First Impressions

The latest in glass, aluminum, aluminum composite, structural steel, and wood present an extensive design palette of opportunity for building facade designers
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Sponsored by Cladiators; CRL-U.S. Aluminum; EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc.; Longboard® Products a Division of Mayne Coatings Corp.; New Millennium Building Systems; Prodema; TAMLYN; TILE EZE; and W&W Glass, LLC
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ACM in the Mix

Among these assorted choices, aluminum composite material (ACM) panels are a viable option, known for their sleek aesthetic. The once pricey material, formerly relegated to high-end products, is now affordable, thanks to advancements in product technology, manufacturing efficiencies, and installation techniques. In fact, initial construction costs are often lower than some other exterior materials due to a faster installation process.

Good-quality ACM products also incorporate a finish so that the cladding requires virtually no maintenance for as long as 30 years. Other benefits include rainscreen protection and the material’s light weight, supporting reduced structural steel requirements.

A partially recycled material, ACM’s are 100 percent recyclable. If manufactured domestically, they can be sourced to within 500 miles of the installation site, thereby contributing to LEED credits.

While many ACM facades are flat panels laid out in a symmetrical grid, the more trendy designs are taking advantage of the ability to fabricate the panels into 3-D shapes, thereby lending a high-tech, modern look. ACMs can also be bent, curved, and joined together in just about any geometric configuration and are offered in a large assortment of colors and finishes.

In terms of attaching the cladding, manufacturers offer various options, such as a dryseal gasket joint, wet-seal caulked joint, and a painted aluminum finishing cap that covers the panel joints.

For 3-D designs, some fabricators utilize an attachment system capable of thermally isolating the aluminum attachments and panel surface from the building wall, thereby limiting the amount of thermal transfer of energy into the building from the outside.

“Our goal was to create the easiest and least-expensive ACM solution to install, period. Based on the feedback from architects, owners, and installers on 3-D wall panel systems with thermal performance, we feel that we have succeeded,” says Goran Glumac, vice president, Acpexpress, North Bergen, New Jersey.

Because the thermal isolation and insulation capabilities of ACM systems are often a function of the attachment system, these performance capabilities may also be available with flat systems. Some systems can also be fitted with thermal-break pads and insulated channels to further limit the transfer of energy.

A strong example of ACM concave panel ability is exemplified at The Bank of America headquarters in San Antonio where the curved lobby walls mimic the look of wood. With a rectangular attachment profile, the panels easily align across a vertical or horizontal space. The panels also integrate seamlessly into the mixed-material wall and provide a unique aesthetic to the modern design.

Photo of the Bank of America headquarters in San Antonio.

Photo courtesy of Cladiators

Featuring aluminum composite concave panels, The Bank of America headquarters in San Antonio presents a wood appearance.

On another project, Pablo M. Ipucha, associate AIA, senior project manager, Gene Kaufman Architect PC, New York City, specified the panels for performance and functional benefits.

“Incorporating ACM panels into our building envelope has benefited us in drastically reducing the width of the exterior wall while meeting the R-value requirements. We were able to add 6 inches of usable real estate to the floor plans all around,” he says.


Faux Wood à la Aluminum

Combining the durability and maintenance of aluminum with the richness and beauty of wood, faux wood aluminum cladding is another viable facade option available to architects.

Exposed to the elements, prefinished aluminum for soffits and siding in particular effectively wards off rot, mold, and the challenges associated with cold weather. Because the color is baked into the material, owners can avoid the issues of flaking, peeling, and warping.

To produce an authentic wood appearance, some wood grain technologies utilize an advanced powder coating system and machinery to manufacture the material. The result is an attractive wood aesthetic without the maintenance hassle and cost associated with wood cladding products.

Showcasing the beauty of faux wood and the benefits of aluminum, John Clark, principal, John Clark Architect Inc., Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, specified 10,000 square feet of 6-inch, V-groove light cherry aluminum siding and soffit for the John Paul II Pastoral Centre’s Campus of Care in Vancouver.

Photo of the John Paul II Pastoral Centre’s Campus of Care in Vancouver.

Photo courtesy of Mayne Coatings Corp.

V-groove light cherry aluminum siding and soffit at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre’s Campus of Care in Vancouver deliver a beautiful wood appearance without the maintenance hassle thanks to aluminum composite material.

