1. Starting on an uneven floor
The floor is the datum for the whole structure. If it is out of level, floor panels rock, wall panels lean, and ceiling panels will not seat. Gaps form throughout, producing air leaks, degraded insulation, doors that will not close, and excessive energy use.
Prevention. Check level with a laser level or a long (≥1200 mm) spirit level before any work begins. The tolerance is ±3 mm per metre. Correct a poor slab with self-levelling compound, or shim under floor panels until the base is true. Never proceed on a foundation you have not verified.
2. Forcing misaligned panels
When a panel will not slide home cleanly, the temptation is to hammer or lever it into place. The result is damaged tongue-and-groove profiles, crushed gaskets, and dented skins. The panel may look connected yet never achieve a seal.
Prevention. If a panel resists, stop. Check alignment, clear any debris from the groove, and confirm the previous panels sit correctly. The tongue should enter the groove under only gentle hand pressure — the cam-lock supplies the clamping force, not your shoulder. Use a rubber mallet for nudging, never a steel hammer.
3. Skipping plumb checks
Under time pressure, installers skip verifying that each panel is truly vertical. The error is silent but cumulative: a panel leaning 5 mm at the floor is 10 mm out at the top of the wall. By ceiling height the geometry no longer closes, and every remaining joint is a compromise.
Prevention. Check plumb in both axes on every single panel before engaging its cams. Brace temporarily where needed. Adjustment after locking is possible but slow and difficult — get it right the first time.
4. Incomplete cam-lock engagement
The cam-lock is the defining feature of this construction: an eccentric cam, turned with a hex key (typically 6 mm or 8 mm), grips a steel pin and draws two panels together under tension. Turning it only part-way leaves the cam without grip — gaskets do not compress, and a joint that feels solid on day one works loose under thermal cycling.
Prevention. Turn the cam until you feel a definite, sharp increase in resistance — the joint should feel tight. Do not over-torque, but confirm full engagement by trying to shift the panels relative to each other: there should be no play. Then move on.
Why these four come first
| Mistake | If left uncorrected, it causes… |
|---|---|
| Uneven floor (1) | Leaning walls, ceiling gaps, door that won't seal |
| Forced panels (2) | Crushed gaskets, permanent leak path |
| Skipped plumb (3) | Cumulative lean; nothing fits at ceiling height |
| Loose cam-locks (4) | Joints work loose under thermal cycling |
Each fault propagates into the door, sealing, and commissioning stages — so verifying as you build is far cheaper than dismantling later.
Related articles
- Common installation mistakes: overview
- Door, sealing & commissioning mistakes
- Refrigeration sizing mistakes
- Before you begin: site preparation
- Assembly process: step-by-step
- Panel specifications
Guidance reflects the MTH Algor cam-lock panel system supplied by Frostbox. For project-specific installation queries, contact [email protected].
