View NFRC Values Chart   |   Light Transmission and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients

Panel Width: 4' and 5' (1.2m and 1.5m) standard. Custom widths are available, generally designed according to size and slope of the skylight, enclosure or canopy system.

Panel Length: Varies according to bay spacing; typical maximum 10' 0" (3m).

Panel Thickness: 2-3/4" (70mm) standards; and 4" (100mm) optional. NOTE: Aerogel insulated panels are 2-3/4" (70 mm) only. Click for more information on 4" panels.

Structural System: Pre-fabricated aluminum box beam superstructure utilizing 6005 T-5 or 6061 T-6 alloys. Sizes vary according to skylight size and loading conditions.

Weight: Most panels and systems weigh under 5 PSF (24.4 kg/m²).

Color: Standards: Crystal, White. Optional tinted panels. The translucent fiberglass insulation can be dyed virtually any color to create dazzling results. White only available for extra-high-impact options.

Surface Texture: Flat is standard.

Standard Grid Patterns: Nominal grid size - 12" x 24" (300mm x 600mm) standard; 8" x 20" (200mm x 500 mm) and 12" x 12" (300mm x 300mm) optional. Other designs and grid sizes available and may be required for some optional panel types. Please not that spans will vary with different grid patterns. Consult factory.

Materials: The standard panel material is comprised of translucent FRP faces. Optional materials include vision glazing, sliding glass and man doors, photovoltaic glazing, aluminum grid, composite grid, fiberglass or aerogel insulation, aluminum, insulated and thermally broken installation systems.

High-Performance Aluminum Architectural Coatings: Corrosion-resistant finishes in standard and custom colors. View color samples.

U-Value Range: .53 to .05 (U-value SI conversion: 1.0 W/m²k=0.176 BTU/(hr/ft²/°F)) for panels; NFRC system certification range .43 to .10. View NFRC values chart.

Light Transmission: 0 to 65%. View chart.

Impact: Standard exterior faces will withstand 70 ft.-lbs. impact. Optional hi-impact faces will withstand 230 ft.-lbs. (311J) impact, Hurricane-Resistant and Blast-Resistant Systems also available at even higher resistance.

Chemical Resistance: Most anything allowed by EPA and OSHA will not affect the panel systems.

Weathering: The panel's exterior face is made with innovative super-weathering and colorfast resins the full thickness... not a low-grade substrate overlaid with thin plastic film or gel to simulate weatherability. All standard exterior faces include a permanent glass veil erosion barrier to prevent "fiber bloom"! This is just one built-in quality bonus not offered by look-alikes!

Sound: STC rating of 31 to 35 depending on panel thickness and insulation type.

Fire: Although some Kalwall panels contain combustible binder resins (ignition temperature greater than 800ºF), they will withstand a 1200ºF flame for one hour with no flame penetration (SWRI). Kalwall panels pass the Class "A" Burning Brand Test (ASTM E-108). A special configuration of Kalwall is a UL Listed Class A Roof system. All interior faces are 1 in. or less Burn Extent, by ASTM D-635. Several categories of interior flame-spread/smoke developed by UL 723 tunnel tests, including Class 1, are available. Kalwall is listed by: ICC #PFC-1705; several state and local areas and U.L. Canada. British Standard 476, Parts 3, 6, 7 and the European Technical Community; FM Class I and NFPA 268 – Radiant Panel Test-Exterior Walls. Whenever reference is made to fire tests, the numerical rating is not intended to reflect hazards presented by this or any other material under actual fire conditions.

Bond Strength: Panels are a specially engineered composite designed for maximum architectural and structural life. Panels and adhesives are tested according to the stringent requirements of "Criteria for Sandwich Panels" issued by ICC (International Code Council) and must pass severe tensile and shear tests before and after numerous exposure conditions. Before specifying an alternate, insist on actual field proof of bond integrity over a 25-year period. Caution is urged in accepting "look-alikes" as equivalents.

Expansion: The coefficient of linear thermal expansion of Structures Unlimited panels is 1.24 x 10^-5 in/in/ºF. (2.23 x 10^-5 mm/mm/ºC). An 8' panel will expand lengthwise approximately 1/8" when the temperature rises 100ºF or a 2 m long panel will expand approximately 2 mm when the temperature rises 40ºC.

NEW! Tested assemblies by AAMA 1503.1-09 "Test Method for Thermal Transmittance and Condensation Resistance Factor for Windows, Doors and Glazed Wall Sections". Panel Resistance Factor (CRF) of 81 demonstrates the superior performance of the Kalwall Thermally Broken I-beam. Overall U-factor was 0.19, including vision glazing.

All projects will be quoted on the basis of the NFRC certified system U-factor. For reference purposes, Structures Unlimited will still refer to the panel U-factors based on the NFRC 100 testing of the panel alone. The important distinction is that the certified U-factors are based on a model of the system, 79" x 79" (2006mm x 2006mm) and consist of 2 panels, a center batten as well as head, sill and jamb members. Most site-built window wall, curtainwall, sloped glazing and skylight systems are modeled at this size, allowing direct product comparisons.

ROOFS System U-factor (System SHGC Crystal/Crystal, Crystal/White, White/White) based on NFRC 100, 200 and 201-2010
.	Panel Only	U-Factor - 2" Batten
Thermally Broken	0.23	0.29 (0.29, 0.25, 0.20)
	0.14	0.20 (0.16, 0.15, 0.13)
	0.10	0.17 (0.12, 0.12, 0.10)
	0.05*	0.13 (0.26, 0.22, 0.16)
4" (100mm) Kalwall 100	0.15	0.19 (0.10, 0.08, 0.06) (2.5" Batten)
	0.08	0.14 (0.06, 0.04, n/a) (2.5" Batten)
Non-Thermally Broken	0.29	0.46 (0.29, 0.26, 0.21)
	0.22	0.37 (0.17, 0.16, 0.14)
	0.18	0.32 (0.13, 0.13, 0.10)

* NFRC Certified U-factor of 0.05 U panel with 2" batten and thermal cover is 0.10 SHGC 0.22 crystal/white and 0.16 white/white.

11/12 R3

Things to remember:

• U-factors are for comparison of like products, not energy calculations as actual installed U-factor may vary from the certified value due to size difference.
• Thermally broken systems use thermally broken perimeter. Non-thermally broken systems use standard aluminum perimeter. A thermally broken panel in non-thermally broken perimeter is not an NFRC certified product.
• Certified products may be found listed in the NFRC Certified Products Directory or online at www.nfrc.org.
• NFRC Certified SHGC will differ from other published values due to the sample size and test method.
• All grid patterns are covered by the above values.