Armstrong World Industries has introduced Ultima Templok ceiling panels, an innovative new product addressing demands for solutions that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings. By integrating the technology of Phase Change Material with Armstrong mineral fiber ceiling panels, Ultima Templok panels can reduce energy costs and consumption by as much as 15 percent. In addition, the panels support higher Indoor Environmental Quality by enabling improved thermal comfort and are part of the Armstrong Total Acoustics product portfolio, offering enhanced sound-blocking and sound-absorption performance.

The development of Ultima Templok ceiling panels was facilitated by the recent Armstrong acquisition of the Templok business and certain manufacturing and technology assets from Insolcorp, LLC, a PCM technology company headquartered in Albemarle, North Carolina. The investment provides Armstrong with intellectual property and unique equipment to produce PCM.

“We are extremely excited about this new performance attribute and the unique advantages Ultima Templok offers architects and designers, facility managers and owners, and contractors,” said Alexandra Waltemyer, senior business manager for energy-saving ceilings at Armstrong. “These include adding energy savings and reduced carbon emissions to design versatility suitable in a wide variety of new construction and retrofit applications. With Ultima Templok, we have a solution for creating spaces that are more comfortable, more sustainable and smarter in terms of building operations and resiliency.”

PCM Technology

Installing Ultima Templok panels in large surface areas of a given space supports improved thermal stability, reduced heating and cooling needs, and more efficient HVAC operation, making the space more sustainable and resilient. The PCM in Ultima Templok helps to moderate temperature by passively storing and releasing heat in response to fluctuations in real time. Heat transfers naturally into and out of Ultima Templok panels as the air temperature above and below them warms up and falls, respectively. Heat absorption typically occurs during the day when a space is occupied. Heat release usually occurs at night when the building cools and/or is unoccupied. Ultima Templok ceilings offer the greatest temperature moderating impact in spaces with large temperature variations that are typically caused by climate or the presence of heat-generating sources during the day.

Ultima Templok fits into the thermal comfort portion of the WELL Building Standard and can contribute to energy and atmosphere credits for LEED. The launch of the new ceiling product is aptly timed, following closely to the September 2023 launch of “Building Better Together.” This Armstrong initiative focuses on industry-wide collaboration to advance sustainable solutions to public health and climate change challenges.

For more information on Ultima Templok ceilings, visit www.armstrongceilings.com/energysavingceilings.