Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/354800
Coming Out On Top Trends in the metal roofi ng and cladding sector are rapidly changing by Godfrey Budd B uilding facades have become noticeably more complex in many instances over the past five years or so. Upon careful inspection, it is often possible to identify four, five, or even six cladding systems com- prising the exterior of a single building. Roofs with ele- gant, and, on occasion, surprisingly elaborate shapes, have also become more common. For the latter, recent technological advances in software-supported design and metal fabrication have surely played a part. But when it comes to the drive for an increasingly diversified palette of finishes and colours, metal cladding systems could be well positioned to take advantage of the trend. "There have been significant innovations in metal wall panel systems," says Don Delaney, an engineer and business development spe- cialist at Flynn Canada Ltd. "New finish technologies from Europe and Japan are evoking natural materials. The one thing that metal panels couldn't do in the past was present a natural look. Now, they can." Previously, the use of weathering steel, perhaps better known under the trademark Cor-Ten, has sup- ported a bias of some architects and owners towards a more naturalistic look. One of the disadvantages of weathering steel is that its normal weathering process can lead to stains on nearby surfaces. But Cor-Ten has been around for decades and those in the industry that like it have learnt to sidestep its disadvantages. "A lot of Cor-Ten is specified these days for the aged or weathered look," explains Delaney. Besides copper, zinc or steel, today's new metal finishes can mimic the weathered complexity of an increasingly broad spectrum of traditional cladding surfaces and materials – minus the high cost, potential stains to adjacent surfaces and maintenance issues. Take your pick: from copper- to wood- to terracotta- faced cladding, there's a new metal panel with a finish and colour to match. "Past attempts at making finish- ing metal to match nature fell short. The resulting panel was always too glossy and a poor match. It was obviously not the real deal," Delaney says. The successful use of matte finishes and print- ing on metal substrates is increasing the number of metal panel products on the market in both the U.S. and Canada. Also, the new metal cladding panels that incorporate these technologies, being less expensive than their more traditional counterparts, are likely to offset demand for both Cor-Ten and high-end materials like stone and terracotta. The arrival of these new servants of taste and fash- ion likely aligns well with an attribute some see as cen- tral to the benefits of metal, whether for cladding or roofing. "Metal roofs are arguably the most recyclable of all types of roofs," says Rick Ruppert, architectural services manager at Firestone Building Products. Although metal roofs are used mostly for sloped applications, they are finding favour because of other qualities, including having a long service life, being low-maintenance, lightweight and wind resistant. Standing seam metal roofs can also provide a dependable substrate for solar photovoltaic (PV) pan- els, especially if a PV option is factored into the design process. "The standing seams of a sloped metal roof can be used to attach panels, which can be clipped on to the seams. A metal roof provides a very stable sub- strate for a [solar PV] panel, plus you have a thermal chimney, of a natural convective flow, between the panel and the seam," Ruppert says. Firestone's Una-Clad series of standing seam roof systems are well suited to solar PV applications, adds Ruppert. Firestone doesn't supply solar panels but works with all the companies that do. Another attraction of metal roofs is the variety of colours now available, including some traditional colours such as the copper hues that have been spiced up with mica to increase the reflecting power. Ruppert says that a roof painted in medium bronze can qualify as "cool." These new coatings for metal cladding and roofs are also extremely durable. "We're able to offer 20-year, even a 40-year warranty for products made in Hol- land by Euromax, [this warranty] covers fading and discolouration," says Kia Kharrazmi, director of sales at Nortem Corporation. Nortem is the exclusive distributor of Euromax coil- coated materials in Canada. Kharrazmi agrees that there is a wide range of colours and finishes available on the market these days. He also points to the ability of Euromax coatings to mimic zinc, copper and stone, as well as the"aged" look. The company helps clients in the design community find their way through the array of product options. "We work with architects to develop the entire cladding design that's fully custom- ized to their needs," says Kharrazmi. Regarding designers' range of options these days, Blair Davies, VP and general manager at Engineered Assemblies Inc., comments, "Metal roofing can be fash- ioned into almost anything." He cautions, though, that owners and designers can waste time and money if specs for roofing systems are not spelled out in detail. "There's a huge return on investment if time is put into design. For example, architects need to make clear what kind of transition from roof to wall is wanted and include details on specs. The transition should be Photo: École Secondaire du Sommet, Bedford, NS. Architect: WHW Architects. Product: Vicwest Tradition 100, silver metallic. Photo Credit: WHW Architects & Vicwest. AUGUST 2014 /27 Metal Roofi ng and Cladding