energy efficiency Archives

How Insulated Metal Panels Improve Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Lauren Noel

At a Glance: Why IMPs Improve Energy Efficiency

Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) improve energy efficiency by providing continuous insulation, reducing thermal bridging and lowering HVAC demand. As a single, integrated building envelope system, IMPs help commercial buildings maintain consistent interior temperatures while helping reduce long-term energy use and operating costs.

What Are Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs)?

Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) are single-component wall or roof systems that combine exterior and interior metal skins with a continuous insulated core.

Unlike traditional wall assemblies, where insulation, vapor barriers and interior liners are installed in multiple steps, IMPs are installed once and function as a complete building envelope system with proper design and adherence to the manufacturer’s installation guidelines.

This integrated design improves thermal performance by limiting air leakage, reducing gaps between component layers, and maintaining insulation continuity across the entire structure.

MBCI partners with All Weather Insulated Panels (AWIP), Kingspan and Metl-Span for insulated metal panels that offer advantages in sustainable building design for building owners, designers and contractors.

Our MBCI customer service representatives are here to help you choose the ideal IMP panel option to meet your project needs.

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Why Are Insulated Metal Panels More Energy Efficient?

Energy efficiency is one of the primary drivers behind the growing adoption of IMPs in commercial construction.

Kelly J. Danker, a Project Solutions Coordinator who works closely with insulated metal panel systems across a wide range of commercial construction projects, shared insight on how evolving energy codes have influenced IMP adoption.

“As energy codes evolved, it became clear that traditional blanket insulation systems created thermal breaks that allowed heat loss and condensation, which are issues insulated metal panels are designed to eliminate,” Danker says.

IMPs address these issues by delivering continuous insulation, which significantly reduces thermal bridging and energy loss.

Megan Feltrup, Vendor Relations Manager who regularly collaborates with customers and project teams on insulated metal panel solutions, provided perspective on sustainability goals, long-term performance and lifecycle value.

“More customers are prioritizing sustainability goals, and insulated metal panels help reduce heat loss, lower HVAC demand and contribute to reducing the building’s carbon footprint over its lifespan.”

Key Takeaway: IMPs help improve energy efficiency by eliminating common failure points found in multi-layer wall assemblies.

How do IMPs Compare to Traditional Wall Assemblies?

When evaluating IMPs versus conventional wall systems, three performance areas stand out.

1. Thermal Performance

Traditional wall assemblies rely on multiple materials installed at different times. This increases the risk of gaps, misalignment or inconsistent insulation coverage.

IMPs provide uniform thermal performance across the entire building envelope with proper design and installation. This consistency helps maintain stable interior temperatures and improves overall energy efficiency.

Takeaway: Continuous insulation delivers more predictable energy performance.

2. Installation Time and Labor Efficiency

IMPs are installed in a single step, eliminating the need to return later to add insulation or interior liners.

Danker emphasized that once contractors become familiar with proper handling and installation techniques, labor efficiency can improve significantly.

While specialized equipment and training are required, installation time is often reduced compared to traditional insulation assemblies.[View Installation training offerings through our vendor partners]

Takeaway: Faster installation supports both schedule efficiency and cost control.

3. Long-Term Cost Efficiency

IMPs typically have a higher upfront cost than conventional wall systems.

However, both Feltrup and Danker noted that energy savings, reduced labor and lower maintenance requirements typically offset the initial investment over the building’s lifespan.

Takeaway: IMPs should be evaluated based on lifecycle cost, not initial price alone.

Durability, Longevity, and Maintenance Benefits

IMPs are designed for long-term performance in commercial environments.

Many IMP finishes carry warranties of up to 40 years
Properly installed systems can last 50-60 years
Concealed fasteners reduce maintenance risks associated with exposed fastener failure

Because IMPs are installed once and sealed as a complete system, they typically require less ongoing maintenance than traditional wall assemblies.

Takeaway: Durability and reduced maintenance contribute directly to long-term value and sustainability.

How IMPs Support Sustainability and Building Certifications

IMPs can support broader sustainability initiatives and energy-efficiency programs.

