A 40 mm panel is not automatically cheap, and an 80 mm panel is not automatically better. The right thickness depends on occupancy, roof exposure, cooling and budget.
Which PUF panel thickness should you choose?
For most occupied prefab rooms in Indian conditions, 50 mm is a sensible starting point. Use 40 mm when budget and short-duration use dominate; evaluate 80 mm when long occupancy, high heat exposure or lower cooling demand justifies it.
- 40 mm: Basic or short-duration cabins where initial cost dominates.
- 50 mm: General occupied site offices, staff rooms and accommodation; a practical middle ground.
- 80 mm: Long occupancy, high heat exposure or situations where lower cooling demand justifies the added panel cost.
- 100 mm and above: Special thermal requirements; specify from calculated performance rather than habit.
Is 40 mm enough for Delhi NCR?
40 mm can work for a basic prefab cabin, but it is not automatically the best choice for a long-occupied, air-conditioned room in Delhi summer. A 40 mm wall can suit a security cabin, short-use store or basic office. For a PM office occupied all day, roof, glazing and AC load deserve equal attention.
When should you use 50 mm?
Use 50 mm as the practical middle ground when the cabin is regularly occupied and you want better thermal performance without immediately moving to a heavier panel. It is a useful procurement starting point for site offices, staff rooms and many standard accommodation applications.
When is 80 mm worth the extra money?
80 mm becomes easier to justify when the building is occupied for long periods, air-conditioned, highly exposed to sun or where comfort has direct operating value. For a rooftop cabin or exposed site office, the roof is often the first place to consider thicker insulation. Shading, roof colour, joints and glazing still matter.
How does thickness affect total cost?
Thicker PUF increases the panel component, but total building cost does not rise in direct proportion because structure, floor, openings, electrical work, transport and erection remain significant. An insulated higher-quality site-office package in NCR may be around ₹2,000–₹2,600 per sq ft for planning; the final BOQ should show panel thickness separately.
What should the vendor quote?
Ask for core density, thermal conductivity, facing thickness, panel profile, fire performance of the tested assembly, roof or wall application and joint details. Do not accept “PUF panel” as the whole technical specification. Need help specifying the right panel for your project? Talk to the Prefabshala team.
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