Did you know that not all insulation used in insulated metal panels is the same?

Insulated metal panels, or IMPs, are exterior wall and roof panels with steel skins on either side of an insulating foam core. While these panels are known for their exceptional thermal performance, design flexibility and fast installation time, the insulating properties of these panels do differ. In fact, the R-value (a measure of thermal resistance that shows how well a material resists heat flow) of insulated metal panels depends entirely on the formulation of the insulated foam core used. The higher the R-value, the better the material's insulation.

Here’s a quick primer on the differences between the main types of insulation cores:

PUR

Polyurethane (PUR) foams are essentially made by mixing liquid polyol with liquid polymeric isocyanate, also known as MDI, in the presence of a blowing agent and other additives.

PUR foam can be injected into wall cavities to create an air-tight seal and energy efficient barrier. This foam is highly water resistant and typically has R-values in the range of 5-7.1 per inch.

PIR

Polyisocyanurate (PIR) is a thermoset plastic produced as a foam, which is commonly bonded to a facing to create an insulation board.

This type of board insulation is often used on flat roof applications because of its durability and compatibility with a variety of waterproofing methods. However, it can also be used in a wide range of other applications. 

When used as the foam core in IMPs, these composite panels can be installed as the roof or wall envelope in a wide variety of building types.

As well as being cost-effective, PIR insulation is the most commonly used foam core in IMPs, with an R-value range of 7-7.2 per inch. 

QuadCore®

QuadCore® is Kingspan’s proprietary hybrid insulation core technology. QuadCore’s unique formulation creates microcells with exceptional thermal performance, superior fire protection and unmatched health and wellness certification.

QuadCore is one of the most thermally efficient insulation cores on the market, delivering a highly efficient R-value of 8.0 per inch – 11% better than high-quality PIR and up to 60% better than PUR.

Insulated metal panels powered by QuadCore Technology have low VOC emissions and a GREENGUARD Gold certification. They are a great option for projects seeking building certifications from LEED, WELL, and Living Building Challenge.

QuadCore’s site-specific, thickness-specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) show that Kingspan’s IMPs have the lowest embodied carbon levels in North America, depending on manufacturing site and thickness. The 2.5” thick QuadCore product from Caledon has the lowest embodied carbon level at 2.4 KgCO2/ft2.

QuadCore insulated metal panels are used on all types of projects – from sports stadiums to food processing facilities to multi-family projects and more.

While it is helpful to know about the different types of insulation cores, what architects and builders really need to know is where to find the highest performing insulated metal panels. The answer is Kingspan.