Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/147234
McDonald Parkade, Edmonton, Alberta. Product: Vicwest AD 300 Cladding. Photo: Janet Kimber Photography and Vicwest. Durability Demands A desire for variety is spurring new products in the metal roofing and cladding sector L by Godfrey Budd Lightness and durability are central to the appeal of metal cladding and roofing systems, so today's expanding range of products is perhaps to be expected. Other factors pushing evolution in this sector involve changing trends, revisions to National Building Codes and a new wave of European influence that is opening up a range of possibilities. A recently introduced product called Rainspan from Euroclad Ltd. is one example of how Europeans are influencing the industry. The U.K. company is an independent supplier of metal roof and wall products that use non-combustible cores. Euroclad has launched over 60 products and systems since 1981. Flynn Canada Ltd. is making Rainspan available across Canada, in part, because of proposed code changes. "The new requirements of the ASHRAE 90.1 for energy standards for buildings are now part of Canada's new national building code of 2011. We're set to incorporate a new hybrid system from Europe for Metal Roofing/Cladding p22-25Metal roofing.indd 23 cladding," says Don Delaney, senior engineer at Flynn. Delaney adds that Rainspan is non-combustible and provides continuous insulation. The system is similar in some respects to insulated metal panels used for freezers, but with a slight difference. "The Rainspan sandwich panel replaces studs, sheathing, air and a vapour barrier. On the face of the panel we can affix a rainscreen cladding system of any kind." In part, the growing range may have something to do with a new trend toward using a variety of cladding products and panel types on the same building. Panels are also getting smaller and becoming less standard in size. "Architects are using stone and metal together and are looking at other metal products like zinc and copper. There is also a trend to use brick and precast mixed with metal," says Vlad Sobot, president of Sobotec Ltd. A decade ago, if a building received a metal cladding system it would be monochromatic. Today an all-metal cladding would likely include a mix of corrugated metal siding and flat panels, says Sobot. The increased complexity that this variety imposes on the cladding system means that quality engineering and project management become increasingly important. Sobotec's core product is the Alucobond panel. This consists of two aluminum cover sheets and a plastic core. Sobotec is also making panels with zinc, copper and stainless steel. "This is now happening way more than it was five years ago," explains Sobot. Materials and products from non-metal highpressure laminates to cement board like fibre C are now used to complement metal panels. Increasing demand for customization is also part of today's cladding picture. Trends of this sort are providing opportunities for metal cladding specialists like Sobotec to hone their design skills. When it comes to information on sheet steel, the metal roofing and cladding sector has no shortage of easily accessible material. The Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute (CSSBI) has lots of information on its website that can help architects, engineers, specifiers and other design professionals, says Steven Fox, the institute's general manager. "The site will also direct folks to other resources, for instance, if someone needs information on the corrosion protection of a specific product, say zinc, you go to the zinc institute," he says. The site is a reference source on standards and sheet steel building products. "We still sell some technical publications but the vast majority (of our information) is online for free, and about 95 per cent of our publications are online," Fox says. There are also a number of studies available from third party consultants that attest to the benign characteristics of metal cladding and roofing. Mike Epstein, the national metal roofing manager at Firestone Building Products, points to one such study from global consulting firm Ducker Worldwide. The study notes that much of the information on the topic of metal roof life cycle issues, prior to the Ducker study, was based on surveys published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The study goes on to say that its aim is to provide a "quantitative assessment of the life cycle cost for various roof systems and applications." Called Low Slope Life Cycle Cost Analysis, its verdict came down strongly on the side of metal. Besides metal, the study included only BUR (modified bitumen asphalt) and single ply (EPDM/PVC/ TPO) within its product scope, but had the full institutional, commercial and industrial (ICI) range for building categories. The study excluded metal roofs built after 1995. It found that a "majority of all building owners interviewed have experienced roof leaks, however, none of the metal roofs have leaked as a result of material or membrane failure (versus 30 to 56 per cent of competing materials)." Most metal roof leaks, on the other hand, are primarily due to grommet deterioration and people walking on the roofs. When it comes to the maintenance percentage of total installed costs, the study's findings are perhaps even more dramatic. Metal, at two to five per cent, is fractionally minute compared to those for asphalt – 25 to 32 per cent – and single ply – 16 to 22 per cent. The study also found that there had been little to no regular maintenance performed on metal roofs versus other materials. All this could be good news for owners concerned august 2013 /23 13-07-12 11:37 AM