Outstanding Finishes

Vitrabond® panels have a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) exterior 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, and offers architects the opportunity for coordinating custom 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 The Heming, the finishes are SOG Grey, Dusty Charcoal, which are both custom, Bronze Metallic and Copper Metallic. 

Production to Installation

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 River Supply 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. Installation is by Del Metro Inc.

Method of Attachment

Vitrabond® panels can be integrated into various attachment systems available to the building industry. Specifically at The Heming,  the WS-200 system by River Supply Inc. is used, which consists of intricately small linear aluminum profiles to which the panels attach by rivets. The system is fastened to the substructure through shims, which function as a thermal break and also isolate dissimilar materials. Joints are 1/2” gaps sealed by the silicone sealant Dow Corning 795. Silicone sealants are chemically stable and extremely durable with excellent resistance to weathering and aging⁷. Shown below is a detail of the assembly.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Arcadis for photos, River Supply Inc. for the assembly detail, and Del Metro Inc. for specifics.

References

¹Tysons Urban Center. Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan, 2017 Edition.

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.

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.

⁷Beall, C. 1999. Thermal and Moisture Protection Manual. McGraw-Hill.

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.