Cold Storage Roofing - Building Science, Assembly Design & Field Best Practices  

This course provides architects and design professionals with a comprehensive overview of roof system design for cold storage facilities. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of cold storage building science, including how internal climate zones, temperature differentials, and vapor drive influence design decisions across the entire roof assembly. The course covers the principles of vapor and air control - where barriers should be placed, why proper sequencing matters, and the consequences of getting it wrong. Participants will explore insulation types, R-value requirements, and attachment options appropriate for cold storage applications, including next-generation high-performance polyiso insulation and its behavior at low temperatures.

The course then walks through membrane selection, single-ply attachment options, and assembly configurations — from new construction to reroof scenarios. Warranty considerations will be addressed, including what manufacturers cover, what requires pre-approval, and how to design for long-term warranty protection. The final segment focuses on critical transition details: wall-to-roof, roof-to-wall, internal ambient-to-cold transitions, and penetrations — the most common failure points in cold storage building envelopes. 

Photo courtesy of Carlisle SynTec Systems

Austin Lesher has over six years of experience in the building materials industry, spanning both manufacturing and contractor roles. He holds a B.S. in Communication Studies and Business from Texas Christian University and a Master’s in Business from Lebanon Valley College, specializing in supply chain logistics. He works cross-functionally with architects, consultants, contractors, and R&D teams to align design intent with high-performance roofing and building envelope systems, with a specialization in cold storage focused on thermal performance, moisture management, and long-term durability.