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MATERIALS · October 8, 2026

Insulated Metal Roof Panels: R-Values, Spans, Fire Ratings, Cost

Insulated metal roof panels from manufacturer data: R-value by thickness and test temperature, spans, FM 4471/4880 fire ratings, and 2026 costs.

Insulated Metal Roof Panels: R-Values, Spans, Fire Ratings, Cost

By The Roofing Brief Team | Last reviewed: October 2026

Insulated metal roof panels (IMPs, also sold as sandwich panels) are factory-made roof panels with a rigid foam or mineral wool core bonded between an exterior steel skin and an interior steel liner, so one piece is the weather surface, the insulation, the air and vapor control, and the finished ceiling. Manufacturer data sheets list roof panels from 1.5 to 8 inches thick and roughly R-12 to R-72, and installed IMP envelopes ran about $19 to $45 per square foot in a 2026 contractor cost guide.

The pages that rank for this term are manufacturer product pages, and each one shows only its own panel. This guide puts the published numbers from Metl-Span, ATAS, Kingspan, McElroy Metal, FALK, AWIP, and KPS Global side by side, and flags the detail most buyers miss: the same panel carries a different R-value depending on the test temperature printed in the fine print.

Key numbers at a glance

These are the figures that decide an insulated metal roof: thickness, R-value, minimum slope, span, weight, and price. Each comes from a named manufacturer data sheet or cost source, and each can change by product line, gauge, and project, so treat them as planning ranges and confirm against the current data sheet for the exact panel being quoted.

Figure Typical published value Source
Roof panel thickness 1.5 to 6 in. for standing seam and through-fastened roof panels; up to 8 in. for membrane-ready roof decks Kingspan (KingSeam announcement); Metl-Span CFR, LS-36 and TerraVue data
R-value, polyiso/PUR core 3 in. panel: R-22.45 at 75°F mean, R-24.10 at 35°F (ATAS); R-26.2 at 35°F (Metl-Span CFR) ATAS ITB-0001; Metl-Span CFR data sheet
Minimum roof slope 1/2:12 for standing seam and through-fastened panels; 1/4:12 for membrane-ready IMP decks Metl-Span CFR and LS-36; McElroy Green Span; Metl-Span TerraVue
Allowable positive load, 3 in. panel 86.0 psf at 5 ft supports; 60.0 psf at 7 ft Metl-Span CFR design guide load table (42 in. wide, 24/26 ga.)
Panel weight 2.48 psf (2 in.) to 3.17 psf (6 in.) Metl-Span CFR design guide
Installed cost, IMP envelope $19 to $24 per sq. ft. (industrial); $22 to $30 (cold storage); $28 to $45 (architectural) Terrapin Construction Group 2026 cost guide (Feb. 2026)

What are insulated metal roof panels?

An insulated metal roof panel is a composite panel: two coated steel skins with a foam or mineral wool core foamed or bonded between them in the factory, then shipped as one piece that spans between purlins or joists. The exterior skin is profiled like a metal roof (a standing seam or high trapezoidal ribs), and the interior liner is a flat or lightly embossed finished ceiling.

Because the core bonds both skins, the panel works structurally like a sandwich beam, which is why a 3 inch panel can carry snow loads across 5 to 7 foot purlin spacing without a separate deck. Metl-Span’s CFR design guide describes the core as foamed-in-place, 92 percent closed cell, at a minimum density of 2.0 pounds per cubic foot.

The trade terms overlap. “Insulated metal panel” and “IMP” are the North American names, “sandwich panel” is common in Europe and on import listings, and “composite panel” shows up in specifications. Some consumer listings labeled insulated roofing panels are not IMPs at all: one Elitix listing on Amazon describes aluminum sheets “filled with polyester,” which is a different product with no published R-value or fire testing.

Core types: polyiso (PIR/PUR) vs EPS vs mineral wool

The core decides an insulated metal roof panel’s R-value per inch, fire classification, and price. Polyisocyanurate (PIR) and polyurethane (PUR) foams give the highest R-value per inch and carry most FM approvals; expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the budget core common in cooler and agricultural panels; mineral wool trades R-value for a non-combustible core and hourly fire ratings.

