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Aluminum composite material panel system AL13 from Anenda Systems Inc.; + Kalzip FC facade system installed by Flynn Canada Ltd. august 2015 | 35 Metal Roofi ng/Cladding the continuing growth of the metal cladding and roofi ng sector by GODFREY BUDD T heir esthetic versatility, as well as a practical side that includes speed of instal- lation, durability and extreme weather resistiveness, continues to bolster the appeal of metal cladding and roofing products in the marketplace. Some metal cladding systems are seeing robust growth. Insulated metal panels (IMPs), for instance, are now gracing exteriors at a variety of architectural venues, including retail malls, car dealerships and schools and hospitals. "Insulated metal panels have taken the industry by storm. I would guess there's been an increase of 50 per cent in IMP sales in the last five years. The old sandwich system is rarely spec'd," says Ron Ortiz, an architectural sales executive with MJ Building Envelope Solutions Inc., which represents Firestone Building Products. Noting that his firm offers a full line of architectural and structural metal roofs, he says that a key attraction of such products, which include vapour barriers and insulation to complete the system, is "up to a 25-year full coverage warranty at zero extra cost to architects, builder or owner." Staff at Kingspan Insulated Panels agree that IMPs' popularity has exploded and credit its sustainability. The company focusses on incorporating sustainable and energy-saving features into a modern building's design. They say that clients like as many design elements as possible that are now promoted as "green" because they will be standard design features in the years ahead. The primary considerations for a roof include: a high R-value, as rated by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); a construction system that will be airtight upon completion to provide the best thermal envelope; and the inclusion of material(s) that will earn the building LEED and Path To Net Zero credits. One system that stands out is Kingspan's KingZip Insulated Standing Seam Roof. Formed with insulated metal panels (IMPs), this roof provides a superior level of thermal and airtightness performance compared to standard roofing systems. Although the expanded use of IMPs has occurred in the context of a shift from pure utility to an esthetic role, they have excellent insulating properties and can be very quickly installed, says Don Delaney, an engineer and business development specialist at Flynn Canada Ltd. Besides IMPs, roll-formed metal cladding systems are also gaining ground, with more product variety hitting the market. Flynn has recently made available the Kalzip FC facade system, a newly-developed non-penetrative system that incorpo- rates a fast-to-install lightweight flat rainscreen panel, suitable for both new build and refurbishment projects. The system consists of a cold-formed aluminum panel, which is manually clicked without screws and rivets into an associated modular click rail or individual mono- click bracket. Panels are roll-formed with edge returns as standard, which are then supported on the proprietary modular click rail or mono-click bracket. "The full rainscreen system allows for thermal movement. Also, panels are easily removable. You can take one from anywhere, including the middle of the wall, without disturb- ing the other panels," says Delaney. Kalzip, a German company, is also known for roofing systems that are designed to meet the most demanding construction requirements and elaborate designs. The company's lightweight systems are flexible and can accommodate large spans. "Their roof is among the best you can buy. Flashings are welded in. It's a watertight roof, with no reliance on sealant," adds Delaney. He notes that the Kalzip FC cladding panels can be applied horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The popularity of time-saving, site-rolled cladding and IMPs is partly the result of the increased complexity of building envelopes and a tendency for the installation of structural components to run over schedule, says Blake Merrick, a founder of the Architectural Metal Cladding Association of BC (AMCABC) and a project manager with Flynn. Movin' On Up

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