Feltrup explained that IMPs may contribute toward:

LEED®
ENERGY STAR®
Other energy-efficiency and sustainability benchmarks

Because of their thermal efficiency and long service life, IMPs can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time, supporting both regulatory requirements and corporate sustainability goals.

Takeaway: IMPs support sustainability by reducing energy use and extending building lifespan

Key Design Considerations Before Specifying Insulated Metal Panels

IMP performance depends on the following important considerations during early design phases:

Selecting the correct panel type based on project requirements
Confirming approved substitutions during the specification process
Ensuring installers complete manufacturer-specific training

Certification through a specialized IMP installer training program is typically required to qualify for standard weathertightness warranties. While this may not seem like an immediate benefit, obtaining the certification can significantly enhance your credibility and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Takeaway: Early coordination and proper installation are critical to achieving energy performance goals.

Addressing the Biggest Misconception About Insulated Metal Panels: Cost

One of the most common misconceptions surrounding IMPs is cost.

While initial pricing can cause sticker shock, IMPs should be evaluated as a long-term investment, not a single line item.

When factoring in:

Energy savings
Faster installation
Reduced maintenance
Extended building lifespan

IMPs typically pay for themselves over time, particularly in larger commercial applications.

Takeaway: Higher upfront costs are frequently offset by long-term operational savings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insulated Metal Panels

What makes insulated metal panels more energy efficient than traditional insulation?

IMPs provide continuous insulation, which reduces thermal bridging and minimizes heat loss compared to multi-layer wall assemblies.

Do insulated metal panels reduce HVAC system demand?

Yes. By improving thermal performance and reducing heat transfer, IMPs can lower heating and cooling demand.

Are insulated metal panels more expensive than traditional wall systems?

IMPs often have higher upfront costs, but expected energy savings, reduced labor, and lower maintenance can offset the initial investment over time.

How long do insulated metal panels last?

Properly installed IMP systems can last 50-60 years, with many finishes warrantied for up to 40 years.

Do insulated metal panels support sustainability certifications?

IMPs may contribute toward programs such as LEED® and ENERGY STAR® certifications by improving energy efficiency and reducing long-term environmental impact.

As energy codes continue to evolve and sustainability expectations rise, IMPs offer a proven path to better building performance. By combining continuous insulation, long-term durability and installation efficiency into a single system, IMPs help commercial projects meet today’s energy demands while planning for the future.

Explore available insulated metal panel options to find the right solution for your project’s performance, design, and efficiency goals.

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Are Metal Panels An Ideal Low-Slope Roofing Material?

Posted on July 22, 2019March 21, 2025 by MBCI

Many large, commercial, low-rise buildings often don’t benefit from steeply-sloped roofs the way residences and small commercial buildings might. This is because a steep roof slope would add unwanted height and unnecessary construction cost. Buildings like warehouses, retail stores, etc. are more appropriately built with low-slope roofing, commonly known as “flat roofs”. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) defines low-slope roofs as those with “a slope at or less than 3:12″. Anything steeper qualifies as a “high-slope roof”. With this in mind, let’s look at some key points to consider when designing and constructing a low-slope roof.

Low-Slope Roofing Materials

When it comes to selecting low-slope roofing products, there are generally three fundamental choices:

Asphalt/ Bituminuous Products: The traditional commercial roofing norm for many years, the use of asphalt/bituminous products has dwindled as newer, more appealing options have emerged.
Flexible Membrane Roofing: This roofing material can be made from a variety of types of plastic/polymer-based materials (commonly known as EPDM, TPO, PVC, etc.). Rolls of the chosen membrane are laid out on the roof structure and secured in place either with mechanical fasteners (screws with large washers) or with a continuous layer of adhesive.
Metal Roofing: Sometimes overlooked, metal roofing is suitable for different roof slopes. Many metal roofs that use standing-seam systems are rated for use with a pitch as low as ½:12.

When considering which type of roofing material to use for a building project, there are a number of significant differences that illustrate why metal roofing is often the ideal choice.

