Designing with Single-Skin Metal Panels

Crafted to be both functional and able to enhance a building’s look and design, they are available in a wide variety of color options, profiles, shapes, finishes and textures. Referred to as preformed or rollformed panels, they typically are just a single interlocking layer of prefinished or natural metal rollformed or preformed into a desired profile.

“Single-skin is the most varied, cost-effective and readily available panel on the market,” says Jeff Medeiros, architectural representative, AEP Span, West Sacramento, Calif. “MCMs and IMPs serve a purpose, but it is a specific purpose, and are nowhere near as widely used as single-skin. Additionally, with these types of panels it limits your wall construction type where single-skin leaves everything open to whatever the designer’s specific intent is.”

“As trends in modern commercial architecture move beyond traditional monolithic buildings, innovations in technology provide opportunities for architects to use materials in new and imaginative ways,” says Jennifer Franz, product manager at Lewisville, Texas-based Metl-Span. “Architects and building designers are increasingly turning to mixed material building exteriors to create visual interest and contrast. Single-skin metal wall panels are a versatile and economical choice that aesthetically pairs well with a variety of exteriors including brick, wood, terra cotta, stone and more.”

Tim Del Monte, business development manager at Kovach, Chandler, Ariz., agrees that single-skin panels are the most cost-efficient panel and that they provide the most profile choices. “As manufacturers bring new profiles to market, the design community has more choices than ever to create visually stunning façades. The skin is non-combustible, lightweight and provides an excellent barrier against the elements, which also makes it an excellent option for rainscreens. When single-skin metal panels are used as exterior cladding, it opens up an endless amount of design options and aesthetics. Your air barrier and water barrier sit behind it, and that’s where we are seeing a lot more usage of single-skin panels for sure.”

As a part of Wausau, Wis.-based Linetec’s daily business, marketing manager Tammy Schroeder, LEED Green Associate, has witnessed Linetec finishing more single-skin panels than in previous years. “These systems also have made huge advances in available shapes and sizes—truly pushing the envelope of design. Some manufacturers even use perforation to create imaging aspects in the wall panel systems. With all the specialty finishes offered, and the endless paint colors and the shapes, sizes and perforation of the panels, the sky is the limit for architects, designers and specification writers. The ability to achieve nearly any look is within reach.”

SINGLE-SKIN TRENDS

Ken Gieseke, vice president of marketing at McElroy Metal, Bossier City, La., contends architects are achieving their desired aesthetic appeal and performance more and more with a single-skin panel in lieu of specifying high-end, more expensive metal panels. “We are seeing an increasing amount of single-skin exposed fastener panels being utilized both vertically and horizontally. We are also seeing a blend of colors being installed on projects along with multiple single-skin panel profiles being utilized together on projects. We have also had projects recently where single-skin standing seam panels were utilized as wall panels. The standing seams on wall applications create a dynamic visual appearance. Both of these types of applications are not technological advances, but really specifying and installing old single-skin panels in more creative ways.”

Gieseke claims there are more concealed-fastener single-skin wall panel options available today because more manufacturers are introducing concealed fastener panels designed to be installed as wall panels. “Interestingly, today we are seeing growth with both concealed and exposed fastened single-skin wall systems. The concealed-fastened systems are popular because they give architects an option to specify a single-skin panel without visible fasteners.”

Rob Heselbarth, director of communications, Petersen Aluminum Corp., Elk Grove Village, Ill., says, “Architects are combining multiple panel styles on an elevation rather than only one profile, or they apply the same panel profile in multiple colors. Both of these approaches break up the mass of a building and enhance visual interest. Perforated panels are being used more often in general, for both artistic and practical applications. Commonly seen applications include parking garages and equipment screens.”

Schroeder has also seen the rise in single-skin metal wall panels used not only for parking garages but also interior applications via the use of natural metals. Also, “Natural metals continue to be very popular on single-skin metal wall panels. This has led to more acceptance and a significant increase in anodizing of these panel systems. With our proprietary copper and bordeaux anodize, specifications in these Linetec specialty finishes have greatly increased.”

Single-skin metal panels are also available in a variety of pre-finishes. “CENTRIA’s Impressions coating system accurately simulates expensive natural finishes including wood and specialty metals,” says Andrew Ashton, business development manager at CENTRIA, Moon Township, Pa. “By using metal panels that mimic the look of patina copper, rusted steel or even wood, designers can create a sophisticated aesthetic with a durable building material that withstands the risk of degradation and weathering associated with the natural materials they emulate.”

Traditionally, Del Monte says he has seen single-skin metal panels used on mechanical enclosures or canopy roofs. “However, we have begun to see designers incorporate perforated single-skin panels on façades as a method to control solar heat gain. Perforated panels used as a scrim over glass diffuse a lot of the direct heat gain but also allow penetrable light. This not only helps cool the building but also illuminates interior space.”

PROFILE POSSIBILITIES

Medeiros says single-skin’s varying profiles allow a designer greater flexibility in width, length and profile selection, while seamlessly interlocking and performing similar to traditional wall cladding that designers are used to. AEP Span has introduced its Select Seam Shingle. Medeiros explains, “This is a standing seam-type wall cladding that interlocks in varying widths and lengths in a shingled fashion with a continuous batten seam giving designers fantastic aesthetics coupled with a sealed and shingled, waterproofed wall cladding.”

Del Monte explains current manufacturing capabilities have evolved to increase the variety of profiles available in the market. “They have done this by developing multiple profiles with a common panel engagement. This approach is commonly referred to as a panel series. By offering a panel series, manufacturers provide designers with vast opportunities for creativity since they can interchange profiles within a single building elevation.”

While Heselbarth agrees that in addition to the higher number of profile patterns available today featuring multiple depths, and more rib patterns and shapes than in the past, there is one single-skin trend that has really gained importance: performance testing. “It’s not good enough to offer a wall panel that looks nice; architects want third-party assurance that a wall panel will not fail in high winds or under other stressfull environmental conditions.”