panel ribs on two supports. The silhouette profiles protect the panel heads from atmospheric agents, and they ensure roof durability.
2. Four Regular Pitches:
Considering roofing panels, this type of roof fastening pitch is the same for the two-pitch roofs, but they need panels with a slant cut. All the panels supplied in the measure correspond to the maximum height of the pitch. Every panel will be cut diagonally across the ridge cap line, and the additional piece shall be used for the opposite side of the next pitch. With this method, the production waste is reduced. It is better to carry out the diagonal cuts on the ground instead of the roof. Thus, you can avoid damaging the panels that have been installed. The ridge cap lines shall be covered with the specific metal ridge cap and not shaped, or they must be shaped during installation because the shaping variation depends on the slopes of the pitches.
3. Irregular Pitches:
When it comes to installing the roofing panels in the irregular pitches, the difference includes the dimensions and the method of installing the panels. In the case of irregular pitches, a wide array of progressive sizes shall be established for the panels to be cut diagonally. In this method, the excess piece shall be unlikely to be used for other pitches. Therefore, they will be discarded. Also, in this case, the metal joint ridge cap should be accurately prepared. It is advisable to order one or two additional sheets of the highest length to ensure the complete roof is thermally insulated, and there is no error during installation.
4. Sub Tile:
Thanks to the thermal insulation properties, we can use the roof panel in the brick roof systems, especially as a sub-tile element. Coming to the model, it is better to use a panel that has external ribbed metal facing and the internal facing is made of the roofing felt, is applied directly to the slab.
Insulated Roofing Panels for Industrial Roof:
1. Two-Pitches Steel Structure&#;:
For this type of structure, it is better to use roof panels with internal and external steel facings. For preventing any complications because of the metal thermal expansion, it is better to select aluminum for the external facing, only when the length of the pitch doesn&#;t exceed 10 meters. For the pitches longer than 13 meters, it is better to offer an overlapping element on the central support.
2. Shed Roof:
The shed roof doesn&#;t need specific techniques because, in general, the steep pitch ensures a good water flow. To provide an excellent joining solution within the sloping pitch made out of panels and the vertical glazed structure, it is better to create a special closure flashing based on the design, which is shaped with the ribbed panel.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Rockwool Panels for Insulation in Agricultural Buildings.
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