Attention to Details Is Crucial to Creating
an Efficient, Lasting Thermal Envelope

Proper selection of building materials and experienced installation are keys to optimal climate control in cold storage and food processing facilities.

With the proper materials and installation methods, desired operating temperatures can be maintained and moisture issues can be averted.

Insulation will be specified to achieve R-values needed to efficiently maintain the building at the proper temperature. Areas of the country where temperatures are consistently warm or hot require greater thicknesses of high quality insulation on walls and in the roofing system.

As a minimum, insulated metal wall panels should have R-values of 32 to 48 for freezers and R-values of 32 for coolers.

To reduce heat transfer to the subgrade and to prevent concrete floors from heaving, floor insulation systems for meat storage and processing rooms with operating temperatures between 20° F and 32° F should have a minimum R-value of 15. Floor insulation under areas operating between 20° F and -20° F should have a minimum R-value of 25 to 30.

Roofing systems should have R-values between 46 and 57 for freezer warehouses and 34 to 40 for coolers and processing areas that do not have ceiling panels. White roof membranes are commonly used on cold storage buildings to reflect sunlight.

Controlling water vapor infiltration into the building is one of the prime considerations in designing a cold storage facility. While the R-value of insulation of various building components are important, effective vapor barriers need to be installed on the “warm side” of the building envelope to ensure that the building insulation does not become saturated with water and to ensure that the building refrigeration systems do not have to remove excess water vapor.

Getting the details right is crucial to efficiently maintaining temperatures and to achieving vapor barrier integrity. Delta T Construction’s crews are highly knowledgeable of the requirements for cold storage buildings. They have knowledge that other commercial insulated panel and roofing contractors usually do not have. Our crews pay special attention to areas where the roofing system interfaces with the insulated wall panels and where the insulated wall panels interface with floor insulation. Any penetrations through the roof membrane or insulated panels need to be properly insulated and sealed to maintain the vapor barrier integrity of the building envelope.