Project Updates - Fairview Architectural North America

The $500K Installation Mistake You’re Still Making

Daniel Bobos — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The Mistake: Accepting Sequential Installation as Normal

Every project manager, installer, and General Contractor knows the drill: façade panels must go up in a specific order, Zone 1 before Zone 2, Panel A before Panel B. This rigid sequencing has been “just the way things are done” for decades.

But here’s the problem: this legacy approach is costing you serious money.

How serious?

Try $500,000 in lost labor, delays, and liquidated damages on a single high-rise project.

And if you think that number sounds extreme, consider this: multiple trades often share the same work zones. One delay from an electrician, window installer, or HVAC sub can shut down your façade crew for days. Your workers stand idle. Your schedule slips. Your margins evaporate.

This isn’t inefficiency. This is systemic failure and it’s completely avoidable.

The Real Cost of Sequential Systems

Here’s how it adds up:

Idle Labor: A 6-person install crew standing idle for 3 days = ~$15,000 in direct wages.
Schedule Delays: A single week delay in façade completion can lead to $50,000+ in liquidated damages on commercial projects.
Cascading Impact: Missed façade timelines often delay other trades (interior, windows), multiplying cost and risk.
Low Bid Losses: Your competitor, using a faster system, beats your number—and your team loses the job.

Now multiply those numbers by 10+ projects per year. This is not a rounding error. This is a core business problem.

Why You’re Still Making It

You’re not alone. Most contractors stick with sequential systems because:

It’s what your crew knows
Your subs are familiar with it
Change feels risky mid-project
You haven’t seen an alternative that actually works

But if your project margin is 5–10%, losing even two weeks of efficiency can wipe out your entire profit. The risk isn’t in switching it’s in staying stuck.

The Better Way: Non-Sequential Installation

Arrowhead’s patented T-clip system eliminates the root cause of façade delays: rigid sequencing.

What does that mean in the field?
You can install any panel, in any order, wherever your crew has access. No more waiting. No more lost days. No more domino-effect delays.

Instead of watching your team sit idle because one trade blocked your zone, you just pivot. Install elsewhere. Stay on schedule. Stay profitable.

You Could Be Our Next Success Story: What If…

You were the General Contractor who successfully navigated a mid-spec challenge on a high-stakes build, protecting your reputation and avoiding $480,000 in delay penalties with a strategic system switch?
Your installation team achieved a 40% capacity increase this quarter, not by hiring new staff, but by implementing a non-sequential process that inherently eliminates installation bottlenecks.
Your firm was among the groundswell of fabricators and installers who have implemented a fix for the industry’s most notorious error, instantly securing an average $500,000 improvement in your project profitability.

These aren’t theoretical benefits. They’re what’s possible when you break free from outdated install methods.

You could be our next success story.

What You Can Do Right Now

Watch the installation demo – See how the system works with your own eyes
Run your numbers through our labor savings calculator – How much are you leaving on the table?
Talk to a real customer – We’ll connect you with an installer or fabricator who’s made the switch

Get a free consultation – We’ll show you where your current system is costing you and how to fix it fast

Final Thought: What’s the Cost of Doing Nothing?

In construction, standing still isn’t safe, it’s expensive.

Every delay, every idle crew, every lost bid to a faster competitor costs you more than money. It costs you momentum, trust, and future contracts.

Don’t wait until you lose another job to find out how much this mistake is costing you.

Make the switch. Get ahead. Stay ahead.

Ready to eliminate the $500K mistake?

Request a demo now.

The post The $500K Installation Mistake You’re Still Making first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

Avoiding Liquidated Damages with Non-Sequential Installs

Daniel Bobos — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Liquidated Damages: The Silent Profit Killer

If you’re in commercial construction, you’ve probably had this conversation:

“We’re behind on the façade. What’s the exposure?”
“LDs could run $30,000 per day. Maybe more.”

Suddenly, your profit margin doesn’t just shrink, it disappears.

Liquidated damages are designed to ensure timely project completion. But in reality, they often punish well-meaning teams who get trapped in a schedule they can’t control.

And nowhere is that more common than in façade installation.

The Problem Isn’t Your Team. It’s Your System.

In traditional sequential façade systems, you have to install Panel A before Panel B. Zone 1 must finish before Zone 2. If one part of the building is delayed, say, a crane blocks access or another trade misses their window, your entire façade crew is sidelined.

You can’t skip ahead.
You can’t reroute.
You wait.

And every hour of idle time adds risk to your timeline. Risk that, when compounded, leads to massive liquidated damages.

You Could Be Our Next Success Story: What If…

You were the façade contractor in the Southeast that faced this exact challenge:

The electrician delayed access to two critical zones by 9 business days.
The install crew couldn’t proceed because of a strict sequential system.
The General Contractor charged $270,000 in liquidated damages.
The entire profit for the job? Gone.

You, too, would switch to Arrowhead’s non-sequential system for your next project and never look back!

Want to avoid the same fate on your next project?

You could be our next success story.

The Solution: Install in Any Order

Arrowhead’s patented non-sequential cladding system allows you to install panels in any order, anywhere on the façade.

Can’t access Zone 3? Jump to Zone 7.
Blocked by a scaffold? Work on the south wall.
Weather holding up the west side? Knock out the north elevation.

No more waiting. No more excuses. No more risk.

By enabling crews to install wherever they have access, Arrowhead eliminates the scheduling bottlenecks that cause cascading delays.

The Solution: Install in Any Order

Arrowhead’s patented non-sequential cladding system allows you to install panels in any order, anywhere on the façade.

Can’t access Zone 3? Jump to Zone 7.
Blocked by a scaffold? Work on the south wall.
Weather holding up the west side? Knock out the north elevation.

No more waiting. No more excuses. No more risk.

By enabling crews to install wherever they have access, Arrowhead eliminates the scheduling bottlenecks that cause cascading delays.

How Non-Sequential = Damage Control

Here’s what non-sequential installation does for your risk profile:

✅ Removes façade from the critical path
✅ Protects against unpredictable trade delays
✅ Keeps your install crew productive at all times
✅ Eliminates “all or nothing” progress traps
✅ Delivers predictable handoff to downstream trades

In short, it gives you options. And in construction, options equal protection.

Your Delay Buffer, Built-In

You can’t control every variable on a job site.

But when your system allows you to keep moving even in the face of delays, you control what matters most: the schedule.

And when the schedule is safe, your margins are too.

Proof in Performance

One installer avoided $480,000 in LDs by redirecting crews for 3 weeks while elevator shaft access was delayed.
A General Contractor finished their build 3 weeks ahead of schedule by skipping over areas affected by HVAC conflicts.

A fabricator reported that with fewer onsite reworks and better adaptability, their change order volume dropped by 35%.

Don’t Wait Until You’re in Penalty Mode

The worst time to rethink your façade system is after you’ve been hit with damages.

Choose a system that works with you, not against you.

Ready to Protect Your Schedule and Your Profit?

Watch the installation video
Download our LD prevention checklist
Talk to a project manager who’s made the switch

Because when the difference between profit and penalty is one blocked work zone, the choice of system matters more than ever.

Avoid the penalty. Protect the profit. Build with freedom.

Request a consultation

The post Avoiding Liquidated Damages with Non-Sequential Installs first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

Mastering Custom Colors and Finishes for Metal Cladding: Your Ultimate Guide

Victoria Tayler — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 01:34:00 +0000

As a member of the architectural community, we understand how important custom finishes and colors are to the quality and look of the final project. All too often, we’ve seen construction projects take a sharp departure from the original design intent for the metal cladding material due to the inability of other companies to custom match the desired colors and finishes.

Instead, our goal at Fairview is to understand and develop colors and finishes that enable architects and owners to achieve their original design intent. No design departures here.

That’s why our approach is not about what colors and finishes we have in stock—it is about what you as the designer are looking for.

Our custom finishes for metal façade materials will bring your design vision to life exactly as you envisioned

What are Fairview’s Standard Colors and Finishes for Metal Cladding Material?

We currently have millions of square feet of Vitrabond FR ACM in our Connecticut warehouse location. The standard Fairview colors comprise of solids, metallics, and faux zincs. The faux zinc finishes in particular are hugely popular due to their superior quality. See them for yourself by ordering free samples here.

Our special-order range of finishes includes our standard but non-stocking finish series. This series includes painted solid colors, pattern finishes such as woodgrains, faux corten and other rust finishes as well as chromatic color shifting finishes, and natural metals like copper, zinc, stainless steel, and anodized aluminum finishes.

How do Fairview’s custom colors and finishes work for metal cladding material?

At Fairview we understand that each and every engineering project is unique and often requires custom finishes for the metal cladding panels. So, while we have many high-quality colors and finishes to choose from that are in stock, the majority of what we supply are custom finishes. We are happy to help create the custom look that you need.

To create custom colors and finishes, we can exactly custom match a specified paint color, or match an adjacent color such as a custom extrusion color. For this process, we submit a paint chip to our lab to be matched. The lab results are then sent to the client for approval prior to releasing them for production.

Please note that the color-matching capabilities at Fairview are not just limited to our two-coat and three-coat solid mica and metallic finishes. We are able to leverage our industry-leading finish capabilities to develop incredibly close color, pattern, and texture matches to other materials—whether it’s brick, stone, wood, concrete, or another cladding product.

Portfolio of Custom Color Matching Projects with Our Clients:

CSX East – This project, in Washington, DC was a 360,000 square foot custom job requiring 7 different rust finishes for the metal cladding material on the exterior. We worked closely with R2L Architects and our color lab to develop each individual rust color required.

The popularity of the finishes for the CSX East project led us to create The Rust Collection. You can request free samples of any or all of these finishes here.

14 Le Count/The Stella – This project, in New Rochelle, NY was designed by Beyer Blinder Belle and required a concrete finish for the metal facade product that could mimic the look of real concrete. What we developed was a finish called “Ivory Concrete”. 142,000 square feet panels of this finish on our Vitrabond FR alongside accents of “Pewter Metallic” and “Anthrazit Grey” add an elegant touch to the exterior.

808-812 Memorial Drive – When you want to refresh two 1970s apartment buildings in Cambridge, MA, what better way to do it than by recladding the existing exteriors? With over 240,000 square feet of Vitrabond FR Metal Cladding Panels in three custom colors: “Clay”, “Sedona” and match to “Pantone 41-6U”.

San Ysidro Land Port of Entry (SYLPOE) – The SYLPOE is well-known for being the busiest land border crossing in North America. For this project, 168,297 square feet of our Vitraplate 3mm Solid Aluminum Plate was used in a variety of custom finishes including: “Cyberspace,” “Network Grey,” “Dynamic Blue” & “Grey Screen.”

Upenn – The unique design on the award-winning Stephan A. Levin building at the University of Pennsylvania could not have been achieved without the development of custom finishes for the metal cladding material. Vitrabond panels were used on the exterior in “Aria White,” “Nordic Green Pre-Patina Copper” and “Cannon Grey.”

Brandeis University – The Skyline Residence at Brandeis University is a sophisticated look, thanks to the development of a “Deep Taupe” custom finish specifically designed by our lab in conjunction with the project design team. The individual finish gives this building a unique and sophisticated look for the metal cladding material on the exterior.

Contact us about Custom Finishes for your metal cladding projects today

At Fairview, our primary goal is to empower architectural designers to seamlessly integrate the aesthetic appeal of any product with the durability and cost-efficiency of composite metal panel systems or metal cladding materials. Simply provide us with a physical sample of the desired finish, no matter how small, and we will develop a precise match in no time.

Fairview’s published color chart serves as an excellent starting point for your design journey, but it does not encompass the full extent of our color and finish capabilities. We can create virtually anything you envision.

Feel free to reach out about our custom color and finish matching services today. We’d love to help you achieve your next metal panel project.

The post Mastering Custom Colors and Finishes for Metal Cladding: Your Ultimate Guide first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

9 Reasons Why Using the Arrowhead System Can Help You Complete More Projects

Victoria Tayler — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:54:25 +0000

Fairview is the only ACM/MCM manufacturer that offers a fully patented and tested installation system: Arrowhead. The Arrowhead Metal Panel Installation System, was designed in 2017 by industry professionals as a more efficient solution to traditional (sequential) installation systems.

Arrowhead is a fully tested rainscreen application system for ACM panels and aluminum plate panels. Not only is Arrowhead rated for hurricane zones, but it is also tested and rated for the more stringent Miami–Dade high velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) requirements. In addition to hurricane testing, Arrowhead is rated for both AAMA 508 (Pressure Equalized Rainscreen Wall Cladding Systems) and AAMA 509 (Drained and Back–Ventilated Rainscreen Wall Cladding Systems).

The Arrowhead system is engineered to save costs and labor time, increasing your productivity and allows you to get more jobs done each year. It is a premium system because of its innovation, flexibility, and ease of install.

We currently offer three Arrowhead systems, FLEX, LEAN, and FLUSH, with more options currently in development. Our Arrowhead packages include versatile facade materials, fully tested labor-saving installation and manufacturer’s in-house training programs.

The Revolutionary Arrowhead T-Clip
Our Arrowhead systems use a revolutionary t-clip that fastens the panel to the wall. Our patented t-clip is what makes the arrowhead system so innovative. It allows the system to be non-sequential.

Since the system is non-sequential, you can add or remove panels independently without affecting the integrity of the structure. This can save you and your installers time, labor, and money.

The t–clip secures the panels to the base extrusion. The clip slots into the extrusion, and then you simply twist the t–clip’s to secure the panel to the wall. This simplified installation allows less labor to install more panels, increasing capacity and reducing installation time.

9 Key Benefits of the Arrowhead System
The Arrowhead system is truly revolutionary. Here are some of the major benefits of the Arrowhead system and why you need it for your next project:

1. Fully Tested: It is the only true non-progressive tested AAMA 508 and AAMA 509 compliant rain screen system for metal panels. It is also hurricane rated and Miami-Dade rated.

2. Cuts Costs: Because the Arrowhead system is fast and easy to fabricate and install, it can be done in just days instead of weeks, which significantly reduces labor costs and saves labor time. You can also have multiple crews on site because the panels do not have to be installed sequentially, which allows projects with tight schedules to be completed in–time.

3. Time Saving: You can shorten your project schedule by up to 50% with the Arrowhead Installation System. The system reduces the number of steps in the drafting and fabrication process and eliminates the need to re–verify your field measurements.

4. Non–Sequential / Non–Progressive: The “any panel in any sequence” system eliminates the risk of getting held up by other trades or obstructions on the job site. Your installers can start at anytime and anywhere. Once other trades and obstructions are clear, panels are easily installed in those areas. Reducing downtime allows installation time to be significantly reduced, saving time and increasing capacity.

5. Quick Lead Times: Our Arrowhead range is in stock at our warehouse in Bloomfield, Connecticut and is available for quick delivery to anywhere in North America.

6. Easy Installation: The non–sequential system makes it possible for measurements to be taken from the installed base extrusions and sent directly to the fabricator. In addition, panels are easily locked in place using the t–clip. The t–clip is simple use and gives consistent results.

7. Panel Replacement: If you have a damaged panel, you can simply remove and re–install the single panel without compromising the integrity of the system or having to remove other panels.

8. Versatile: The FLEX system accommodates different depths of panels so you can add complexity to your façade design while using the same simple mounting system.

9. Compatible: Arrowhead systems are compatible with our ACM/MCM products: Vitrabond FR ACM, Vitraplate prefinished 0.125” aluminum, Vitranar prefinished solid aluminum as well as other industry brands. All three Arrowhead systems can be used on the same wall, giving a sophisticated look while having the same installation process throughout. As the base extrusions are the same across all three systems, different panel styles can be achieved next to each other while using the exact same installation method.

Arrowhead FLEX System
The Arrowhead FLEX System is our most common system. It allows for different depths of panels. It is aesthetically like traditional rain screen systems and has the same features, however, is designed to significantly reduce installation and labor costs. With the FLEX System, the base wall extrusions are shimmed and attached to the exterior wall first. The extrusions are then used to take the measurements for the panels to be placed straight onto the extrusion and held in place by the t-clips.

Arrowhead LEAN System
The Arrowhead LEAN System takes all the benefits of the more traditional Arrowhead FLEX system and combines them with an extremely simplified fabrication process. No rivets are used to hold the panels to the frame. Instead, a double groove and slow system is used to secure the frame extrusion. There are less steps in the process, which increases production speed.

Currently the LEAN System is limited to a 1-inch reveal, so it cannot accommodate panels of different depths.

Arrowhead FLUSH System
The Arrowhead FLUSH system provides a minimalist look with shallow reveals and is easy to fabricate. The FLUSH system offers a clean aesthetic for a truly modern finish to your building façade.

The FLUSH System is mainly used for interior designs because of its sleek look, but it can be used for exteriors as well. It provides extremely small joints and has a flush panel look. The FLUSH System has the same features and ratings as the LEAN and FLEX systems.

Award-winning results

And if you need a 10th reason, Arrowhead can help you develop an award-winning project just like Capitol Vista that recently won the 2021 NAHB Best in American Living Platinum Award in the Affordable, Multifamily category at the Collaborative Vision for Design Equity Awards. This project features Arrowhead FLEX with our Vitrabond FR panels.

Contact Customer Support today
Your dedicated Arrowhead product manager will be there for you from start to finish. We also provide technical support from our product engineers. And now, with our new Customer Success team, you can use our dedicated line to contact us about anything regarding Fairview and get your questions answered.

The post 9 Reasons Why Using the Arrowhead System Can Help You Complete More Projects first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

Capitol Vista: The Role of Fairview Architectural

Victoria Tayler — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 03:23:26 +0000

(This article was originally published on www.FLSustainability.com)

Situated on prime real estate within Washington D.C., the Capitol Vista building exemplifies sustainability objectives of the district¹, with Fairview Architectural having a contributing role as a building product supplier. The building features Vitrabond® aluminum composite panels produced by Fairview Architectural, which are two sheets of 0.02” aluminum fused to a fire-retardant mineral filled core, for a total thickness of 4mm (0.157 inch)². The panels use 70% less aluminum than conventional 1/8” aluminum plate, thereby having the advantages of aluminum but in significantly lower quantity. This is significant considering virgin aluminum is especially energy-intensive to produce³, but aluminum can be considered highly sustainable when used sparingly. Compared to steel, aluminum is stronger and more lightweight.

The material of the core, thin as it is, is based on minimally processed minerals that are compatible and fusible with the extremely thin aluminum sheets. The Vitrabond® panels are an example of dematerialization, the concept of using less material to fulfill an intended purpose. This correlates with less embodied resources and lighter weight load. As another factor to sustainability, the panels have minimal maintenance and outstanding longevity.

Outstanding Finishes

The exterior finish is a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) finish meeting AAMA 2605 performance standards⁴, providing an exceedingly high level of durability⁵, and resistance to dirt accumulation because of its fluoropolymer formula³. Fairview Architectural has extensive options regarding the aesthetics of PVDF finishes. The variability of formulations allows for a wide range of colors, gloss, and special effects such as metallic speckling⁵. Specific formulations are proprietary, but constituents such as metal oxides and mica pearlescent are used for aesthetics⁵. The finish is factory-applied by coil coating⁶, a highly automated and highly efficient process. On a continuous coil coating line, the aluminum sheet is uncoiled, pretreated, primed, coated, cured in finish oven, then recoiled. At Capitol Vista, the finishes are Ascot White, Pewter Metallic, and Smoke Silver Metallic.

Production of Panels and Fabrication

Sustainability in the architectural industry involves considerations of the building materials, specifically raw materials, supply chain, and characteristics of the end product. The Vitrabond® aluminum composite panels are produced by merging the PVDF top-coated aluminum sheet fed from above, with the mineral-based core material as a heated extruded layer fed laterally, along with the backside aluminum sheet fed from below, together passed through rollers in a continuous automated process. The combined interactions of cooling, drying, and pressure cause fusion of the aluminum sheets to the core material as an incredibly thin rigid composite, having a top-coating that is exceptionally durable to the exterior environment. Fabrication is a different stage of production by a separate entity, in this case by Del Metro Inc. Fabrication involves cutting to size, then routing and folding at the perimeter edge to result in a continuous return for attachment of respective panels.

Method of Attachment

Vitrabond® panels can be integrated into numerous attachment systems available to the building industry. At Capitol Vista, the panels attach by rivets to the Arrowhead® Flex system, also by Fairview Architectural. The patented system is designed to simplify installation, minimize fallibilities, and reduce labor costs⁷. The system consists of small, intricately shaped linear profiles, which in this context can be referred to as pieces. First a base piece is fastened through shims to the substructure. An intermediate piece, to which the Vitrabond® panels are attached, interlocks to the base piece by an innovative T-clip⁸. The Arrowhead® Flex system is non-sequential, meaning respective panels are installed independently of adjacent panels, thereby allowing flexibility in the construction process. Shown below is a detail of the assembly.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Grimm + Parker Architects for reviewing the article and Del Metro Inc. for the assembly detail.

References

¹District of Colombia, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. 2015. Request for Proposals: Capital Vista (2nd & H Streets, N.W.)

²Vitrabond® Aluminum Composite Panel Technical Information. 2013. Fairview Architectura

³Ehrlich, B. 2014. Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade. Environmental Building News 23(9): 1-10.

⁴Vitrabond® Technical Manual. 2020. Fairview Architectural.

⁵Iezzi, R. A. 2015. Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Based Coatings Technology. In: ASM Handbook, Volume 5B, Protective Organic Coatings. K. B. Tator (ed.)

⁶Vitrabond® FR Metal Composite Material, Façade System Specification Template. 2016. Fairview Architectural.

⁷Arrowhead Information Flyer. 2020. Fairview Architectural.

⁸DrJ Engineering, LLC. 2021. Technical Evaluation Report TER 2006-02 Arrowhead® Fastening System. Fairview Architectural.

The post Capitol Vista: The Role of Fairview Architectural first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

808-812 Memorial Drive: Retrofitting for Sustainability with Vitrabond®

Victoria Tayler — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 11:55:04 +0000

(This article was originally published on www.FLSustainability.com)

Retrofitting existing buildings with new cladding is highly efficient with aluminum composite panels. Constructed in the 1970s, the two buildings at 808-812 Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts were cold and drab aesthetically, and characteristically had deterioration of the facade and inefficient thermal performance¹. The extensive renovation, designed by Bruner/Cott Architects, involved new construction layered to the outside of the preexisting exterior. The buildings now feature Vitrabond® aluminum composite panels produced by Fairview Architectural, which are two sheets of 0.02” aluminum fused to a fire-retardant mineral-filled core, for a total thickness of 4mm (0.157 inch)².

The panels use 70% less aluminum than conventional 1/8” aluminum plate, thereby having the advantages of aluminum but in significantly lower quantity. This is significant considering virgin aluminum is especially energy-intensive to produce³, but aluminum can be considered highly sustainable when used sparingly. The material of the core, thin as it is, is based on minimally processed minerals that are compatible and fusible with the extremely thin aluminum sheets. The Vitrabond® panels are an example of dematerialization, the concept of using less material to fulfill an intended purpose. This correlates with less embodied resources and lighter weight load. As another factor to sustainability, the panels have minimal maintenance and outstanding longevity.

