In this IIL property webinar, Dave Isherwood delivers an overview of composite panels and cladding. He explores the various types of materials involved and the challenges they can pose and provides an outline of some of the approvals for panels and installations.
Composite (sandwich) panels have long been utilised in industrial and commercial buildings due to their thermal efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of construction. Over the past 25 years, external cladding has become increasingly popular in residential and office settings, with many buildings being constructed or retrofitted to enhance environmental efficiency or aesthetics.
The physical properties of these materials vary widely, and recent high-profile fires, such as the Grenfell Tower tragedy, have raised significant concerns about their composition and fire performance. With building construction classification playing a crucial role in the underwriting process – impacting factors like capacity and loss estimates – gaining a thorough understanding of these materials is more important than ever.