Cold storage panel technology has come a long way over the century, from horsehair and wood all the way to QuadCore® technology, which is the next-generation insulation core for cold storage projects.
Back before the invention of automobiles, horsehair was used to help insulate walls in the construction of cold storage facilities. Cold storage facilities are designed to preserve temperature-sensitive products like pharmaceuticals and produce. We’ve come a long way since the days of horsehair.
Foam glass dipped in hot tar, wood construction, and cork – chosen for its water-impermeable properties – were the next choices to insulate these buildings through the 1950s. The industry then turned to hybrid foam glass panels that were produced with a thin aluminum face on both sides by the 1960s. This was the earliest form of insulated metal panels (IMPs), but with a different insulation core.
Facilities used beadboard expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels with redwood splines to bridge the joint over the next few decades before switching to extruded polystyrene (XPS) panels with redwood support splines.
The IMPs that we know and love today initially started with polyurethane (PUR) cores and then evolved to polyisocyanurate (PIR) cores.
The industry has most recently seen the innovation of QuadCore, Kingspan’s next generation of self-blended hybrid insulation core. The class-leading R-value of R-9.0 per inch for cold storage applications is 11% better than high-quality PIR and up to 60% better than PUR. This makes QuadCore one of the most thermally efficient insulation core on the market.
This new technology provides many benefits that make these panels strong building envelope solutions for the construction of cold storage facilities.
Durability
IMPs are easy to clean and can withstand the heavy sanitization that is required in cold storage facilities. Tight-fitting interlocking joints resist moisture and lower the risk of bacterial growth or toxic mold. These panels last for decades with minimal maintenance or upkeep and can stand up to harsh weather.
Superior performance
The high thermal performance of IMPs is key to keeping temperature-sensitive goods at the proper temperature. An all-in-one system with a core of continuous, rigid insulation, IMPs reduce the thermal bridging that is typical in many other wall systems and deliver the high R-values needed to ensure a stable interior environment.
Energy efficiency
Cold storage facilities have operating temperatures that range from 7 C to 18 C (20 F to 65 F), which consumes a lot of energy.
IMPs help to reduce the energy required to keep cold storage facilities at the proper temperatures by minimizing heat transfer between the interior and exterior environments and delivering long-term air and weather tightness. This translates to lower operating costs and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Ease of installation
IMPs require just one type of installer rather than multiple trades. These lightweight, modular panels allow a building to be quickly dried-in, resulting in reduced downtime and higher on-time project completion.
The cold storage market is growing, and demand for building envelope solutions like IMPs are important to increase product safety, shrink a facility’s carbon footprint, lower maintenance costs, and reduce energy usage.