Engineered For Superior Performance

Standing-seam metal roofing is made specifically for use on low-slope roofs as it meets a number of performance requirements:

Water resistance: Precipitation doesn’t penetrate through metal or through the standing seams where the metal panels join together. This is why they can tolerate such low slopes, allowing the water to drain away slowly and predictably without leakage.
Rigidity: The rigid nature of metal means that there is less opportunity for ponding (standing water). This is not always the case with asphalt/bituminous or membrane roofing systems.
Drainage: Metal roofs carry water to the building’s edge toward gutters and downspouts that carry it away from the building. Other roofing systems rely on drainage piped inside the building. This takes up space and has the potential to leak water inside the building and cause damage.
Wind Resistance: Standardized uplift testing shows that metal roofing performs as well or better in extreme weather than mechanically-fastened or fully-adhered membrane systems.
Durability: The most cited advantage of metal roofing is its long-term strength and durability. Engineered design and use of high-quality coatings ensures a longer lifespan—50 years or more. In contrast, other roofing types typically feature lifespan ratings of 20 or 30 years.
Puncture Resistance: Low-slope metal roofing is more puncture-resistant than asphalt/bituminous or membrane roofing. This makes it better able to tolerate foot traffic, hail and other puncture-inducing hazards.
Construction/ Installation Ease: Metal roofing panels are custom-made to suit specific building sizes and end uses. This customization typically means it takes less time to place and install metal roofing in the field. Further, metal panels can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions and still install and perform as intended. Low-slope roofs are also safer to walk on with less risk of slips, falls and other hazards.

Cost-Effectiveness

Using metal roofing on low-slope roofing systems can be cost effective in a number of ways:

Fewer labor hours as a result of the ease of installation saves money during construction.
Competitive material costs, particularly if the metal roofing is part of a total metal building package from a single manufacturer.
Minimal maintenance requirements and aversion to rusting, mold growth and decay that save the building owner money over time.

This all adds up to a very favorable life-cycle cost.

The performance, cost-effectiveness and life-cycle benefits of metal roofing panels make them a viable option for low-slope roofing systems. Manufacturers like MBCI can help you select the right metal roofing products and provide information and resources to help ensure proper installation.

View examples of low-slope metal roofing projects and contact your local MBCI representative to start your project today.

Understanding LEED for Green Metal Buildings

Posted on May 21, 2019March 21, 2025 by MBCI

Designing and constructing sustainable buildings has become a mainstream expectation of most building owners. Whether for reduced energy costs, higher returns on investment, or as an organizational philosophy, “green” building solutions are in demand. Perhaps the best known and most often cited program to achieve these goals is the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) LEED^® rating system. While some may think that green buildings are more complicated and costly to build, that is not actually the case. This is especially true when metal building materials are used. In fact, metal buildings are an ideal and economical way to pursue sustainability goals and LEED certification. How? We break it down as follows:

The LEED^® Program

The LEED program has been in use since 1998 and is now used worldwide. It is a voluntary, point-based rating system that allows for independent review and certification at different levels. These levels include Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), or Platinum (80 or more points). Since it allows for choices in which points are pursued, innovation and flexibility are entirely possible as long as specific performance criteria are met. It also encourages collaborative and integrative design, construction and operation of the building.

Points are organized into six basic categories, many of which can be addressed through metal building design and construction, as summarized below.

Location and Transportation: Metal buildings can be manufactured and delivered to virtually any location. That means they can support LEED criteria for being located near neighborhoods with diverse uses, available mass transit, bicycle trails, or other sustainable amenities. Metal building parking areas can also be designed to promote sustainable practices for green vehicles and reduced pavement. This all contributes toward obtaining LEED eligibility.

Sustainable Sites: Adding a building to any site will certainly impact the natural environment already there. Delivering portions of a pre-engineered metal building package in a sequence to arrive as needed means that the staging area on-site can be minimized—reducing site impacts. Additionally, using a “cool metal roof” has been shown to reduce “heat island” effects on the surrounding site and also qualify for LEED.

Water Efficiency: Any design that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation of plantings and other outdoor water uses is preferred. Incorporating metal roofing with gutters and downspouts, as is commonly done on metal buildings, allows opportunities to capture rainwater for irrigation or other uses. It also helps control water run-off from the roof and assists with good storm water control.

