Insulated Panels Proving Ideal Envelope Solution For Wide Range Of Building Types

Submitted by Kingspan Insulated Panels North America

DeLand, FL - The United States is filled with old buildings. In fact, The American Institute of Architects estimates that nearly half of all commercial buildings in the United States are more than 40 years old. Insulated metal panels (IMPs) like those manufactured by Kingspan Insulated Panels North America are in high demand as companies construct new buildings or retrofit old ones. The versatility and sustainability of IMPs allows them to be used in construction projects ranging from schools to warehouses to airports to stadiums.

Shown above is Rocketship Nashville Elementary School in Nashville, TN. Below is the Mandeville High School addition in Mandeville, Louisiana. Both projects feature insulated metal wall panels from Kingspan. Click on the project names to see more on these projects.

Education

The average school building in the U.S. is 42 years old. Many of these buildings need energy efficient upgrades. To reduce the amount of energy these buildings use, architects and designers are selecting IMPs for their superior thermal performance. Providing high R-values, low thermal bridging and air tightness, IMPs significantly reduce energy consumption when compared to traditional built-up wall systems.

The protection of the health and wellness of students is another key factor fueling the popularity of IMPs in the construction of school buildings. The high thermal efficiency delivered by this building envelope solution reduces harmful moisture and mold and facilitates improved occupant comfort. Insulated metal panels are also considered a closed assembly, meaning that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cannot leak and cause indoor air pollution.

Cost savings are another benefit of using IMPs in school construction projects, which are often challenged to do more with fewer resources. Single component IMP wall systems are lightweight and quick to install, which can save on material and labor costs. One study found that the installed costs of IMP wall systems were on average 25% lower in the United States compared to insulated precast and tilt-up concrete walls.

Pictured above is the Ecofibre U.S. Headquarters in Georgetown, KY. It was designed with good looks and sustainability in mind, using insulated metal wall panel products Below is the Golden State Foods warehouse in Burleston, Texas. It utilizes various panel systems from Kingspan for thermal efficiency and design interest.

Commercial and industrial

As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and businesses increasingly commit to reducing their environmental impact, commercial and industrial building projects are being designed with sustainability as a top priority.

When it comes to helping companies decarbonize and meet their sustainability goals, IMPs aid net zero energy and carbon-neutral efforts by producing an airtight, moisture-resistant, rigid, continuous-insulation envelope, offering the high R-values and superior thermal performance that ultimately results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy efficiency and reduced energy costs.

The air, water, and vapor barrier provided by these all-in-one building envelope systems can also help commercial and industrial building projects meet or exceed increasingly stringent energy codes.

Shown above is Concourse D at Nashville International Airport. Utilized on its exterior are insulated metal wall panels from Kingspan.  Below is the SFO Consolidated Administration Office Building at San Francisco International Airport. The building features insulated metal panels from Kingspan and was designed with sustainability in mind, as the airport moves toward Net Zero energy goals.

Aviation

In the aviation sector, insulated metal panels are widely used in new airport terminal construction and remodeling projects.

High performance building enclosures like IMPs provide more consistent thermal properties that ensure occupant comfort in terminals with R-values of up to 8 per inch. These panels also help airports reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.

The ease of installation is another factor making IMPs an attractive building material choice in airport construction projects which are often on tight construction schedules. Because these all-in-one wall systems are quick to install, construction delays are minimized, the building is dried in quicker and other trades can proceed with their interior work sooner.

These panels also help airports pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by earning points for categories including energy modeling and reducing energy use, energy intensity, recycled content and volatile organic compounds.

Kingspan panels played a prominent role in the renovation of Daytona International Speedway, shown above. The Speedway is in Daytona, just a stone's throw from Kingspan's DeLand headquarters. Below is the D.C. Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC. To help blend the building with its surroundings, a colorful mix of insulated metal panels from Kingspan was utilized for the exterior .

Sports Venues

IMPs are used in the construction of sports venues not only for their thermal performance and lower environmental impact but for the design flexibility and durable nature of these wall assemblies.

Insulated metal panels can be installed vertically or horizontally and come in an infinite range of panel lengths, widths, core thicknesses, color options and finishes, making it easy to create a distinctive design aesthetic that helps communicate a venue’s brand image and identity.

Another important factor for sports venues that host thousands of visitors each year is the durability of building materials. Durable in design, IMPs create structures that last for decades with minimal maintenance and upkeep. Made with strong steel skins, these panels can stand up to the harshest weather while maintaining their air and water tightness.

Overall, demand for insulated metal panels in building projects is increasing. Thermally efficient, sustainable, cost effective, durable with infinite design possibilities, IMPs are a smart building envelope solution for projects in every sector.

About Kingspan Insulated Panels - North America

Kingspan Insulated Panels – North America is a business unit of Kingspan, a global company operating in more than 80 countries, with over 200 manufacturing facilities. Kingspan Insulated Panels – North America manufactures and markets three groups of products at its U.S., Canadian and Mexican facilities: insulated metal wall and roof panel systems for commercial/industrial construction; insulated architectural panel and façade systems for design-driven projects; and controlled environment panels and doors for cold-storage and climate-controlled warehousing. In addition to its commitment to quality and innovation, the company is on the leading edge of the sustainability movement, offering best-of-class products produced in state-of-the-art, eco-friendly facilities. To learn more visit  www.kingspanpanels.us.