What is a sandwich panel with a fibreglass laminate?

The word ‘glass’ alone therefore does not mean the whole product is non-combustible. The complete panel and its application are assessed. When enquiring, it is worth using a full description of the layers, because the name of the facing is also used for other products that do not replace roof covering.

The first is a roof panel with profiled steel on the outside, insulation and a laminate on the inside. It is intended for a specific method of support and fixing. The second is a lightweight thermal insulation panel with a suitable surface, installed under an existing roof or as part of a ceiling.

Both materials can help reduce heat loss, but they do not have the same structural function and protection against precipitation. A thin facing on the underside does not entitle you to use the parameters of steel panels with steel on both sides. Load-bearing capacity and details must be taken from the documentation of the correct product.

In an agricultural building there is steam, dust, chemical compounds and periodic washing. A suitable laminate can be beneficial where a standard coating on steel does not suit the environment. However, this does not mean resistance to every disinfectant and any method of cleaning.

In the description of the conditions, state the type of room, the substances, the temperature and the washing procedure. The concentration of the preparation and the contact time can be just as important as its name. Seals and fasteners are checked separately, because they are not made of the same material as the facing.

Core thickness and properties affect heat flow, but for comparing panels it is better to use the U-value declared for the complete variant. Data for a steel-faced PIR panel should not be transferred to a similar thickness with a fibreglass laminate. The layer arrangement, joints and declaration conditions differ.

In an equipment storage room, protection against cooling is important, while in a livestock building, control of excess heat and moisture also matters. Insulation helps to limit heat exchange but does not replace the equipment and ventilation arrangements required by the way the building is used.

A lightweight suspended panel is not a service walkway. A compressive strength rating for the core does not mean it can be walked on. A roof panel with a laminate also requires its own data for support spacing, loads and fixing method.

Provision should be made for suspending cables, luminaires and equipment. The thin facing should not be loaded accidentally. If access to services above the ceiling is needed, separate access routes and the ability to inspect connections without damaging the usable surface must be designed.

During washing, water can reach joints, corners and pipe penetrations. Exposed core must be protected in accordance with the system solution. A sealed surface in the middle of the panel will not help if a path for moisture ingress remains open at the fan.

When planning, unnecessary penetrations should be limited and access for repairing seals should be provided. The detail should allow cleaning without dirt accumulating on incidental ledges. The choice of flashings and sealants is part of the solution for the environment, not an addition selected only after installation.

For assessment, a description of the layers, intended use, thermal, load and fire data, and maintenance instructions are needed. For a product with a non-metallic facing, the basis of documentation may differ from that for a panel covered by a standard for two metal facings. The correct product document must be checked.

A practical decision should also take into account the possibility of replacing an individual element, access to seals and a maintenance plan. A durable facing does not mean a maintenance-free building. Regular removal of dirt and repair of damage help to maintain the conditions for which the panel was selected.