Any cold storage warehouse requires precise temperature controls. For these types of facilities, it’s not just enough to keep the internal temperature stable; it’s also important that the building is sanitary and energy efficient.
In recent years, prefabricated insulated metal panels have emerged as the ideal solution to the unique needs of cold storage warehouses. They offer superior insulation, lasting structural strength, and easy-to-clean hygienic outer surfaces. Plus, they are easy to install, which reduces both downtime and labour costs. This guide will explain why they can play an integral role in your building.
Why Insulated Metal Panels for Cold Storage?
To help you understand the role insulated metal panels can play in your build, let’s walk through just some of the benefits that make them the perfect building material.
Superior Thermal Performance
Thanks to their uniform insulating core, insulated metal panels outperform traditional multi-component walls. While the exact numbers will vary from panel to panel, they offer high R-values and continuous insulation that reduce heat flow and thermal bridging.
For cold storage facilities that require consistent internal temperatures, this superior thermal insulation helps to reduce the types of rapid temperature fluctuations that can destroy inventory and break cold chain protocols.
Beyond helping to maintain stable temperatures, insulated metal panels also act as an effective vapour barrier, making it much easier to keep the appropriate humidity levels for your warehouse.
Energy Efficiency and Financial Savings
According to the Commercial Real Estate Development Association’s industrial buildings branch (NAIOP), refrigerated and cold storage warehouses use over 24kWh per square foot annually.
This is roughly four times more energy than warehouses that do not need such strict temperature controls.
By creating an airtight thermal envelope, insulated metal panels can drastically reduce these energy requirements, helping to reduce operating costs and the carbon footprint of a cold storage facility.
For example, ISOWALL Insulated Wall Panels have an energy cost savings of as much as 30% over traditional multi-part wall materials. When you consider that utility costs are amongst the biggest expenses any cold storage facility faces, a 30% reduction in costs can add up to a significant sum over the lifespan of the building.
Lasting Durability
Installed correctly, insulated metal panels are designed to have longer lifespans than traditional building materials. They’re also designed to be maintenance-free, thanks to their permanently bonded metal facings that sandwich an insulating core.
Their non-porous outer surface also inhibits the growth of mould and mildew, which isn’t just good for the longevity of the panels. It also makes them suitable for cold storage facilities that house food, pharmaceuticals, and other sensitive materials.
Hygienic Surfaces
Since insulated metal panels are designed with steel facings, they can withstand harsh chemical cleaning agents, making it easier to maintain sanitation protocols.
They also have high impact resistance, so you can safely wash their surfaces using high-strength pressure washers. Whether you’re just removing frost or performing regular cleaning duties, outfitting your warehouse with durable and easy-to-clean interior surfaces can be incredibly beneficial.
Ease of Installation
Since they are prefabricated and feature tongue and groove edges that allow installers to slide the panels into place easily, they can significantly reduce construction time and labour costs compared to traditional building materials.
Most insulated metal panels can also be custom-tailored to the dimensions of any project. The best panels can even be field-cut to make installing ventilation systems and fans easier.
With the best panels also available with different finishes and thicknesses, building owners can choose the perfect panel solution and R-value for the unique needs of their building.
Introducing ISOWALL and ROCKWALL Insulated Metal Panels
While insulated metal panels are ideal for cold storage warehouses, their quality varies. Two options that are perfectly tailored to the needs of cold storage environments are ISOWALL Insulated Panels and ROCKWALL Fire-Rated and Insulated Panels. Here’s why:
ISOWALL Insulated Panels
Designed with an EPS core that offers an outstanding R-value of 4.1 per inch and lasting moisture resistance, ISOWALL Insulated Panels reduce thermal swings and the strain on HVAC systems.
Their smooth steel surface also has CFIA acceptance, meaning the panels are hygienic and easy to sanitize. Despite their impressive thermal performance, they are lightweight, easy to install, and designed to save you money over their long lifespan.
ROCKWALL Fire-Rated & Insulated Panels
In addition to offering impressive thermal performance, ROCKWALL Panels also feature a mineral wool core that provides a fire rating between 1 and 3 hours. This allows warehouse owners to combine effective insulation with lasting fire resistance.
Like ISOWALL Panels, ROCKWALL Panels also have CFIA acceptance, making them an ideal choice for warehouses with strict sanitation requirements.
Insulated Metal Panels Meet All the Main Requirements for Cold Storage
Insulated metal panels can play a critical role in cold storage warehouse design. By offering improved thermal performance, lasting structural durability, and easily-cleaned hygienic surfaces, they cover all of the main requirements for any cold storage facility.
Learn how ISOWALL and ROCKWALL Panels can improve your cold storage warehouse today: