How to Choose the Right Cold Storage Panels: Different Types of Cold Room Panels and Their Pros and Cons

Insulation is one of the critical steps designers should consider when designing a cold room. The insulation is achievable, and one method is using cold storage panels in the construction of a cold storage room. These panels are crucial for maintaining consistent temperatures and offering energy efficiency.

Cold storage rooms act as freezers or are used for keeping products fresh, so the environment in the room is specifically designed to keep up a specific temperature. Humidity and low temperature are artificially controlled in these rooms to preserve perishable products.  

These rooms are important for industries whose products need a long shelf life and climate independence, like food and medicine. To achieve this optimal temperature, these units need cold storage panels that offer superior insulation and structural benefits. 

Whether for a small commercial setup or a large industrial operation, choosing the right insulation panels offers optimal performance, reduces energy costs, and protects stored goods from spoilage or environmental changes.

What Is A Cold Room Panel – Detail

Cold room panels offer insulation to the room and get the name ‘insulated room panels.’ The core and two structural boards are two important parts of these panels. It serves as a protective layer for the rigid core, which is typically made from either PU or PIR. The two structural boards serve as protective layers that enclose the core. These boards are of either stainless steel or pre-painted galvanized steel (PPGI). Cold rooms are mostly composed of these insulated panels and act as core building materials for these rooms. 

These cold room panels are helpful in controlling the internal temperature of the cold storage and make and keep it constant. These panels also help in preventing the leakage of cold air working with foam insulation. It also makes the structural integrity of the cold room possible. 

These cold storage room panels are installed anywhere from walls to floor and roof. However, these insulated panels require supporting building materials to keep their viability. It is not possible to control and maintain the internal temperature within the cold room without these insulation panels. Businesses understand cold room panel advantages regarding thermal insulation and utilize them in general capacity for their tasks. 

Cold Room Panel Features

Cold room panels have many beneficial features, like 

• Material durability
• Insulation Quality
• Panel joining system
• Energy efficient
• Fire resistance
• Flexible and easy installation
• Better cleaning properties

Cold Storage Panels Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Excellent Insulation	Higher Installation Price
Energy Efficiency	Panel damage risk
Quick Installation	Requires Expert Installation
Durable and Hygienic	Maintenance Required
Customizable Design	Limited structural strength
Fire Resistance

Types Of Cold Room Panels:

Cold room panels come in different types to fulfill the diverse and unique needs of all users. Having the knowledge of your cold room requirements, it will become easy to find the right panel for you. The best way to choose whether you choose the right cold storage panel is to consult with an expert or local team. Some common cold room panel types are here.

Expanded Polystyrene Insulated Panels

Closed cell insulation technology is behind the formation of EPS panels. They utilize a high-grade, lightweight foam known as expanded Polystyrene. This foam is rigid and comes in various strength levels. Closed-cell insulation technology has the ability to withstand water absorption and act as a strong barrier against vapor permeability. Polystyrene panels are a cost-effective option that provides decent insulation but may require thicker panels to compete with the efficiency of PU panels.

Pros	Cons
Lightweight and easy to handle	Lower insulation value than PU or PIR
Affordable compared to other panels	Can absorb moisture if not sealed properly
Quick installation process	Not naturally fire-resistant
Good compressive strength
Suitable for low to moderate temperature storage

Neopor Insulated Panels:

Neopor Graphite Polystyrene (GPS) is a very special type of rigid foam. This type is the main ingredient of Neopor-insulated panels. This foam is highly efficient with approx. 20% more energy-efficient than conventional expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation. They are typically installed behind new siding for improved thermal insulation or beneath freezer slabs to enhance energy efficiency and prevent frost penetration.

These panels are more effective when installed during the initial stages of construction or intensive remodeling projects.

Pros	Cons
Better insulation than regular EPS	Slightly more expensive than EPS
Reflects heat due to graphite content	Proper sealing is required to avoid entry of moisture
Lightweight and strong	Sensitive to sunlight over long periods
Environmentally friendly option
Performs well in cold and humid environments

Polyurethane Insulated Panels:

Pu Panel’s most beneficial feature is its superior insulation properties. It provides excellent thermal resistance while being durable and lightweight. These panels offer wide usage for chillers, freezers, and cold rooms. Their high thermal resistance provides an ideal insulation solution for cold room applications. Tongue-and-groove system is applied to install the Polyurethane Insulated Panels, as it is an easy but effective type of paneling.

Pros	Cons
Very high thermal insulation	More expensive than EPS
Saves energy by reducing cooling load	Emits toxic fumes when burned
Long lifespan if maintained properly	Can degrade under constant moisture exposure
Good for very low-temperature storage
Lightweight but structurally strong

Compressed Straw Core Insulated Panels:

These panels are perfect to choose when it comes to environmentally friendly insulation systems. Its construction involves sustainable materials, which are renewable and cost-effective. One such example is agricultural straw. These panels offer strong insulation performance due to their greater thickness and heavier build compared to other types of panels.

Pros	Cons
Made from renewable agricultural waste	Not ideal for wet areas or humid conditions
Naturally insulating	Requires treatment to resist pests and decay
Biodegradable and eco-friendly	Lower fire resistance than mineral-based panels
Low carbon footprint
Can reduce indoor temperature naturally

PolyIsocyanurate Insulated Panels:

Polyisocyanurate insulated panels offer low thermal conductivity to prevent heat from leaving or entering the area. Many prefer PIR panels for their excellent insulation performance. They are lightweight as they offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, which keeps the weight low but enhances efficiency. These panels provide reliable fire resistance. PIR panels are the best choice for facilities with strict safety regulations. Therefore, it is the ideal product for insulation applications in construction projects. When used in building materials, it can meet some of the industry’s most stringent fire performance standards.