Energy and Atmosphere: Metal buildings can truly shine in this category. Creating a well-insulated and air-sealed building enclosure is the most important and cost-effective step in creating an energy conserving building. A variety of insulation methods for metal building roof and wall systems are used to achieve this. Typically, metal building construction uses one or more layers of fiberglass insulation and liners combined with sealant and air barriers. Alternatively, insulated metal panels (IMPs) provide all of these layers in a single manufactured sandwich panel with impressive performance. Windows, skylights and translucent roof panels can provide natural daylight, allowing electric lighting to be dimmed or turned off. For buildings seeking to generate their own electricity, standing-seam metal roofing provides an ideal opportunity for the simplified installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Metal roofs generally provide a sustainable service life in excess of 40 years. This means they can outlast the PV array, thus avoiding costly roof replacements during most PV array lifespans.

Materials and Resources: Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are recognized by LEED as the most effective means to holistically assess the impacts that materials and processes have on the environment and on people. Fortunately, the Metal Building Manufacturer’s Association (MBMA) has collaborated with the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute and UL Environment to develop an industry-wide life cycle assessment report. There is also an Athena Impact Estimator that can help with providing LEED documentation. Metal buildings support exceptional environmental performance through the significant use of recycled steel and the reduced need for energy intensive concrete due to lighter weight buildings.

Indoor Environmental Quality: Most people spend much more time indoors than outside, which impacts human health. Therefore, LEED promotes or requires using materials that don’t contain or emit harmful substances. It also promotes design options for natural daylight, exterior views and acoustical control to promote psychological and emotional well-being. Metal buildings are routinely designed to readily incorporate components that help achieve these indoor qualities.

In addition, some LEED points are available for demonstrating innovation and addressing priorities within a geographic region.

Considering the qualities listed above, metal buildings clearly provide a prime opportunity to pursue LEED certification at any level. To find out more about the LEED rating system, visit https://new.usgbc.org/leed. To find out more about successfully designing and constructing metal buildings pursuing LEED certification, contact your local MBCI representative.

Design and Performance Benefits of Insulated Metal Panels

Posted on November 21, 2018March 21, 2025 by MBCI

In a prior post on insulated metal panels (IMPs) we reviewed some of the basic things everyone should know about this versatile and lightweight metal building component. In this posting, we will drill down a bit more on the benefits of incorporating IMPs into a new or retrofit construction project. Here are some of the top reasons they are so popularly used in both walls and roofs:

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are a popular choice for walls and roofs for their energy conservation, durability, longevity and cost-savings.

Energy Conserving, Space Saving Insulation

Foam plastic insulation is used between the metal skins of IMPs. Such insulation has been accepted for use by building codes for quite awhile provided it meets certain conditions. IMPs have been tested and shown to meet or exceed all code requirements for construction and for energy conservation too. Part of their appeal over other ways to insulate is that they can achieve high performance in a thinner wall or roof assembly than would be required with other types of insulation, such as fiberglass. IMPs are available in thicknesses that range from 2 to 6 inches and have corresponding R-values from R-14 to R-46 allowing design professionals to select the thickness that matches the energy performance level sought in a particular building. Other insulation types would require thicknesses of at least twice as much to approach the same R-values as IMPs. Further, the metal interior and exterior skins are the only finish material needed so the total panel thickness is very space efficient. Thinner IMPs in the walls and roofs can save space in the building or on the site all while achieving high energy performance.

Durability, Longevity, and Low Maintenance

The manufactured panels are rigid and quite strong. They have been tested for compression, tensile, and shear strength with impressive numbers that come about because of the combination of the rigid foam and steel properties. The surfaces are made from the same long-lasting galvanized and factory finished steel used in other metal wall and roof panels so their resistance to weather, abuse, and even harsh conditions has been proven, making them very easy to maintain. In locations where severe weather and storms are a concern, they can also be specified to meet requirements for heavy winds, hail, and similar concerns. Plus, since the skins of the IMPs are made of noncombustible steel, they provide an ignition barrier as part of an overall fire protection scheme for the building.