Core R-value per inch (published) Fire testing on the cited product Where it is used Source
PUR (polyurethane) About 7.1 at 75°F (k 0.140); about 8.8 at 35°F (k 0.114) ASTM E84 Class 1; ASTM E108 Class A; FM 4880; FM 4471 Class 1 Cold storage, food processing, warehouses Metl-Span CFR design guide and data sheet
PIR (polyisocyanurate) 3 in. ATAS panel: about 7.5 at 75°F, 8.0 at 35°F (includes air films) Kingspan states all three of its 2019 roof panels are FM Approved Commercial, industrial, architectural roofs ATAS ITB-0001; Kingspan via Design and Build with Metal
EPS (expanded polystyrene) 4.40 at 20°F; 4.15 at 55°F ASTM E84 (flame spread 0, smoke 55) on the cited panel; no FM listing stated Coolers, interior rooms, budget agricultural roofs KPS Global EPS panel page
Mineral wool About 3.6 at 75°F (k 0.275) UL 263 / ASTM E119: 1, 2, or 3 hours for walls, 3 hours for ceilings Fire-rated walls and ceilings, firewalls Metl-Span ThermalSafe page

Two cautions follow from that table. First, an EPS core needs roughly twice the thickness of a polyiso core for the same R-value, which adds depth at every eave and flashing. Second, the hourly fire-resistance ratings on mineral wool panels are published for walls and ceilings on the Metl-Span ThermalSafe page; a roof assembly with an hourly rating needs its own tested listing, so ask the manufacturer for the specific UL design number before assuming one exists.

Roof profiles vs wall profiles

Insulated roof panels and insulated wall panels share a core but not a joint. Roof panels use a raised standing seam or tall trapezoidal ribs with sealant so water sheds at slopes as low as 1/2:12; wall panels use flat, mesa, or striated faces with tongue-and-groove joints that are designed for vertical surfaces and are not watertight lying near flat.

Roof IMPs fall into three families, and the family matters more than the brand:

  • Standing seam (concealed clip). Metl-Span CFR uses a 2 inch high, mechanically seamed standing seam with concealed clips; Kingspan KingSeam, AWIP SR2, and McElroy RidgeLine are the same family. These suit cold storage and long, low-slope roofs.
  • Through-fastened (exposed fastener). Metl-Span LS-36 (36 inch coverage), McElroy HighLine, AWIP HR3 and HR5, and Kingspan KingRib 3 and KingRib 5 screw through the ribs into the purlins. They install faster but carry exposed fasteners.
  • Membrane-ready insulated roof deck. Metl-Span TerraVue and FALK RDEK 40 are flat IMP decks that take a field-applied TPO or PVC membrane, for roofs as low as 1/4:12.

Metl-Span markets LS-36 for both roof and wall use, so one profile can clad a whole building. For the single-skin profiles these are built on, see our comparison of types of metal roof panels.

Thickness to R-value: what the data sheets actually say

For a polyiso or PUR insulated metal roof panel, published R-values run from about R-15 at 2 inches to R-44 to R-53 at 6 inches. The spread between brands is partly real and partly the test temperature: ATAS lists the same 3 inch panel at R-22.45 at a 75°F mean temperature and R-24.10 at 35°F, a 7 percent difference from the label alone.

Panel thickness ATAS Isoleren, 75°F mean ATAS Isoleren, 35°F mean Metl-Span CFR (PUR), 35°F EPS core, calculated at 4.15/in. (55°F) Mineral wool (ThermalSafe), 75°F
2 in. R-15.25 R-16.35 R-17.5 R-8.3 Not offered
2.5 in. R-18.85 R-20.23 R-21.9 R-10.4 Not offered
3 in. R-22.45 R-24.10 R-26.2 R-12.5 R-10.9
4 in. R-29.65 R-31.85 R-35.0 R-16.6 R-14.5
5 in. R-36.85 R-39.60 R-43.7 R-20.8 R-18.2
6 in. R-44.05 R-47.35 R-52.5 R-24.9 R-21.8

Sources: ATAS International Isoleren Technical Bulletin ITB-0001 (ASTM C518, includes air films); Metl-Span CFR with PUR data sheet (42 in. width, ASTM C518, ASTM C1363 and thermal modeling); KPS Global EPS panel page (per-inch value, core only, our multiplication); Metl-Span ThermalSafe page (42 in. width, wall and ceiling panel). Kingspan’s KingSeam and KingRib announcement gives R-12 at 1.5 in. and R-49 at 6 in. without a stated test temperature.

