Sandwich panels - what is it? First of all, we note that this is a modern multilayer building material, which today is widely used in the construction of residential buildings and industrial structures. It has a sufficiently large margin of safety and low weight, which gives it a lot of advantages over other building materials.
The main advantages of sandwich panels
In all respects, this material is highly economical. Sandwich panels, the price of which can significantly reduce the overall cost of building an object, reduce the costs associated with loading, transportation and installation of structures. In addition, the light weight of the panels eases the load on the foundation, its cost, and also reduces the cost of geological study of the soil.
The convenience of using sandwich panels is that they make it possible to manufacture all the elements of the building and structures in the factory, after which it remains to simply deliver them to the construction site and assemble them. This makes it possible to gain time and finish building a building faster than using traditional building materials. Industrial and civil construction from sandwich panels allows you to quickly dismantle the garage or house if necessary, after which it is easy to assemble it, as a designer, in a new place.
The undoubted advantage of this building material is its ideal surface, which does not require puttying or plastering, that is, additional processing costs. Moreover, for example, roofing sandwich panels are already painted, which also reduces the cost of finishing work. Panels can be bent to erect irregularly shaped walls.
Due to the appropriateness of using this material and the possibility of using its physical properties, beautiful residential cottages, administrative buildings, industrial, and entertainment complexes are built from sandwich panels. In addition, sandwich panels, the price of which is affordable to the consumer, can play the role of insulation and soundproofing element.
And thanks to the low moisture absorption and high thermal insulation properties of the material, it is possible to carry out construction in regions with a harsh climate. Factory coating with a primer, anti-corrosion and polymer compositions improves the resistance, strength and durability of the sandwich panel. What is it for humans and the environment? This is environmental friendliness and safety, confirmed by research in our country and abroad.
The structure and properties of sandwich panels
Multilayer building panels, including PVC sandwich panels, are a material with a thick layer of lightweight filler enclosed between two sheets of cladding (hence the name). The heat-insulating layer is also capable of absorbing noise, and the outer layers are important as a structural, protective and decorative part. Increased sound insulation plays a large role in the choice of material for residential buildings.
As a heat-insulating material, lightweight foam and mineral wool are used. The thickness of the layer is selected depending on climatic conditions, the temperature required in the room, etc.
Directions for construction using sandwiches
Due to the high technological effectiveness of production and a large selection of modifications, it is sandwich panels that are in high demand in construction. What it is is clear from the technical and operational characteristics of the material. Therefore, it is used for the construction of low-rise residential buildings and technical structures, industrial and production facilities, supermarkets, bus stations, industrial refrigerators, etc.
The incredible ease of assembly and disassembly of structures from multilayer panels is used for temporary buildings, for example, military shift premises. The fast-built garage from sandwich panels is of great demand, and due to the absence of transportation problems, this lightweight material can be delivered by helicopter to hard-to-reach places.
If three-layer panels, including PVC sandwich panels, are used as material for external walls, then the norms must be followed: strength, heat insulation and fire protection. For special purpose buildings, there are special requirements (for example, for catering - hygiene, etc.). And in this matter, multilayer panels comply with the standards: the internal filler has good moisture resistance, and the metal layers are anticorrosive. This guarantees the suitability, safety and long-term service of the material.
Functionality of panels
There are two types of sandwich panels according to their functional purpose: wall and roofing, which feature special lock systems and rigidity.
Roofing sandwich panels have greater mechanical strength, since in addition to their weight they must withstand the load from precipitation. To do this, they are strengthened with a frame, lamellas, stiffeners. The roofing material should be more moisture resistant, therefore, involves the use of hydrophobic fillers and protection with a polymer film.
Three-layer wall panels are characterized by high resistance to compression and shear in order to withstand the weight of the roof and wall structure.
Production methods
The production of sandwich panels can be carried out in various ways:
- on an automated line;
- manual assembly (stand);
- foaming insulation-polyurethane foam between two facing sheets.
The first method is more productive than manual (bench), but in one and the other panel elements are connected with a special glue, the quality of which directly affects the durability of the product.
The main quality criterion
The main criterion by which the quality of installation of a sandwich panel is assessed is the quality of the joints of the structure, since the operational characteristics of the multilayer material depend on it: strength, insulation, moisture resistance. Some construction companies provide a full range of services, including design, manufacture of three-layer sandwich panels and installation of structures.
The principle of construction of sandwiches
Sandwich panel construction allows you to reduce running costs, as well as time to build a building or structure. Usually they are mounted on a reinforced concrete, metal or wooden supporting structure.
It is easy to work with such material, since it weighs little (50-80 kg) and does not require additional complex tools. It is convenient to fasten the panels thanks to the provided hidden or visible fasteners - self-tapping screws.
The main thing at the stage of installation of sandwich panels is a tight joint, to which both builders and material manufacturers give priority attention. Not only structural strength, but also:
- lack of gaps where cold air can penetrate;
- maximum density, which is necessary so that moisture does not get into the insulation.
With obvious thermal fluctuations, sandwiches slightly change their sizes, which is necessarily taken into account when fitting seams, joints and corners, in order to avoid deformation of the entire structure, even if a conventional garage is constructed from sandwich panels. To do this, use mastics and sealants, aluminum foil, polyurethane gaskets and foam, neoprene tapes. Seams at the ends of the sandwich panels are usually covered with mineral wool or polyurethane foam, and then closed with a special filler.
Shaped elements in a design
Shaped metal elements for concealed and external fasteners are so durable that they are successfully used to fix, strengthen and align the joints of panels obtained during installation. Usually the same metal is used as in the main structure. They provide thermal insulation and tightness at the junction of three-layer panels.
Technical support for the construction of sandwich panels
When building a building from a sandwich panel, work can be done without involving complex technical devices and additional mechanisms. An ordinary construction hoist for lifting loads and a manual or electric rolling machine will suffice.
So, building sandwich panels. What is it in modern construction? It is clear that such a progressive wall and roofing material will have a "palm" in the construction market for a long time. Having a three-layer structure in which the moisture-proof insulation made of mineral wool or basalt fibers is reliably protected by metal, the sandwich panels are fireproof and are recommended primarily for the construction of public institutions, as well as for the construction of warehouses and other shopping and industrial complexes.
The material is not susceptible to decay or damage by fungi, bacteria, insects. It is environmentally friendly and does not emit volatile elements, therefore residential and industrial buildings made of sandwiches are absolutely safe.