IMPs: The Leonardo da Vinci of the Building Material World

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are like the Leonardo da Vinci of the building material world. Consider that Leonardo, a true Renaissance man, excelled in the fields of painting, sculpting, architecture, engineering, and science. That proficiency in art and science can be found in IMPs when it comes to creating high-performance, high-style buildings.

The science of IMPs

IMPs are exterior wall and roof panels with steel skins and an insulating foam core. IMPs are engineered with advanced technology that makes this building material thermally efficient, durable, and easy to install.

Thermally efficient

IMPs provide continuous insulation that helps seal the building enclosure, block thermal bridging, and inhibit energy loss. As an all-in-one air, thermal, water and vapor barrier, IMPs deliver all four control layers and do not require the use of any supplemental layers.

Offering R-values up to 8 per inch, today’s innovative, airtight IMPs have high thermal resistance, helping to reduce energy consumption, which is increasingly important in the construction industry’s drive to meet specific energy targets.

IMPs from a leading U.S. manufacturer have been shown to be lower in embodied carbon than traditional concrete wall assemblies, and their thermal efficiency helps to reduce a building’s operational carbon emissions.

Durable

Constructed of durable steel and designed to last for decades, IMPs stand up to the wear and tear that comes with building use. They remain both air and weather tight and provide consistent high thermal performance over the life of the building.

Easy to install

Engineered as an all-in-one system, IMPs require one type of installer instead of multiple trades to attach to the structural framing. Lightweight with outstanding spanning capabilities and one-pass installation, these panels help create a weathertight building envelope in reduced time, fast-tracking construction and helping prevent construction delays.

The art of IMPs

The art of IMPs comes in the form of a wide range of aesthetic options that allow architects and designers to easily achieve their creative vision.

While the IMPs of old were monochromatic and often only available in limited hues and finishes, today’s panels offer a wide selection of both standard and custom colors, a variety of textures and finishes and an extensive selection of innovative panel profiles. These panels also can be arranged both vertically and/or horizontally to help create visually striking structures.

Whether the desired building look is sleek and modern, on-brand, or integrated with a location aesthetic, architects and designers can find just the right combination of IMPs to fit the design aesthetic of virtually any project.

Colors and finishes

IMPs are available in a vast array of colors, offering extensive design possibilities. For example, custom color matching can be used to create colors that reflect brand image and identity, and metallic and pearlescent colors can be selected to add dynamic visual interest to buildings. The creative possibilities don’t end there; a variety of finishes are also available that imitate materials like stucco or wood.

Profiles and textures

A wide range of profiles and textures add even more creative freedom for architects and designers. IMPs come in flat, striated, corrugated, and ribbed surfaces. Architects and designers can use a combination of profiles and textures to create visual interest. Flat panels can be used to create a sleek modern look, striated profiles can add texture and depth, and ribbed panels can be used to create shadow effects.

Perforations

Some IMPs can even be overlain with perforated façade options, allowing designers even more freedom. Perforations can be used to create images, patterns, and airflow. Custom designed dot patterns can create impactful visuals both during the day and when backlit at night.

Other design options

To help create visually striking structures, the size, dimensions, and orientation of panels can be varied to create dynamic patterns and designs. Customized trimless ends and pre-formed corners can also be used to create a clean, finished appearance.

IMPs are the Leonardo da Vinci of building materials, combining technology with aesthetic flexibility to deliver buildings that can meet the requirements of retrofit and new build projects across a wide range of sectors.

Karim Muri is VP of Marketing Services and Strategy Development for Kingspan Insulated Panels North America. Muri has led strategic marketing in the construction products market for nearly 20 years. His global experience includes leadership roles in Australia and the United States, working in both the residential and commercial building sectors.