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How to Specify Metal Panel Facades – Part I: Sheet Material

Jun 16, 2021Blogs, Edgeline, Product News, Projects, Vitrabond, Vitraplate

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.

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