An Illinois Cooler Build With an Evolving Scope
An Illinois project team needed a cold storage enclosure covered by 31,097 square feet of insulated metal panels. The scope moved through design revisions, pricing updates, value engineering, leadership changes, and shifting timelines before construction began, so the panel package had to remain flexible without losing sight of the finished building envelope.
- Early budgeting changed several times as the project team refined the design, adjusted the scope, and coordinated decisions among multiple stakeholders.
- The cooler required a durable thermal envelope that could help limit heat transfer and support stable interior conditions after the facility became operational.
- Production and delivery planning had to stay aligned with a schedule that remained fluid through bidding, preconstruction, and final approval.
PHF43 Panels Built for Thermal Continuity and Faster Enclosure
PermaTherm supplied PermaCore PHF43 Light Mesa panels in Polar White. The hidden-fastener system combines a PolyIso core with finished metal facings in one factory-made panel, giving the project one coordinated wall solution instead of separate insulation and finish layers.
- Current PHF43 product data lists an R-value of R-8.2 per inch of thickness, supporting the thermal performance required for a cold storage enclosure.
- The panel joint and continuous insulated core help limit air loss and thermal bridging, two key concerns for cooler construction.
- PermaTherm supported revisions from early budgeting through production, then coordinated pricing, payment, and delivery details as the construction schedule took shape.
Responsive Support Through Completion
The project reached completion in November 2024 with a Polar White PHF43 enclosure built for long-term temperature-controlled service. PermaTherm stayed involved through field installation and responded when a small number of panels required replacement.
- The prefabricated panel system reduced the number of separate wall components crews had to install, helping simplify enclosure work in the field.
- Replacement panels were provided at no charge when field issues arose, allowing the project team to correct the affected areas without reopening the panel purchase.
- The completed system combined insulation, metal facings, and concealed fastening in a single assembly across 31,097 square feet of panel coverage.
Planning a cold storage enclosure? Talk to a PermaTherm panel expert.
