EPS Panels by National Panel

American Insulated Panel (AIP) offers two primary categories of insulated metal panels for cold-storage applications: EPS (expanded polystyrene) panels that AIP manufactures in-house, and polyurethane (PUR) panels that AIP sources and installs for higher performance requirements.

EPS Panels
AIP’s EPS panels are manufactured on-site and give contractors and owners an efficient, cost-effective option for walk-in coolers, standard freezers and most refrigerated spaces. The key features include:

• A continuous-line manufacturing process that allows for fast lead times and custom sizing.
  
  
• Customisable thickness and length at manufacture-time, enabling fit-for-purpose configurations rather than off-the-shelf modules.
  
  
• High moisture resistance and long-term stability because the EPS core is 98% air and does not “off-gas” like many other foam types.
  
  
• Typical applications: standard walk-in coolers, beverage rooms, floral coolers, moderate-duty freezer rooms (depending on temperature requirement).
  
  

Polyurethane (PUR) Panels

For more demanding environments—ultra-low freezers, large industrial cold-storage warehouses, high humidity or high traffic zones—AIP offers polyurethane panels. These are sourced and professionally installed and bring added performance:

• Higher R-value per inch of thickness, which helps maintain stable, tighter temperature control with less insulation depth.
  
  
• Closed-cell structure that improves moisture resistance, limits thermal drift (loss of insulation performance over time), and supports longer service life in rigorous environments.
  
  
• Stronger weight-to-strength ratio, offering structural advantages in tall or large-span refrigerated buildings.
  
  
• Applications: blast freezers, distribution warehouse docks, food-processing plants with washdown zones, clean-room style cold storage.
  
  

Choosing between EPS and Polyurethane
When deciding which panel type to use, builders and owners should match panel specifications to the project’s operational profile:

• Temperature range: For moderate temperatures (e.g., 35-45°F) or smaller inactive rooms, EPS often suffices. For very low temperatures (–10°F or lower) or high-thermal-load spaces, polyurethane is the better fit.
  
  
• Humidity and moisture exposure: Spaces exposed to moisture, condensation, or frequent cleaning (e.g., food processing) benefit from the closed-cell moisture resistance of polyurethane.
  
  
• Budget vs performance: EPS tends to cost less and may be more than adequate in many cold-storage roles. Polyurethane delivers higher performance at higher cost—worth it when long-term performance, integrity and minimal insulation drift matter.
  
  
• Lead time & fabrication flexibility: AIP’s in-house EPS manufacturing allows rapid turnaround and custom sizing. Polyurethane requires sourcing and may have longer lead times but supports large-scale or critical-application uses.
  
  

In short, AIP’s offering covers the full spectrum of cold-storage panel needs: from cost-efficient, custom-sized EPS panels for standard use, to high-performance polyurethane panels for demanding environments. Builders, contractors and owners get expert guidance from AIP to choose the panel type that aligns with operational, structural and lifetime-cost requirements.

AIP offers both EPS (expanded polystyrene) and polyurethane (PUR) core insulated metal panels. Each panel type is specified to match project requirements for temperature, humidity and usage.

• EPS panels: Manufactured in‑house, these panels support cooler and standard freezer applications with example performance of R‑25 at 5.25″ thickness. These are a cost‑effective choice when space allows somewhat thicker panels.
  
  
• Polyurethane panels: Sourced for higher performance cases, they offer greater R‑value per inch and resist moisture ingress better. For example, the site cites freezer panels at R‑32 at 6.5″ thickness.
  
  
• Selecting the right value: Builders, contractors and owners should evaluate the target temperature range (cooler vs ultra‑low freezer), the moisture or washdown exposure, and the available wall/ceiling depth. AIP’s team assists in specifying: EPS for moderate needs, polyurethane when thinner build or very low temperature is required.
  
  

By incorporating these ranges and distinctions, the FAQ answer is more detailed for contractors and builders assessing insulation options.

Yes. AIP manufactures panels in custom lengths and profiles with a range of metal skins, colors, and finishes to match both performance and design goals. This flexibility helps meet project-specific aesthetic and thermal requirements.

AIP panels are used in food and beverage processing, cold storage warehousing, clean rooms, pharmaceuticals, and grocery distribution centers—anywhere reliable temperature control and structural performance are required.

Panels should remain in their protective wrapping until installation and be stored flat on a dry, level surface. AIP provides handling and care guidelines to prevent panel damage and maintain warranty coverage.