Pros	Cons
Excellent fire resistance	More costly than EPS and PU
High thermal performance (better than PU)	Can become brittle if mishandled
Moisture resistant	Insulation value can reduce over long time
Best for high-performance cold storage rooms
Durable and long-lasting

Mineral Wool Panels:

Mineral wool panels are the best fireproofing panels that provide insulation but are even heavier and even more expensive.

Pros	Cons
Very high fire resistance	Heavier than other panel types
Excellent soundproofing	More expensive than basic foam panels
Good thermal insulation	Requires careful handling during installation
Does not absorb water
Resistant to mould, pests, and chemicals

How To Choose the Right Cold Storage Panel? 

Choosing the right cold storage panel is important to get maximum benefits, including insulation. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right cold storage panel.

1. Thermal Efficiency

Higher thermal resistance (R-value) provides better insulation. PIR and PU provide the highest R-value, making them ideal for cold storage rooms. It requires minimal heat transfer. 

2. Thickness Of Panel

Panel thickness is another important factor to ponder when choosing a cold storage panel. Panel thickness is based on your cool room temperature needs. The basic thicknesses of the cold storage panel are:

1. Chiller Rooms (0°C to 5°C): 75mm to 100mm thick panels.
2. Freezer Rooms (-18°C and below): 100mm to 150mm thick panels.
3. Ultra-Low Temperature Storage (-40°C and below): Panels greater than 150mm thick.

3. Fire Resistance

When selecting cold storage panels, fire resistance is a key factor to consider. Some industries specifically need fire-resistant panels. If fire resistance is your priority, then PIR or mineral wool panels must be your choice.

4. Energy Efficiency

These storage panels are energy efficient. It lowers the required task expected from the cooling system because these are well-insulated panels. It lowers energy bills and maximizes performance. Choose panels with airtight joining systems to avoid thermal leakage.

5. Maintenance and Durability

Cold room panels should be moisture resistant, bacteria and damage. These panels have high-grade finishes, such as coatings and food grades. These panels are helpful to keep cold storage clean by maintaining its hygiene. This results in extending the shelf life of your storage units. 

6. Joining System

A reliable joining system offers an airtight seal. The seal makes the cold room’s overall thermal efficiency better. Systems such as tongue-and-groove joints effectively reduce thermal bridging and prevent air leaks.

Why Cold Storage Needs the Right Panels

Cold storage environments require consistent temperature control. A good example to see is by pharmaceuticals, dairy, or frozen goods. If the insulation systems fails by any means, the results are terrific like high volume product spoilage and temperature spikes which cause safety hazards. That’s why high-performance insulation panels are not just important—they’re essential.

What Makes the Best Cold Storage Panels? SQPANEL® PIR Panels Have It All

Getting the right insulation panel isn’t just a technical decision as it has an impact on your energy bills and product safety. Don’t look at cold storage panels from the surface; they need thorough analysis. The best panels must check several critical boxes: superior insulation, fire safety, structural strength, reliability in extreme temperatures, and responsive support. Surprisingly, not all panel providers offer the full package—but SQPANEL® PIR Panels do.

Let’s break down what’s truly needed for a panel to be considered “the best,” and how SQPANEL® meets each of these demands:

Exceptional Thermal Insulation

The first job of any cold storage panel is to maintain a controlled temperature. It’s not a good idea to lose cool air in a dairy unit or a -70°C pharma freezer. 

SQPANEL® PIR Panels come with CNAS-verified insulation efficiency, meaning they’ve been tested and proven to hold temperatures consistently without unnecessary energy loss. That means better product protection and lower power consumption, which makes them highly energy efficient.

Certified Fire Safety

Safety is non-negotiable in industrial settings. Fire risk is always a concern with insulation materials, especially in tightly packed storage units.

With FM-approved fire safety performance, SQPANEL® Panels meet international standards. They give facility owners confidence that their cold storage systems are built to withstand potential hazards.

Strong Structural Durability

Cold storage isn’t just about temperature; it’s also about performance under pressure. Roofs must hold weight. Walls must withstand loading dock impacts.

SQPANEL® Panels are built with excellent structural strength. Their design handles real-world conditions as they’re made to last.

Proven Performance in Harsh Conditions

The best cold storage panels must perform in all types of environments. SQPANEL® Panels are already trusted worldwide, from vaccine storage for the World Health Organization to logistics warehouses in the dairy industry. In fact, they’ve been used in extreme -70°C storage, which proves their insulation doesn’t just work—it excels.

Responsive Global Support

Even the best products need solid after-sales service. SQPANEL® doesn’t stop at manufacturing—they offer planning, installation, emergency help, and maintenance, backed by a global support network across 18 service zones and 30+ certified engineers.

Flexible and Easy Installation

One often overlooked factor in cold storage panel selection is installation. A good panel should not require complex setup or extra fittings that slow down the process. SQPANEL® PIR Panels are designed for fast, flexible installation, which helps project teams reduce labor time and start operations sooner. 

Conclusion 

A right cold storage panel has nothing to do with material; it’s about getting something that offers long-term performance and cost efficiency. With so many panel types available, it’s important to match the panel features with your specific storage needs, like temperature and fire sensitivity or durability. 

SQPANEL® PIR Panels stand out because they deliver on every critical front, from thermal insulation to structural strength, which makes them a reliable choice for cold storage facilities. Investing in the right panel today means fewer headaches tomorrow, smoother operations, and better protection for what matters most inside your cold room.