What are Panels?
Panels are prefabricated or manufactured building components that are used to form, cover, divide, or protect parts of a structure.
Definition
Purpose
Panels allow portions of a building system to be manufactured, finished, or assembled as individual units.
Depending on their design, they can provide structural support, insulation, weather protection, fire resistance, or even an interior or exterior finish. Panelized construction can also shift work from the jobsite to a controlled manufacturing environment, improving consistency and reducing onsite labor.
Examples of Use
- Wall construction: Wood-framed wall panels can be manufactured offsite and delivered to the jobsite for installation, reducing the amount of framing work required onsite.
- Building envelopes: Insulated wall panels can combine exterior faces with an insulating core to provide enclosure and thermal performance in commercial and industrial buildings.
- Roofing systems: Metal roof panels can form a building's outer skin while attaching to the underlying structural framing system.
Related Terms
Notes
- Panels can be structural or non-structural, depending on their design and application.
- Common types include wall, floor, roof, insulated, concrete, metal, and electrical panels.
- Panelized construction is different from modular construction. Panelized systems typically use two-dimensional components such as walls, floors, or roofs, while modular construction involves larger three-dimensional building sections.
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