How a Shield™ panel is made
Galvanized steel studs are set flush into an expanded polystyrene core on both faces and fastened in the factory under quality control, then each panel is cut and shaped to the shop drawings.
The core is UL certified modified expanded polystyrene at a minimum density of 0.90 pcf, Type I under ASTM C578. Cold-formed galvanized steel studs are inserted flush with that core on both sides and fastened with industrial-grade metal fasteners, with tie screws at a maximum of three feet apart.
That geometry is the whole point. The steel is the flange of an I-beam and the rigid EPS is the web, so the panel carries load as a composite rather than as a frame with filling. Setting the steel flush on both faces is also what stops interior and exterior finishes from buckling.
Fabrication includes precision cutting and shaping of each panel to match the specification and the exact shop drawings, under strict quality control standards. Openings for windows and doors, and the structural headers over them, are built in at this stage rather than cut later.
What Guardian publishes
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Guardian Structural Technologies is the exclusive fabricator of the system's wall and roof panels, and certifies third-party supplied components such as EPS, light-gauge steel, fasteners and adhesives as to quality and suitability.
Source · 3-Part Specification 1.6 A
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The galvanized steel studs and EPS foam core are rigidly fastened together in the factory with high-grade industrial screws under strict quality control standards; fabrication includes precision cutting and shaping of each panel to match specification and exact shop drawings.
Source · Products page, how the panels work
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All EPS and cold-formed steel scrap from Guardian's manufacturing is completely recycled.
Source · Products page, environment section
Written by Data Subsystems, for Guardian Structural Technologies. Last updated .
Drafted from Guardian Structural product literature and published building-science sources. Awaiting Guardian technical review. Confirm any figure against the current product documents or ask us before you rely on it in a design.