A material we love and one you should know about. So what is a foam core sandwich panel?
Light as a feather, strong as a board:
These remarkably strong yet lightweight structural panels consist of recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) and are framed with a welded wire space-frame system.
The secret to the strength:
Most of the strength comes from keeping the outer space frame separated. By increasing the distance between them with the foam core, the panels can resist bending far better than a solid sheet of metal weighing the same amount. It works similar to an I-beam.
Why is this important?
They’re lightweight, strong, stiff, have lower transportation and installation costs, and have excellent thermal insulation. After panels are installed, they are set with shotcrete (field-applied cement).
What are the benefits of this material?
- BUILT TO BEAT THE HEAT:
You wouldn’t believe it, but these panels have an astounding 4-hour fire rating! - READY TO ROCK N ROLL:
They can resist 200 mph winds and are common in hurricane-prone places like Florida and the Caribbean - HUSHES THE HUSTLE:
Dampens the vibrations and reduces noise. - KEEPS THE MUNCHERS AWAY:
No wood is used, so the panels are more insect and termite-resistant. - CURVE THOSE WALLS:
This material allows for a drastic amount of design versatility in both walls and roofs, making it one of our favorite materials.
One material, endless possibilities:
You’ll see these panels hard at work in all kinds of places, including:
– Refrigerated trucks & trailers
– Boats, where buoyancy is important
– Modular buildings
– Cold-storage facilities
– RVs & campers
– Wind turbine equipment
– Aircraft interiors, where every pound counts
Check out our projects that use sandwich panels:
The Ilan-Lael Center
The Caretaker’s Cottage ADU
Magnificent Obsession
The Serenity Project: Under the Oaks
Resources for sandwich panels:
