Metal Standards for Wall Panels

Function

• Wall panels comprise a system of horizontally and vertically positioned concrete slabs that serve as exterior cladding for buildings. Their function ranges from thermal insulation and moisture control to decoration and support for interior walls. In addition to aluminum, wall panels are also fabricated with copper, steel, stainless steel and composite metal materials.

Benefits

• Aluminum is the most widely used facing for wall panels according to the National Institute of Building Sciences (WBDG). It's durability, low cost and high resistance to corrosion make it the metal type of choice in wall panel systems. Aluminum metal panels also provide significant insulation against outside temperatures and thermal resistance. They can be installed both indoors and outdoors and provide a smooth, finished look. Stainless steel and copper are often used in high-end construction projects. While copper is lightweight and also highly resistant to corrosion, stainless steel is unaffected by extreme temperatures and tends to reflect and dissipate light across its surface. Composite metal wall panels also provide high-strength qualities and contain built-in insulation.

Expert Insight

• In addition to their durable nature and resistance against extreme weather, metal wall panels also serve a decorative function in architecture as well. “Design and Build with Metal” editorial and content director Bob Fittro observes that metal cladding material features the widest variety of looks and has environmentally friendly qualities. Fittro comments, “Metal is also an inherently green product and, depending upon which type of metal system you choose, can provide tremendous energy saving benefits.” Moreover, while each metal type provides its own unique advantages, cladding systems ultimately influence how the materials will perform in buildings.

Wall Panel Systems

• The WBDG lists four types of metal panel systems: lap-seam metal panels, composite metal wall panels, flat-plate metal wall panels and metal-faced composite panels. Lap-steam systems feature long strips of panel that can extend as long as 4 feet wide and 20 feet long. Gutters and sealant tape are typically installed along the panels’ edges. Composite metal wall systems are stronger than lap-seam systems, but vary in thickness depending on insulation. Flat-plate metal systems bend panels into various shapes and weld them to stiffeners and metal extrusions for extra durability. Metal-face composite panel systems are weaker than flat-plate systems, but can also be strengthened using stiffeners.