In short: every MaxFab Tank Panel System is custom-designed to the tank, so pricing is built from six project inputs — dimensions, geometry, operating temperature, insulation core and thickness, jacketing, and penetrations. The panel system is quoted firm from your drawings; installation is always a separate, budgetary line. Send the tank basics and we respond within one business day.
Procurement teams searching for "tank insulation panel cost" usually want two things: a number for the AFE, and confidence the final price won't drift. This page explains both — how the quote is built, what makes it move, and how to get a planning-grade number fast without anyone pretending precision they don't have.
Key Facts
- No list price: every system is fabricated to the tank's exact dimensions and service.
- Two lines, always: panel system (quoted firm from drawings) and installation (separate, budgetary).
- Six cost drivers: dimensions, geometry, operating temperature, insulation core & thickness, jacketing, penetrations.
- One business day response on quote requests.
- One-off pieces welcome: repair and filler panels are quoted the same way, just faster.
The Six Factors That Drive the Price
| Factor | How it moves the number |
|---|---|
| Tank dimensions | Diameter and height set the panel count — the largest single driver. We have fabricated systems up to 132 ft diameter × 145 ft tall. |
| Geometry | A cylindrical shell is the base case. Cone roofs, dome roofs, bottom cones and pie-segment layouts add engineered cuts and forming time. |
| Operating temperature | Determines the insulation core — closed-cell PIR, high-temperature polyiso, rigid mineral wool, or fibreglass. See choosing the insulation core. |
| Insulation thickness | Set by your heat-loss target and the core's K-value. Thicker panels mean more material and different forming dimensions. |
| Jacketing selection | Standard is stucco-embossed aluminum with the Surlyn moisture barrier; smooth aluminum or steel alternatives change material cost. |
| Penetrations & accommodations | Nozzles, manways, stairs, platforms and pipe penetrations each require fitted panels and closure pieces in the layout. |
Freight to site is quoted at cost. Because panels ship from Edmonton, Canadian projects avoid the import duties, brokerage and cross-border freight that apply to every U.S.-fabricated alternative.
Panel System and Installation Are Quoted Separately
This is deliberate, and it protects you. The panel system — design, CNC cutting, forming, lamination and seaming — happens in our facility under our control, so we quote it firm from confirmed drawings. Installation depends on site access, schedule, weather windows and crew logistics, which are outside the fabrication scope. We coordinate experienced installation contractors on your behalf, and the installation figure is always provided as a separate, budgetary line — never buried in the panel price.
When you compare quotes, make sure competitors are structured the same way. A single blended number hides which half moved when the price changes.
Budgetary vs. Firm: What the Words Mean Here
Budgetary quote
A planning-grade number from preliminary dimensions and stated assumptions — built for AFE preparation and project screening. It is not an offer to sell at that price, and we say so on the document.
Firm quote
Priced from confirmed drawings, dimensions, operating temperature and material selections. This is the number we stand behind for the validity period stated on the quote. The panel system gets a firm quote once inputs are confirmed; installation remains budgetary by nature.
What to Send Us
- Tank dimensions — diameter and height (and roof type: cone, dome, flat).
- Operating temperature — this sets the insulation core.
- Insulation spec, if you have one — material and thickness, or your heat-loss target.
- Drawings — anything you have; field dimensions work too.
- Site location and timeline — for freight and scheduling.
- For repairs and filler pieces: the width and length needed, existing cladding and insulation thickness, and a photo of the opening — see replacement & custom panels.
Missing some of it? Send what you have. We scope from partial information every week — the first reply will tell you exactly what's still needed and whether a budgetary number is possible from what you sent.
What Happens Next
- Within one business day: we confirm scope, flag anything unusual, and tell you what grade of number we can produce from your inputs.
- Budgetary number (if requested): turned around quickly for project planning.
- Firm quote: once dimensions and selections are confirmed — panel system firm, installation budgetary.
- Fabrication: on release, panels are designed, CNC-cut, formed, laminated and seamed in Edmonton, then shipped to site ready to install.
Common Questions
What does a tank insulation panel system cost?
There is no list price — the quote is built from your tank's dimensions, geometry, operating temperature, insulation core and thickness, jacketing, and penetrations. The panel system is priced separately from installation, and installation is always a separate, budgetary line.
Is installation included?
No — deliberately. The panel system is quoted firm from drawings; installation is coordinated with experienced contractors and always quoted as a separate, budgetary line, because site conditions are outside the fabrication scope.
Can I get a number for project budgeting before I have drawings?
Yes — a budgetary quote from preliminary dimensions and stated assumptions. It's a planning-grade number, clearly labelled as such, and it firms up when the inputs do.
How fast is a quote?
We respond within one business day. Budgetary numbers turn around quickly; firm quotes follow confirmed inputs.