Preferred Performance, Appealing Aesthetics

by Marcy Marro | May 1, 2023 12:00 am

Those same architects must factor in all the key criteria when it comes to performance: protection from the elements, durability over the long haul and energy efficiency.

To make that vision a reality, designers and architects hand over the controls to contractors and installers, who face ever-increasing pressure to deliver on time and on budget. One of the key value propositions for these construction professionals is ease of installation, which drives efficiencies.

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are engineered to deliver results on both fronts—aesthetics and performance.

Choosing IMPs for a project preserves the design freedom architects seek, and it also opens the door to a wide range of benefits for those charged with constructing the building.

The Single-Component Solution

Traditionally, if a building’s barrier fails, the air barrier is the first weakness to be detected. This is due to multiple product layers, which leave room for gaps, failing to achieve that continuous barrier to eliminate breaches. In a single component, IMPs provide thermal, air, water and vapor protection. Offering a metal air barrier that is impervious to moisture and vapor creates the perfect barrier solution for commercial buildings.

Beyond protection from the air and the elements, today’s buildings must meet stringent energy performance codes. The façade–and the materials selected for that outer layer–are a critical component of this equation. IMPs provide continuous insulation, and they do so in a thinner profile. The strength of metal panels combined with the panel’s structural foam core promise a durable building façade that is resistant to conditions in all climates and environments.

Seamless Integration

An IMP’s ability to integrate with doors, windows, louvers and more represents a unique advantage. For products with a more intricate design, IMPs can go in between different materials or behind those materials to carry out the designated design. A wide variety of colors, profiles, lengths and widths can help bring any architect’s vision to life by allowing for multiple styles and looks to be integrated into different parts of a building.

Installation and Durability

Compared to a traditional rainscreen product, IMPs deliver significant benefits to time and cost savings on installation. By requiring only one pass around the building, installing IMPs save on coordination of trades, reducing time that crews spend on a construction site. This can lead to lower costs.

When it comes to durability, IMPs deliver as well. Traditional single-skin panels with a thinner profile will begin to bow in extreme heat, creating a wavy or distorted look. However, with an IMP, the steel is adhered to a foam core to make the panel thicker. Concealed fasteners attach to the entire assembly rather than a single layer of steel.

The Smart Choice

When building or renovating a space, architects and designers have a host of factors to consider for the materials of the façade. Does it create the desired look and feel that will set the building apart and give it curb appeal? Is the material durable and resistant to the elements and long-term wear and tear? Will it require constant maintenance to retain its look? And is it a product that will produce long-term benefits when it comes to energy efficiency and sustainability?

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Brian Finnegan is a district sales manager at CENTRIA, Moon Township, Pa. For more information, visit www.centria.com[1].

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/preferred-performance-appealing-aesthetics/

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