Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1408886
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 27 Metal Roofing/Cladding Bernstein says, "Specifically, True Nature is the perfect way to convert people from asphalt to metal roofs, while maintaining the uniform esthetic appeal found in suburban neighbourhoods. The obvious benefit is that a True Nature metal roof comes with a lifetime guarantee and is among the most sustainable choice for any homeowner look- ing for a environmentally-friendly solution. It really checks all the boxes." In a similar vein, Vicwest's Bellara steel siding is finished in the company's proprietary Expressence Paint System, which features ultra-realistic wood grains. "We developed each wood grain graphic in- house through a proprietary process that delivers a unique and architecturally minded esthetic com- bined with a tremendous sense of warmth," says Bernstein. "Metal is finally getting its due as a true replacement for wood." Mark Friesen, VP at Cascadia Metals Ltd., chooses to take a philosophical approach to escalating steel prices. "They will eventually go down," he says. "Most likely not to their original levels, but on the other hand triple the normal price is not sustainable." One of Cascadia's strengths, according to Friesen, "is inventory, yet no matter how much we buy it's hard to meet demand. We have remained extremely busy right through this pandemic with both small and large projects. I am thankful that our workforce has stayed healthy through this, which has allowed us to ship prepainted steel from the west coast all the way to Newfoundland, and it all adds up. And in terms of the popularity of specific products, the demand for pre-painted steel is off the charts." Cascadia's selection of pre-painted product includes a focus on PVDF steel (whose high-end ceramic pigments combined with fluoropolymer resins come with a 30-year limited warranty), a Woodgrain Series (manufactured using an offset gravure printing process); and Cascadia TEX, which features a 3D visual effect and whose surface is more durable and scratch-resistant than standard pre- painted product. Amid this transitory period of high prices and short supply, new solutions continue to be highly sought. Case in point: the Horizon and Edge wall panels and the Skyline roof panels from Artspan Inc., the sister company of Behlen Steel Buildings. Sean Lepper, VP and general manager of Behlen, says, "Ever since Artspan launched these products last year they have tripled in volume. Business is booming, and with Behlen in particular we're going full out creating many large maintenance shops for the resources sector in different parts of north- ern Canada. The Artspan panels are beneficial to our clients in that they come as an integrated part of our building system and also come in handy to meet the Energy Code, which has lately become a basic requirement across the industry." The Horizon wall panels are produced with a standard Mesa profiled steel face, and a Smooth (SM) or Light Embossed (LE) finish; they are con- sidered an economical solution for industrial and commercial walls. Edge wall panels are produced with a standard flat steel face with no profile, which provides a clean look to any exterior, while the Skyline roof panels are produced with a standard Mesa profiled non-embossed smooth steel face (like Horizon, Skyline is considered an economical solu- tion for industrial and commercial projects). A company as big as Kingspan offers a host of metal wall and panel options, and Viktor Roman, Kingspan's marketing specialist, notes that the KS Series gives designers an insulated panel and unique esthetics thanks to a wide range of pro- files, in addition to delivering superior thermal performance. "This system is ideal for controlled environments like food processing or pharmaceuti- cal facilities, and designers have a wide latitude in the type of facade that can be created," he says. The KS Series's adjustable module widths can integrate for distinct architectural flair and can be customized with trimless ends and pre-formed cor- ners for a clean, finished appearance. The panels are available in horizontal and vertical applications True Nature metal roof from Vicwest. FM37001.indd 1 2019-07-18 10:32 AM