Panel vs. Sheet — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
Panel refers to a distinct section of a larger structure used for specific purposes, while sheet denotes a broad, thin, flat piece of material like metal or paper.
Difference Between Panel and Sheet
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Panels are often used in contexts like architectural elements, electrical components, and furniture, where specific dimensions and properties are required. Sheets, on the other hand, are versatile materials used in a wide range of applications, including bedding, metalworking, and arts.
A panel usually implies a certain degree of rigidity and is often prefabricated for specific uses, such as solar panels or wall panels. Sheets are generally more flexible and can be cut or shaped according to the needs of a particular project.
Panels are frequently designed to interlock or fit together with other panels, providing structural support and aesthetic coherence in building projects. Sheets might be layered or manipulated, but they do not typically have a system for integration like panels.
In construction, panels might be used for insulation, soundproofing, or creating barriers, each designed for specific functional enhancements. Sheets are often selected for their physical properties, such as conductivity, transparency, or elasticity, depending on their material.
Panels can be made from a variety of materials including wood, metal, or composites and are used for both functional and decorative purposes. Sheets can also be made from diverse materials but are defined by their form factor rather than their application or construction.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A section of a larger structure
A broad, thin, flat piece of material
Common Uses
In wall constructions, electronics
In paper products, metalworking
Functionality
Often modular, fitting within a system
Generally standalone, used as is
Material Diversity
Usually multi-material for specific purposes
Typically single-material for broad applications
Installation
Requires specific techniques
Generally straightforward and adaptable
Compare with Definitions
Panel
A flat or curved component that forms part of the surface of a structure.
The wooden panels were installed to enhance the room's acoustic qualities.
Sheet
A thin, broad piece of cloth, used especially for bedding.
They bought new cotton sheets for the guest bedroom.
Panel
A segment of a public discussion group or judicial body.
She was thrilled to be selected as a member of the debate panel.
Sheet
A large piece of paper, especially one used for writing or printing.
He printed the document on a fresh sheet of paper.
Panel
An instrument board containing controls and dials.
The pilot adjusted the aircraft's control panel.
Sheet
A broad layer of a substance lying on a surface.
A sheet of ice covered the sidewalk.
Panel
A comic strip sequence.
The joke was perfectly timed over the three panels.
Sheet
Any extensive and relatively thin surface or layer.
A sheet of rain obscured the view from the window.
Panel
An electrical distribution board.
The technician checked the panel for any faults.
Sheet
A flat piece of metal formed by rolling or hammering.
The worker cut a piece from the large metal sheet.
Panel
A flat or curved component, typically rectangular, that forms or is set into the surface of a door, wall, or ceiling
A layer of insulating material should be placed between the panels and the wall
Sheet
A thin rectangular piece of fabric for a bed, often used in a pair with one sheet below and one sheet above a person.
Panel
A flat board on which instruments or controls are fixed
A control panel
Sheet
A broad, thin, usually rectangular mass or piece of material, such as paper, metal, glass, or plywood.
Panel
A small group of people brought together to investigate or decide on a particular matter
An interview panel
Sheet
A flat or very shallow, usually rectangular pan used for baking.
Panel
A person or people charged with an offence.
Sheet
A broad, flat, continuous surface or expanse
A sheet of ice.
Panel
Cover (a wall or other surface) with panels
An elegant panelled dining room
Sheet
A moving expanse
A sheet of flames.
Panel
A flat, usually rectangular piece forming a raised, recessed, or framed part of the surface in which it is set.
Sheet
A newspaper, especially a tabloid.
Panel
The space or section in a fence or railing between two posts.
Sheet
(Computers) A single page of rows and columns constituting a subunit of a spreadsheet.
Panel
A vertical section of fabric; a gore.
Sheet
(Geology) A broad, relatively thin deposit or layer of igneous or sedimentary rock.
Panel
A thin wooden board, used as a surface for an oil painting.
Sheet
A large block of stamps printed by a single impression of a plate before the individual stamps have been separated.
Panel
A painting on such a board.
Sheet
(Mathematics) A surface of revolution generated by revolving a hyperbola about one of its two symmetric axes.
Panel
A board having switches or buttons to control an electric device.
Sheet
A rope or chain attached to one or both of the lower corners of a sail, serving to move or extend it.
Panel
An instrument panel.
Sheet
Sheets The spaces at either end of an open boat in front of and behind the seats.
Panel
A section of a telephone switchboard.
Sheet
To cover with, wrap in, or provide with a sheet.
Panel
A cartoon drawing in a sequence of cartoons that form a narrative.
Sheet
To make into sheets.
Panel
The complete list of persons summoned for jury duty.
Sheet
To flow or fall in a sheet
Rain sheeting against the windshield.
