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Cupaclad natural slate panels. Formparts architectural concrete. CAV-PRIME primer application. J U N E 2 0 2 1 | 33 Roofing/Cladding Materials Natural slate is remarkably durable, fire resistant, and naturally waterproof, and one third of all slate in the world comes from Cupaclad's 16 quarries in Spain. Every slate panel is unique, giving an unparalleled character to any project. "The possibilities of Cupaclad to enhance the appearance of a building while acting as a highly-efficient cladding are enormous, and I hope its usage as cladding will increase," says Ker. Another classic material that Engineered Assemblies is promoting as a new clad- ding option is porcelain. The Frontek extruded porcelain facade system is a unique, open-jointed cladding system that was designed to perform in the most challenging of environmental conditions. It is resistant to fire, corrosion, and impact with great wind-load performance. "It's lightweight in addition to being very strong, and also fade-resistant," says Ker. "As part of a 19-millimetre hollowcore system, Frontek installs very easily, which means lower costs for the developer." Engineered Assemblies is also busy with a development of another kind: earlier this year it launched its Certified Series, a program aimed at uniting building teams (from the owner to architect and general contractor through to the cladding contractor), by giving each person a lens to the project progress, so costly errors can be caught and corrections made – thus avoiding premature aging of the facade. "It's a method of ensuring that installations are done cor- rectly and manufacturers' warranty requirements are met," says Ker. The Certified Series is another step in ensuring that a failed job of any lightweight facade material – which runs the risk of making the whole industry look bad – is avoided. "We're testing the series on some projects, and clients and architects are excited about it," says Ker. "We're also staging information sessions via Zoom for architects and will donate the equivalent of an in-person lunch-and-learn session to a local food bank based on how many people attend." Kayla Rose, marketing brand manager at Carlisle SynTec Systems, says, "We invest in research and development to ensure we are constantly at the forefront of product innovation in the commercial roofing industry, and we've launched several new products that differentiate us from our competitors." The newest product, launched in April, is the CAV-Prime system, which includes Carlisle SynTec's primer in pressurized cylinders for faster applica- tion and less waste. This labour-saving product allows for a quick, one-person application with spray gun and applicator, providing increased coverage versus traditional application of primer in pails. It eliminates the possibility of poten- tial spills or kicked-over cans of primer on the roof, or primer curing in pails that are improperly sealed. FleeceBack RapidLock (RL) Roofing Systems from Carlisle SynTec is a revo- lutionary membrane attachment method that provides a fully adhered EPDM, TPO, or PVC system without the use of adhesives. The RapidLock system utilizes Velcro Brand Securable Solutions along with 115-mil FleeceBack RL EPDM, TPO, or PVC to achieve performance on par with traditional fully adhered single-ply systems. Because there is no adhesive necessary with RapidLock, there is no stirring or waiting for adhesive to flash-off. The system provides up to 80 percent labour savings compared to traditional bonding adhesive, and up to 25 percent compared to a traditional FleeceBack system. Three other new products from Carlisle SynTec are worthy of note: CAV-GRIP III Adhesive/Primer is a low-VOC, low-odour, spray applied aerosol contact adhesive and primer used for a variety of applications (including adhering TPO and EPDM membranes to horizontal and vertical surfaces); CAV-GRIP PVC Aerosol Contact Adhesive is also a low-VOC, low-odour spray-applied aerosol contact adhesive that can be used for adhering bareback PVC membranes to horizontal surfaces and vertical walls; and APEEL Protective Film guards the surface of the Sure-Weld TPO and Sure-Flex PVC membranes from scuffs and dirt accumulation during installation: once the membrane is installed and the film is removed, contractors are left with a clean, white, reflective roof, elimi- nating the need to pressure-wash after installation. Andrew Rogers, principal at Sound Solutions (an Ontario-based distributor of innovative interior and exterior architectural products), reports that a concrete panel for rainscreen systems that he has been offering for the past decade is now enjoying growing popularity in Canada. Formparts by Rieder of Austria offers a high degree of flexibility and a wide range of design options for architectural concrete. Rogers says, "The key to Formparts' success is that it is extruded, not cast. Therefore you can make large panels that are only half-an-inch thick, with integrated glass fibre giving the panel added strength, while retaining its light weight. Currently, Formparts is being used for a condominium project in Vancouver called Mondivan, the first big Formparts project in Canada. The panels are being slid into molds while still wet to create specific shapes, and unitization of glass and insulation is being accomplished." Another product available through Sound Solutions, NBK Terracotta clad- ding, is gaining traction in the construction market as a rainscreen. "Because its price is edging down we're starting to see its application in condominium proj- ects instead of being confined to its traditional market in Canada of institutional development," says Rogers. Also, the new use of glazes on the extruded product means it can be available in a huge range of finishes. "Once architects get a taste of our glazed NBK tile, they realize its beauty and potential," says Rogers. "The number of projects in which it is being used is growing slowly, and I think the growth will continue as developers also realize its remarkable durability." The most spectacular example of a residential project using NBK is the super-slender, 1,428–foot tall skyscraper at 111 West 57th Street in Manhattan. NBK Terracotta experts worked closely with SHoP Architects to fabricate an exterior featuring fluted waves of Terracotta that pays homage to Art Deco glamour. Altogether, 41,352 pieces of semi-fluted, double-fired, glazed NBK Terracotta were used on the structure, which is said to be the tallest building with the smallest footprint (only 67 feet) in the world. InterCoast Building Solutions is just that: a company well versed in providing solutions to different aspects of building construction. Its solution for roofs comes in the form of Hanging Gardens, a line of over 400 products that contrib- ute to creating the best value green infrastructure for stormwater management. Specifically, Hanging Gardens provides a complete array of extensive vegetated roofing systems to suit different esthetic, stormwater retention requirements (these roofs are lightweight systems that require significantly less maintenance and irrigation than other solutions). Its semi-intensive vegetated roofs are designed with an expanded palette of perennial and native plants that require more maintenance and irrigation, but much more design flexibility. P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY EN G I N EER ED A SS EM B L I E S; C A R L I S L E SY N T EC SYS T EM S; S O U N D S O LU T I O N S