Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/607779
DECEMBER 2015 | 49 Walls & Ceilings PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CGC INC.; POWER DRYWALL LTD.; TRUE BLUE WIRE PRODUCTS INC. W Walls and ceilings combine esthetics and function by LAURIE JONES With the advances in stylish options for wall and ceil- ing installations, walking into a room today can evoke a broad range of sensory experiences. Canadian manufac- turers have stepped up their game for 2016 to provide the latest in design and technology to create the per- fect look for corporate, residential or industrial settings. Wallworks Acoustic Architectural Products Inc. offers state-of-the-art, laser-cut wood treatments that add a new level of style to any room. "These are laser- cut perforations to make patterns, random modules or art-type modules that are fitted over acoustic under- lays and are considered to be highly decorative as well as working as acoustic partitions and/or absorbers," says Lyle Fuller, president. "BRUAG, the manufacturer in Switzerland, is able to cut whatever design we make. We're currently doing a project for the University of Toronto where they provided an image that goes across the entire wall." Another product from Wallworks features sculpted full wall panels. "We are providing sculpted wall track systems that span an entire wall surface," says Fuller. "They are created with a pyramid and/or valley-like look, or any of several different designs. These treat- ments provide both high-end acoustics and décor and are significantly different than an average flat wall panel design. This application is primarily used for commercial – anything from lobbies to boardrooms." Another option from Wallworks are sculptured wall panels that are individual, modular panels: "They are cut with various geometric design facings and depending on the manufacturer, finishes range from limited choices to a wide range of colours," Fuller says. The Exterior Insulated Finishing System (EIFS) by Power Drywall Ltd. is making new inroads in the con- tracting world, from small structures to soaring tow- ers. "We're not calling it pre-fab or pre-manufactured, we're calling it offsite construction because that's really what we are doing," says Kevin Amyot, general manager. "We pre-assemble a complete panel from the interior to the exterior. That takes approximately 80 to 90 per cent of the work offsite and into the manufac- turing facility." Amyot says these panels take all of the air barrier and insulation to the outside of the envelope, includ- ing a complete coloured finished system on the exte- rior. "In downtown metropolitan areas you see a lot of fenestration and we understand the reasons, however it has created an extreme overload on HVAC systems. And with the newly implemented energy code coming into play, there's a requirement for better thermal per- formance. If the structures were to remain glass, the designers would have to make the windows triple or quadruple glazed," adds Amyot. Power's EIFS panels expedite construction because there is no need for exterior scaffolding and the labour to install them is significantly reduced as they are set from the inside of the building. The exterior is already prefinished at the plant. "Right now we have projects at UBC that are using this system, as well we are just com- pleting a 36-storey tower in downtown Calgary," he says. Envirowall Partition Systems Ltd. is adding new ways to create the most efficient layout in offices with demountable, vinyl board walls and doors with clear glass accompanied by wider battens to create a mono- lithic look. "We can deliver a complete system with a wide selection of panels to suit any size office," says Ron Kent, sales manager. "Many workplaces are still open concept, but there is a need to put up walls in certain scenarios. Our walls go up quickly and cleanly because there is no taping and sanding to do, and it can be done in a matter of hours, as opposed to days with regular walls." A wide range of laminated colours are available to customize a look for clients. "We have most of the neu- tral colours in stock, but we run our colours every week so at worst, custom orders would be a done quickly. However, the white, off-white and grey panels are our most popular sellers," adds Kent. Also new for Envirowall Partition Systems is its interactive website. "In the process of upgrading our components, our website is now more interactive," says Kent. "This is important from a designer or archi- tect point of view because products in our catalogues are now easily downloadable, so there is no need to have physical catalogues in libraries." CGC Inc. is introducing four new products to its high-performance ceiling panel line – all dedicated to providing high-performance, balanced acoustics that have an impact on human interactions in spaces where we live, work and play. The new high-performance and high-value prod- ucts include CGC Mars High-NRC/High-CAC Acoustical Panels – featuring noise reduction isolation options in NRC .80, .85 and .90; CGC Eclipse High-NRC Acoustical Panels – with elegant, fine-textured ceiling panels that feature excellent noise reduction (up to NRC .75) and are available in Optimized Recycled Content; CGC Mars Healthcare High-NRC Acoustical Panels – featuring a water-repellent membrane designed to be durable and safe with common disinfectants; and CGC Orion Acoustical Panels – with a high light-reflective finish that reduces the number of needed light fixtures and energy use. "Acoustics play a critical role in our daily lives, whether in an office environment, in our children's classrooms, or within the hospitals that serve our com- munities," says David Woodcock, product manager for CGC Ceilings. "The expanded CGC Ceiling Solutions portfolio combines exceptional product performance at a great value, ensuring our clients and customers can help to create the best possible acoustical experience for end-users." All four feature the CGC ClimaPlus 30-year lifetime system warranty against visible sag, mould and mildew, and are designed for use in everything from open office space and doctors' offices to hospitals and schools. With its selection of wire trellises and outdoor liv- ing walls, True Blue Wire Products Inc. brings a touch of beauty to projects from industrial to residential living spaces. "The big target for our trellis system is for commercial applications, or multi-residential Art Of Separation Logix Integrated ceiling system from CGC Inc.; The Exterior Insulated Finishing System by Power Drywall Ltd.; Outdoor living wall from True Blue Wire Products Inc.