Panel
Those persons chosen from this list to constitute a pool from which a jury or juries will be selected for a particular court.
Sheet
To extend in a certain direction. Used of the sheets of a sail.
Panel
A jury.
Sheet
Being in the form of a sheet
Sheet aluminum.
Panel
A group of people gathered to plan or discuss an issue, judge a contest, or act as a team on a radio or television quiz program.
Sheet
A thin bed cloth used as a covering for a mattress or as a layer over the sleeper.
Use the sheets in the hall closet to make the bed.
Panel
A discussion by such a group.
Sheet
A piece of paper, usually rectangular, that has been prepared for writing, artwork, drafting, wrapping, manufacture of packaging (boxes, envelopes, etc.), and for other uses. The word does not include scraps and irregular small pieces destined to be recycled, used for stuffing or cushioning or paper mache, etc.
A sheet of paper measuring eight and one-half inches wide by eleven inches high is a popular item in commerce.
Paper is designated “20 pound” if a stack (ream) of 500 sheets 22 inches by 17 inches weighs 20 pounds.
Panel
To cover or furnish with panels.
Sheet
A flat metal pan, often without raised edge, used for baking.
Place the rolls on the cookie sheet, edges touching, and bake for 10-11 minutes.
Panel
To decorate with panels.
Sheet
A thin, flat layer of solid material.
The glazer cut several panes from a large sheet of glass.
A sheet of that new silicon stuff is as good as a sheet of tinfoil to keep food from sticking in the baking pan.
Panel
To separate into panels.
Sheet
A broad, flat expanse of a material on a surface.
Mud froze on the road in a solid sheet, then more rain froze into a sheet of ice on top of the mud!
Panel
A (usually) rectangular section of a surface, or of a covering or of a wall, fence etc.
Behind the picture was a panel on the wall.
Sheet
(nautical) A line (rope) used to adjust the trim of a sail.
To be "three sheets to the wind" is to say that a four-cornered sail is tethered only by one sheet and thus the sail is useless.
Panel
(architectural element) A sunken compartment with raised margins, moulded or otherwise, as in ceilings, wainscotings, etc.
Sheet
A sail.
Panel
A group of people gathered to judge, interview, discuss etc. as on a television or radio broadcast for example.
Today’s panel includes John Smith.
Sheet
(curling) The area of ice on which the game of curling is played.
Panel
A portion of text or other material within a book, newspaper, web page, etc. set apart from the main body or separated by a border.
Sheet
(nonstandard) A layer of veneer.
Panel
(comics) An individual frame or drawing in a comic.
The last panel of a comic strip usually contains a punchline.
Sheet
(figuratively) Precipitation of such quantity and force as to resemble a thin, virtually solid wall.
Panel
(graphical user interface) A type of GUI widget, such as a control panel.
Admin panel
Sheet
(geology) An extensive bed of an eruptive rock intruded between, or overlying, other strata.
Panel
(law) A document containing the names of persons summoned as jurors by the sheriff.
Sheet
(nautical) The space in the forward or after part of a boat where there are no rowers.
Fore sheets; stern sheets
Panel
(law) The whole jury.
Sheet
A distinct level or stage within a game.
Panel
A prisoner arraigned for trial at the bar of a criminal court.
Sheet
(transitive) To cover or wrap with cloth, or paper, or other similar material.
Remember to sheet the floor before you start painting.
Panel
(obsolete) A piece of cloth serving as a saddle.
Sheet
(transitive) To form into sheets.
Panel
A soft pad beneath a saddletree to prevent chafing.
Sheet
(intransitive) Of rain, or other precipitation, to pour heavily.
We couldn't go out because the rain was sheeting down all day long.
Panel
(joinery) A board having its edges inserted in the groove of a surrounding frame.
The panel of a door
Sheet
(nautical) To trim a sail using a sheet.
Panel
(masonry) One of the faces of a hewn stone.
Sheet
In general, a large, broad piece of anything thin, as paper, cloth, etc.; a broad, thin portion of any substance; an expanded superficies.
He fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners.
If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud meIn one of those same sheets.
Panel
(masonry) A slab or plank of wood used instead of a canvas for painting on.
Sheet
A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded, whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a letter; a newspaper, etc.
To this the following sheets are intended for a full and distinct answer.
Panel
(mining) A heap of dressed ore.
Sheet
A rope or chain which regulates the angle of adjustment of a sail in relation in relation to the wind; - usually attached to the lower corner of a sail, or to a yard or a boom.
Panel
(mining) One of the districts divided by pillars of extra size, into which a mine is laid off in one system of extracting coal.
Sheet
A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like; a plate; a leaf.
Panel
(dressmaking) A plain strip or band, as of velvet or plush, placed at intervals lengthwise on the skirt of a dress, for ornament.
