How does panel thickness affect ACP panel thermal insulation?

ACP panels consist of two thin aluminum skins sandwiching a polymer core—typically polyethylene or mineral-filled. While the aluminum layers add little thermal resistance, the core thickness (3–6 mm) and type significantly influence the panel’s R-value. A standard 4 mm polyethylene core yields an R-value around 0.25 m²·K/W; increasing core thickness to 6 mm raises R-value to approximately 0.35 m²·K/W. Mineral-filled cores can further boost the R-value by 10–15%. However, most façade energy performance relies on cavity depth and insulation behind the panel rather than the ACP itself. Installing ACP over a ventilated rainscreen with 50–100 mm of rigid foam or mineral wool insulation can achieve overall wall R-values above 2.0 m²·K/W. When selecting ACP for thermal efficiency, balance core thickness with weight, wind load capacity, and façade curvature requirements. In high-performance buildings, consider integrating thermal breaks in the support system to minimize heat bridging through fasteners and framing.