Decision Point – Examining the Advantages of Insulated Metal Panels Against Tilt-Up
1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 GBCI CE Hour; 0.1 ICC CEU; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 AIBD P-CE; AAA 1 Structured Learning Hour; This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines; AAPEI 1 Structured Learning Hour; This course can be self-reported to the AIBC, as per their CE Guidelines.; MAA 1 Structured Learning Hour; This course can be self-reported to the NLAA.; This course can be self-reported to the NSAA; NWTAA 1 Structured Learning Hour; OAA 1 Learning Hour; SAA 1 Hour of Core Learning
Learning Objectives:
- Debate the material benefits of selecting insulated metal panels (IMPs) in place of tilt-up, including design flexibility, envelope performance, and enhanced occupant comfort.
- Dissect the installation and practical advantages of selecting insulated metal panels (IMPs), including ease of transportation, crew coordination and scheduling, handling, and time.
- Calculate the energy savings resulting from improved thermal performance of insulated metal panels (IMPs).
- Delineate the attributes of insulated metal panels (IMPs) that allow them to contribute to LEED, WELL, and other sustainability programs, as well as enable them to reduce the building’s environmental impact.
This course is part of the Metal Architecture Academy
Product Transparency Certifications
When decision making to avoid embodied carbon and secure environmental benefits, look for IMP products that are supported with LCA documentation. Coupled with clear simple material ingredient reporting in the form of HPDs and Declare labels, EPDs and other LCA disclosures help in meeting LEED, WELL, and additional guidelines on many levels.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide LCA-based information and details about the products’ environmental aspects and assist purchasers and users in making informed comparisons between products. IMP EPDs contain valuable information about product definition, building physics, the basic material and its origin, product manufacture and processing, in-use conditions, life-cycle assessment results, and testing results and verifications.
Photo courtesy of Metal Construction Association
Soraa, a leading developer of solid-state lighting, wanted a building to reflect their high-tech products. The building’s flat exterior incorporates over 22,000 square feet of IMPs in a blend of hues.
Achieving Sustainability Goals
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.
Metal cladding components are factory coated with a 20-40 year warranted life coating, and any volatile compounds (VOCs) are controlled at the factory, not released at the jobsite. Daylighting and exterior views can also be easily incorporated into a metal building design to earn LEED credits using composite materials. Metal buildings offer effective insulation, reduced air leakage, and readily accept high-performance windows and doors. A metal roof can also be the ideal base to support solar panels. All of these factors can be used to earn LEED points.
Under LEED v4.1, IMPs are eligible for credits under the categories of Integrated Process, Sustainable Sites (SS), Energy & Atmosphere (EA), Materials & Resources (MR), Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ), Innovation (IN), and Regional Priority (RP).
Photo courtesy of Nucor Insulated Panels Group
Architects of the Cliff Hangers facility in Mooresville, N.C., created an interest on the building facade by using the standard length of IMPs in only two colors. It is an eye-catching layout.
Photo courtesy of AWI Panels
Western Distribution Center in Seattle Washington is clad with insulated metal panels in striking colors.
Ready Integration with Solar Installations
IMPs act as a perfect host for solar installations. Combining solar installations with IMP wall or roof panels means enhancing overall system performance. IMPs are proven to reduce heating and cooling costs, provide the vapor, air, and water barrier beneath the installation, and can increase system ROI. IMP manufacturers offer easy integration with solar collection system, often resulting in significant cost savings.
Case Study
Photos courtesy of S-5!
Location: Williamson, New York
Building owner: Chip and Karla Bailey
General Contractor: Secor Building Solutions
PV Contractor: LTHS Solar Electrical Contractor: Lauterborn Electric; Bleier Electric, Inc.
Nine solar PV systems: Total system size, 294.055 kW; 1,083 panels installed
In 1984, as a senior at Cornell University studying pomology (fruit science) and economics, Chip Bailey founded KC Bailey Orchards, a now 230-acre apple orchard in upstate New York.
The goal for KC Bailey Orchards is to integrate a vertically holistic approach to sustainable fruit growing and operating, utilizing sustainable materials and renewable energy sources. Ultimately the model will reduce their carbon footprint and work towards achieving a net-zero farm.
Because the orchard selects apple varieties and plants trees based on predicted consumer demands up to 20 years out, KC Bailey Orchards requires buildings that utilize sustainable building components and an energy-efficient power generation system to run the farm.
KC Bailey Orchards chose to use metal building components not only for their lasting performance and durability but also because of their reflective properties, which lowers the temperature of the building and enhances its cold-storage functionality. The farm also chose to “go-solar” to supplement the farm’s power generation and achieve their goal of operating a net-zero farm. On-site, nine metal buildings primarily provide cold storage for their apples after harvest and immediately prior to distribution. Each building was constructed with metal panels and roofing offering superior strength. Five of the nine metal roofs feature direct-attach solar photovoltaics (PV). A standing seam roof was selected to allow direct-attach of the solar panels to the seams or ribs of the roof, preserving the PV assembly’s longevity by providing a penetration-free system. The PV was secured to the roofs with a solar attachment solution that integrates with the roof’s rails, making solar mounting quick and convenient. This attachment method reduced the weight of the mounting system by 85 percent, provides 25 percent better load distribution, uses 70 percent fewer components, and lowers material costs. The mounting system is also aesthetically-pleasing.
Another added benefit for the apple storage is the shaded air space between the solar panels and the metal roof creates a lower surface temperature on the roof and lessens the refrigeration load because the exterior structure is cool, thus creating a more energy-efficient building. Together, the solar PV and the metal building components provide the sustainability the project hoped to achieve.
The PV system is allowing KC Bailey Orchards to realize their long-term sustainability goals and reduce operating costs, all while getting them closer to their goal of running a net-zero farm.
Amanda Voss, MPP is an author, editor, and policy analyst. Writing for multiple publications, she has also served as the managing editor for Energy Design Update.