Thermal Design’s Simple Saver™ Roof Insulation System Combines with Metal Roofing to Deliver a More Efficient Building Overall

Insulation is one of the most important components of any structure, including metal buildings. Some of the reasons are obvious: Effective insulation helps to preserve comfortable temperatures for the occupants, and it helps to protect equipment and materials that may be sensitive to temperature extremes. Insulation also enhances energy efficiency so the HVAC systems don’t have to work as hard to keep temperatures moderate.

One often overlooked feature of good insulation is its soundproofing quality. Insulation can help keep out unwanted exterior sounds, such as noise from nearby aircraft or heavy equipment. When a building’s function involves manufacturing or other sound-intensive processes, the insulation can aid in keeping those interior sounds from disturbing neighbors. 

Insulation also inhibits moisture condensation, lessening the risk of mold and mildew in a structure.

Fleming Steel Erectors has been in the commercial and industrial construction industry for decades. So, we know how important it is to select the right insulation for every project. For roof insulation, we’ve found that the Simple Saver System™ by Thermal Design is an excellent choice for many applications. 

A good example of a building fitted with the Simple Saver Roof System™ is the Alfa Laval expansion facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. This 73,000-square-foot building won the Industrial Project of the Year Award from the Association of General Contractors.

The secret to the Simple Saver’s effectiveness is its unique patented fabric liner system, which avoids the pitfalls associated with other designs. 

In the traditional approach to roof insulation, the insulation and vapor retarder are installed on top of the roof purlins. Then when the roof sheets are attached, the insulation is compressed, which reduces its R-value. The result is a less efficient insulation system. 

By contrast, the Simple Saver System™ creates adequate space for the insulation, allowing it to maintain its designated thickness and R-value. Here’s how it works:

Benefits of the Simple Saver System™

Providing the appropriate space for the roof insulation allows it to function efficiently as intended. And enclosing the roof purlins adds extra insulating capacity. These steel members are temperature conductors, and in traditional systems they remain exposed, creating the unwanted phenomenon of thermal bridging. By isolating these components from the interior air, the Simple Saver System™ minimizes this effect. 

Another important benefit of the system is that when properly installed it provides comprehensive through fall protection. The fabric liner supported by the UVMAX® steel gridwork is the key to this life-saving safety feature. Since 2001, OSHA has required full fall protection for people working at heights greater than 15 feet. This new rule affected most steel building projects, placing an extra burden on construction managers. The Simple Saver System’s fall protection feature allows them to avoid employing cumbersome fall protection equipment—and the loss of productivity that follows. 

The bright surface of the fabric liner reflects light effectively, enhancing the lighting system in any building in which it is installed. In some cases, the need for light fixtures has been reduced by 30 percent. With girts and purlins concealed, the finished appearance creates a pleasing aesthetic, providing a practical, inexpensive alternative to conventional suspended ceilings. This standard system offers 75 percent sound absorption. And affordable acoustic finishes are also available. 

Simple Saver™ also works for projects in which a single layer of insulation is preferred. As a suspended support system, it can accommodate alternatives such as cellulose or blown insulation. Simple Saver™ provides the space needed to effectively insulate with these insulation types. And this unique design makes retrofitting more convenient and affordable. In all these cases, Thermal Design recommends placing a layer of Quik-Stop™ foam tape between the purlins and roof sheets to inhibit thermal conduction. 

The effectiveness of any insulation system can be quantified by two metrics:

Here are some examples of the performance offered Thermal Design’s Simple Saver System™:

These systems can be customized according to the needs of each project. 

A System that Benefits Everyone

Few features enhance the long-term value of a structure more than effective insulation. The energy savings alone can reduce operating costs significantly, making the building especially attractive for would-be owners. 

For all these reasons, Fleming Steel Erectors often  uses the Simple Saver Roof Insulation System™ for construction projects.