Rainscreens

Design Innovation
New Metal Trends Update
April 1, 2021 at 9:06 pm 0

The metal building industry continues to grow and evolve, which may be spurred on by the hopefulness of a post-pandemic world later this year. This is a good time, then, to get updated on some of the trends and developments that have been emerging in the past few years and are likely to continue strong into the foreseeable future. Some of the most notable innovations that are fast becoming trends in exterior metal wall panels and facades are as follows:

Finishes: The latest exterior metal panel coatings are a pre-finished decorative system that accurately simulates more expensive natural finishes, including wood and specialty metals. Using high performance, field-proven print coating technology, an innovative metal print coat finish system can be used on both steel and aluminum substrates, offering significant cost savings along with lower maintenance than the natural materials they emulate. The coating is available in twelve print coat patterns and colors, is low maintenance, offers exceptional dirt and stain resistance, and provides excellent UV resistance. Further, the outstanding adhesion and color consistency of these coatings means that the panels will continue to look uniform over the life of the buildings they are used on. CENTRIA offers finishes that do all of this under the “Impressions” line.

Bold Three-Dimensional Facades: Metal panels used in single-skin rainscreen façades are now readily available with curves and bold, sloped-rib profiles. While corrugated metal panels have been available and in use for some time, these new panels use the play of light and shadow to create a complex wall relief that has not been available before in corrugated metal wall panels. In addition to innovative aesthetics, the same performance associated with conventional metal rainscreen products can be achieved. The panels may be installed in a variety of horizontal or vertical rainscreen applications to form a complete wall system. The “Cascade” line is offered by CENTRIA as part of this visual trend.

Modular Aesthetics: A modular metal panel system can change conventional thought on what a rainscreen wall system should look like. A coordinated system of smaller, modular panels in a variety of colors and finishes can be used by artistic façade designers to inspire spectacular visual results. Since there are plenty of finish choices, the combinations of patterns and appearances is only limited by the designer’s imagination. The modular design of such a system means that either vertical or horizontal installations can be incorporated. Modular metal panels are available in standard coil-coated aluminum substrate, post-anodized aluminum, zinc, and other natural metals. Further, they are available in a variety of panel design options including flat, tapered, or perforated. The “Intercept” product line is the CENTRIA system that can be used to take advantage of this trend.

Perforated Panels: There are design and performance reasons where certain facades can benefit from a light, airy, aesthetic or allow air to flow through on purpose. In these cases, a perforated metal panel can be the best choice. Typically, such panels are created using a unique fabrication process applied to 20-gauge stainless steel or 0.040" painted aluminum. This means that the building can blend with their surroundings with a material that will hold up very well over time. The amount of perforation can vary and be specified between 10% - 40% of the panel area to provide an airy aesthetic that controls light and air movement making it an ideal choice for concealing equipment. The panels can be installed either vertically or horizontally to suit particular project needs. CENTRIA offers perforated panels in a variety of product lines, but a full system is found in “EcoScreen Perforated Screenwalls”.

Insulated Metal Panels: The combination of rigid foam insulation and an interior and exterior metal skin produces insulated metal panels (IMPs). Used in commercial and industrial buildings where energy performance and expedited construction processes are important, IMPs provide a one-step solution to provide interior and exterior finish, insulation, plus an effective air and vapor barrier. The lightweight panels provide tremendous design flexibility, ease of installation with long lengths, various finish options. and superior weather resistance. They can be installed vertically or horizontally to suit the aesthetics of large-scale commercial and industrial buildings such as warehouses, industrial facilities, schools, and shopping centers. From a performance standpoint, the insulation creates a thermal break between the face and liner to save energy. A factory-applied panel joint sealant, together with field-applied sealant, create an air and vapor barrier that provides outstanding results. They are also available with factory-formed sheet metal flashing or extruded aluminum trim. The “Versawall” (vertical or horizontal) product line is offered by CENTRIA in this category of trending metal walls. 

To find out more about any of these trends in building facades that use metal panels, visit the CENTRIA website or contact your local CENTRIA Representative.

 

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Balance and Beauty Achieved with CENTRIA Products
Design Innovation
Balance and Beauty Achieved with CENTRIA Products
November 25, 2019 at 9:16 pm 0

 

The Westin Jackson is a 203-room hotel located near key downtown attractions in Jackson, MS. The building design communicates the area’s deep musical heritage with the help of CENTRIA products, metaphorically celebrating the birthplace of the Delta Blues and nodding to the music’s instrumentation, rhythm, and multi-layered composition.

In total, more than 31,000 square feet of CENTRIA SDP-175 Structural Design Panels, Econolap® exposed fastener metal rainscreens, and Style-Rib exposed fastener panels were used on the building’s façade.

“The use of compositional ‘wall’ features and patterns in various ways, emulating sheets of music was accomplished using CENTRIA standing seam and ribbed metal panel products,” says Trace Jaques, Partner, ESG Architects, the firm responsible for the building’s design. “The use of variegated finishes on the standing seam wall cladding also contributes to the drama, rhythm and style in a manner similar to a musical score.”

