The challenge
Exposed metal soffits are highly conductive and respond quickly to outside temperature swings. In a busy public and retail setting, warm internal air rising to meet a cold metal underside creates condensation and dripping, which threatens finishes, signage and the comfort of staff and visitors moving through the space below.
Metal profiles also have ribs, fixings and junctions that are awkward to insulate cleanly. Rigid board systems leave gaps around these details and around services, allowing cold bridging to persist. The centre needed a continuous, well-adhered solution that could be applied to the soffit without disrupting the public areas underneath.
The ThermoFoam solution
ThermoFoam specified Enverge Nexseal LE closed-cell spray foam applied directly to the underside of the metal soffit. The foam self-bonds to the metal as it cures, flowing into every profile, rib and junction to form one unbroken insulating layer with no gaps for cold air to bridge.
The closed-cell structure adds both insulation and vapour resistance, raising the inner surface temperature above the dew point so moisture no longer forms on the cold metal. Applied as a seamless coat, it follows the soffit geometry far more effectively than boards could around the building's services and fixings.
The result
The treated metal soffit was lifted above the dew point and sealed against air movement, controlling the condensation and improving the thermal comfort of the spaces below. The work was completed to the manufacturer-certified standard and backed by the manufacturer-backed product warranty.