Finishes that Make a Difference

The exterior finish is a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) finish meeting AAMA 2605 performance standards⁴, providing an exceedingly high level of durability. Additionally, PVDF finish-coating resists dirt accumulation because of its fluoropolymer formula³. The finish is factory-applied by coil coating⁵, a highly automated and highly efficient process. On a continuous coil coating line, the aluminum sheet is uncoiled, pretreated, primed, coated, cured in finish oven, and recoiled. With PVDF coil coating, solid colors are of unsurpassed color consistency. Specifically at 808-812 Memorial Drive, the finish colors are warm earth-tones of Clay, Sedona, and equivalent of Pantone 41-6U, which are all customized colors.

Production of Panels

Method of Attachment

Vitrabond® panels can be integrated into numerous attachment systems available to the building industry. Specifically at 808-812 Memorial Drive, the panels, fabricated and installed by Sunrise Erectors, are layered over Kingspan® KarrierPanel® wall system. The assembly includes 4” thick insulation panels of polyisocyanurate faced with light-gauge steel. The panels are profiled at the edges for reciprocal jointing, and the joints are sealed with butyl sealant. A specially designed rail (KarrierRailTM) is fastened over the insulation panels so that the air vapor barrier is not penetrated and the insulating layer is continuous⁶,⁷. The vertical rails extend 1” beyond the insulation panels and function as a substructure for the route and return attachment system by Sunrise Erectors, consisting of intricately small linear aluminum profiles to which the Vitrabond® panels attach. Shown below is a detail of the assembly.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Bruner/Cott Architects and Sunrise Erectors for specifics on the exterior wall assembly.

References

¹New Ecology. 2020. 808-812 Memorial Drive: Energy & Water Savings through the Auditing Process.

²Vitrabond® Aluminum Composite Panel Technical Information. 2013. Fairview Architectural.

³Ehrlich, B. 2014. Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade. Environmental Building News 23(9): 1-10.

⁴Vitrabond® Technical Manual. 2020. Fairview Architectural.

⁵Vitrabond® FR Metal Composite Material, Façade System Specification Template. 2016. Fairview Architectural.

⁶KarrierPanel® Wall System Installation Guide. 2022. Kingspan Insulated Panels Inc.

⁷KarrierPanel® Universal Barrier Wall Solution. 2022. Kingspan Insulated Panels Inc.

The post 808-812 Memorial Drive: Retrofitting for Sustainability with Vitrabond® first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

Pressure Equalized vs. Drained and Back-Ventilated Rainscreens: Key Differences Explained

Victoria Tayler — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 05:28:28 +0000

Determining the difference between a drained and back-ventilated rainscreen and a pressure-equalized rainscreen cannot be done by visual inspection alone; test results are essential. Some Arrowhead metal cladding rainscreen systems meet both AAMA 508 Pressure Equalized Rainscreen System criteria and AAMA 509 Drained and Back-Ventilated Rainscreen System criteria, highlighting the challenge of visual identification.

Key differences between these systems can be identified through closer inspection and understanding of their design and installation principles:

1. Drained and Back-Ventilated Rainscreen System: This system relies on gravity and air pressure differentials for ventilation and drainage behind the cladding. It typically features a continuous ventilation space and drainage openings at the bottom to allow water to escape.

2. Pressure-Equalized Rainscreen System: Designed to equalize air pressure behind the cladding, this system reduces the potential for air infiltration and water penetration. It includes pressure-equalizing chambers or compartments to balance air pressure and prevent water ingress.

To distinguish between these systems, examine specific design and installation details such as the location and size of ventilation and drainage openings, the use of pressure-equalizing chambers, and the sealing and flashing details to prevent water infiltration.

In metal panel rainscreen systems, perimeter extrusions on a Pressure Equalized system might have mitered corners to create compartments. However, this is not always the case, as the Arrowhead Lean rainscreen system achieves both AAMA 508 and AAMA 509 ratings without mitered corners.

In summary, the only definitive way to determine whether a rainscreen system is Pressure Equalized or Drained and Back Ventilated is to review the test data. This ensures a properly tested system, avoiding assumptions about performance.

The post Pressure Equalized vs. Drained and Back-Ventilated Rainscreens: Key Differences Explained first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

CSX East: Sustainability with Vitrabond

Victoria Tayler — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 05:10:35 +0000

(This article was originally published on www.FLSustainability.com)

In Southeast Washington D.C., a site formerly owned by CSX has been developed into a unique urban complex designed by R2L:Architects. The three buildings feature Vitrabond® aluminum composite panels produced by Fairview Architectural, which are two sheets of 0.02” aluminum fused to a fire-retardant mineral-filled core, for a total thickness of 4mm (0.157 inch)¹. The panels use 70% less aluminum than conventional 1/8” aluminum plate, thereby having the advantages of aluminum but in significantly lower quantity. This is significant considering virgin aluminum is especially energy-intensive to produce², but aluminum can be considered highly sustainable when used sparingly.

