Aluminium insulated panels remain one of the most cost-effective yet beneficial materials used in construction today. Whilst relatively simple in their construction, aluminium panels can greatly enhance the external visuals of a building as well as enhancing thermal performance.
Here at Superior Insulated Panels, we have been manufacturing aluminium panels not just for construction, but for many other applications internally and externally.
An aluminium composite panel typically features an insulated core that is surrounded internally and externally by an aluminium sheet. This sheet can be powder coated or anodised in the colour required.
It is the insulated core that can be foam, polystyrene, wood, mineral fibre or other material that gives aluminium insulated panel their excellent thermal properties. Aluminium panels offer a higher strength to weight ratio that traditional wooden panels and their powder coated finish means that they are longer lasting.
The uses of aluminium insulated panels are diverse.
For many years aluminium insulated panels have been used “glazed in” like traditional glass sealed units in several applications. In curtain walling they are used to mask floor levels that would normally be seen through transparent glass. In doors, aluminium panels can be used below midrails so that the inner floor is not visible at low levels.
In using aluminium panels in screens or curtain walling complete glass and panelled walls can be constructed.
Aluminium panels can also be cut out to allow pet flaps, vent-axia fans, letterboxes and other hardware to be fitted but still integrate within the overall door or window.
External cladding is another area where aluminium panels can be used. Whether they are installed into aluminium, wood or steel they can create seamless joints that give the impression of a complete panelled wall.
It is not just externally that aluminium panels are useful.
Many people use a combination of aluminium or steel, glazed with aluminium powder coated panels to create office partitions that are cheaper than purpose built systems.
Rooms that require efficient cooling or heating can also benefit from insulated panels. Here they have been extensively used in refrigeration rooms, cooling rooms, sterile environments and laboratories.
Shops and sign makers will also use use aluminium insulated and composite panels instead of steel or iron. Aluminium is light, strong and versatile and also lends itself perfectly in such applications.
It is the powder coating of aluminium panels that gives them versatility.
It is possible to manufacture panels that are powder coated different colours inside and out. Modern powder coated finishes mean that satin, matt or gloss colours are possible. There are also grained textured finishes, metallic look colours and powder coated finishes that replicate the look of more expensive silver or bronze anodising.
Where more complex designs are required, aluminium panels can be embossed or shaped and manufactured to precise design requirements making them very versatile for one-off and bespoke applications.
Aluminium is renowned for being strong, light, long-lasting and durable. It is also much more weather resistant that wood panelling in extreme weather.
Aluminium panels therefore are not just for curtain walling and windows – they have a diverse range of uses in all types of construction.