The practical rule: compare quotes at the same mean temperature. Metl-Span’s own CFR design guide lists a k-factor of 0.140 at 75°F (about R-7.1 per inch) and 0.126 at 40°F (about R-7.9 per inch). Polyiso and PUR test higher at the cold mean temperatures of freezer work, which is honest for a freezer but flattering for a heated warehouse. When one bid says R-26 and another says R-22 for the same 3 inches, check the footnote before checking the price.

How far can insulated metal roof panels span?

An insulated metal roof panel spans between purlins like a beam, and allowable load drops fast as spacing grows. In Metl-Span’s CFR load table, a 3 inch panel carries 86.0 psf of positive (snow and dead) load at 5 foot supports but 60.0 psf at 7 feet, and wind suction is usually limited by the clip connection rather than the panel.

CFR thickness Positive load, 5 ft span Positive load, 7 ft span Connection limit (suction), 5 ft Connection limit (suction), 7 ft
2 in. 66.8 psf 46.4 psf 31.5 psf 24.2 psf
3 in. 86.0 psf 60.0 psf 38.9 psf 27.0 psf
4 in. 92.3 psf 64.0 psf 53.9 psf 36.8 psf
6 in. 117.8 psf 81.6 psf 53.9 psf 36.8 psf

Source: Metl-Span CFR Roof Architectural Design Guide, allowable positive and connection loads, CFR-42 panel with 24 ga. exterior (Fy 50 ksi) and 26 ga. interior, 3 or more spans, deflection limit L/240. Positive load shown is the lower of bending/shear and deflection. Purlin capacity is not included and must be checked separately.

For wind, the same CFR assembly is classified UL 580 Class 90 at 5 and 7 foot purlin spacing and UL 1897 at 166 psf (5 ft) and 140 psf (7 ft), and its FM 4471 Class 1-90 rating was tested at 5 foot spacing with a minimum 14 gauge purlin. Those numbers apply to that tested assembly only; corner and perimeter zones on a given building may need tighter spacing, which the engineer of record sets.

Fire ratings: FM 4880, FM 4471, UL 263, and Class A

Four test families show up on insulated metal roof panel submittals, and they answer different questions. FM 4880 covers fire spread across building panels, FM 4471 covers panel roofs as a whole (fire, wind, foot traffic, hail), ASTM E108 gives the exterior Class A roof covering rating, and UL 263 (ASTM E119) gives hourly fire-resistance ratings.

Standard What it tests Example from a published data sheet
FM 4880 Class 1 fire rating of building panels or interior finish materials; Metl-Span describes a 50 ft corner test for unlimited building height Metl-Span CFR: approved; the data sheet notes the exterior roof also requires FM 4471
FM 4471 Class 1 panel roofs: fire from above and below, wind uplift, foot traffic, hail Metl-Span CFR: Class 1-90 wind, Class 1A fire, Class SH hail
ASTM E108 / UL 790 Exterior fire performance of roof coverings (Class A, B, C) Metl-Span CFR: passed Class A
ASTM E84 Surface burning: flame spread and smoke developed Metl-Span CFR: flame spread under 25, smoke under 450
UL 263 / ASTM E119 Hourly fire resistance of an assembly Metl-Span ThermalSafe mineral wool: 1, 2, or 3 hours (walls), 3 hours (ceilings)

FM Approvals’ own Standard 4880 states that roof panels covered by it must also meet the above-deck combustibility, wind, foot traffic, hail, and leakage requirements of FM 4470 or FM 4471. In practice, a building insured by FM Global usually needs an FM 4471 listed roof panel, not just an FM 4880 panel. Foam-core IMPs are foam plastic under the building codes, so whether the interior liner can be left exposed without a separate thermal barrier depends on the panel’s tests; Metl-Span reports the CFR met NFPA 286 criteria referenced in IBC Section 803.1.2.1. Ask for the evaluation report and confirm with the local building official.

Condensation and thermal bridging: where IMPs earn their price

A built-up metal roof (single-skin panel, blanket insulation, liner) loses performance where insulation compresses over purlins and where fasteners and clips run from the cold side to the warm side. An insulated metal roof panel puts continuous foam across the purlins, with a thermally broken side joint, so there are far fewer cold spots for interior moisture to condense on.

