#AskCentiMark Series: The cold truth about roofing in the cold storage industry.

Ready to dive into the roofing challenges and best practices of cold storage facilities? Today’s article gives you some pro tips on ensuring durability, efficiency and cost-efficiency in cold storage roofing.

In this short interview, we get insights from two cold storage gurus: Keith O’Brien, Global Account Manager and Landon Bland, Project Manager in the East. From addressing the struggles of maintaining cool temperatures to discussing the excessiveness of utility bills, our roofing professionals are ready to share their knowledge on roofing cold storage environments! 

How does the performance of a roof differ in cold storage environments compared to standard buildings?

Landon: Cold storage facilities have to perform at a higher level than other buildings because the interior of their commercial facility has to be maintained at a certain temperature at all times. 

Keith: Exactly. Maintaining a vapor-tight roof is crucial for facilities like these. The significant difference between interior and exterior temperatures and humidity creates ideal conditions for vapor drive through the roof. A properly installed vapor barrier prevents air infiltration or exfiltration, which helps to avoid ice build-up. However, if the barrier fails, you may notice ice forming on your ceiling and walls, potentially even reaching the floor and creating slip hazards. This can severely impact the products stored in the facility and compromise the safety of your staff.

Can you share an example of a challenging cold storage roof project you have worked on? What did you do to overcome these challenges?

Keith: A commercial roofing project that sticks out to me the most is a roof we went to inspect in Arkansas, it had about 12-13 inches of insulation. When we cut into the core of the roof, we noticed that some parts of it were drenched from rainwater, while other areas were frozen to the deck. When this happens, the insulation that was installed on the roof is almost useless and results in increased operating costs, premature roof failure, inability to maintain building temperatures and much more. Getting the roof insulation off was a nightmare and it really showed us how difficult it can be to detect frozen insulation from the naked eye. Finding a reliable contractor that can conduct periodic roof inspections can make a huge difference, especially in cases like these!  

Product recalls and food contamination are typically a main concern for facility managers. What are some things you can do to help minimize these concerns for them?

Landon: Proper installation is something we prioritize for our clients in order to ensure optimal interior protection! We want to do our best to help our customers minimize the risk of debris, bacteria, vapor leaks and other contaminants from coming through their ceilings by ensuring their roofs are watertight at all times. We are also more than happy to offer preventative maintenance plans, swift solutions and timely repairs to help facility managers deal with cold storage environments. 

Can you share a success story with a client who manages cold storage and how CentiMark was able to be a true partner with them? 

Keith: Absolutely. I have a client who did Portfolio Management with CentiMark, where we helped them manage multiple roofs by evaluating their condition, developing action plans and scheduling repairs. This was an eye-opening experience for them because they were aware they were experiencing some roofing issues on a few of their buildings across the country but didn’t know the extent or impact of them. After working with CentiMark, they made all of the suggested changes and continue to rely on us to help them decide what reroofs or repairs they need moving forward. We have been a trusted partner of theirs for years now, continuing to provide them with long-term solutions to keep their buildings leak-free. 

Maintaining refrigeration through a cold storage facility can make or break utility bills. What are some cost-effective solutions you suggest for having optimal roofing in an environment like this? 

Landon: My first suggestion is to hire a dependable roofing contractor who will make sure your roof is properly installed. If your building is not adequately insulated, you will end up spending way more than you bargained for on utility bills. My second suggestion is to look into a reflective roof system, this is a cost-effective solution to help keep your facility cool, naturally. 

Keith: I completely agree. Maintaining consistent, cool temperatures in facilities drives up electricity bills so cost-effectiveness is something all of our customers are in search of. I have seen long-term cost savings in cold storage facilities that have invested in installing solar panels on their commercial roofs. At first, it seems expensive to make this switch but in the long run, solar energy can tremendously help with utility bills, as well as energy efficiency for cold storage buildings. 

What advice can you give to facility managers who are looking into roof systems for their cold storage building?

Keith: Working with a contractor who has vast experience in cold storage is super beneficial. There is a lot of trial and error with environments like these and over the years, they have gained the knowledge and experience it takes to provide their customers with the best solutions and services possible.

Landon: I second this! I always tell everyone that the contractor you hire is just as important as the roof over your head. Working with a contractor that has extensive knowledge in commercial roofing, taking the time to get to know you, your building and its needs is crucial. Every building is tremendously different and finding a reliable, communicative contractor that will conduct in-depth inspections to get a deeper understanding of your cold storage facility is something every facility manager needs.

About our expert panel:

Landon Bland

Project Manager in the East

Landon has been with CentiMark for over ten years and has been working with cold storage facilities for as long as he can remember! He knows how complicated it can be to run a cold storage facility and has the knowledge and experience it takes to give property owners peace of mind when partnering with CentiMark. 

Keith O’Brien

Global Account Manager

Keith has been with CentiMark for over 13 years. Through his work within the industry, he has developed expertise in commercial roofing, especially within cold storage facilities. Throughout the years, he has continued to learn about these challenging environments to provide his customers with the best services and solutions possible!