Selecting a building enclosure material in construction projects is a critical decision that affects project cost, speed of build, and aesthetics.

This decision also impacts the energy and thermal performance of a building.

When it comes to constructing high performance buildings, insulated metal panels are strong multitaskers, providing four layers of protection – air, water, vapor, and insulation – in a single component system.

While these panels appear to be a single skin, they actually consist of an outer skin that serves as either metal wall siding or metal roofing, and an inner face that acts as a metal interior finish or liner, with insulation sandwiched between these metal skins.

Engineered with effective air, water, vapor and thermal barrier performance, insulated metal panels provide protection from wind, rain, and moisture, helping maintain a stable interior environment and ensure building occupant comfort.

Here’s a closer look at the four layers of protection in Kingspan’s insulated metal panels:

Air

The air barrier performance with Kingspan’s insulated metal panels helps prevent air infiltration and stop uncontrolled air movement in and out of the building envelope. This attribute helps reduce drafts, limit temperature fluctuations, and improve indoor air quality – all of which enhance building occupant comfort.

Water

Kingspan insulated metal panels also protect against moisture intrusion from rain and snow. This water barrier also eliminates the need for multiple waterproofing layers and materials, helping to simplify construction and reduce costs.

Vapor

The vapor barrier performance with Kingspan’s insulated metal panels works to regulate the movement of water vapor within the wall assembly to prevent condensation from forming within walls and ceilings. This attribute helps to reduce building energy usage and enhance indoor air quality.

Insulation

With R-values of up to 8.0 per inch, the insulation in insulated metal panels offers some of the best insulating value on the market. These high performing panels help reduce thermal bridging typical of other wall systems with a continuous layer of insulation that improves energy efficiency and lowers building heating and cooling costs.

When properly installed, Kingspan insulated metal panels are the ultimate multitaskers, providing the air, water, vapor, and insulation layers of protection that help contractors and architects create high performing buildings that are energy efficient and comfortable.