Compression is measurable. In test modules reported by Walker, Zaltash, and Atchley in Professional Roofing (October 2011), the same R-25 plus R-13 fiberglass metal roof assembly measured U-0.0269 with tall clips and U-0.0303 with standard clips, about 13 percent more heat flow, because the shorter clips compressed the insulation. An IMP has no blanket to compress.

Air leakage is the second half of condensation control. Metl-Span reports air infiltration on the CFR assembly of 0.002 cfm per sq. ft. at 12 psf in its design guide (the newer data sheet lists under 0.023), and no water penetration at 12 psf under ASTM E1646. The panel is not self-sealing, though: Metl-Span’s guide says vapor seal design is “of the utmost importance” and supplies a gun-grade vapor sealant for the interior side joints, end joints, and perimeter. Skipping that sealant on a freezer is how IMP roofs still drip. Our guide to metal roof condensation covers the dew point mechanics for single-skin roofs.

Where insulated metal roofing is used

Insulated metal roofing is the default on cold storage and food plants, common on conditioned warehouses and pre-engineered metal buildings, and occasional on homes, shops, and barndominiums. The deciding factors are interior temperature, humidity, how much the owner values a finished washable ceiling, and whether the extra cost beats a field-built assembly.

  • Cold storage, coolers, freezers, food processing. Metl-Span lists coolers, freezers, food processing, and dry goods warehouses as CFR applications; the interior liner is a USDA-compliant white finish per its design guide.
  • Commercial and industrial buildings. Warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing, and data centers, often with a through-fastened IMP on a pre-engineered frame or a membrane-ready deck on a flat roof. Our commercial metal roofing guide compares IMP with standing seam and R-panel at the building level.
  • Agricultural. Livestock and poultry barns use thin panels; one supplier lists 30 to 50 mm agricultural sandwich panels with a fiberglass-reinforced polyester liner to resist corrosion from animal housing.
  • Residential, shops, and barndominiums. The major IMP brands sell mainly through commercial channels. Smaller EPS panels are sold direct, for example a 2 inch polystyrene-core 5V roof panel, 26 ga. Galvalume, 120 inches long, listed by Coolstructures (walkincooler.us). For a pole barn or shop, compare against a single-skin roof with insulation underneath, covered in our barn roofing guide.

How much do insulated metal roof panels cost?

Insulated metal panels cost about $19 to $24 per square foot installed for standard industrial work, $22 to $30 for cold storage and food processing, and $28 to $45 for high-end architectural work, according to Terrapin Construction Group’s 2026 IMP installation cost guide. Those figures cover IMP envelopes generally, walls included, so a roof-only bid can land outside them.

Cost item Range Source
Installed, standard industrial or warehouse $19.00 to $24.00 per sq. ft. Terrapin Construction Group, Feb. 2026
Installed, cold storage or food processing $22.00 to $30.00 per sq. ft. Terrapin Construction Group, Feb. 2026
Installed, high-end architectural $28.00 to $45.00 per sq. ft. Terrapin Construction Group, Feb. 2026
Material, EPS core, 4 to 6 in. $11.50 to $14.00 per sq. ft. Terrapin Construction Group, Feb. 2026
Material, polyiso core, 3 to 4 in. $13.00 to $16.50 per sq. ft. Terrapin Construction Group, Feb. 2026
Material, mineral wool (fire-rated), 4 in. $18.00 to $24.00 per sq. ft. Terrapin Construction Group, Feb. 2026
Installation labor $7.50 to $12.50 per sq. ft. Terrapin Construction Group, Feb. 2026
Retail, 2 in. EPS 5V roof panel, 120 in. long $320 per panel FOB factory, plus $80 fixed shipping (about $14 to $15 per sq. ft. on the listed 26 to 28 in. coverage) Coolstructures (walkincooler.us) listing, checked Oct. 2026

The same Coolstructures page lists an uninsulated 120 inch 5V roofing sheet at $37, which shows the scale of the jump: the insulated panel costs several times more per sheet, but it replaces the separate insulation, vapor retarder, liner panel, and the labor to install each one. For pricing the single-skin alternative, see our standing seam metal roof cost guide.

Cost drivers that move an IMP quote: core type and thickness, skin gauge (22, 24, or 26 ga.), finish (PVDF vs SMP), panel length and freight for panels up to 53 ft (Metl-Span CFR) or 75 ft (McElroy factory lengths), FM 4471 or Miami-Dade approval requirements, and the flashing count at curbs, hips, and valleys. Treat any per-foot number as a starting point and price the actual approved assembly.

