Architect Marc Matulich faced a formidable task when he was hired to design the 22,000-square-foot service department for Freeman Lexus in Santa Rosa, Calif. The dealership insisted that the metal building be as energy efficient as possible and deliver a high-end, easy-to-clean interior befitting an elite dealership. Matulich examined a wide variety of insulation systems and found HIGH-R fit the bill on all counts.

“It’s a lot of roof and most of the heat gain comes through the roof,” says Matulich.

“HIGH-R was the only system that we could get R-40 insulation and cover up the bottom of the purlins with insulation. Other systems left the bottom of the purlins exposed and that’s where you get a lot of heat transference,” he adds.

Unlike traditional insulation methods for metal building roofs, HIGH-R Insulation System panels are mounted on the bottom of the purlins. The cavity between the purlins and the roof decking are then filled with blown fiberglass, allowing for R-40 or greater insulation. The results at Freeman Lexus were apparent even during the installation process. The temperature at the base of the HIGH-R ceiling was 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the temperature at the bare steel sections.

As an added bonus, the HIGH-R system gave the dealership a bright work space that required less lighting in the building and an upscale look that fit well with other high-end features of the service area that includes a porcelain tile floor.

Matulich adds that the R-40 insulation achieved by using HIGH-R, compared with conventional R-19 insulation, means a quick payback for Freeman Lexus.

“We’ve figured that in five years it would pay for itself with lower energy costs,” he says.

Alcal Arcade was the local contractor who installed the HIGH-R ceiling insulation system on the Freeman Lexus project, which was completed in Fall 2006.