More than 45,000 square feet of Metl-Span CFR-42 insulated foam panels were utilized on the new Northern Guilford Middle School in Greensboro, N.C., the most environmentally sustainable school in the state. The school has been “Designed To Earn The ENERGY STAR” in accordance with building energy consumption standards as set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Detailed, hourly DOE-2 building energy simulations for this project place it in the top 10 percent of its category nationally. The four-inch, 22-gauge Metl-Span panels were finished in Kynar 500 Sandstone on the exterior and silicone polyester Polar White on the interior. The 140,000 square-foot facility includes classrooms for 950 students plus dining, gymnasium, auditorium, media center and administrative offices.

The school was designed by Innovative Design, Inc. of Raleigh, N.C., and showcases a technique invented by the architects that utilizes unique daylighting strategies, rainwater harvesting and solar strategies. The combination of the roof assembly, daylighting and under-floor air distribution reduced the installed air conditioning tonnage by 82 tons.

According to project architect, Bae-Won Koh, “The four-inch Metl-Span CFR-42 insulated panels contributed to the overall energy efficiency strategy. By using the Sandstone color, solar radiance is bounced back in order to reduce heat gain. I liked the fact that Metl-Span could supply long panels over the 32 foot classroom span so there is no seam in the middle. Fast and easy installation enabled us to dry in the building very quickly.”