Pros and cons vs built-up insulation and standing seam

Compared with a field-assembled metal roof (single-skin standing seam or R-panel over blankets or rigid board), an insulated metal roof panel installs in one pass, keeps insulation continuous over the purlins, and gives a finished interior, but it costs more up front, locks in its R-value, and is harder to repair locally.

Factor Insulated metal roof panel Standing seam or R-panel + field insulation
Install steps on the roof One panel: skin, insulation, vapor control, liner Several trades or passes: liner or blanket, vapor retarder, insulation, panel
Insulation at purlins Continuous foam; thermally broken side joint (Metl-Span) Blankets compress over purlins; a 2011 Professional Roofing study measured about 13% more heat flow with standard clips
Interior finish Factory liner, washable, USDA-compliant white available (Metl-Span) Exposed facing or a separate liner panel
Minimum slope 1/2:12 standing seam and through-fastened; 1/4:12 membrane decks Varies by profile; see our structural vs architectural metal roofing guide
Complex roof shapes Metl-Span recommends 3:12 minimum where hips and valleys need field cuts Easier to field cut and flash
Adding insulation later R-value fixed by core thickness Can add or upgrade insulation layers
Weight 2.48 to 3.17 psf (Metl-Span CFR, 2 to 6 in.) Panel weight plus insulation and liner; varies by system
Up-front cost Higher per sq. ft. of panel Lower panel cost; add insulation, liner, and labor to compare fairly

The cons buyers ask about most: higher first cost; long panels that need careful lifting and staging; dents or skin damage that usually mean replacing a full panel rather than patching; thermal movement limits (Metl-Span requires its approval for CFR roofs with an interior to exterior temperature difference over 120°F or an eave-to-ridge width over 120 ft); and foam cores that are combustible compared with mineral wool, which is why the fire approvals above matter.

Which insulated roof panel for which job?

Pick the panel family by interior temperature, roof slope, and insurer requirements first, then pick thickness by the R-value target at the right test temperature. Use the table as a starting map; a design professional and the manufacturer’s load and approval tables make the final call for any specific building.

Situation Panel family to start with Typical thickness Watch for
Freezer or cooler warehouse, FM-insured PIR/PUR standing seam IMP (Metl-Span CFR, Kingspan KingSeam, McElroy RidgeLine, AWIP SR2) 4 to 6 in. (R-35 to R-52.5 at 35°F, CFR) FM 4471 listing; interior joint vapor sealant
Conditioned warehouse on a pre-engineered frame Through-fastened IMP (Metl-Span LS-36, McElroy HighLine, AWIP HR3/HR5, Kingspan KingRib) 2 to 4 in. Exposed fastener maintenance; 1/2:12 minimum slope
Flat roof, 1/4:12, data center or manufacturing Membrane-ready IMP deck (Metl-Span TerraVue, FALK RDEK 40) 4 to 8 in. (TerraVue R-35.9 to R-71.7) Slope rules differ by membrane and attachment method (TerraVue lists separate TPO and PVC ranges)
Fire separation wall or ceiling with an hourly rating Mineral wool IMP (Metl-Span ThermalSafe, CENTRIA TotalClad MW) 3 to 8 in. Hourly ratings published for walls and ceilings; confirm any roof listing
Heated shop, barndominium, or small cooler on a budget EPS-core 5V or ribbed panel from a cooler supplier 2 to 4 in. Lower R per inch; check fire testing and local code acceptance
Unheated barn, carport, or storage Single-skin R-panel or 5V, no IMP Not applicable Condensation control under the panel
Complex roof with hips and valleys Single-skin standing seam over rigid insulation on a metal roof deck By R-value target Metl-Span’s 3:12 minimum for field-cut IMP hips and valleys

How to specify an insulated metal roof, step by step

Specifying an insulated metal roof panel well means locking the performance targets before choosing a brand, because every manufacturer publishes its numbers on a different basis. These seven steps follow the order the questions come up on a real project, from R-value target to delivery.