Cost Saving Construction

IMPs are an “all-in-one” product that takes the place of many other products and components used in traditional construction. Instead of requiring multiple trades and materials to be installed individually over some number of weeks, IMPs are installed by a metal building contractor and allow the walls and roof to be completely closed in with a single trade. The use of concealed fasteners in the side joint of the panels makes installation quick and easy. Unlike other construction systems, the inherent strength and resiliency of IMPs means that work doesn’t need to stop over weather concerns. All of this saves a considerable amount of labor costs and can also save a lot of time meaning buildings can be completed quicker and more economically. It could also mean that an owner is able to occupy and use the building sooner, thus reducing construction financing costs and allowing operations to begin more quickly.

Versatility for Use in Many Building Types

IMPs can be used in virtually any type of new construction and for many retrofit applications too. There is a range of modular panel sizes that can work successfully with different structural elements of the rest of the building. The finished profiles and colors can all be selected to match the design needs of the building with edges, corners, and trim details all based on simple, appealing aesthetics. There are even IMPs specially designed for cold storage or refrigerated space applications. These panels may be part of the building exterior or create an isolated space within a larger building. Either way, they are designed for the rigors of a high use installation.

With such a broad range of benefits and capabilities, you owe it to yourself to check them out for a building project that you may be involved in. The best place to start is by contacting your local MBCI representative, and by signing up for our newsletter to subscribe to our blog.

What You Need to Know About Insulated Metal Panels

Posted on October 10, 2018March 21, 2025 by MBCI

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are “lightweight, composite exterior wall and roof panels with metal skins and an insulating foam core” as defined by the Metal Construction Association (MCA). The outer skin serves as either metal wall siding or metal roofing using standard profiles, while the inner face serves as a metal interior finish or liner. The rigid insulation between the metal skins gives the panels their superior energy conservation properties and also provides a rigid core for extensive spanning capabilities across structural members.

With this basic make-up in mind, here are a few things you should know about using IMPs in a metal building project:

Building Types

Virtually any building being designed as a metal building should consider the use of IMPs. This includes all types of commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational and government buildings. More specifically, IMPs have been used very successfully on manufacturing facilities, schools, retail centers, offices, warehouses, power plants and many other building types.

Insulated Roofing and Walls Assemblies

IMPs serve as a complete wall or roof assembly. That means they can provide cladding, insulation, a water-resistant barrier, an air barrier, and finished surfaces all in one panelized product – essentially everything but the building structure upon which they are installed. These characteristics are true for conventional buildings as well as for specialty construction types such as the climate controlled processing, storage, or distribution of perishable food or other items. With panel thicknesses commonly available from 3 inches to 6 inches, walls and roofs can be designed to meet the specific thermal performance requirements of virtually any building need.

Aside from their thermal performance capabilities, IMPs have the versatility to achieve countless aesthetics for walls and roofs.

Architectural Design

IMPs are available in a wide variety of colors, widths, profiles and finishes, enabling virtually any aesthetic desired for walls and roofs. Further, architectural IMPs provide the freedom to address building-specific or unique circumstances with options such as custom shapes and widths, special custom colors and finishes, custom fabrication including, but not limited to bent corners, curved panels, and trimless ends. Architectural IMPs also offer options to integrate with windows, louvers, sunshades or other similar products to offer total building envelope solutions.

Panel Joints

Most IMPs are fabricated with the intention of working together as a complete system. That means attention has been paid to the design of the edges so the panels can interlock and be sealed to form a continuous joint that is water tight and air tight. In some cases panels may need to overlap, such as on long roof runs over 50 feet, but manufacturers have worked out those details to help assure the roof or wall performs as intended. Based on this, properly-installed IMP systems generally come with a very long warranty period.

Ease of Installation

The fact that IMPs are a single, finished, rigid panel, makes them quicker to install than other multi-product and multi-step assemblies. This translates to obvious labor savings and some material cost savings compared to other systems. Further, the simplified installation process has been shown to limit exposure to accidents, helping create a safer, more efficient work flow. It can also mean that construction time schedules are easier to meet or even beat.

To find out more about IMPs and ways to use their full characteristics and capabilities on a building you are working on, contact your local MBCI representative.