The math doesn’t work if you’re only looking at the bottom line. Many of these ventures run at a loss if you just tally ticket sales and concessions. But follow the money that flows in when tournaments and events come to town – hotels fill, restaurants buzz, dormant strip malls get new life, and new franchises come into town with the promise of more consistent business.

Behind all this buzz, there’s a less visible story: the high-stakes technical battle to keep these massive spaces comfortable, affordable, and open year-round. That’s where companies like Johns Manville, Owens Corning, and Balcan Innovations (makers of rFoil and Reflectix) come in – each with their own approach to the challenge of insulating the modern sports complex.

Duct Wrap: The Tried-and-True Workhorse

TJ Stock, portfolio manager for HVAC at Johns Manville, says you’ll find their Microlite duct wrap specified or installed in most sports complexes built in the past few decades. “Microlite has been either specified or installed in most sports complexes for decades, providing thermal performance and condensation control with aesthetically pleasing silver FSK, and black or white PSK facings,” Stock said. Installers love its consistent firmness – it cuts clean, with less fraying, making long installation days go a little smoother. 

When it comes to installation, Stock details, “Duct wrap installed inside the building envelope can be left exposed with FSK or PSK facings. Duct wrap installed outside of the building envelope must be properly covered by metal jacketing and sealed to prevent moisture and elements from entering the HVAC system.” When fighting bacteria and mold, Stock stressed the importance of taping and sealing the facing to create a vapor barrier that keeps moisture out. “Moisture, among other criteria, is required for bacterial growth. When installing duct wrap, one critical step is to tape and seal the FSK facing, providing a vapor barrier that limits moisture drive into the insulation, thereby limiting the potential for bacterial growth.”

Drake Nelson, market development manager for the Carolinas, also weighed in.

“Duct wrap has grown slightly over the last few years but I would not say it is increasing the market share in relation to other options,” he said. “Factors beyond cost sometimes open consideration to other technologies.”

Duct Wrap Selection

David Burd, air distribution products technical manager for North America at Owens Corning, brings another layer of expertise to the conversation. Burd said, “The two primary factors are performance and aesthetics. Duct wrap needs to perform well thermally as that is its primary function towards energy efficiency and helping to get the conditioned air into the space it’s intended. Another performance factor is the duct wrap’s ability to aid in condensation control, which ties into the thermal performance of the insulation and the vapor permeance of the facing.”

He adds that the most common and widely accepted facing is Foil Reinforced Kraft (FRK), also known as Foil Scrim Kraft (FSK), which “has a pleasing shiny appearance that’s widely accepted and selected where the duct work is exposed, such as sports bars and other open-plan public commercial spaces.” Other facings, like vinyl or Polypropylene Scrim Kraft (PSK), are available in white or black to match ceilings, while All Service Jacket (ASJ) is typically used in industrial settings.

Installation matters just as much as material. “It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s stretch-out recommendations, which will allow the insulation to recover with no more than 25% compression. When duct wrap is wrapped too tightly, the result is compression of the insulation greater than 25%. This impacts the insulation’s ability to perform to the installed R-value,” Burd explained. While duct wrap can be used in protected outdoor spaces, he cautions against using it in locations exposed to the elements, like rooftops, where a more rigid insulation board with metal cladding is required.

On the perennial concern of mold and bacteria, Burd dispels a common myth: “Fiberglass insulation is inorganic and therefore does not support mold growth. Mold can grow in any environment where there’s moisture and food for mold spores. So how do we limit the potential for this with insulation? Keep the duct wrap in the manufacturer’s packaging and protect it prior to and during installation from getting wet and allowing dust, dirt, and other organic matter from getting in and on the insulation. Then, once installed, be sure to keep your HVAC system and ductwork well serviced and maintained.”

Proper sealing also comes up in the context of duct leakage: “Properly installed and sealed duct wrap can help prevent or reduce duct leakage, but the reality is, if your duct is leaking, you should also employ other sealing methods such as using approved mastic or foil tape on the duct seams and joints prior to installing the duct wrap.”

