CPL News

Prestressed Wall Panels Reduce Energy Costs in Industrial Construction

Written by Admin | Aug 15, 2022

County Prestress’ Insulated Sandwich Walls provide a reliable building envelope for various climates with substantial energy and cost savings over a prolonged service life.

Insulated sandwich wall panels are comprised of two layers of prestressed concrete and an internal layer of insulation. The external prestress layers provide superior durability and prevent the insulation from shifting over time and releasing toxic fumes during fires. County Prestress manufactures prestressed wall panels to meet specified R-values. Further cost savings can be achieved by detailing wall panels with shallow recesses or light shelves to maximize natural light and reduce artificial illumination energy and cost. 

Another benefit of concrete structures is their high thermal mass, which allows them to absorb and release heat energy. Their high specific heat, high density, and low conductivity maintain indoor temperatures while absorbing large amounts of heat during the day. This heat is released at night when temperatures are cooler. Because peak loads transfer to a later time, peak energy requirements from building operations are reduced. Concrete’s thermal mass enhances occupant comfort and promotes significant energy and cost savings over time.

Use County Prestress’ Insulated Sandwich Walls for your next project by contacting our Customer Service Team.

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute offers valuable technical resources in their Designer’s Notebook series for designers and engineers. Refer to their publication “High Performance Precast Insulated Sandwich Wall Panels” to learn more.