  1. Set the R-value target and its test temperature. Write “R-__ at 75°F mean” (or 35°F for freezers) into the spec so bids compare on one basis.
  2. Confirm roof slope and shape. At least 1/2:12 for standing seam or through-fastened IMPs (Metl-Span, McElroy), 1/4:12 for membrane decks, and 3:12 where hips and valleys need field cuts (Metl-Span).
  3. Size purlin spacing from the load table. Check positive load for snow and the connection limit for wind suction at the actual spacing, and have the purlins checked separately.
  4. List required approvals. FM 4471 and FM 4880 for FM-insured buildings, ASTM E108 Class A, UL 580 class, and Miami-Dade NOA or Florida approval in those jurisdictions.
  5. Detail vapor control. Specify the manufacturer’s sealant at interior side joints, end laps, and perimeter, and a qualified engineer’s vapor design for cold storage, as Metl-Span recommends.
  6. Check thermal movement. Long roofs and large temperature differences may need expansion joints and manufacturer review (Metl-Span flags over 120°F difference or over 120 ft eave to ridge).
  7. Plan delivery and handling. Panels ship up to 53 ft (Metl-Span CFR) or 75 ft (McElroy), so confirm site access, lifting method, and staging to avoid skin damage.

Frequently asked questions

What are the disadvantages of insulated metal panels?

The main disadvantages are higher up-front cost (about $19 to $45 per sq. ft. installed for IMP envelopes in Terrapin Construction Group’s 2026 guide), an R-value fixed by core thickness, full-panel replacement when skins are damaged, careful handling of long panels, and foam cores that are combustible unless the panel carries FM 4880 and FM 4471 approvals. Complex roofs with hips and valleys may need 3:12 slope, per Metl-Span.

How much do insulated metal roof panels cost?

Installed insulated metal panels ran about $19 to $24 per sq. ft. for standard industrial buildings, $22 to $30 for cold storage, and $28 to $45 for architectural projects in Terrapin Construction Group’s February 2026 cost guide. Material alone was $11.50 to $14.00 for EPS cores and $13.00 to $16.50 for 3 to 4 inch polyiso. Roof complexity, approvals, gauge, and freight can move any bid.

Do insulated roof panels work?

Yes, when the panel is matched to the building and the joints are sealed. Published tests show continuous insulation with no compressed blankets, air leakage of 0.002 cfm per sq. ft. at 12 psf on Metl-Span’s CFR assembly, and R-values from about R-15 to R-52 depending on thickness and test temperature. Condensation problems usually trace to missing interior joint sealant, not the panel itself.

What is the price of a 3 ft by 20 ft metal roofing panel?

A 3 by 20 ft panel covers 60 sq. ft. At the $13.00 to $16.50 per sq. ft. polyiso material range in Terrapin Construction Group’s 2026 guide, an insulated 3 by 20 ft panel works out to roughly $780 to $990 before freight and installation. Uninsulated single-skin panels of the same size cost a small fraction of that; check current retailer listings for the exact gauge.

What R-value do insulated metal roof panels have per inch?

Polyiso and polyurethane IMP cores publish about R-7 to R-9 per inch depending on test temperature: Metl-Span lists a k-factor of 0.140 at 75°F (about R-7.1) and 0.114 at 35°F (about R-8.8). EPS cores run about R-4.15 to R-4.40 per inch (KPS Global), and mineral wool about R-3.6 per inch (Metl-Span ThermalSafe).

Are insulated metal roof panels fire rated?

Many are tested, but “fire rated” covers several different tests. Metl-Span’s CFR roof panel lists FM 4880 approval, FM 4471 Class 1, ASTM E108 Class A, and ASTM E84 flame spread under 25. Hourly UL 263 ratings are typically published for mineral wool panels; Metl-Span ThermalSafe lists 1 to 3 hours for walls and 3 hours for ceilings. Confirm the exact listing for a roof.

Can you use insulated metal roof panels on a house or barndominium?

You can, but the major IMP brands sell mainly through commercial channels and the cost is usually higher than a single-skin metal roof with insulation below it. EPS-core 5V panels are sold direct by cooler suppliers. Foam-core panels are regulated as foam plastic, so confirm the panel’s code report, fire testing, and interior thermal barrier rules with the local building department first.

What is the difference between insulated metal panels and sandwich panels?

Usually nothing: sandwich panel is the European and import-market name for the same product, two metal skins bonded to an insulating core. The difference to check is testing. North American IMPs list ASTM, FM, and UL results, while imported sandwich panels may list EN 13501-1 fire classes instead, which a U.S. building official or insurer may not accept without equivalent U.S. testing.