Sandwich panels are becoming a popular choice in modern modular construction. They are strong, insulated, and can be set up quickly, which makes them great them for countless applications. Whether they are for commercial buildings or industrial facilities, sandwich panels are a reliable and efficient way to create durable structures. In this article, we&#;ll go over what a sandwich panel is, along with its main parts, benefits, and applications.

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What is a Sandwich Panel?

A sandwich panel typically consists of three parts: (1) an outer skin that provide strength and protection, (2) a core material with insulating or soundproofing qualities, and (3) an adhesive layer that sticks the outer skin to the core.

Outer Skin

The outer skin of sandwich panels is important both for structural integrity and environmental protection. They are the external layers that surround or encapsulate the core material, and in this way they make it durable. Some common materials for outer skin include:

• Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)

  : Great for moisture-prone areas. This material has excellent corrosion resistance and is both strong and lightweight.

• Prepainted Galvanized Steel

  : Excellent corrosion resistance and strength. It is able to withstand harsh weather conditions as well as UV radiation.

• Aluminum

  : Lightweight and corrosion resistant. Useful in a variety of climates and applications.

• Stainless Steel

  : Strong and easy to clean, making it a good choice for places that require strict hygiene , such as food processing plants or hospitals.

Core Materials

The core material is typically lightweight and may contain fire resistance and insulation properties. Some common core materials include:

• Polystyrene

  : Lightweight and provides good thermal insulation.

• Polyisocyanurate

  : Great for insulation properties and fire resistance.

• Honeycomb

  : High strength-to-weight ratio. Excellent for structural support.

Adhesive Layer

The adhesive layer is important because it binds the outer skin to the core material. It completes the panel and allows it to combine the properties of both the core and outer skin.

Wall Finishes

Wall finishes are materials applied to the surfaces of panels to improve their appearance or performance. Finishes can be used on both interior and exterior surfaces. Technically, wall finishes are not part of the structure of a sandwich panel, they are applied over them. A few common wall finishes include:

• Gypsum Vinyl

  : Smooth, strong, and easy to maintain, they are often used in modular building interiors.

• Composite

  : Made from a combination of materials, such as wood, plastic, and metal. Used for a variety of functions.

• Hardboard Vinyl

  : Combines the strength of hardboard with the customizability of vinyl coating.

• Plastics/FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic)

  : Great for areas prone to moisture. It is corrosion resistant and low maintenance.

• Aluminum

  : Lightweight and rust resistant, often used to give interiors a modern look.

Benefits of Using Sandwich Panels in Modular Buildings

Sandwich panels provide a range of benefits that make them a superior choice for modular construction. Here are a few of the top advantages they provide:

• Strength

  : Sandwich panels are both strong and lightweight, which allows for long-lasting performance.

• Insulation

  : Core materials provide excellent insulation, which improves energy efficiency.

• Easy Installation

  : Their lightweight nature makes them easy to assemble and install; this, in turn, reduces construction time and labor costs.

• Customizable

  : Sandwich panels are available in a variety finishes and materials; they can be customized to fit in with existing styles.

• Low Cost

  : Compared to traditional construction materials, these panels are much more cost-efficient. They provide many of the same benefits while significantly reducing costs.

If you&#;re interested in learning more about how our sandwich panels can meet your construction needs, contact us today for a free quote.

Applications of Sandwich Panels

Link to Wiskind New Materials

There are countless applications of sandwich panels, but here are a few that Allied Modular provides.

• Commercial Buildings:

  Modular offices

  , retail spaces, or

  guard shacks

  .

• Industrial Facilities:

  In-plant offices

  and other facilities.

• Temporary Structures: Exhibition halls, emergency shelters, and more.

The Bottom Line

Sandwich panels are becoming increasingly popular in modern construction due to their exceptional strength, superior insulation properties, and ease of installation. Whether for commercial or industrial projects, they provide both a reliable and low cost solution.

Contact Allied Modular today to learn more about how our sandwich panels can improve your next construction project.

6 reasons to choose sandwich panels

In the last few decades, sandwich panels have proved to be a revolutionary solution in the construction industry.
By definition, this material is a self-supporting component that serves two concurrent purposes &#; partitioning (roof or wall) and thermal insulation.

6 reasons to choose sandwich panels

The sandwich panels vary by:

• length (2 to 18 m)
• thickness (40 to 230 mm)
• core type (EPS, mineral wool, polyurethane)
• profile (smooth, micro-profile, clearline, grooved etc.)
• protective coatings (polyester SP, SP polyester Mat Pearl, Cesar PUR 55, aluzinc), with panels also used with stainless steel cladding
• cladding colours (both external and internal)

Every panel consists of several layers: core with thermal insulation, steel claddings (external and internal) and coatings protecting from mechanical damage and corrosion.

REASON NO. 1.

"TIME IS MONEY"

For example, let&#;s compare two popular technologies used in warehouse building construction.
In the first case the external partitions consist of double brick walls, while in the second case they consist of sandwich panels.

By selecting the first case we have to order the following works: wall construction, thermal insulation installation and, finally, external layer installation.