As for why duct wrap remains popular, Burd doesn’t mince words: “It’s not just the favorable cost of the duct wrap itself, but also it’s very labor friendly to install, which also helps to keep costs down.” While it’s true that duct wrap doesn’t deliver acoustical benefits, he notes, “its lightweight and fast installation mean it’s a win-win for the contractor and the building owner—especially in open plan spaces where exposed ductwork is part of the aesthetic.”

Burd also describes the manufacturing: “Fiberglass duct wrap insulation is typically manufactured by spinning molten glass into thin fibers, bonding them together with a thermosetting resin, and optionally adding a vapor retarder like FRK/FSK.”

This wide-ranging perspective from Owens Corning’s technical manager underscores just how much goes into selecting and installing the right duct insulation for modern sports facilities.

Radiant Barriers: The Lightweight Challenger

There’s more than one way to wrap a duct. Reflective insulation, or radiant barriers like rFoil #2290 Reflective Duct Insulation and Reflectix – both Balcan Innovations brands – offer a different kind of performance. 

Jim Dennison, Director of Marketing at Balcan Innovations clarifies: “No, our product is not a ‘duct wrap,’ but rather a radiant barrier. It works by reflecting radiant heat rather than reducing conductive or convective heat transfer.”

The installation process is unique: Contractors wrap 2” spacer strips doubled at 24” intervals around the ductwork to provide a ¾” air space between the ductwork and the insulation. Wrap the reflective insulation around the ductwork and seal the seams with a UL-181 acrylic adhesive tape or a clinch stapler,” Dennison explained. The method is the same for indoor or outdoor installs, though the product used may differ depending on exposure.

Health and safety are major selling points. “Contractors tell us they like working with reflective insulation because installation is quicker, the product is lightweight and easy to work with, and it does not require personal protective equipment when installing it to protect from airborne fibrous material. Additionally, our products act as a vapor barrier, are moisture resistant, and won’t harbor mold, mildew, or fungi.” 

And though radiant barriers don’t eliminate duct leakage, Dennison noted, “It can reduce the impact of small leaks in metal ductwork by trapping escaping air in the insulation layer. Even though it does not stop leaks, reflective insulation will reduce heat gain/loss, which helps your HVAC system run more efficiently.”

When it comes to popularity, Dennison offers nuance. “The increasing popularity of the product is likely a combination of its form and function. Duct wrap is primarily used to prevent condensation from occurring. Reflective insulation products stop condensation from occurring, and are also easier to handle and install.”

But as Stock and Dennison both note, the choice comes down to application: cost, installation, condensation, and health, all play a role, while acoustics take a back seat in cavernous sports domes.

Dennison underscores the impact of radiant barriers and reflective insulation, especially in energy savings. 

“Our customers use our products primarily because they are looking for an insulator, a moisture barrier, or a vapor barrier,” Dennison said. In thermal testing on a metal building, “the temperature without reflective insulation was over 144°F, while the temperature with reflective insulation installed was just over 90°F – a differential of over 53°F. The use of reflective insulation would no doubt reduce the owners’ cost to cool the building.”

Dennison also emphasizes versatility, but with a focus on health and safety: “Some other insulation options contain airborne fibrous material which is not a healthy option, unlike reflective insulation. Our products … won’t harbor mold, mildew, or fungi.” 

Whether it’s a sports dome, a factory, or a barn floor, the technology is designed to fit the application – and the energy savings can turn a money-losing operation into a sustainable one.

More Than Just Sports

It’s easy to get caught up in the buzz of tournaments and hopes of economic turnaround. But these complexes also bring growing pains – traffic, labor, construction, debates over property taxes (and TIF district boundaries). Saturating the service sector is fraught with potential consequences. Still, for Mattoon and so many towns like it, the benefits so far outweigh the cons. The visitors keep coming, new businesses are opening, and they are reinvesting in themselves.