Compared to steel, aluminum is stronger and more lightweight. The material of the core, thin as it is, is based on minimally processed minerals that are compatible and fusible with the extremely thin aluminum sheets. The Vitrabond® panels are an example of dematerialization, the concept of using less material to fulfill an intended purpose. This correlates with less embodied resources and lighter weight load. As another factor to sustainability, the panels have minimal maintenance and outstanding longevity.

Palette of Finishes

The exterior finish is a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) finish meeting AAMA 2605 performance standards3, providing an exceedingly high level of durability. Additionally, PVDF finish-coating resists dirt accumulation because of its fluoropolymer formula². There is an array of PVDF finish coatings for not only color options but also gloss level, texture, and color mottling. The finish is factory-applied by coil coating⁴, a highly automated and highly efficient process. On a continuous coil coating line, the aluminum sheet is uncoiled, pretreated, primed, coated, cured in finish oven, and recoiled. With layered coil coating capabilities, variations such as blotches, markings, or patterning of coats are applied in sequence according to preconfigured design having a collective aesthetic effect. The resulting coil-coated print can have a distinctively aged and weathered appearance, while in actuality it is exceptionally resistant to aging and weathering. Specifically, the finishes used at CSX East were: Nimitz Blue, Azure Patina, Longhorn Rust, Nebula Blue, Mesa Rust, Mojave Rust, and Sierra Rust. Fairview Architectural takes special ownership of having worked in coordination with the architect to develop these customized faux metal finishes.

Production of Panels

Method of Attachment

Vitrabond® panels can be integrated into numerous attachment systems available to the building industry. Specifically at CSX East, the panels were fabricated and installed by Custom Walls & Windows, Inc. (CWW). Fabrication involves cutting to size, then routing and folding at the perimeter edge to result in a continuous return for attachment and jointing of respective panels. The CWW RR200 (Rout and Return) system is used, consisting of intricately small linear aluminum profiles to which the panels attach. The aluminum profiles are fastened through plastic shims, which function as a thermal break, to z-girts as a spacer for 2” of semi-rigid insulation. Joints consist of 1/2” gap which is sealed with Precora 890 silicone sealant. Shown below is a detail of the assembly.

References

¹Vitrabond® Aluminum Composite Panel Technical Information. 2013. Fairview Architectural.

²Ehrlich, B. 2014. Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade. Environmental Building News 23(9): 1-10.

³Vitrabond® Technical Manual. 2020. Fairview Architectural.

⁴Vitrabond® FR Metal Composite Material, Façade System Specification Template. 2016. Fairview Architectural.

The post CSX East: Sustainability with Vitrabond first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

Stella (14 Lecount Place): Total Curtain Wall

Victoria Tayler — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 04:48:51 +0000

(This article was originally published on www.FLSustainability.com)

Consolidation of expansive glass and non-glass cladding into a total curtain wall system is embodied at Stella (14 Lecount Place), designed by Beyer Blinder Belle, through the use of the ES-UN8030 curtain wall, which is also integrated with ES-P7531 operable windows and ES-45T swing doors. The architectural glass systems supplier ES has product capabilities for practically any climate and design application, and has been expanding into the northeastern United States market.

In the temperate climate of the northeast U.S., design considerations pertain to the changing seasons. This includes minimizing conductive heat loss in the wintertime, minimizing solar heat gain in the summertime, and allowing for opening up to the outside during times of mild weather.

Photo credit: ES

Curtain Wall System by ES

The ES-UN8030 is a preglazed curtain wall system. The term “curtain wall” refers to the aluminum framing that supports the glass, more specifically with the capability of spanning multi-story heights. It is also known as a “unitized” system referring to the unitization of panels, whether glass or metal, with preassembled aluminum extrusion framing. As a “preglazed” system, the panels are sealed to their aluminum frames at the factory as opposed to on-site, so that the sealant is applied and cured in a controlled environment, where there is no variation of temperature and humidity, and no exposure to airborne contaminants¹. The advantages of a preglazed unitized system include quality control of assembly, exterior side hermetically sealed, and expedited installation. The maximum size for the unitized panels is 5 feet width and 11 feet height². Continuity of the curtain wall is achieved by joining adjacent unitized panels together with reciprocal framing profiles. The framing system is thermally broken³ to minimize conductive heat transfer. ES is part of a vertically integrated conglomerate and the products are assembled and unitized in the same manufacturing complex as processed glass operations and aluminum extrusion production. This consolidation maximizes coordination efficiency and streamlines the supply chain. The material of the extrusions for the ES-UN8030 is 6063-T6 aluminum alloy or 6005-T5 aluminum alloy, depending on the component². Aluminum is lightweight, high-strength, and reflective⁴, and these aluminum alloys have excellent extrudability⁵. Although the exterior of the building is total curtain wall, differences of color quality and texture, and the massing of the wall planes, provide complimentary contrasts aesthetically.

