Insulated Metal Panels Growing Importance in Sustainable Construction Practices

Nothing overshadows the world’s most popular soccer player, Leo Messi, but the Inter Miami CF star works the midfield at the new AutoNation DRV PNK stadium under some 40,000 square feet of insulated metal panels in the team’s eye-catching black and pink colors.

From soccer stadiums to massive e-commerce centers, insulated metal panels (IMPs) superior energy efficiency is making them a vital component of sustainable construction practices.

“The Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) market has witnessed significant growth and evolution in recent years, driven by increasing demand for energy-efficient building solutions across various industries,” according to a market report published in December 2023. “These panels offer a combination of thermal insulation, structural support, and aesthetic appeal, making them a popular choice for a wide range of applications such as commercial, industrial, and residential construction.”

IMPs energy efficiency is constructed on a winning combination of built-in insulation, high R-values, low thermal conductivity, and all-in-one air, water, and vapor barrier.

“Building envelope material selections that improve building performance enable the design of a building to not only meet today’s code criteria but also to satisfy the demands of the future,” wrote Amanda Voss, former managing editor for Energy Design Update, in a December 2023 article. “Durability, thermal performance, and energy efficiencies are a gain when using IMPs versus a system such as tilt-up concrete.”

IMPs Built-in Insulation and Thermal Performance Shine

While traditional roofing materials such as shingles or asphalt tend to absorb the sun’s rays and transfer the heat to the building, metal has a natural reflective quality.

Metal roofs can reflect the sun’s UV and infrared rays that contribute to roof surface radiant heat, which can result in a 10 to 25 percent reduction in cooling costs.

IMPs’ built-in insulation plays a pivotal supporting role in IMPs' thermal performance.

IMPs, according to the Architecture + Construction Continuing Education Center course, can be used and expected to perform in all climate zones: cold, mixed, hot, humid, dry, or marine.

Depending on climate zones and special requirements, IMPs can be used with supplemental cavity insulation subject to ratios listed in the International Building Code.

“IMPs form a high-performance roofing solution that offers exceptional thermal performance, unparalleled ease-of-installation, and gives the designer freedom to create building profiles rich in character,” wrote Voss. “As a roofing material, IMPs provide the highest level of insulation, simplest maintenance, and longest life, coupled with the quickest installation for low- and high-rise commercial and industrial roofing applications.”

IMP Advancements Improve Energy Performance

There have been several recent technological advancements and innovations in the manufacturing of insulated metal panels (IMPs) that have further improved their insulation properties and energy performance:

• Improved manufacturing processes: Advancements in manufacturing processes, such as continuous lamination and advanced foam injection techniques, have led to more consistent and uniform insulation cores in IMPs, minimizing thermal bridging and improving overall insulation performance.
  
  
• Modular and prefabricated designs: The use of modular and prefabricated IMP systems can improve installation quality and reduce potential thermal bridging issues, leading to better overall energy performance of the building envelope.
  
  
• Improved joint and sealing systems: Manufacturers have developed improved joint and sealing systems for IMPs, which can enhance air tightness and minimize thermal bridging, resulting in better insulation performance and energy efficiency.
  
  

These technological advancements and innovations in IMP manufacturing demonstrate the industry's commitment to improving the energy performance and sustainability of building envelopes, offering architects and builders more efficient and effective solutions for their construction projects.

IMPs Can Meet (and Exceed) New Energy Standards

IMPs can help builders meet, and exceed, the latest energy codes or building regulations, making them an ally in reaching new sustainability standards, including the following:

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2021:

• The IECC 2021 has stringent requirements for continuous insulation in building envelopes, especially in climate zones with high heating and cooling demands.
  
  
• IMPs, with their continuous insulation and high R-values, can help meet or exceed the prescriptive insulation requirements set by the IECC.
  
  
• The code also emphasizes air barrier and moisture control, which IMPs can effectively provide with their seamless, airtight construction.
  
  

ASHRAE 90.1-2019 Energy Standard for Buildings:

• ASHRAE 90.1-2019 sets stringent requirements for the thermal performance of opaque building envelopes, including walls, roofs, and floors.
  
  
• The standard includes prescriptive and performance-based compliance paths, both of which can be met using IMPs with appropriate insulation levels.
  
  
• IMPs can contribute to the overall energy efficiency of the building envelope, helping projects comply with the standard's requirements.
  
  

California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (2022):

• California's Title 24 has some of the most stringent energy efficiency requirements for building envelopes in the United States.
  
  
• IMPs, with their continuous insulation and high R-values, can help meet the prescriptive insulation requirements for walls and roofs in various climate zones.
  
  
• The standards also emphasize air barrier systems, which IMPs can effectively provide with their airtight design.
  
  

Passive House Standards:

• Passive House standards, such as those set by the Passive House Institute (PHI) and Passive House Institute US (PHIUS), have stringent requirements for building envelope performance, aiming for ultra-low energy consumption.
  
  
• IMPs, with their high insulation values and airtightness, can contribute significantly to meeting the strict thermal performance criteria for Passive House certification.
  
  

LEED v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C):

• The LEED v4.1 BD+C rating system awards points for optimizing energy performance and using high-performance building envelopes.
  
  
• IMPs can help projects earn points under the "Optimize Energy Performance" and "Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction" credits by improving the thermal performance of the building envelope.
  
  

“Because of their inherent performance, IMPs offer a streamlined choice to meet the growing body of code requirements, including safety, fire, sustainability, performance, and building health. IMPs also meet or exceed multiple sustainable design criteria that contribute toward a project earning green building certifications,” wrote Voss. “IMPs also meet or exceed multiple sustainable design criteria that contribute toward a project earning green building certifications and push forward the design and construction of healthier and more environmentally conscious buildings.”

Humidity Control and Moisture Management with IMPs

In addition to their excellent thermal insulation properties, insulated metal panels (IMPs) play a crucial role in managing humidity and moisture levels within buildings.

Proper humidity control and moisture management are essential for maintaining indoor air quality, preventing mold growth, and minimizing the risk of condensation and related issues.

IMPs are designed to provide an airtight and moisture-resistant building envelope, effectively controlling the movement of air and moisture. Their seamless construction and integrated vapor barriers help prevent the infiltration of humid outdoor air, which can lead to condensation and moisture-related problems inside the building.

Here are some key features of IMPs that contribute to effective humidity control and moisture management:

• Vapor Barriers: IMPs typically incorporate a continuous vapor barrier on the warm side of the panel, preventing moisture from migrating through the insulation core and condensing within the wall assembly.
  
  
• Air Tightness: The interlocking joints and sealing systems used in IMP installations create an airtight barrier, minimizing air leakage and the potential for moisture-laden air to enter the building envelope.
  
  
• Thermal Bridging Minimization: IMPs minimize thermal bridging, which can lead to condensation and moisture problems at the points where the insulation is compromised.
  
  
• Dew Point Control: By providing continuous insulation and minimizing thermal bridging, IMPs help maintain the temperature of the interior surface above the dew point, preventing condensation from forming on the interior walls.
  
  
• Moisture Resistance: The metal skins of IMPs are naturally resistant to moisture, preventing water intrusion and protecting the insulation core from potential moisture damage.
  
  

By incorporating IMPs into building designs, architects and builders can create energy-efficient and moisture-resistant structures that maintain optimal indoor air quality and protect against potential moisture-related issues, such as mold growth, corrosion, and degradation of building materials.

Contact Green Span Profiles today to find out more about how IMPs can make your next building project energy-efficient.