Types And Styles Of Metal Wall Panel Systems
By Bob Fittro, editorial/content director
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Flat-lock wall systems are one of the latest metal panel styles to gain popularity and are an especially attractive choice when exotic materials such as copper and zinc are specified (Click images to enlarge).
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“So what do you do?” It’s a question we all get from time to time. It might come from an old acquaintance, a distant relative or someone we’ve just met. And much as I’d like to be able to give a quick, simple answer, it’s difficult. So I do my best to keep it brief and always end my explanation with, “You know, like the kind you see on factories and warehouses.”
I’m talking of course about metal wall and roof panel systems, and I say that because most people don’t pay a whole lot of attention to the construction products all around them. They may know that their local shopping center has a red roof or the junior high’s is blue, but they don’t generally think of the roof in a material sense. And the same goes for the walls.
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Metal composite material (MCM) panel systems, which include aluminum composite material (ACM), are known for their formability and flatness, and are used on projects ranging from retail to institutional (Click images to enlarge).
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Another option when a smooth, flat architectural panel is desired is plate wall systems like those shown above (Click images to enlarge).
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Ted Miller of Atlanta-based Miller Clapperton Partnership is the chairman of the Metal Construction Association’s Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) Fabricators Council. At the most recent MCA meeting in Florida, he began his council’s meeting by telling attendees that ACM is now used in some amount on 10% of all commercial buildings. He cited Dodge Reports as the source for that number. Just a few short years ago, he reminded everyone, that number was so small it didn’t even register. I would suspect other types of metal wall panels have experienced similar growth…and with good reason. No other type of cladding material can boast such a wide range of looks. And appearance is but one benefit. Metal is also an inherently green product and, depending upon which type of metal wall system you choose, can provide tremendous energy savings benefits. No wonder metal wall systems are featured on some of the world’s most energy efficient structures—including many that are right here in the United States.
Because metal wall panel systems are available in such a wide range of types and styles, it’s difficult to make even sweeping generalities about their qualities. There are, for example, some basic commonalities between ribbed metal wall panels, insulated metal wall panels and aluminum composite material wall panels—primarily their substrates, paint finishes and life expectancies—but performance-wise, these three cladding systems are quite unique to one another. And even within a basic product group—such as ribbed wall panels—the base material, the paint coating, the gauge and the method of attachment may result in differing performance characteristics.
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Ribbed wall systems have come a long way since their industrial roots. They're now routinely used in architectural applications with stunning results (Click images to enlarge).
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So the proper first step in finding the perfect metal wall panel system for a given project is to pick the product the old-fashioned way—by its look. Are you interested in creating a look that’s residential, rustic or industrial? Then maybe single element or factory insulated ribbed metal wall panels are what you want. Looking for machine-like quality, grid-like definition, flowing lines or soft edges? Then maybe an aluminum composite panel system, a plate wall system or some type of architectural factory insulated panel system would be best. And those are just the most popularly used products. Metal wall systems can also be created using diamond pattern shingles, solar collecting perforated panels, flat-lock panels and even faux logs. And the materials range from steel, aluminum, copper, zinc and even titanium. They can be painted or finished naturally, stucco finished or utilize surface treatments that accomplish any of a number of objectives, including glare reduction, corrosion resistance, pre-weathering and more.
If you know the style of panel that might work for a particular project, whether new construction or retrofit, you’ll find information and/or links to virtually every U.S. or Canadian manufacturer of that particular type in DesignandBuildwithMetal.com’s Manufacturer and Supplier Directory. The Metal Walls category is presented initially as a complete list of all makers, regardless of wall system type, but can be searched by 13 different sub-categories to help you find what you need fast. Where applicable, the listings of DBWM advertisers appear at the top and in bold red letters, with all other known makers listed alphabetically afterward. It is through the support of our advertisers that our website exists and so we would encourage you to browse the product lineups of those industry-leading companies first.
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Insulated panels offer an appearance similar to MCM and plate wall systems, with the added benefit of an insulated foam core (Click images to enlarge).
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If you're not so sure of the type of metal wall system you like and are looking for a little design inspiration, please consider browsing our various project sections. In Featured Projects you'll find all the projects we've ever featured on DesignandBuildwithMetal.com, arranged alphabetically. In our Project Type Gallery we have some of those same projects and more organized according to building end use. And in our Design Solutions section, we show examples of projects organized according to product type. You'll also find information about metal wall systems in our Product Showcase's Metal Wall Panels and Systems section, and in our Green Products section.
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Metal wall shingles offer yet another solution for designers wanting the long-lasting benefits of metal (Click images to enlarge).
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And if you have questions on the topic of metal wall panel systems, drop me a line. I may not be able to answer it but I can at least forward it on to someone who can.
Bob Fittro is editorial/content director for DesignandBuildwithMetal.com. He has been covering the metal construction industry, with a focus on the architectural/design community, since 1985. To contact Bob, call (567) 207-2255 or email here.
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