The panels used in the cold room structure are also called cold room panels.

It is a kind of sandwich panel. We can imagine it as a “sandwich”: the middle part is a thick insulating material, and the two sides are materials used for protection and support.

Its specific composition is as follows：

Core insulation layer

The insulation layer is the “heart” of the panel. It directly determines the insulation effect. Common insulation materials include the following types:

1. Polyurethane (PU, rigid polyurethane foam): This is currently the most mainstream and high-performing material. Its thermal conductivity is extremely low (approximately 0.022 – 0.026 W/(m·K)), providing excellent insulation, moisture-proofing, and high strength. Although the price is slightly higher, it offers the best overall cost-effectiveness. For medium to large-sized cold room facilities, we prefer to use polyurethane panels.
2. Polyethylene (EPS / XPS, polyethylene foam): This is a common type, namely EPS (ordinary foam) and XPS (extruded polystyrene board). Their advantages are low cost and suitability for high-temperature storage. However, their disadvantages include low strength and strong water absorption, which can lead to a deterioration in insulation performance due to moisture.
3. Other special materials: For instance, vacuum insulation panels (VIP), which have an extremely low thermal conductivity (≤ 0.003 W/(m·K)), but are very expensive. These panels are mostly used in situations where extreme space requirements are necessary.

Protective face material

They are usually used on both sides of the panels. They serve the functions of protection and support. These protective surface materials directly determine the appearance, durability and cleanliness of the storage board:

• Color-coated steel sheet: The most common choice, with high cost-effectiveness and good strength.
• Stainless steel sheet: Often used in food processing or pharmaceutical cold room facilities, it is corrosion-resistant and easy to clean, meeting hygiene standards.
• Embossed aluminum sheet: Excellent heat conductivity, often used in environments requiring good heat transfer or specific strength.
• Galvanized sheet / salted steel sheet: Mainly used for floors or in areas with special requirements for corrosion prevention.

Recommendations for Selection

For low-temperature cold storages (-18℃ and below), it is best to choose polyurethane panels, whose thickness is usually above 100mm to 150mm. When dealing with high-temperature storages or when the budget is limited, we can consider using polystyrene boards.

In environments with strict hygiene requirements such as food processing and pharmaceutical industries, it is recommended to choose stainless steel for the surface material; for ordinary storage purposes, colored steel panels are sufficient.

A qualified polyurethane panel usually has a core material density ranging from 38 to 45 kg/m³, and the thickness of the steel plate should be more than 0.4 mm. At the same time, pay attention to whether the fire resistance grade (such as B1/B2 grade) meets the requirements.

 

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