SHOP TALK: Building Materials And The Rise Of Metal Panels

Metal buildings have a long history in the United States, dating back to the first steel -framed skyscraper in the late 1800s. Beginning its rise with steel, the emergence of metal buildings was prevalent around WWII when it was used to construct bomb shelters. It became more and more popular through the 21^st century with a variety of natural metal and natural metal substitutes being offered.

There are a variety of benefits to using metal products that have contributed to their rise within the architectural community. The benefits include, but are not limited to, aesthetics, recyclability and competitive pricing. Metal panels include single skin, plate, modular, and metal composite material. Each provides a multitude of benefits and features. Metal panels can be used on any exterior component of a façade including the curtain wall, louvers, column covers, and canopies.

One of the greatest benefits of utilizing metal panels are their limitless design opportunities. Metal materials can be perforated, embossed, printed or painted. They can also be anodized and patinaed, processes only metal components can endure. Additionally, metal products can be either pre or post-painted allowing a plethora of aesthetic opportunities. Additionally, the materials can be color matched, allowing an architect to choose from an endless color palette.

The pricing of metal panels is competitive due to their efficiencies in producing less labor, less maintenance costs, and the utilization of less materials in installation. Single skin panels, for instance, are 100% recyclable, making them the most sustainable metal product available. Also, the popularity of modularized systems has been used extensively within the metal community, which allows for tested pre-engineered façade solutions. ­

Whether an architect is seeking a cost effective, sustainable, easy to install metal material or they are interested in a material with endless design options, metal panels are the premier choice. 

CEI Materials has just launched a new pre-engineered modular panel system; CLADLOK.