If you are considering insulation wall boards and panels for your residential or commercial project, understanding the basics can save you time, money, and frustration. This guide will help new owners understand what to consider when browsing options.
After we discuss some of the many factors to consider when choosing the best option for your upcoming project, we will highlight one of the best and most versatile options on the market today.
What to Know About Insulated Wall Boards
It is important to remember that every project differs, so evaluating what you are looking to get out of your project is important.
Whether you are renovating an existing space and want to outfit it with a wall facing that provides improved insulation or you are starting from scratch and building a wall that needs to be durable and energy efficient, the following factors will help you decide which wall boards and panels are right for your needs:
Consider Thermal Ratings and R-Values
If you are considering insulating wall boards and panels, you are probably looking for something that will improve the energy efficiency of your interior space. While choosing pre-fabricated wall boards and panels that contain built-in insulation is a good starting point, it’s important to remember that insulation can differ in quality and performance.
This is why it is important to understand R-values, which measure a material’s thermal resistance. Basically, the higher the wallboard or panel’s R-value, the better insulation performance it will offer.
If you live in a particularly cold or hot climate and are trying to maintain a more stable and comfortable interior temperature, choosing panels with a higher R-value relative to their thickness will help you maintain stable temperatures and reduce the demands on your HVAC system. This can save you money and help your property become more energy efficient.
Assess the Durability and Performance of the Core Materials
While the R-value is a clear measure of thermal performance, core materials also play an important role in determining how effective and durable a panel will be. Popular options include the following:
- Polyurethane Foams: These offer high thermal efficiency, but they can sometimes be fairly heavy.
- Mineral Wool: Mineral wool cores offer excellent insulation fire resistance, and effective soundproofing. These types of boards and panels are another popular option.
- EPS (Expanded Polystyrene): These cores offer reliable and effective thermal performance while keeping the overall weight of the board or panel down. This makes them easy to install, cost-effective, and durable. This material also offers good acoustic performance, which can be important for residential and office buildings.
Check Out the Fire Rating
Fire safety is always important, no matter what type of building you are working on. Since many insulating wall panels and boards offer higher fire resistance than traditional building materials, it is always worth checking their rating, especially if you are working on a commercial property.
Consider How Easy They Are to Install
Whether you are working on a large commercial property and need to keep labour costs down or are a homeowner looking to take on a DIY project, choosing boards and panels with user-friendly features, like interlocking connections, will help simplify the installation and make everything smoother and more cost-effective.
As a bonus, panels that connect easily also tend to work better, as there is a much lower chance of gaps appearing between them. This helps prevent thermal bridging and drafts, making your insulation seamless and effective.
Pick Wall Boards that Match Your Aesthetic Preferences
Remember that these panels will be visible, so you should always choose panels and boards that fit your desired vision. Some boards and panels are available in different textures, finishes, colours, and profiles, so choosing the right panels for your needs can help you avoid regretting your decision in the future.
Why Choose Isowall Insulated Panels for Your Project?
While numerous options are available today, Isowall Insulated Panels stand out for their premium performance and build quality.
Thanks to their high-performance EPS (Expanded PolyStyrene) foam core, Isowall panels deliver excellent thermal insulation and durability. With an R-value of R4 per inch, they can provide cost savings of as much as 30% over traditional building materials.
They feature a lightweight design for easy installation, and each panel can be custom-tailored to fit any width or height. The unique tongue-and-groove design also helps reduce installation time while simultaneously ensuring a snug and secure fit. They are also workable with ROCKWALL Panels, making it easy to create firewalls in commercial and industrial environments.
For new owners looking for reliable, energy-efficient wall panels, Isowall can be your go-to option. If you are unsure what you need or just want to discuss your options, click the link below: