What's the biggest difference between an auto dealership and a semi truck dealership? The answer is simple—it's size! But proportion was the least of the issues when it came to the design of a new Kenworth truck dealership in Leduc, Alberta, Canada. The real challenge was getting insulated metal wall panels in the company's signature Black and Red corporate colors. Capable of meeting all of the requirements related to the panels, including that unusual color requirement, led to the design team's decision to go with Kingspan Insulated Panels for the project…with no regrets.

The scope of the design for the new truck dealership was traditional, albeit on a much larger scale. The dealership needed a sizable showroom, business offices, vehicle wash bays, a service area and more. Construction began in 2013.

Design plans called for a high-performance building envelope made up of insulated metal panels (IMPs) used in mixed orientations, all in the company's color palette. This created the first challenge: Because Kenworth’s corporate colors are black and red, nearly 90 percent of the exterior cladding area required black panels. The issue is that flat panels and flat metal sidings are typically not produced in dark colors, especially black. Darker hues have a much greater surface emissivity than lighter colors, which creates significantly higher surface temperatures. Higher surface temperatures on flat metal can result in difficulties during installation and also the handling of the panels.

This emissivity challenge was overcome by utilizing the non-flat profile Kingspan KS Azteco® and KS Shadowline insulated metal panels, which provided an ideal solution. As IMPs that provide design flexibility and high thermal performance, KS Azteco and KS Shadowline insulated panels are a perfect fit with new and retrofit applications across the commercial and industrial market sectors.

For the Kenworth dealership, a mix of IMPs was specified to meet the defined needs of the various building areas in terms of fire safety, temperature, and moisture. KS Shadowline 2” thick & 42” wide panels, in black and silver, were used on the wash bay building and the warehouse portion of the main building. The finish incorporated into these IMPs helps protect against the wash bays' harsh environment of fluctuating temperatures and regular contact with water. KS Azteco 4” thick & 36” wide panels were used for the showroom area of the main building. For the interior of both buildings, the 2” KS Shadowline panels were used in conjunction with Kingspan’s Mineral Fiber panels in both 4” & 6” thicknesses. These MF Fire Rated panels are made from a mineral wool core bonded with metal facings, suitable for fire rated wall applications. For the accent "eyebrow," The KS Azteco panels were again used, but with a 2” thickness & 36” width.

Design flexibility is one of the clear benefits of the KS Azteco and KS Shadowline systems. Both panels can be installed either vertically and horizontally, which was a need in the Kenworth Truck dealership project. To match Kenworth's corporate hues, a specific custom black color with a metallic sheen was developed, to help reflect heat away from the insulated building panel surfaces.

All of Kingspan’s IMPs are single component products. They are manufactured off-site and delivered ready to install, which can minimize construction delays and produce faster onsite installation times compared to multi-component wall systems. By arriving on-site ready for installation, build times can be reduced by as much as 50 percent. With all of these benefits came an immediate elimination of untimely delays that commonly come with having to coordinate multiple trades on one job site.

The panels also provide high R-value, superior airtightness, and low thermal bridging, resulting in energy cost savings of as much as 30 percent over traditional multi part built-up wall systems while increasing a building's overall modern appeal. With the KS Azteco and Shadowline, there are no gaps or pockets between the panels, which helps form the much-desired continuous insulation shield for the structure.

When asked about the reasons for specifying Kingspan panels, Conal Hancherow,

National Manager of Business Development at Thermo Design Insulation Ltd. noted, "using black IMPs is unique in the industry. Black conducts heat and many manufacturers aren’t confident enough in their product to make black IMPs. However, Kingspan products are designed to perform, making them the natural choice for this Kenworth Truck dealership."

Making Big Deals On Their Big Rigs

Now open for business, the Kenworth Truck dealership is Edmonton's source for those in the commercial truck market. The iconic black and red structure has become a corporate showcase for Kenworth—and the place to purchase a "big rig" in climate-controlled comfort and style.