There are many options to choose from when considering which paneling to use for your grow room construction. At MJM Install, we believe that insulated metal panels afford the most complete package of benefits for business owners and those aspiring to build grow room operations.
Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and durable. They are also easily modulated and fit virtually any design specifications. IMPs have high R-values and you can also use them in conjunction with polyurethane spray foam to maximize their insulation benefits.
In this article, we’re looking at the benefits of IMPs and how they can offer the best options for your grow room construction. We also compare a few different options for reference. Finally, we explain why using polyurethane spray foam can maximize the construction benefits of insulated metal wall panels.
Combined, these materials can turn your grow room panels into an investment that you feel confident about concerning both costs and functionality. Continue reading to learn about IMPs as the best panels for your cannabis grow room.
Moisture-Resistant
The panels for your grow room should contain moisture-resistant materials so they don’t compromise your operation’s moisture consistency. Your paneling should prevent mold and mildew from growing and accumulating while preserving the room’s ideal moisture levels. Having additional moisture accumulate in your grow room or losing moisture to incomplete seals is something you should consider when planning your grow room construction and collecting the materials necessary to bring your grow room to life. IMPs feature moisture-resistant construction that keeps your grow room construction safe.
Environmentally-Friendly
A substantial portion of the steel used in IMPs typically comes from recycled materials. The insulating properties of IMPs also offer high R-values that meet or exceed the current energy codes and give businesses credits in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Additionally, the high R-value contributes to less space in wall assemblies, which is better for sustainability purposes.
Fire-Resistant
In cases where one, two, or three-hour fire-resistance ratings need to be part of the design, you can use composite IMPs. These IMPs use non-structural mineral wool insulation that’s fabricated and tested to achieve the needed fire ratings.
Design Flexibility
Insulated metal panels come in a variety of flat and corrugated surfaces that suit exterior and interior walls and roofs. They offer the strength needed to allow for fewer structural supports than single-skin panels due to greater spanning and load-bearing capabilities, making them easier to apply to building designs.
These insulated metal panels also come in multiple profiles needed that can be used in either horizontal or vertical designs, including the availability of custom modular widths and factory-formed corners.
Lastly, IMPs come in a full range of colors and reveals, and they have detailed accessories that add character to any design. With applied finishes that re-create stucco, wood, and other aesthetics, IMPs fit nearly any design you can imagine.
Cost-Efficacy
Lower maintenance costs, construction benefits, and IMPs’ durability let business owners capitalize and reduce their costs on their building construction.
Energy Efficiency
Because of their high R-values, IMPs offer reduced costs on companies’ energy bills. Better heat and energy management translates to more manageable monthly energy bills. Managing the heat flow means you can better manage the associated costs used for heating and cooling the building.
Durability
IMPs contain steel and other materials that contribute to its durable construction. Whether during construction or operations, the construction of IMPs offers a proven method to reduce overall maintenance and replacement costs.
Light-Reflective
While thinking about paneling for your grow room construction, you should consider a reflective surface that can limit your energy costs. Dark paneling can prevent light from reaching your plants. Easy access to light for your plants gives you more control over your lighting solutions and helps you ensure you can control both temperature and light, better preparing you for yield projections and the overall health of your crop.
Low Maintenance
Because of the inherent strength, durability, and longevity of IMPs, you can enjoy a room that doesn’t eat away at your revenue and drain your finances. This gives business owners the opportunity to save on annual operational expenses and budgets as well as long-term capital replacement projects.
Speed of Construction
Many insulated metal panels are pre-fabricated, meaning you don’t have to spend much time piecing them together because that process has already been completed off-site. Most come equipped with a concealed fastener in the side joint that streamlines installation. This type of construction ensures you can install them in a single step, which significantly reduces construction time, letting you “close-in” sooner.
What Other Types of Panels Are There for Your Grow Room?
Cement Board Wall Panels
Cement board wall panels are durable and weather-resistant. However, these panels require more extensive maintenance than IMPs and they can present problems when considering their moisture resistance. Because of the concrete’s density, concrete board panels are also more difficult to install and less adaptable to varying designs.
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Wall Panels
Fiberglass reinforced plastic wall panels are a low-maintenance panel solution. They are also moisture-resistant. However, FRP panels are on the more costly side of the panel discussion. They also don’t offer the R-values of some other options such as insulated metal panels.
Making the Most Out of Your Grow Room Construction With Spray Foam Solutions
One of the best ways to maximize the value you receive from your insulated metal panels is by using polyurethane foam to bolster its R-value. Here are four benefits to using polyurethane spray to boost your insulation capabilities in your grow room:
1. Polyurethane Spray Acts As a Natural Barrier to Air and Moisture
Polyurethane spray acts as a natural barrier to both air and moisture and you can use it with your IMPs to create a grow room construction solution that is easily adapted to different designs while offering maximum protection from potentially damaging elements to your yield.
2. Polyurethane Foam Insulation Is Moisture and Mould-Resistant
Because polyurethane foam is moisture and air resistant, it helps provide a comprehensive approach to your integrated pest management system and prevents mold or mildew from forming. Used in conjunction with insulated metal panels, polyurethane foam can give you the most protection possible against these potentially endangering circumstances.
3. Foam Insulation Has Dimensional Stability
One of the most appealing aspects of polyurethane foam insulation is its dimensional stability after lengthy periods of time. Other insulation materials such as mineral wood and cellulose tend to sag or settle over time, causing thermal bridges in areas where there is no longer enough insulation, compromising the structural thermo-integrity of the building.
Once cured, polyurethane foam’s volume neither increases nor decreases no matter what environmental conditions it becomes exposed to.
4. Polyurethane Foam’s Ease of Use
Combined with insulated metal panels’ ease of use, polyurethane foam is easy to apply and adheres to materials with limited hassle. It easily fits into irregular gaps and shapes and you can use a foam gun to apply this type of insulation.
Conclusion- What Are the Best Panels for Your Cannabis Grow Room?
There are several options to use when constructing your grow room operation. At MJM Install, our experienced grow room construction contractors believe insulated metal wall panels are some of the most complete due to their easy installation, high R-value, limitless modulation opportunities, and durability.
You should also consider implementing a spray foam insulation solution with your panels to maximize the benefits IMPs provide. Polyurethane spray foam can bolster your insulation properties without compromising the structural integrity of your grow room or complicating the maintenance process.
Contact us today to see what paneling solution works best for your grow room. We can’t wait to help you grow with MJM Install.
