Making an Entrance
Bob Griffiths,
Posted
10/01/2008
There are numerous
items to consider when designing a building, but when it comes to
the aesthetics, few are as important as a building's entry. Whether
large and complex or small and welcoming, the building's entry
often creates the first statement and impression of the company
that occupies it. Choosing the right material, finishes and colors
is an important piece of making a good first impression.
Often, the desired look is achieved by introducing metal wall,
metal canopy and metal soffit products at the building entry
because they provide more options and design flexibility.
Foot Race
There are several metal materials to select from, each with their
own unique advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, there are
several important factors to take into account when determining
which metal products best fit with the design and layout of the
entryway.
For each entry, the volume of foot traffic must be considered.
People walking into the building or passing it on the street may
touch or bump the walls, leaving fingerprints and other marks
behind. When selecting a material, consider the elements-rain,
snow, wind, hail and intense sun. Will patrons be waiting for a
ride at the entry? Will packages be delivered through the entry?
Will snow removal equipment be used? When given a full choice of
metal products to use at the entry, specifying a product that
allows for design flexibility, durability, and impact- and
dent-resistance is a must.
In an exposed
entry where patrons will come in contact with the panels, aluminum
plate panels would be your best choice. They are durable, as well
as dent- and impact-resistant. Aluminum plate panels normally are
fabricated from solid 0.125-inch- (3-mm-) thick aluminum material
with internal panel stiffeners, with welded and ground smooth
corners. They can be curved and customized to any shape or profile
you desire and are available in an endless array of custom painted
colors or anodized finishes. In addition to wall panels, curved,
square, rectangular and custom aluminum plate column covers are
used to dress up the entry columns on the building. Like wall
panels, column covers are available in a multitude of
configurations, colors and finishes.
Flexibility
Above foot traffic, many designers utilize aluminum composite
material. ACM consists of two sheets of 0.02-inch (0.5-mm) aluminum
permanently bonded to each side of an extruded thermoplastic
compound core material. While the thin aluminum skins on the
composite material make it more susceptible to dents and other
impacts, the material is extraordinarily flat and highly formable
with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. This material allows
for design flexibility and is available in a number of standard
color options. Many designers combine several materials on the same
project.
In addition to aluminum plate and ACM, stainless steel is an
excellent option for entry canopies. Although stainless steel has
limited design flexibility, it is durable and impact-resistant.
Careful consideration must be given to sharp edges, however, and
maintenance of the finish is required because stainless steel shows
fingerprints.
Need Help?
With all the different options metal offers-including color,
finish and material-contacting a metal expert in your area can aid
you in selecting the right material for your needs.
Bob Griffiths is the new product manager at Firestone Metal
Products Inc., Anoka, Minn. For more information, visit
www.unaclad.com.
www.unaclad.com