By selecting sandwich panels, the construction process is far less complicated and thus quicker and, most importantly, cheaper. Panels are finished components, suitable for easy installation, e.g. to a steel structure.

Considering the present situation on the construction services market, working time plays a key role in the cost optimisation process. The quicker the structure is completed, the less we spend on construction service costs, which have increased significantly in recent years. The rapid structure completion process also translates to earlier commencement of occupancy, which improves the return on investment for business projects.

REASON NO. 2.

"THREE CORES OR SOLUTIONS DEDICATED TO SPECIFIC NEEDS"

Sandwich panels are available in three basic variants. Each uses a specific panel core. Thus there are materials with cores made of polyurethane, mineral wool and EPS. Each of these solutions is intended to meet specific needs.

Polyurethane-core sandwich panels

Polyurethane is the best and most commonly used thermal insulation material on the market. After many years of market domination by older materials, such as mineral wool or EPS, today they are being replaced by better equivalents in the residential construction market, in the form of panels made of hard polyurethane foam &#; Thermano.

Sandwich panels with this core are primarily distinguished by better thermal insulation properties. The lambda of 0.022 W/mK has no equal, meaning that this type of material is selected by project owners seeking to reduce the total heating costs.

Another benefit of using this type of panel is the potential to save space inside the building. Better thermal insulation of the partitions translates to lower wall thicknesses, compared to other types of panels or masonry, while maintaining the same thermal insulation parameters.

Another equally important benefit is the lower density of the material from which the core is made (40 kg/m3). This simplifies installation significantly, because no special tools or equipment are required on the project site.

Sandwich panels with a mineral wool core

The second type of panel has two advantages &#; fire resistance and soundproofing efficiency. One feature of mineral wools is their behaviour in fires. Selected panels manufactured by Balex Metal are EI 240-rated, meaning that both the sealing and the fire rating of the partition is maintained for 240 minutes. This is enough time for people to leave the building safely as well as minimising the potential losses resulting from the fire.

Another important feature is to have a partition designed to prevent the transmission of excessive noise. The best panel versions feature good soundproofing capabilities, which in practice translates to a soundproofing effectiveness of up to 33 db.

Panels with an EPS core

The history of sandwich panels began with EPS (polystyrene). However, this type of core has been gradually replaced by mineral wool and, primarily, by polyurethane.

If we compare all three types of panel, EPS lies between the mineral wool and the polyurethane in terms of thermal insulation properties; however it is inferior to mineral wool in its reaction to fire.

Sandwich panels with an EPS core are, in turn, a budget solution that can be used successfully whenever there are no stringent requirements for fire resistance or thermal insulation.

Panel joints

It is also possible to join the panels. This applies to the panel types featuring polyurethane or mineral wool cores. This is possible both for panels with exposed fasteners (standard type) and concealed fasteners (type plus).

REASON NO. 3.

"HOW ABOUT... CONNECTING MULTIPLE COLOURS?"

Apart from the basic functions of industrial structures, attention is increasingly being paid to aesthetics. The look of our place of business, whether it be a warehouse, manufacturing plant, store or car showroom, often determines the level of trust in the brand. This is why adding unique character by the project owner to the project has become so important.

Balex Metal provides many interesting solutions, with a range of profiles, coating types (e.g. mat) and cladding colours (more than 30 different colours).

A range of selected designs can be connected freely, which can give spectacular results that attracts attention and highlights the type of business, whether the style is more classical or modern.

Due to the non-porous surface, sandwich panels are quick and easy to clean. Standard pressure washers are perfect for this purpose. The panel coating materials are completely resistant to water jet impact, thus regular cleaning will keep the structure looking new for many years.

REASON NO. 4.

"ALL MATERIALS FROM ONE MANUFACTURER"

Balex Metal panels are available with a full range of accessories. These include flashings (in any colour, including the panel colour) and all kinds of fasteners to allow panels to be fitted to any substrate (steel, reinforced concrete or wood). The project owner can also choose from a wide range of seals and gaskets to ensure the highest sealing of the partitions.

When choosing sandwich panels, the best possible access by light should also be considered. This can be provided by small windows made of polyester, which are also available with dedicated flashings. Thanks to this, the result is an appealing and well-protected structure that protects against external conditions.

REASON NO. 5.

"IMAGINATION IS THE LIMIT"

Sandwich panel structures can be freely arranged. The material is easy to process, so buildings can be designed with windows and gates wherever required.

REASON NO. 6.

"VERSATILE APPLICATION"

In travelling the length and breadth of Europe, you cannot miss the hundreds of structures made using sandwich panels. Interestingly, today these are not only industrial structures. Residential projects are becoming increasingly popular, with many design offices even creating ready concepts based on such applications.

Sandwich panels are available in wall and roof versions, which are typical for the following types of structures:

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Sandwich Panel Roof.

• warehouses and logistic hubs
• production facilities
• workshops
• cold stores and freezers (dedicated PU-F cold storage panels)
• car showrooms
• stores
• sports and recreational facilities (swimming pools, arenas, and halls)