The unsung heroes? Maybe it’s the HVAC tech, quietly making these spaces work. Or maybe it’s the small-town optimism that keeps betting on a brighter tomorrow. Either way, the lights are on, the stands are full, the rooms are temperate, and – for the first time in a long time – there’s a real sense that the game isn’t over for America’s heartland.

Kane County IT company Teqworks recently ranked in the top 100 fastest-growing companies in the Midwest, according to Inc. Magazine.

The magazine’s fifth annual Regionals campaign ranked 951 of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. by region, based on revenue growth from 2021 to 2023.

The Midwest list, “Meet the 139 Companies Making an Outsized Impact in the Midwest” ranked Teqworks as the 87th fastest-growing company in the region, at a rate of 69% over the two-year period.

The family-operated technology consulting company moved to a new location at 3815 E. Main St., St. Charles, in May.

In a July 8 news release, Teqworks co-founder and CEO Matt Sidman said he feels honored and humbled to have Teqworks included on Inc.’s list.

“Over 23 years, we’ve spent a lot of time just doing the work behind the scenes, not really looking for a whole lot of accolades, and just doing the good work,” Sidman said. “To get some sort of acknowledgement for our growth in a public setting feels different. It’s really kind of fun. It’s scary too. But I love the feeling that we kind of matter outside of our own little four walls.”

Matt Sidman and his father, Jerry Sidman, founded the company, originally a management consulting firm, out of a home office in 2002.

Teqworks evolved into an IT company and eventually transformed into a technology consulting business. As the company grew, more Sidman family members, including Jerry’s wife, Nancy, and son, Chris, joined the team.

“When we started off this company, we started off as more of a basic IT company with a break-fix environment, but we quickly changed when we figured out what our clientele really wanted,” Jerry Sidman said. “Going through several of these iterations has been really, really good for us.”

Matt Sidman said the family business is still growing and shows no signs of slowing down.

“I think because of our solid base and track record of 23 years of creating and providing top-tier service, now adding new clients, new relationships, new communities, are going to keep us growing,” Sidman said.

Companies that made the Midwest list had a median growth rate of 86%, added 7,977 jobs and contributed $13.2 billion to the region’s economy from 2021 to 2023, according to the magazine.

To qualify for the list, companies must meet certain revenue requirements, be privately held, for-profit, independent and based in the U.S.

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? 

Amazon Prime Day takes place from July 8 through July 11 this year. This is when the retailer cuts deals on thousands of products, mostly ones it owns (think Kindle, Ring, and Alexa). To get in on the deals hype, other brands will discount their products during Prime Day to boost overall sales. 

Are health trackers really cheaper on Prime Day? 

I’ve seen some sweet discounts on health trackers during my time as an editor covering these events. We’ve seen record savings on tech, including Apple Watches and Oura Rings. 

Should I buy a smartwatch or a smart ring?

A smartwatch functions as a health tracker and an around-the-wrist companion to your phone. You can answer texts, set timers, ask the smartwatch’s AI assistant questions and more with an Apple Watch, Pixel Watch, Galaxy Watch, or Garmin. It will record your exercise and sleep and deliver that through the smartwatch’s health app, as well as on your phone’s health app. A smart ring is a little different. It doesn’t have a screen, so it won’t distract you throughout the day with pings or messages. All of the data it collects is displayed on your phone. If a smartwatch is a lifestyle wearable with health functionalities, a smart watch is a health-centered wearable. 

How did we choose these Prime Day deals?

I cover health wearables for my job, and I’m particular about the products I like and don’t like. If something isn’t worth my while, I’m not writing about it. The same goes for these deals. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. 

We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. 

What are the best Prime Day deals so far?

ZDNET’s experts are searching through Prime Day sales to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:

You can also find the best deals from other retailers competing with Prime Day sales: