7 Things to Know Before Building DIY Cool Rooms with Cool Room Panels

Cool room panels are common when building DIY cool rooms. However, you need to be aware of some key specifications, like the panel thickness, insulation material, etc., before installing the panels. 
A DIY cool room is a customised, insulated, and temperature-controlled walk-in storage space that is constructed by converting a small room. Here, insulated panels are used so that the environment on the inside remains cold. Such rooms are effective in storing perishable items. 

Cool room panels are prefabricated panels that are used to construct the floors, walls, and ceilings of cold rooms. Such panels offer exceptional insulation so that the internal environment of the cold room remains consistent. In this article, we will talk about the things that you must keep in mind while considering a cool room panel in customising cold rooms.

What to Keep in Mind While Building DIY Cool Rooms with Cool Room Panels?

Cold room panels are the backbone of a cold storage system. They offer insulation, structural integrity, and energy efficiency. Here are seven things that you need to consider while setting up DIY cool rooms in Melbourne:

1. Panel Thickness 

The insulation performance of a cool room panel depends on its thickness. You need to keep this in mind while buying a panel. You must be aware of the application while selecting a panel.

The temperature of the room must be taken into consideration while choosing the thickness. Let’s understand. 

Panel thickness	Room temperature range	Ideal application
50 mm	+10°C to +15°C	Dry cool rooms
75 mm	+5°C to +10°C	Beverage storage
100 mm	0°C to +5°C	Chillers
120-150 mm	-18°C to -25°C	Freezers for meat and bakery
200 mm and above	-30°C and below	Ultra-low freezers

Table 1: Panel thickness and temperature range 

2. Thermal Insulation

When you buy cool room panels, you must be aware of the thermal insulation property of the material. The key aspects are:

• R-value (m²·K/W): This measures the resistance of a material to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. 
• U-value (W/m²·K): The U-value of a panel measures the rate of heat transfer. The lower the value, the better the thermal barrier. 
• K-factor (W/m·K): You need to assess the K-factor of a panel before purchasing. This denotes the intrinsic conductivity of the insulation material. 

3. Insulation Material

Some of the common materials for cold room panels are PU, PIR, and EPS. PIR has a higher R-value than PU and EPS, whereas EPS has a higher U-value than PU and PIR. Before you buy a cool room panel, you need to be aware of the materials it’s made of. Well, the selection depends on your needs.

What are the key considerations before constructing DIY cool rooms in Melbourne? Let’s check out.

Insulation type	Thermal performance	Fire behaviour	Water absorption
PU	Good	Moderate	Low
PIR	Excellent	Enhanced	Very low
EPS	Moderate	Poor	Moderate

Table 2: Comparing different types of insulation

4. Surface Material and Coating 

While you plan to build DIY cool rooms with cold room panels, you must keep the surface material and coating in mind. The surface sheet offers a high level of protection to the panel from wear and corrosion. 

Do you know what the common types of metal for surface coating are? If not, let’s understand.

Metal type	Surface options	Applications
Galvanised steel	Colour-coated, anti-microbial coating	Standard food cold rooms
Stainless steel	Polished	Pharma, meat, or cleanroom cold rooms
Aluminum	Colour-coated	Corrosion-prone areas

Table 3: Different surface coating materials 

5. Airtight Sealing 

Improper sealing is a common mistake that people make while constructing DIY cool rooms in Melbourne. This makes it a noteworthy consideration. Airtight sealing is important as it prevents issues like air leaks, moisture, and high energy bills. 

You can consider polyurethane or silicone sealant on all joints and corners. A plug-in joint acknowledges continuous insulation and minimal thermal bridging. Meanwhile, cam-lock joints ensure mechanical fasteners for tight sealing. 

6. Structural Strength

What makes a DIY cool room perfect is a structurally sound panel. Especially for walk-ins or multi-room systems, panels must be highly durable. The comprehensive strength of the insulation material is a key consideration while choosing panels. 

You need to evaluate the thickness of the steel while considering cold room panels. In addition, consider span capability without deformation. If you are searching for panels for walk-in freezers or vehicle-accessible cold rooms, the heavy-duty ones are effective.

7. Environmental and Hygienic Considerations 

You need to assess environmental and hygienic considerations while choosing cool room panels. This keeps a room properly functional. A panel must be capable of resisting moisture. 

Panels with high anti-mould properties are good for food and pharma applications. The cold room panels must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC). 

To Conclude 

DIY cool rooms in Melbourne are effective in storing perishable items. When you choose a cold room panel, you must prioritise its thickness. The other considerations are insulation material, thermal insulation, structural strength, etc. 

Planning to Build a DIY Cool Room?

Find a renowned supplier and installer of cold room panels in Australia. Choose the panel that aligns with your requirement. Get it installed and have the cool room properly prepared.