Innovative sandwich panel is over 20% thinner than a standard PIR panel

Due to the accumulation of thermal and other requirements for new construction and renovation projects, architects and contractors usually choose thicker façade panels. However, Kingspan proves that the requirements are also achievable with thinner panels. With QuadCore®, the specialist developed thinner sandwich panels that guarantee excellent thermal performance and superior fire safety. Moreover, these roof and wall panels combine these properties with circularity and sustainability, ease of installation, space saving, time saving and, consequently, cost saving. This means a win-win situation for installer, architect, end customer and the environment.

QuadCore^®, an innovative insulating foam developed by Kingspan, has a smaller closed-cell structure, achieving even better insulation values with thinner panels. A QuadCore^® sandwich panel is over 20% thinner than a standard PIR-
panel. This means that architects and contractors can achieve the same results with an 80 mm thick panel, whereas previously they had to integrate a PIR panel of at least 100 mm. In fact, to achieve the same U-values of 0.24 W/m².K, twice as much mineral wool would be needed. 

"The math is quick. If a panel is 20% less thick, 20% less material is also used, 30% less transportation and also less waste on the construction site. The impact of QuadCore^® on the carbon footprint is therefore significant," says Evert Kraaima, manager of technical servics at Kingspan Insulated Panels. "The QuadCore^®-insulation technology is contained in the gray cell structure. The insulating foam is composed of closed-cell microcells, which provide high resistance. This results in an excellent lambda value of 0.018 W/mK and outstanding insulation. This makes QuadCore^® among the best-performing rigid foam insulation materials. Thanks to a better panel connection, there are fewer thermal bridges, increases insulation value and improves fire safety."

Circular and sustainable

The lighter weight creates with the QuadCore^® panels also put less pressure on the foundation. Shorter screws and fewer large fittings are used. The narrower bending also allows for finer and more aesthetic work, and the panels are constructed from materials that are responsibly produced (according to the BES 6001 standard) and suitable for reuse. Thus, they are absolutely circular. 

Time savings and cost savings for placer

In addition to excellent thermal performance, superior fire safety, durability and circularity, QuadCore distinguishes^® is also on a practical level. Installers can unload the panels faster, and since there are more thin panels in one package, there are fewer packs on the construction site as a result. In addition, these lighter panels are easier to handle and can be mounted in the correct position faster. The QuadCore^® sandwich panels are available in a variety of working widths. For example, the standard AWP QuadCore^® panels available up to 1200 mm wide and standard RW panels even up to 2000 mm. In this way, a large area can be covered quickly. This leads to time savings and cost savings for the installer that should not be underestimated.

Rigorous innovation

"A pervasive innovation, such as the QuadCore^® panels, is the clearest proof of our daily 100% commitment to develop products with the best thermal and circular performance. Thanks to FM Approval 4882 in terms of fire safety, these sandwich panels can also be used perfectly in smoke-sensitive environments," Kraaima concludes. "Kingspan has also been committed to sustainability for years. Since 2010 we have been building toward becoming Net Zero Energy by 2020 and in 2019 we launched a long-term strategy with Planet Passionate to keep the impact on people and the environment as low as possible."