IMP: three little letters that add up to more cost-effective, sustainable buildings

IMP: three little letters that add up to more cost-effective, sustainable buildings

Are you mulling over an idea for a low‑emission green construction project? Take a look at Norbec's Insulated Metal Panels (IMP), a smart, cost-effective solution that meets the growing demand for sustainable development.

Norbec IMPs are made using quality materials and a robust manufacturing process to give them superior insulating properties, minimize the building’s carbon impact and create a healthier environment for building occupants. Not only are IMPs versatile and durable, they're also economical and easy to install!

What exactly are IMP's?

IMPs, also known as “sandwich panels,” consist of a rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam insulation core sandwiched between two sheets of galvanized steel. Norbec’s automated manufacturing process guarantees materials of superior, consistent quality with a high-end look.

IMPs can be installed either vertically or horizontally, making them well‑suited to a variety of applications, from building envelopes and interior walls to drop ceilings and soffits. They come in a wide variety of profiles,  finishes, lengths and widths to help you bring all your creative ideas to life.

Greener architecture

There are many reasons to use IMPs if you’re looking to decarbonize or make your construction projects more sustainable. For instance:

• Norbec IMPs are recognized by the Canadian Green Building Council and can help your project get LEED^® certification. They also come with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and a Health Product Declaration (HPD), both fully compliant with environmental standard ISO 14025, and help you earn credits toward LEED^® v4 certification.
• Norbec IMPs will unlock greater energy savings for your building throughout its life cycle. They have a higher insulating value (R‑value) than traditional wall assemblies, and their thermal performance remains consistent over time, reducing the amount of energy required to heat and cool the building. IMPs also have no cavities, thermal bridges or risk of interstitial condensation, further boosting their energy efficiency.
• IMP building envelopes have fewer joints and thus fewer points of potential infiltration, making them ultra wind- and watertight. Norbec IMPs are also designed with a pressure equalization cavity that prevents water from being drawn in and with continuous insulation to prevent air leakage. Plus, they are fire-, weather- and corrosion-resistant, all valuable features that offer enhanced durability.
• Steel is 100% recyclable, and the steel that Norbec uses is made from 20% to 50% recycled materials. The steel suppliers we work with are also committed to green steel production and recycle nearly 1 million tonnes of steel per year.
• The foam blowing agents used to make the PIR foam have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a negligible global warming potential (GWP). At the end‑of‑life stage, the foam can be mechanically or chemically recycled and injected into new foam insulation.
• Extensive testing is performed to ensure that no CFC‑ or HFC‑containing materials are used in the manufacturing of IMPs.
• Norbec IMPs are also easy to remove and move around, so they can be reused both inside and outside.

Quick and easy to install

Once your Norbec IMPs have been delivered to the work site, you will be able to install them in one simple step. (Traditional assemblies may require as many as 11 steps, which increases the likelihood of inconsistencies or errors.) This cuts your install time right in half, and since IMPs are lightweight, less labour is required as well. You can get your building envelope put together in short order and get started on the interior work sooner.

An affordable, cost‑saving solution

In addition to saving time on construction and money on labour and material handling equipment, using IMPs also lowers material costs considerably. Because they are lightweight and rigid with a wider girt spacing, IMPs can be installed on lighter structures, which will require less steel and other structural components as a result.

An IMP building envelope will save money throughout the life of the building. Compared to conventional constructions, upkeep is minimal and operation costs (including energy costs) are up to 40% lower.

All in all, Norbec IMPs are just the thing you need to make your architectural vision a high‑performance, sustainable and cost-effective reality. Want to learn more? Get in touch!