The sandwich panels were invented in the 1930s of the last century, but still high popularity in housing and industrial construction worldwide. It is a practical, inexpensive and durable material that combines the quality of insulation, noise and waterproofing, as well as external finishes. In this article we will talk about the varieties of sandwich panels and installation methods.
Characteristics Sandwich panels
The panel sandwich is made on specially equipped factories with an exceptionally mechanized manner. They consist of several layers, representing a kind of "sandwich" or "sandwich" (hence the name) from various building materials. Between metal sheets, the thermal insulation material of various quality is placed. The thickness of the panel sandwich depends on the insulation, it also determines the cost of the product. This parameter affects the thickness of the metal shell. For the construction of the roof, thin panels with sheets of 0.6 mm are usually used, and more massive - with thickness of sheets up to 1.2 mm apply to the lining of the walls.
The sizes of the panel sandwich also affect the pricing. The standard product reaches a length of 12 m, but at the request of the customer this parameter can change. The total thickness, taking into account the metal sheets and the insulation, can be 40-250 mm. The width of the panels depends on the profile and ranges from 50 to 120 cm. Narrow products are mainly used for the construction of garage gates, and broad - to build either finishing all kinds of objects (warehouses, houses, garages, etc.).
The most expensive - three-layer sandwich panels. This is explained by a more complex structure, high strength and better characteristics.
Advantages and disadvantages
Such multi-year popularity of the panel sandwich is explained by weight and advantages towards other materials.
Advantages of sandwich panels:
- quick installation - the construction of walls or facing panels does not take away a lot of time;
- the low weight of the products is a relatively lightweight design does not require financial costs for the construction of a solid foundation, which would take, for example, for a box of brick or concrete;
- constructions from panels can be upgraded with time, disassemble and transported to another place;
- savings - to build a house from the sandwich panels several times cheaper than bricks or blocks;
- fire safety - the thermal insulation layer is reliably protected from direct flame flame with metal sheets. The exception is the sandwich panel with PVC, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam in the middle, so carefully examine the composition;
- ecology - In production, safe materials are used for health and nature;
- high strength - wall sandwich panels are made of thick metal sheets resistant to mechanical damage;
- thermal insulation - this parameter depends on the insulation thickness in the "Sandwich";
- noise isolation - the thicker panel, the better it protects against outsided sounds;
- mounting the sandwich panel can be at any time of the year, except for winter with lute frosts (icing on the joints may appear).
The disadvantages of this material include its inability to withstand long-term heavy loads. If the insulation contains basalt, then thermal insulation and strength quality of the panels can suffer. It takes protection of the carrier frame from corrosion, if it is metallic, from fungus and mold - if wooden.
The operational period of high-quality panels is 40-50 years.
Types of sandwich panels
Depending on the purpose, several types of sandwich panels are distinguished, each of which has its operational characteristics. Only a competently selected variation of the panels can guarantee a successful result and durability of the construction.
For construction use the following types of sandwich panels:
- Roofing - used for construction and facing of roofs. Usually have a flat smooth profile, the thickness of metal sheets is 0.6 mm, the insulation is from 50 to 70 mm, the width of the panels is 120 cm. A distinctive feature is a small weight and, as a result, a small load on the bearing walls. Standard 12-thyme roofing from such panels weighs only 70 kg. Inside the roofing sandwich panels is fiberglass, which is well holding heat.
- Wall - these panels give the building strength and rigidity, so they are much thicker and harder roofing. They are equipped with special rigidity ribs and can withstand hored gusts up to 190 km / h. Polyurethane foam used as a filler in such panels. If the thickness of the insulation is 10 cm, the 12-thyme wall sandwich panel weighs about 110 kg. Products have good bearing capacity and can be used in housing construction.
- Special - such panels are used for the construction of specific designs, for example, freezing chambers or warehouses. The thermal insulation in them can be thick from 40 mm to 25 cm. Thin special panels are needed for the construction of light designs (outlets), and thick are used to create refrigeration chambers. They can have a variety of texture, sizes, fastening systems, etc.
How to choose?
When choosing a sandwich panels, not only the specifics of the construction of the future structures and its purpose should be guided.
What you should pay attention to:
- Which insulation is used in the panel - polystyrene foam is perfectly keeping warm, does not miss moisture and does not harm health, but it is fire hazard, so you should not choose such panels for the building where open fire or powerful heating appliances will be used. Polyurethane foam is valued for low thermal conductivity and high-quality waterproofing, but it also burns. Mineral wool does not burn and is well holding heat, but absolutely not suitable for use in conditions of high humidity.
- The thickness of the product - it is clear that the thicker the panel, the more stable, is stronger and better is warm. But on the other hand, the increase in thickness gives not only the best protection from the cold, but also reduces the useful area, makes the installation more complicated, and the cost of such thick panels will be much higher.
- Geometry Sandwich panels also plays an important role. That is why it is necessary to preliminarily calculate the sandwich panels so that they correspond to the project of the building.
- The manufacturer must have sufficient experience and good reputation - only then can be confident as its products. Before buying, find out what is his production base, many plants, whether it owns modern technologies or makes panels as well as in the past century. Russia employs more than 200 companies for the production of sandwich panels, therefore competition in the market is healthy, and there is something to choose from. The largest manufacturers in Russia: Ruukki-Vental, Electrical, KZLK, Trimimo-Vis, Mosstroy-31.
Transport and Unloading Rules
Some include the specifics of transportation and loading sandwich panels to disadvantages. In fact, the success of the event depends on the proper transportation of the material. So, it is necessary to move it only in the factory packaging and in the open body cargo cars and the topping. In the body there should be special eye pieces for packaging locks. They, in turn, can be placed in a maximum of 2 layers.
