How many PUF panels do I need? Quantity for roofs, cabins and cold rooms

How are PUF panels measured and sold?

PUF panels are made continuously or in moulds and cut to the length you order, so you do not buy fixed sheets. Each panel covers a fixed width, usually about 1000 mm (1000–1200 mm by maker and profile), and the rate is per square metre of panel. Your quantity therefore has two parts: how many panels across each surface, and how long each one is.

Panels across a surface

run length ÷ cover width, rounded up

Area of that surface

panels × cover width × panel length

Order quantity

sum of all surfaces × (1 + wastage)

Work in metres. If your drawings are in feet, convert with the ft ↔ m converter first: 1 m = 3.2808 ft and 1 sq m = 10.7639 sq ft.

Step by step: from measurements to panel count

1. 01

   List every surface

   Write down each wall, the roof slopes or ceiling and, for freezers, the floor. Note which panel type each gets: wall, roof or ceiling.

2. 02

   Measure the run and the length

   For walls the run is the wall length and the panel length is the height. For roofs the run is the building length and the panel length is the slope length from ridge to eave plus overhang.

3. 03

   Count panels across each run

   Divide each run by the cover width and round up. A 30 m run at 1.0 m cover needs 30 panels; a 6.4 m run needs 7.

4. 04

   Work out the area

   Multiply panels × cover width × panel length for each surface, then add the surfaces of the same panel type together.

5. 05

   Deal with openings

   Deduct only openings large enough to save whole panels, such as a roller shutter. Small doors and windows are usually cut out of full panels.

6. 06

   Add wastage and check transport

   Add about 3–5% (typical) for cuts and damage. Check that no panel is longer than the maker can produce and a truck can carry, often about 12 m; longer runs need an end lap.

Worked example 1: a shed roof

A shed is 20 m wide and 30 m long, with a two-slope roof at a pitch of 10° and a 0.3 m overhang at each eave. Each slope runs 10 m on plan.

Ridge, eave and gable flashings are separate items, made as per your requirement, so list the ridge length (30 m) and the eave and gable lengths with the enquiry.

Worked example 2: a site cabin

A cabin is 6 m × 3 m on plan and 2.7 m high, with one door and two windows. The roof is a single panel layer with a 0.15 m overhang on every side.

Small cabins are a good place to choose 50–60 mm wall panels for comfort; see prefab cabin panels.

Worked example 3: a small cold room

A chiller needs a clear inside size of 6 m × 4 m × 3 m with 100 mm panels. Panels are counted on the outside size, so add one panel thickness on each side: 6.2 m × 4.2 m.

For a full cold-room take-off, including floor, partitions and door positions, follow how to measure a cold room for panels, or enter the room in the panel calculator.