Sheet
To furnish with a sheet or sheets; to wrap in, or cover with, a sheet, or as with a sheet.
Panel
A portion of a framed structure between adjacent posts or struts, as in a bridge truss.
Sheet
To expand, as a sheet.
The star shot flew from the welkin blue,As it fell from the sheeted sky.
Panel
A list of doctors who could provide limited free healthcare prior to the introduction of the NHS.
Sheet
Any broad thin expanse or surface;
A sheet of ice
Panel
(medicine) A group of tests or assays, a battery.
Sheet
Used for writing or printing
Panel
To enter (jury members) on an official list of jurors; to empanel.
Sheet
Bed linen consisting of a large rectangular piece of cotton or linen cloth; used in pairs
Panel
To fit (an animal, especially a mule or ass) with a panel or simple padded saddle.
Sheet
(mathematics) an unbounded two-dimensional shape;
We will refer to the plane of the graph as the X-Y plane
Any line joining two points on a plane lies wholly on that plane
Panel
(transitive) To fit (a room etc.) with panels.
Sheet
Newspaper with half-size pages
Panel
A sunken compartment with raised margins, molded or otherwise, as in ceilings, wainscotings, etc.
Sheet
A flat artifact that is thin relative to its length and width
Panel
A piece of parchment or a schedule, containing the names of persons summoned as jurors by the sheriff;
Sheet
(nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
Panel
Any group of persons selected to judge a contest, conduct a discussion, serve as advisers, or participate in any group activity in which they will provide information or make judgments.
Sheet
A large piece of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
Panel
Formerly, a piece of cloth serving as a saddle; hence, a soft pad beneath a saddletree to prevent chafing.
Sheet
Come down as if in sheets;
The rain was sheeting down during the monsoon
Panel
A board having its edges inserted in the groove of a surrounding frame; as, the panel of a door.
Sheet
Cover with a sheet, as if by wrapping;
Sheet the body
Panel
One of the faces of a hewn stone.
Panel
A slab or plank of wood upon which, instead of canvas, a picture is painted.
Panel
A heap of dressed ore.
Panel
A plain strip or band, as of velvet or plush, placed at intervals lengthwise on the skirt of a dress, for ornament.
Panel
A portion of a framed structure between adjacent posts or struts, as in a bridge truss.
Panel
A segment of an aëroplane wing. In a biplane the outer panel extends from the wing tip to the next row of posts, and is trussed by oblique stay wires.
Panel
To form in or with panels; as, to panel a wainscot.
Panel
Sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat) section or component of something
Panel
A committee appointed to judge a competition
Panel
(law) a group of people summoned for jury service (from whom a jury will be chosen)
Panel
A group of people gathered for a special purpose as to plan or discuss an issue or judge a contest etc
Panel
A pad placed under a saddle
Panel
(computer science) a small temporary window in a graphical user interface that appears in order to request information from the user; after the information has been provided the user dismisses the box with `okay' or `cancel'
Panel
Electrical device consisting of an insulated panel containing switches and dials and meters for controlling other electrical devices;
He checked the instrument panel
Suddenly the board lit up like a Christmas tree
Panel
Decorate with panels;
Panel the walls with wood
Panel
Select from a list;
Empanel prospective jurors
Common Curiosities
Can panels be used for aesthetic purposes?
Yes, panels are often used both for their functional qualities and aesthetic appeal, especially in architecture and interior design.
What is a panel typically made of?
Panels can be made from a variety of materials including wood, metal, or synthetic materials, depending on their use.
Can sheets be made of recycled materials?
Yes, sheets, such as those made of paper or some plastics, can be and often are made from recycled materials.
How are sheets typically manufactured?
Sheets are usually produced by rolling or drawing processes that create large, thin layers of material.
What distinguishes a panel from a sheet in construction?
In construction, a panel usually refers to a prefabricated section of a structure, such as wall paneling, whereas a sheet refers to raw materials like sheet metal or plywood.
How do the installation processes for panels and sheets differ?
Panel installation can be more complex, requiring interlocking parts and specific frameworks, whereas sheet installation is generally more straightforward.
What are common uses for sheets?
Sheets are commonly used in paper products, textiles, and as raw materials in metalworking and plastic fabrication.
What are the environmental considerations for using panels and sheets?
Both panels and sheets have environmental impacts, including resource extraction, production energy, and end-of-life disposal, which vary by material.
Is there a difference in the durability between panels and sheets?
Durability largely depends on the material and usage, but panels designed for structural purposes are often built to higher durability standards than sheets.
Are panels or sheets more expensive?
The cost can vary widely based on material and application; however, specialized panels can often be more expensive than basic sheets due to their complexity.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Principle vs. Subsidiarity
Next Comparison
Dip vs. HumpAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