When transporting the packages fixed with special ribbons, attaching them every 1.5 m. During the trip, the driver or his assistant must check the condition of the cargo (tension of ligaments, fastening, etc.). If the panels are transported by the sea or by railway, they are packaged in wooden boxes corresponding to the size of products.
It is forbidden to ship panels for any cargo, even if it is flat and stable (plywood, metal sheets, bricks, blocks).
Immerseed the panels allowed only by a mechanized manner by moving each packaging separately. At the same time, special slings with suitable lifting capacity are used. To speed up the unloading, you can equip boxes with metal slings.
Panels can be downloaded only on top, but in no case will not stick in the body horizontally. Unloading is carried out on a flat site, while using traverse.
Installation Sandwich panels
Installation of sandwich panels is a rather complicated work that requires professional skills and availability of specialized tools. Before work, you should make sure that all panels match the size and color, replace the frame and verify its dimensions with the project.
Before installing the panel sandwich should be prepared - clean from dirt and dust, remove the protective film of the trim, cut some panels if necessary. To do this, electroplates or electrical bits with small teeth are used. If you need to cut a tiny shaped element, use metal scissors.
IMPORTANT: It is forbidden to cut the panel with gas flame cutters - insulation can light up.
The order of installation of panels is determined by the project and architectural features of the building, but it is always necessary to start from the lower left or right corner. Elements should not hit each other, so when installing, clamp them with rubber xy.
For fixing to a frame, use special tapping screws for sandwich stainless steel panels equipped with sealing gaskets. The length of self-samples depends on the thickness of the product. For fastening to wooden runs, use wood screws. In this case, the support width for panels should be at least 6 cm if the project does not provide other dimensions.
Installation of panels is carried out using clamp, and the number of captures depends on the product dimensions. If it is installed horizontally, it must lie so that all with its mass press isolation. If it is vertically, after installation, they are harvested for dense convergence of locks. When the panel is fixed by clamps, it can be attached to the frame, having paved between it and the o-tape layer.
Useful advice: So that the locks do not remain the gaps, fill the joints with the mounting foam or mineral wool.
The shaped products are attached by self-drawing every 30-40 cm and stretching rivets every 30 cm.
Preparation of sandwich panels
When the panels are unloaded and cleaned, you can proceed to the preparatory work, which will subsequently facilitate and speed up the installation itself.
What should be done:
- Carefully examine the layout of panel layouts for walls and roofs to determine which sequence to spread them.
- Install the auxiliary forests and the necessary mounting equipment by attaching them to the frame.
- Make sure that the lifting crane does not interfere with the construction site.
- Prepare all the necessary tools: 2 slings with a length of 10 m (loading capacity of 5 tons), 2 struts for locks, clamp, mounting tools.
Specificity mounting sandwich panels
Everything is clear that only professionals will be able to install a sandwich panel, so you should not even try to do it with your own hands. But the data below will allow you to control the installation of the installation and evaluate the professionalism of workers.
Subtlety installation of panels:
- Panels can never be taken over the upper sheath.
- It is forbidden to leave elements in a clamp or non-fixed, if you need to move somewhere or interrupt work.
- Wall sandwich panels are fixed using the traverse, while it can be fixed with a cable to stabilize the position of the panel during the rise.
- When the panel is delivered to the crane to the point of installation, it is necessary to set it by pre-designated marks.
- The first panel is installed at 20-30 mm from the base, after which it is checked by the smooth location of all subsequent elements depends on this.
- If the laying is horizontal, then the second, the third and all subsequent elements should be installed on top, and after each 3 panels check the fatality of the entire structure.
- Between the roofing and wall elements it is necessary to leave the gap of about 2-3 cm.
- Sandwich panel mounting nodes need to be first to marker and only then use fasteners.
- Clamps can only be removed after you made sure in the reliability of fixing the element to the frame.
- Tighten the screws until the metal casing will no longer bend, but it should not be allowed to be for too strong panel.
- Window and doorways make it right in place when installing panels. You should leave a gap of 2-3 cm between the panels and blocks themselves. If the opening is not possible on the spot, it should be done on Earth, putting an elastic lining under the panel. To lift such a "holey" element with maximum caution, since it no longer has the same strength.
- Start the installation of roofing panels is necessary from the location of the first element of the open wave to the edge of the roof - so you will get a reliable connection.
- The panels raise with traverse and fix over the installation point, after which it is exhibiting the extreme skell panel cornice to the distance provided by the project.
- The roofing panels are fixed in the fields of the lower deflection of the waves, and the overlap of the corrugations in the locks of the elements fasten with exhaust rivets every 30 cm.
- Be sure to leave temperature gaps in panel locks (2-3 mm).
Important: in winter and in the off-season roofing from the sandwich panels must be regularly brushed from snow and leaves to avoid corrosion.
Video on the installation of sandwich panels will give a more complete picture of this process:
Shaped elements
To the building from the sandwich panels acquired a complete list of their characteristics and stood as long as possible, it is necessary to install various shaped elements. Their appearance and location are still determined at the project creation stage.
The vertical installation of elements is beginning to bottom-up, making the total of each subsequent 10 cm. The joints are potential risk zones, since water can be seeded through them, so they are mandatory with silicone sealant.
Dual skate element experts recommend using in skate joints of roofing panels. It is directly the horse itself and the inner plank. Moreover, the bar is mounted before the installation of the roofing sandwich panels, since it should be adjusted directly to runs. At the end of the installation, the remaining gap is placed by mounting foam, mastic or tamper is lubricated or tamper.
Sandwich panel: photo
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