A masonry wall can serve as a substrate for sandwich panel cladding, but it does not remove the need for a fixing design. The masonry must be assessed, the load path determined and the space between the layers resolved. On a new building, anchoring and openings can easily be planned in advance. This helps avoid random spacings and repairs to freshly completed façade. The type of masonry units, their strength, voids, mortar and the quality of workmanship all matter. A fixing chosen for concrete is not automatically suitable for hollow block masonry. The design must specify the loads, the substrate and the permitted anchoring solution.

Sandwich panels allow the designed structure to be closed quickly once the geometry and details have been agreed in advance. Understanding how the panel works helps avoid confusing the insulation with the entire envelope. Follow the path from room requirements, through the material description and cost, to the sequence of installing walls, roof and joinery. A typical panel has two thin metal facings bonded to a core. The layers work together to form an element with different properties than each of them separately. Damage to their bond can affect the performance of the panel, even when the coating looks good.