Against brick walls

The case for metal-faced composite panels for construction

Modern Methods of Construction are a new broom sweeping through the UK Building sector, with traditional brick walls starting to get brushed aside, according to a growing number of industry players.

At a time when the majority in the sector are exploring alternative methods and materials, some companies are already experienced at using metal-faced composite panels for construction across a growing number of industry sectors.

Phil Montgomery, Account Manager at Hemsec, a leading manufacturer of such panels says, “If the masses could see the ease of build and associated benefits when using composite panels, then a growing number of builders would question the use of traditional building materials such as brick and block.”

Key structural uses: panels made of steel and PIR

Composite foam injected PIR panels are ideal for products such as standard or bespoke classroom modules, toilet blocks and other educational annexes. Schools are able to order with different configurations and finishes, greatly speeding up delivery and construction time. Blocks of flats, homes and commercial buildings are also being built using these panels.

Hemsec is known for working in partnerships with building designers and construction companies, so it becomes relatively simple for companies to work to highly cost-effective programmes.

Hemsec’s composite panels form an integral part of modular building methods, creating a strong, well-insulated and thermally efficient structure, which is also aesthetically pleasing. Although some customers are reluctant to move away from traditional building methods, the advantages are clear, especially in a transforming market where requirements change regularly.

The benefits of insulated panels v. traditional methods

Speed of assembly

“The number one advantage is speed of assembly,” says Phil Montgomery. “The time on site is so much shorter and it can be programmed with confidence, because it’s not weather-dependent. In the main, most modular buildings are constructed off-site in purpose-built factories, leaving minimal installation when the product goes to site.

“For example, a modular block of single-unit flats takes about 16-17 weeks as opposed to a year for traditional methods of construction, which is a huge advantage.

“Less time on site means more money made. It has always been a challenge to make money in construction, and any builder who can see a way of making more profit is going to find panels a good proposition. The fact that they also lead to better quality, more thermally-efficient buildings, surely makes it a viable decision to start using these materials.”

Quality and safety of build

Improved build quality is a major advantage, according to Phil Montgomery. The company’s customers report a tendency towards far fewer complaints from the end users of panel-constructed buildings, probably because a panel doesn’t move once erected, therefore there is little or no chance of cracking. Water ingress is also highly unlikely to occur due to the panel’s physical closed cell structure.

When it comes to safety, Hemsec is constantly testing its panels to a higher degree than almost anywhere else in the world, not only for fire performance, but also strength and adhesion. All the company’s panels hold a CE certificate and its SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) also hold the European Technical Assessment (ETA).

Phil Montgomery adds: “We have always been very strong in the refrigeration industry and our future in the construction markets is to diversify; there is an urgent need to provide low-energy, affordable buildings in the UK and Europe, and through our work with industry heads and influencers, we believe composite panels are a strong part of the solution. The CE accreditation and the SIPs additional ETA are critical to our ability to supply into this sector because the need to prove the safety case is absolute.”

Aesthetics and wellbeing

There is still an out-dated notion that a building constructed using composite panels may appear like an ugly pre-fabricated house from the 1950’s and 60’s, but this could not be further from the truth. It is impossible to tell the difference between a panel-built house and one made of brick and plaster today.

“Anything you can build traditionally, you can build using modular methods,” says Chris Griffin, Hemsec’s Commercial Manager, “and I would go further, and say they allow architects more flexibility to build even more creatively than with traditional methods. Since panels are thin but strong, the internal dimensions of a building are considerably larger, and this gives the building’s occupants more space. This in turn leads to greater wellbeing.

“It’s also easier to make homes and factories accessible to those with disabilities, and to be really creative about how a building looks because the panels are so flexible,” he adds.

Thermal efficiency

The greatest advantage to society, of using insulated panels to create a building’s structure, is their thermal efficiency and excellent U value.

With global warming being a topic that’s not going to go away, it’s becoming imperative to consider ways of making buildings exponentially better insulated. Considering these panels are essentially the same as those used for creating cold stores and refrigeration units, it’s not difficult to grasp that they are equally efficient at keeping cold out and heat in.

This means buildings are much cheaper to heat, too – surely a huge boon for lower-paid householders and companies where making a profit is only going to get harder in the face of global competition.

Further details

www.hemsec.com Telephone 0151 426 7171