In Part 1 of this two-part Cool Times Podcast special, Vince and Jenna sit down with Eric Finnerty, President and CEO of Vapor Armor, to unpack the origin story of one of the cold storage industry’s most impactful innovations. Known across the industry as “The Beard,” Eric shares how a roof failure and a bold idea launched Vapor Armor, a company now synonymous with ice-free cold storage and cutting-edge vapor barrier solutions.

From roofing jobs in the Pacific Northwest to forensic investigations and a 15-year condensation-free guarantee, Eric takes us through the early battles, industry skepticism, and game-changing breakthroughs that helped Vapor Armor grow from an idea into an industry standard.

❄️ Cool Takeaways:

• Origins of Vapor Armor – Born from a failed roof install and a hunch that things could be done better, Eric built Vapor Armor with a handshake and a mission: eliminate ice, for good.
• Long Road to Yes – After years of rejection, Vapor Armor began proving itself through field results—and a lawsuit that ironically cemented its credibility.
• Detail-Obsessed Design – From the roof-to-wall interface to corner joints and pipe penetrations, Eric and his team have developed more details than he ever imagined possible.
• Science Meets Passion – Eric’s obsession with thermodynamics, R-values, and forensic analysis has made him a trusted voice in solving cold storage failures.
• Cold Chain Purpose – The mission runs deep: 48 million people suffer foodborne illnesses each year. Vapor Armor is part of the fight to make food facilities safer.
• From Skeptic to Standard – Once dismissed as “another vapor barrier company,” Eric now sees Vapor Armor used in new construction specs thanks to advocates like Freeze and others who gave the product a shot.

Don’t miss this architecture-meets-cold-storage deep dive with one of the most passionate leaders in the biz. Chill out with the full episode at
🌐 www.cooltimespodcast.com

🚧 Sponsored by Vapor Armor
Protect your envelope. Preserve your product. Seal your success.
🔗 www.vaporarmor.com