1000mm vs 1200mm Horizontal Sandwich Panels: Key Comparisons to Help You Choose Precisely

    Introduction

    In large steel structure factories, sports stadiums, commercial complexes, and other industrial and civil buildings, Rockwool with polyurethane-edged rock sandwich panel, known for its exceptional fire resistance (Grade A), thermal insulation, and durability, have become the preferred wall system solution.

    When designing with horizontal installation, a common choice arises: 1000mm wide panel or a 1200mm wide one?

    This is not just a numerical difference but one that affects installation efficiency, material costs, architectural aesthetics, and structural compatibility.

    Qingdao Xinguangzheng Steel Structure, as an industry leader, takes you through a detailed understanding of the differences between 1000mm and 1200mm wide horizontal sandwich panels to help you make the best choice for your project.

    1. Basic Parameters of Horizontal Sandwich Panels

    1000mm wide horizontal sandwich panel is one of the mainstream specifications in the market. The 1000mm width panel is commonly used in various buildings according to industry data.

    1200mm wide horizontal sandwich panel, on the other hand, is designed to meet the needs of larger spans and is suitable for projects that demand higher efficiency.

    2. Key Differences

    Both panel widths share the same excellent core: they are typically made with high-quality rock wool as the core material and precision sealed with polyurethane edge technology.    

    Polyurethane edging greatly enhances the air tightness, waterproofing, and overall strength at the panel's joints, effectively eliminating the cold bridge effect, and improving the product’s long-term stability and energy efficiency.

    The main differences between the two widths lie in their coverage capacity and adaptability to building structures, which can be quickly compared across the following dimensions:

    3. Application Scenarios: Choosing Based on the Specifics of the Project

    The choice of width depends on the structure and scale of the building itself.

    The 1000mm wide panel is the classic specification in the market and has the advantage of versatility. It is ideal for warehouses, standard industrial workshops, multi-story factories, and other medium-to-small span buildings. The column spacing and structure of these buildings usually align well with the 1-meter modularity, allowing for flexible panel layout and reduced cutting waste.

    The 1200mm wide panel is designed for large-span, large-space buildings. For instance, large single-story industrial factories, logistics warehouses, sports venues, and large shopping malls. A wider panel means fewer panels are needed to cover the same wall height, making it more suitable for public buildings that emphasize grandeur and simple facade aesthetics.

    4. Installation and Cost: Weighing Efficiency Against Budget

    Installation efficiency and cost are core to project management, and these two panel widths exhibit different characteristics in this regard.

    The 1200mm panel has a clear advantage in installation efficiency. 

    For a 100-square-meter wall, using a 1200mm panel reduces the number of horizontal seams by about 17% compared to the 1000mm panel. This not only speeds up installation and shortens the construction period but also reduces the number of nailings, sealings, and other steps, leading to fewer potential water leakage points and improving overall construction quality.

    In terms of economics, a dialectical approach is necessary. From the direct purchase price perspective, the 1000mm panel tends to be more cost-effective due to its high production standardization and large market supply.

    However, from the overall project cost perspective, the labor time saved with the 1200mm panel, along with reduced consumption of sealing glue and fasteners, can offset or even exceed the price difference in large-scale projects, showcasing better overall economic viability.

    5. Technical Performance and Construction Requirements

    While the core performance is the same, the different widths present slight differences in design and construction requirements.

    Wind pressure resistance is a fundamental safety aspect of curtain walls. Due to the larger single panel area, the 1200mm wide panel requires more stringent purlin design and calculation to ensure it can withstand wind loads. Therefore, in the design phase, careful structural calculations must be made to ensure that the purlin system provides adequate support for the wider panel. The 1000mm panel, however, has more mature and common application techniques.

    In terms of thermal insulation and fire resistance, there is no fundamental difference between them. Performance primarily depends on the density, thickness of the rock wool core, and the integrity of the polyurethane edging. High-quality polyurethane-edged rock wool panels meet Grade A non-combustible standards and provide stable long-term insulation performance.

    6. Architectural Aesthetic Considerations

    The curtain wall is the "outer garment" of the building, and its visual effect is crucial.

    The wall created with 1200mm wide panels has significantly fewer vertical seams, giving the facade a cleaner, more spacious look. This helps create a modern industrial aesthetic with stronger cohesion and a more impressive visual style.

    For designs that pursue minimalistic facades, this is a major advantage. In contrast, the 1000mm panel creates a denser vertical texture, forming a different rhythm, making it suitable for a variety of architectural styles.

    7. Selection Advice: Precisely Positioning Based on Project Needs

    The following scenarios are recommended for choosing the 1000mm wide horizontal

sandwich panel:

• Medium to small span building projects

• Projects with a relatively tight budget

• Projects with complex construction conditions or limited construction experience

    The following scenarios are recommended for choosing the 1200mm wide horizontal sandwich panel:

• Large-span industrial factories, logistics warehouses

• Landmark buildings that have strict requirements for construction efficiency

• High-end projects that pursue superior appearance with minimal seams