In this fourth and final part of our series, we explore installation as the concluding topic in our comprehensive overview of the supply chain, from raw materials to the finished building.

Metal Panel Material… Mounting System… Fabricator… Installer… or all 4??

This blog continues on from Part I: Metal Panel Material that we published last month. The aim of this series is to probably clarity around this often-confusing topic in the Metal Panel Facade industry. Part II focuses on installation systems as we look at the supply chain from raw material to the building:

INSTALLATION SYSTEMS:

There are many ways of installing metal panels, and there are many important considerations. The Installation System PROTECTS YOUR BUILDING! Many architects put a lot of detail into specifying the metal panel brand and performance criteria, and sometimes completely overlook the installation system. However, the installation system is actually the key to whether the metal panel performs or not!

Here is a quick overview of the different types of metal cladding installation systems:

Rainscreen System

Rainscreen systems can be either Drained and Back Ventilated, or Pressure Equalized. Once again this is a big topic, which you can learn more about here. But in a basic sense, it is exactly what it says: a “Rain Screen”, not a “Rain Seal”. Rainscreen Systems are permeable and are outside of the weather barrier.

Important considerations for specifiers include product performance testing to ensure they meet the applicable rainscreen tests, third-party auditing, integral allowance for thermal expansion and contraction (important point here: if it is dependent on the installer then it can be easily overlooked when contending with field conditions), and whether panels can be installed and removed independently without disturbing adjacent panels (a.k.a. sequential or non-sequential installation).

Wet-Seal Systems

When you see a metal panel façade and all the joints are filled with caulking, that is a wet-seal system. Or you might see a rubber gasket inserted into the reveal to make the seal. In either case, the façade is also acting as the weather barrier. Depending on the wall assembly there may be ventilation behind or not. While this method allows panels to be made using simple aluminum shapes, it also means that they are often simply fastened to the substrate without consideration for thermal or building movement.

Important considerations for specifiers include integral allowance for thermal expansion and contraction (often overlooked as previously mentioned) and compatibility of the silicone with the metal panel finish to ensure adhesion. Also remember that the silicone is a labor-intensive process, and as you might have seen before the silicone attracts dirt over time and releases it after rainstorms to make streaks on the panels.

Dry-Seal Systems

Dry-Seal Systems look like the rainscreen systems with a recessed reveal between each panel, but they perform like a wet-seal. Instead of putting silicone in the joint, the extrusions have gaskets in them to create a seal between the panel extrusions. I don’t recommend these systems as they have a number of elements that have the potential wrong on them… and when a hidden seal fails, you won’t know until you have a big mold problem.

We hope that you found this blog of interest. In the next part we will be looking at the role the Fabricator plays in the specification process.

To learn more about Fairview’s ACM & aluminum panel installation systems, view our Arrowhead page. 

Metal Panel Material… Mounting System… Fabricator… Installer… or all 4??

This continues to be one of the most confusing topics in the Metal Panel Façade industry. There are various types of metal panels available, like the traditional Metal Composite Material (known as MCM or ACM) and the more recent solid aluminum pre-finished plate products.

We have broken out this important topic in a four-part series to help dispel any misunderstandings.

Sheet Material > Installation System > Fabrication > Installation

The First Topic in the Series is Sheet Material:

Sheet Material:

There are two primary types of metal panel material used on building facades. Pre-Finished solid aluminum, and Metal Composite Material. As a quick summary, MCM consists of two skins of metal sandwiching a core material, which provides greater rigidity and superior flatness than sheet metal or plate. The solid plate option is a non-combustible solution, which is growing in popularity due to fires in some parts of the world due to incorrect use of MCM products and poor wall assembly design. 

Metal Composite Material:

The MCM Manufacturer is the one that makes sheets of MCM, in a process where the skins and core are fused together in a continuous coil process. There are also some manufacturers that press skins to a core one sheet at a time, however this is generally known to be a lower quality bond. This is important when you consider the harsh conditions an exterior building envelope is required to withstand.

Important Considerations for Specifiers Include: Product testing and third-party auditing, peel strength and other material properties, and finish properties.

Pre-Finished Solid Aluminum:

The Pre-Finished Solid Aluminum manufacturer makes sheets of pre-coated material using a process that ensures they are flat.  A paint system then allows the material to be formed and folded after they are coated.  Important point here: spray applied and powder-coated finishes DO NOT have the right properties to allow for post-forming.

Important Considerations for Specifiers Include: Finish system used, material thickness (under 3mm/1/8″ is prone to oil-canning).

The next topic in the series will be Installation Systems. If you have any queries or would like further information in the meantime, please contact us.

As manufacturers of aluminum cladding products, it may come as no surprise that we like many in the industry are fans of the clear anodized finish. This finish enables the aluminum panel to shine and gives it a superior brightness which can be an eye-catching feature on a building façade.

First, if you are not familiar with anodizing aluminum, the process requires the aluminum to be fully prepped with a chemical solution. The anodization processes then occurs when the aluminum receives an electric charge which creates a thick anodic oxide layer on to the sheet. The addition of this oxide layer makes the material more rigid as well as corrosion resistant. This transformation can also be done using a variety of dyes and by adjusting the alloy, such as the ones used to create our Dark Bronze Anodized, Anodic Satin Black and Weathered Grey finishes.

The term “clear anodized aluminum,” specifically refers to aluminum material that has gone through the above anodizing process. However, although it is referred to as clear, the anodization process does not actually mean that the aluminum is clear. On the contrary, it simply refers to the fact that the aluminum has gone through the process without a dye.

As mentioned above, there are many different anodized finishes on the market, but we have chosen to focus on clear anodized for this blog post. Below are the four main reasons that we think you should consider this finish for your next project.

1. Guaranteed Consistent Finish

Traditional anodized sheet products are susceptible to variations in the finish, not only between batches but even from one sheet to the next. This is due to the fact they are individually dipped into a chemical bath for a certain amount of time. Fairview has overcome this issue by using a continuous coil anodizing process. This ensures that the material is accurately and evenly anodized so that every sheet produced is of the same color, quality and consistency.

2. Durability

The process of anodizing aluminum gives the sheets an extremely durable finish. This allows them to resist the elements such as wind, sunlight, pollution when used as an exterior cladding solution.

3. Superior Quality

Fairview is known for providing superior quality products, and our special continuous-processed clear anodized finish is available on all our pre-finished architectural products: Vitrabond, Vitraplate and Edgeline. Therefore, we are able to offer an industry leading 30-year warranty (subject to project location).  Please contact our team for specific warranty enquiries.

4. Aesthetically Pleasing

In its undyed state, anodized aluminum, or clear anodized aluminum, naturally becomes more transparent and attractive. This process allows for the anodized aluminum to have a shimmery appearance which makes it an attractive option for use as part of a building façade design.

What’s your next step?

Now that you have read the above benefits, why not consider clear anodized for your next project? Contact our helpful sales and technical team for support. We also have a large inventory of clear anodized and other anodized materials in stock for quick shipping to any location in the US.