Is a sandwich panel suitable for a house?

Identify the product first. A steel-faced sandwich panel, an insulation board and a structural building panel can have similar sales descriptions. Look up intended use and installation conditions in the product documentation before specifying additional layers and components for the house.

The panel U-value is one input to the thermal assessment of the whole building. Window openings, plinths, roof junctions and steel members can all affect the result. A house typically has more intricate details and different expectations for the finish than a simple warehouse.

Check continuity of insulation and airtightness at every junction. The internal surface temperature matters too. Assess thermal bridging wherever metal passes through the envelope. Check corners and window reveals individually, even if the main wall uses a thick panel.

Assess external noise and the sound levels expected in each room. The acoustic rating of an individual panel does not describe a façade with windows, doors and junctions. A lightweight wall may need additional acoustic linings. Allow for their thickness and cost when comparing systems.

Increasing PIR thickness and fitting a purpose-designed acoustic lining affect sound differently. Mass distribution, connections and gaps matter. Consider structure-borne sound and the noise of rain on the roof, particularly over bedrooms.

Define the fire requirements for each building element and check that the proposed assembly falls within the classification’s field of application. Reaction to fire of a panel and fire resistance of a wall or roof describe different properties. Check the core, facings, joints, fixings and installation conditions covered by the evidence.

For an internal lining, check what it contributes and how it connects to the assembly. Provide details for service penetrations. Agree cuts, removed facing and drilled openings at design stage because tested performance can depend on the original configuration.

Locate cables, electrical boxes, pipes and equipment before fixing the wall thickness. A service cavity can help preserve airtightness but takes up floor space. Include its framing and finish in the estimate. Wet rooms and areas needing special linings also require attention.

Kitchen units, railings and awnings need designed fixing points. A screw placed at random in a thin steel facing cannot be assumed to carry their loads. Detail the load path and the seal. Check whether services can later be replaced without opening a large area of wall.

Inspect a finish sample and the proposed corner, window and plinth details. Slight variations in flatness and the joints between sheets can be more noticeable on a house than on a large industrial façade. Agree the appearance, colour and fixing method before ordering.

Compare complete walls, roofs and frames at the same standard. Include acoustic linings, service spaces and decorative finishes. Resolve these requirements in one buildable design before buying panels. Ordering early can limit the options and lead to expensive alterations.

Ask how a single panel could be reached for repair. Removal may depend on installation sequence and whether fixings are concealed. Consider the effect of replacement on the finished rooms.