CENTRIA SDP-175 Structural Design Panels are structural standing seam roof panels that feature a snap-together seam that does not require mechanical seaming yet provides excellent resistance to wind uplift. These panels were used for a custom wall application.

Econolap exposed fastener panels are extremely versatile panels that can be used as exterior or interior walls, roofs, and soffits with ribs that run horizontally or vertically. The architecture team specified these panels in the vertical configuration to achieve their design goals.

“The great value and durability of CENTRIA products were an excellent fit for this upscale hotel in downtown Jackson,” says Terry Gruenhagen, Principal, ESG Architects. He was also part of the design team.

“CENTRIA products have long been ESG’s ‘basis of design’ choice for much of our firm’s work utilizing metal wall and roof materials,” he says. “We appreciate the versatility and variety of the product lines and the terrific support we receive from our CENTRIA representatives.”

The Westin Jackson is part of a $60-million public-private development in the downtown arts and culture district. Amenities at the hotel include a saltwater pool, a 6,000 square-foot spa, and a modern wine bar and bistro, Estelle. The hotel is also located within close proximity to the Jackson Convention Complex.

“Balance, beauty, harmony, proportion, expressive form and artistry — much like the qualities of great music and especially the Blues that surrounds this region in Mississippi — are celebrated in the design of the Westin Hotel in Jackson,” says Jaques.

The 174,000-square-foot hotel was completed in June 2017. The general contractor was Brasfield & Gorrie, and the CENTRIA dealer and installer was National Panel Systems

 

 

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UPMC Logan Façade Augmented with CENTRIA Concept Series Metal Panels
Design Innovation
UPMC Logan Façade Augmented with CENTRIA Concept Series Metal Panels
May 9, 2019 at 8:00 am 0

CENTRIA Concept Series single-skin rainscreen panels enabled the design team with WTW Architects to create a clean, contemporary aesthetic at the new UPMC Logan Medical Center in Altoona, PA.

Logan Medical Center provides advanced outpatient services, primary care, and diagnostic services to communities in the Altoona region. Patients visit the facility for pediatric services, the family practice, the asthma and allergy clinic, or to see ear-nose-throat and orthopedics specialists. It was important that the building reflect the cutting-edge medical services and modern procedures which take place at the facility.

“The vision was to create a contemporary and attractive building that would express the high-tech nature of UPMC and its tenants that would occupy the building,” says Tom Wiley, Principal, WTW Architects. “The metal panels provided a clean, linear look and the right shadow line, helping to enhance the appearance of the building.”

Concept Series single-skin rainscreen panels feature concealed fasteners and a common-lock joint that allows the panels to be integrated with each other. Approximately 24,000 square feet of the CS610 style-panels with MicroSeam Corners were used across the 90,000 square-foot building. The panels appealed to the team because of their durability and aesthetic.

“We knew that they would be well constructed with sharp lines,” Wiley says.

The building was completed in the Spring of 2017. WTW architects provided design services, and the general contractor was Alexander Building Construction Company. The CENTRIA dealer and installer was Nittany Building Specialties, Inc. 

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CENTRIA Panels Reflect State-of-the-Art Elementary School’s Modern Approach to Learning
Design Innovation
CENTRIA Panels Reflect State-of-the-Art Elementary School’s Modern Approach to Learning
March 14, 2019 at 8:00 am 0

Approximately 50,000 square feet of CENTRIA’s SRS 3 standing seam metal roof panels in straight and curved iterations, plus 25,000 square feet of Concept Series CS-60 rainscreen panels, and 10,000 square feet of IW-Series metal rainscreen panels together form the modern, clean aesthetic of the state-of-the-art Montour Elementary School located in McKees Rocks, PA.

With an educational approach that incorporates science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math – or STEAM – the 173,000-square-foot school is the primary facility for the Montour Elementary School district and serves Robinson and Kennedy Townships, Pennsbury Village, and the Boroughs of Ingram and Thornburg.

The SRS 3 panels enabled the school’s distinctive curved roof to become a reality, thanks to their long panel lengths and versatile installation. The panels were ideal because they could be field-formed to suit the project’s needs and could be installed quickly and easily.

“The most unique aspect of the project was the field rollforming and field curving of the roof panels,” explains Randy McClure of Essig-McClure, the CENTRIA product dealer. “All of the material arrived on the site exactly when it was needed, and Pennsylvania Roofing Systems was able to set up on a low roof and produce and distribute all of the panels.”

The building’s modern design was achieved with CENTRIA Concept Series single-skin rainscreen panels and IW Series panels. Concept Series incorporates concealed fasteners to provide a sleek, unbroken appearance with exceptional aesthetic versatility. IW Series panels eliminate exposed fasteners for a clean, unbroken look.

The Concept Series panels were specified in a range of colors: Cavern Clay, Regal White, Brick II, and Silver Gray. All were used strategically across the façade to enhance visual interest and generate a playful character.

The Montour Elementary School was completed in August 2017 in time for the school year. The lead architect was Pittsburgh-based Architectural Innovations, and general contracting services were provided by Lobar Construction. The CENTRIA dealer was Essig-McClure, Inc. and the installer was AP Metal Sales and Pennsylvania Roofing Systems.

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