While aluminum composite, cementitious plank, and steel cladding were all considered, a wood-grained aluminum siding material turned out to be the best option for its aesthetic compatibility to a wood finish and noncombustibility. Clark was also pleased with the cladding’s no shrinkage and no staining benefits, and the fact that the system he specified utilized a hidden fastening system.

Located in a residential area rich in trees and greenery, the facade’s wood appearance blends in well with the locale.

“The scale and color of the 6-inch plank material, relative to the volume of the wall areas and feature elements, informs and strengthens the relationship of the forested southwest edge of the property, its tall trees and adjacency to the residential neighborhood, and the neighboring health-care facilities,” Clark says.

In particular, the light cherry color was selected for its red tones, creating a nice contrast with the nearby Douglas fir and yew trees.

Sharing some lessons learned from the project, Clark advises building teams to preplan where the boards will be cut to avoid waste, knowing where the expansion channels and flashing details for windows and other openings will be placed, and extensive mockup training for the sub trades before installation.

 

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Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in December 2016

Notice

Academies
First Impressions
Buyer's Guide
Cladiators Calor Wall System
Patented Calor™ wall technology eliminates the traditional sealant and gasket and adds thermal performance to the building envelope. Calor wall systems are developed for high performance, uniquely innovative thermal and moisture control, and exceptional design versatility.
Cladiators
www.cladiators.com
Entice® Thermal Entrance System
Entice® is engineered to provide all-glass aesthetics with full-frame performance. The system has the unique ability to support door handle hardware on 1-inch insulating glass panels. Boasting the thinnest thermally broken profile in the industry with a vertical stile width of 11/8 inches, this completely customizable system delivers premium aesthetics while producing U-factors as low as 0.33.
CRL-U.S. Aluminum
www.crl-arch.com/entice
KINETICWALL™ Moving Dynamic Facade
KINETICWALL is a dynamic moving facade that creates an eye-catching aesthetic. Made of 6-inch flappers attached to steel rods, KINETICWALL responds to wind currents to look like rolling waves. Customizable flappers are structurally designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and rainfall. KINETICWALL permits air flow and visibility, prevents solar heat gain, and provides opportunities for Arts in Transit.
EXTECH/Exterior Technologies, Inc.
www.extechinc.com
Longboard® Cladding Products
Longboard® Cladding Products are lightweight, versatile, and applicable to any project. The wood-grain finishes offer an authentic natural look, while the solid colors offer clean lines to satisfy even the most delicate designs. Sustainable manufacturing processes and superior product quality are the backbone of this contemporary product.
Longboard® Products a Division of Mayne Coatings Corp.
longboardproducts.com
Architectural Steel Decking
Game-changing building exteriors: curved, smooth, ribbed, or lineal plank patterns use exposed steel decking. Structural and aesthetic, architectural decking can be acoustic, span to 35 feet, incorporate MEP, and coated to outlast other options. It is often the lowest total-project cost solution.
New Millennium Building Systems
www.newmill.com
ProdEX Natural Wood Facades
This rainscreen panel offers the warmth and elegance of natural wood and is maintenance free. Use it on facades, soffits, screen walls, louvers, and even curved surfaces. Its proven performance far exceeds the industry requirement, and it is LEED friendly.
Prodema
www.prodema.com
XtremeTrim® Reveal Trim System
XtremeTrim® (extruded aluminum trim) profiles are available to match multiple panel siding systems. XtremeTrim® has thousands of design and color options, allowing architects and users to dramatically improve their building aesthetics and create modern architectural lines. Sustainable, durable, noncombustible, lightweight, easy to use, for interior or exterior use—that’s XtremeTrim®.
Keil Concealed Anchoring System
The KEIL anchor was developed for mechanical, non-adhesive, concealed anchoring for different facade cladding materials. The anchor is used worldwide in the facade industry for rainscreens, wall cladding, and exterior and interior facades.
Pilkington Planar™ Structural Glass System
As the world’s leading point-supported structural glass system, the Pilkington Planar™ system continues to evolve using larger glass panels and innovative backup structures. Backed by a 12-year comprehensive system warranty by Pilkington, architects and owners continue to specify this product time and time again for their most challenging projects.
W&W Glass, LLC
www.wwglass.com