composite / Panelised / Insulated Panel
Insulated translucent panel (e.g., Kalwall) (40mm, 70mm, 100mm)
FRP-faced insulated translucent panels with U?factors 0.53?0.05 W/m??K and VLT 3?50% (Kalwall); typical weight <2 lb/ft? (~9.8 kg/m?).
Atlas code
COM-PNL-INS-001
At-a-glance signals
FRP-faced insulated translucent panels with U?factors 0.53?0.05 W/m??K and VLT 3?50% (Kalwall); typical weight <2 lb/ft? (~9.8 kg/m?).
Overview
Executive summary
Insulated translucent panels (e.g., Kalwall) combine FRP faces and a grid core with translucent insulation packages. Kalwall lists U?factors from 0.53 down to 0.05 W/m??K with visible light transmission (VLT) between 3?50%. Standard Kalwall panels weigh under 2 lb/ft? (?9.8 kg/m?), offering lightweight daylighting with high thermal performance.
Best when…
- Exceptional thermal performance (U-values as low as 0.05 W/m²K)
- Diffused, glare-free natural daylighting
- UV protection (blocks UV-A and UV-B)
- Lightweight (approximately 9.76 kg/m²)
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Self-cleaning surface properties
- Man-safe for roof applications (OSHA compliant)
- Large span capabilities (up to 6m for walls)
- Vandal and graffiti resistant
- Hurricane and blast resistant options available
Top advantages
- 01 Exceptional thermal performance (U-values as low as 0.05 W/m²K)
- 02 Diffused, glare-free natural daylighting
- 03 UV protection (blocks UV-A and UV-B)
- 04 Lightweight (approximately 9.76 kg/m²)
- 05 High strength-to-weight ratio
Top limitations
- 01 Higher initial cost than polycarbonate alternatives
- 02 No direct view to exterior (translucent only)
- 03 Limited Australian suppliers (imported product)
- 04 Requires specialist installation training
- 05 Custom manufacturing lead times
Technical
Physical ·6
- Density
- <2 lb/ft? (?9.8 kg/m?) panel weight kg/m³
- Water absorption
- 0.1 %
- UV resistance
- Excellent // Blocks UV-A and UV-B
- Chemical resistance
- Excellent // FRP resistant to acids, alkalis
- pH tolerance
- 3-11
- Surface roughness
- 2 µm
Mechanical ·7
- Tensile strength
- 70 MPa
- Compressive strength
- 7 MPa
- Flexural strength
- 140 MPa
- Shear strength
- 35 MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.3
- Impact resistance
- 95
- Creep resistance
- Excellent // Thermoset polymer
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·5
- Embodied carbon
- 45
- Embodied energy
- 500 MJ/kg
- Recycled content
- 0 %
- Renewable content
- 0 %
- Circular score
- 3
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·5
- Combustibility class
- Class A // ASTM E84
- Fire resistance level
- Non-combustible core // Aluminium grid
- Ignition temp
- 425 °C
- Flame spread index
- 25
- Smoke dev. index
- 450
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
- Material cost (range)
- 250-450 // AUD/m²
- Material cost (per unit)
- 350
- Lead time
- 8-12 weeks // International shipping
- Lifecycle cost
- 8500
- Annual maintenance
- 5
- Market availability
- Import/Special order // Australia
Service life & durability ·3
- Expected lifespan
- 30
- Maintenance interval
- 5
- Warranty period
- 10
Layer D
Where it's used
Museum and gallery daylighting
Industrial facility skylights and clerestories
Educational facility corridors and common areas
Sports facility walls and roofs
Healthcare facility atriums
Commercial building facades
Canopies and covered walkways
Pool enclosures
Botanical gardens and greenhouses