search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Low Slope RoofingMetal RoofingRoofing Technology

Sponsored by Elevate

Metal Deck Insulation Options

By Tom Harris
Metal Deck Insulation Options
Insulation plays an important part in protecting building from air and water infiltration.
Image courtesy of Inland Coatings
October 2, 2023

Water leaks are an excellent motivator for plant managers, building management firms and owners to spend money and fix the roof. Why are building owners and management firms not considering the operational cost associated with energy efficiency?  

Tax credits and rebates have long been available in the residential space. Commercial construction, including retrofit roofing work for existing buildings, now enjoys those same benefits through the Inflation Reduction Act. 

The 179D tax credit is available to building owners for new or retrofit roofing activities. Owners may receive a tax credit between $1.88 and $5 per square foot, depending on the extent of the energy improvements associated with the work. 

Two questions arise from the building owner’s perspective:

  • How can I stop the leaks and lower my operating costs through energy efficiency? 
  • How do I show the potential for energy savings?

As contractors, we answer the first question by adding insulation to the roof deck and maybe providing an estimated savings analysis, but only dealing with the insulation upgrade. What about air leakage? 

Spray foam insulation and fluid-applied coatings

Spray foam insulation and fluid-applied coatings can provide a more long-lasting alternative. Spray foam insulation is monolithic — meaning no seams or joints — fully adhered, giving it the highest wind uplift performance.
Infographic courtesy of Universal Coatings, Inc.

Air Leakage

The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology has stated, “40%-60% of the HVAC cost for buildings is due to uncontrolled air leakage through the envelope.”  Air leakage (and water leaks) associated with the roof and the roof/wall junction play a substantial role in that “40%-60%” figure.  

In retrofit applications, air leakage control is assumed to be eliminated at the perimeter and penetrations through typical detailing. However, assuring a long-lasting seal can be problematic with sheet membranes and board insulations. 

Spray foam insulation and fluid-applied coatings can provide a more long-lasting alternative. Spray foam insulation is monolithic — meaning no seams or joints — fully adhered, giving it the highest wind uplift performance; it can be applied directly to the existing insulated roof covering system in retrofit applications over metal decks. 

Air sealing is the key. 

Spray foam will completely seal all penetrations and eliminate air leakage at all the metal panel seams when installed above the deck. By adding SPF to the exterior of the metal deck, we "put the deck to sleep" from a thermal expansion perspective and seal the perimeter and all penetrations, eliminating bulk water and air leakage.

What about the energy savings calculation? 

“As the value of energy-efficient roofs is being realized, and the role air infiltration plays, a revenue stream is emerging for building envelope energy auditors. Roofing contractors can play an important role as auditors should they choose to include a roof-only or whole building envelope audit in their bid submission.”

Energy-Saving Calculation

To qualify for the 179D tax credit, the entity must show a minimum of 25% energy cost savings over the previous year. Why this requirement is not based on consumption rather than cost is a discussion for another time. 

Upgrading roof insulation generally doesn’t get us enough savings to qualify, and contractors typically don’t know how to quantify the air leakage contribution; depending on the products and assemblies chosen, it may not be there.

As the value of energy-efficient roofs is being realized and the role air infiltration plays, a revenue stream is emerging for building envelope energy auditors. Roofing contractors can play an important role as auditors should they choose to include a roof-only or whole building envelope audit in their bid submission. Or add “building envelope auditing” to their service platform. 

Three revenue streams are available: the first as auditors, the second as the contractor performing the work identified in the audit, and maintenance to maintain the air barrier integrity of the building envelope.

Several training opportunities focus on general roofing good practices, roofing materials, air barriers and general insulation. Still, the combination of auditor training and a suitable calculator to calculate energy savings in dollars and environmental impact is more difficult to find. 

These are early days for the 179D tax credit and the need for a “proof statement.” One program, Building Envelope Auditor Team, or BEAT, provides auditor training, a recognized calculator, a report and support to provide building owners with justified estimates of operational cost savings, financial payback and reduced environmental impact. There are a handful of others, including CanAm/ITW and BPI.

As we expand our understanding of the role roofing plays in building energy efficiency — and roofing contractors look for opportunities in commercial retrofit — I see a need for envelope auditors who understand roof construction and the envelope.

 

Metal On Mission with Metal Metal Deck Insulation METALCON Future Leaders Project Profile Product Focus
KEYWORDS: commercial roofing contractor Elevate energy efficiency Holcim insulation low slope roofing metal metal roofing reroofing sustainability

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Tom Harris is the product manager for BASF Polyurethane Foam Enterprises LLC. Over his 20-year career within the polyurethane systems business he has chaired eight technical committees within The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, and the Canadian Urethane Foam Contractors Association (CUFCA). Tom is currently contributing to two ASTM International committees, one National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) committee, and the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance's (SPFA's) Building Envelope committee. He also represents BASF as a founding member of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA).

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Columns
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Columns
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

QXO closed its acquisition of Beacon Building Supply on April 29, 2025.

QXO Closes Beacon Acquisition, Rebrands Immediately; Jacobs to Ring NYSE Bell

New executive orders signed by President Trump will likely further constrict an already tight labor market for the construction industry.

New Executive Orders Will Further Squeeze Labor Force

President Trump’s trade war is causing real harm to the construction sector, including roofing contractors.

Trade War Fallout: Contractors Are Delaying Projects and Cutting Crews

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

May 22, 2025

Remote Teams 101: The New Way to Hire

Our industry experts will guide you through what remote hiring and outsourcing should look like, how it can help you grow, and why it’s easier (and less scary) than you might think. If you want to save time, find great talent, and grow your business, this is one session you don’t want to miss!

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • METALCON_Future Leaders

    Metal’s Next Generation

    See More
  • Scaffolding and work platforms surrounding a commercial building during an insulation project

    Roofing and Insulation Considerations for Rapidly Growing Commercial Facilities

    See More
  • 2023 Metal Special Section

    On Mission with Metal

    See More
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing