If there was a popularity contest for cladding, metal might be gloating about its status right about now. Metal is being specified more than ever by architects, often at the request of building owners and contractors, because of its innate characteristics. Metal is sustainable and durable with low maintenance. What is really peaking people’s curiosity is what they can see—the aesthetics. The customization of metal for substrate material, color, texture, size and panel orientation make each install truly unique and every design something to notice.
An Abundance of Options
Picking the right wall panel system starts with a design goal, budget and awareness of site limitations. Metal wall panels are ideal for any climate, region or zone, but weatherability and the forces of nature always should be design factors.
Considerations include picking a system that has undergone testing for fire and wind loads to ensure a system’s integrity. For fire, panels should be tested as part of an assembly according to NFPA 285, a fire test from the National Fire Protection Association. Metal wall panels can be a non-combustible element of a wall assembly, but not all of them are. For wind, panels should meet requirements that are specific to the project. This standard can change depending on many factors, including the location and height of the building. However, finding panel systems which meet ASTM standards to withstand a Category 3 hurricane are always a good bet.
The type of panel and material dictate the majority of the project. Aluminum wall panels are some of the most common, but steel, zinc, copper and even titanium are all options as well. Thickness, profile, texture, orientation, color and finishes complete an order. Custom images and perforations can be added to metal by some manufacturers. All of this makes metal unlike other cladding materials.
Spec Steps
Specification documents are included on manufacturers’ websites for easy access. Architects are also encouraged to work with sales representatives to create individualized plans and troubleshoot project-specific issues. Specifiers use programs that help them create specifications or company software. The software makes the specification process easy with step-by-step details.
Although aesthetics is an important part of designing with metal, the performance is key to a façade—which will not only looks great, but will last for many years. When writing a specification for metal panels, a base level of performance should be identified to make sure you are receiving a high-quality product. A great way to do this is to add specific testing criteria for the type of wall assembly you are building. Although time consuming, reviewing the testing of individual products will help you to find the right product and name it in your specification.
One issue that can occur in a metal panel specification is when a material is specified, but not a fabricator or manufacturer. The fabricator or manufacturer is the most important element in determining how the system will ultimately look and perform. An example would be a specification that calls out a manufacturer of metal composite sheet material but does not assign who will be making the system from the material. It’s like saying you want to buy a car made out of steel, and you don’t know who is going to make it.
Warranty Issues
Product warranties are somewhat standard in the construction industry. There are warranties for metal wall panels and for the paint/finish system that span two to 30 years.
For many systems, installation is a key aspect of how a system performs. An architect can specify the perfect panel, but an installer has the weight of the job on his shoulders to ensure the panel integrity. Also consider a scenario when an architect likes a particular metal wall panel, but the warranty does not seem to back the product. This is something that can affect the future budget and maintenance of the building. It is important to know what a warranty covers and the criteria for the warranty to remain in effect. Many warranties appear the same, but do not all cover the same things.
Ask Away
As with everything in life, if problems come up, ask for help. Manufacturers want your business and, more importantly, they want to make a statement on the built environment with a quality install. As much as the installation process matters to the integrity of the building, so does specifying the right product from the start.
Jason Zeeff is vice president of sales for Dri-Design, Holland, Mich. He can be reached at jason.zeeff@dri-design.com. Visit www.dri-design.com for more information.