Using less concrete and more insulation to reduce energy use, the \u201cnext generation\u201d of lighter-weight thin precast insulated and architectural wall panels deliver superior thermal performance and are good for the environment, attendees at the recent Canadian Concrete Expo were told.<\/p>\n

That was the message delivered by Malcolm Hachborn, one of the seminar speakers at the two-day event in Mississauga, Ont.<\/p>\n

A structural and building envelope scientist with more than 40 years of structural design experience in precast concrete structures, he used the term next generation to provide an overview of the evolutions in wall panel systems.<\/p>\n

There are four types of precast panels: single wythe precast panels (uninsulated) referred to as conventional precast; double wythe precast panels (insulated) referred to as insulated sandwich panels; metal framed precast panels; and double thin walled precast panels (insulated), DreamWall.<\/p>\n

The speaker focused on the last two as examples of the next generation.<\/p>\n

Metal framed precast panels have been used for a number of years, while DreamWall is new, having come on to the market in 2022.
\nDreamWall was invented by Hachborn.<\/p>\n