Integral Metal Panels

The non-glass areas are Vitrabond® aluminum composite panels produced by Fairview Architectural, which are two sheets of 0.02” aluminum fused to a fire-retardant core for a total thickness of 0.157 inch⁶, ⁷. The panels use 70% less aluminum than conventional 1/8” aluminum plate, thereby having the advantages of aluminum but in significantly lower quantity. The exterior finish is a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) finish meeting AAMA 2605 performance standards³, providing an exceedingly high level of durability. The color Anthrazit Grey VB1255 is used at the bulk of the tower, around the 3-story glass curtain walls. Panels at the building’s secondary massing areas have customized Ivory Concrete VBC864803 textured and speckled finish.

High-Specification Glass

The high-performance glass units are 1” nominal thickness, comprised of 1/4” clear glass with R53/33 coating at the inward surface, plus 1/2” insulating airspace filled with argon gas, plus 1/4” clear glass. The R53/33, which is an acronym for Tecnoglass R-series (Reflective) low-E with nominal light transmittance of 53% and solar heat gain coefficient of 0.33, has a reflective exterior appearance with cool color tones⁸. Argon gas is invisible and nontoxic, having lower thermal conductivity than air. It is used in combination with a low-e coating for optimal thermal performance. Spandrel glass, intermediate between floors, is solid opaque “charcoal” colored ceramic frit applied to the interior-facing surface of the glass, resulting in minimal aesthetic contrast with the typical glass because of continuity of reflectance and coloration at the exterior.

Architectural Stewardship

Aesthetically interesting as Stella (14 Lecount Place) may be, these aspects would be generally unknown, especially considering the total curtain wall construction. It is publications like FL Sustainability that can provide representation of these sustainability aspects through description and illustration. That would be the intent of “Architectural Stewardship”.

Photo credit: ES

References

¹Takish, M. S., M. H. Haugsby, C. M. Schmidt, and W. J. Schoenherr. 1989. Structural Silicone Sealant Curtain Walls: Field or Factory Glazing? In: Science and Technology of Glazing Systems, ASTM STP 1054, American Society for Testing and Materials, pages 58-65. C. J. Parise (ed.).

²ES-UN8030 Technical Datasheet. 2018. Energía Solar (ESWindows).

³Architectural Guide. 2020. ESWindows.

⁴Aluminum Extrusion Manual, 4th edition. 2014. Aluminum Extruders Council.

⁵Davis, J. R. 2001. Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys. Page 351-416. In: Alloying: Understanding the Basics.

⁶Vitrabond® Technical Manual. 2022. Fairview Architectural.

⁷Technical Evaluation Report TER 1809-01 Fairview Architectural Vitrabond® Metal Composite Material (MCM). 2022. DRJ Engineering, LLC.

⁸Low-E Series. 2019. Tecnoglass.

Awards

Best Luxury Multifamily Development, Westchester Home Builders Awards program

The post Stella (14 Lecount Place): Total Curtain Wall first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.

Understanding the LEED Green Building Rating System for Metal Cladding Material

Victoria Tayler — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 07:20:06 +0000

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1998 to provide third-party verification that a building project has reached LEED Certification. There are four levels of certification (Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum) that a building project can achieve by being awarded point-based credits within the rating system.

LEED has evolved and grown over the years. The current version is LEED version 4 which focuses on different building and renovation types. The LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) reference guide focuses on eight building types and can be viewed here.

There are several ways that metal cladding products such as solid 3mm aluminum and aluminum composite materials can be used to earn credits towards the “Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials” LEED rating system category for a building. Here is an example of the credits possible for new constructions:

To find out what credits a product has, ask the manufacturer for their LEED Data Sheet. You will then receive something that looks like this:

The products are services provided by manufacturers like Fairview and do not earn project points themselves. Our role is instead to educate our team and our customers on how our products can contribute to a building’s overall LEED rating. We also become involved in the process when supplying LEED product compliance is required.

An example of this is the SYLPOE – San Ysidro Land of Port of Entry. This project is the first LEED Platinum land port of entry out of more than 20 LEED-registered border crossings in the US. This project features 168,297sf of our 3mm solid aluminum Vitraplate panels. More information on this project here.

You can download our LEED Data Sheet from our Digital Document Binder. Alternatively, for more information on LEED in general and Fairview’s metal cladding products, please contact our team today at helpdesk@farview-na.com or use our online form.

The post Understanding the LEED Green Building Rating System for Metal Cladding Material first appeared on Fairview Architectural North America.