Insulated wall panels are a structural, load bearing, insulated building envelope system made from two panels of prestressed concrete surrounding a layer of insulation. They provide many benefits that contribute to improved indoor air quality.
Resisting mold growth
As an inorganic material, concrete is inherently mold resistant. In prestressed insulated wall panels, the plastic insulation is completely encased in concrete, so no moisture can get in.
Prestressed concrete wall panels also help prevent mold growth throughout a building by preventing condensation. Concrete serves as a vapor retarder, preventing the transmission of water vapor through the wall. The use of closed-cell foam insulation in prestressed wall panels helps regulate the temperature, ensuring the concrete stays above the temperature at which condensation occurs.
Limiting air infiltration
When air comes into a building from outside, it can introduce pollutants and moisture. Concrete walls that are at least four inches thick function as an air barrier that reduces air infiltration. Additionally, the large size of insulated wall panels reduces the number of joints in a structure, minimizing the potential entry points for moisture and air. When outdoor air quality is low, such as during a wildfire smoke event, buildings with envelopes designed to limit air infiltration can protect indoor air quality.
The use of prestressed wall panels can eliminate the need for additional systems to purify air, saving energy and lowering construction and maintenance costs.
Limiting the production or emission of toxic gasses
Concrete offers low volatile organic compounds emittance, preventing off-gassing and its associated health risks. While plastic insulation can produce toxic gasses during and after a fire if it’s exposed to flames, insulated wall panels protect the enclosed insulation from flames, limiting the production of toxic gasses from burning cellular plastics.
To learn more about the benefits of high performance insulated wall panels, refer to the publication “High Performance Precast Insulated Sandwich Wall Panels” by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.
To use County Prestress & Precast’s Insulated Wall Panels for your next project, contact our Customer Service Team at (708) 562-7700.
