Best Building Envelope Products of 2018
Duranar MXL and Coraflon MXL
PPG has engineered two new state-of-the-art architectural coatings to enhance the luster and color of metal-clad buildings. In addition to deflecting sunlight and helping to reduce cooling loads, Duranar MXL and Coraflon MXL are both infused with pigments that create a dynamic 3-D effect that shifts in color.
U-Cara
Builders can install concrete fascia panels anywhere on the versatile backer blocks of Unilock’s latest retaining-wall system. The result is a virtually limitless combination of patterns, colors, and textures. With a palette of four finishes and 23 colors, the U-Cara wall system can also contrast or coordinate with the company’s pavers.
Super Metal Future Collection
This line of real metal cladding from Pure Free Form allows architects to apply the vast range of textures, finishes, and colors of raw aluminum without waiting through the process of natural weathering. Instead, Super Metal Future enables architects to control the metal’s natural beauty up front with a choice of 12 patterns. The maximum sheet size is 4' x 15', available in thicknesses ranging from 0.08" to 0.125".
CLT-100, -200, and -300
Adjustable, with its own integrated leveling and measuring devices, this cladding support system facilitates faster and easier installations. The aluminum tracks and mounts and polyamide clips can accommodate continuous insulation and minimize thermal bridging. The company’s CLT-100, -200, and -300 models are all suitable for exterior and interior applications, and, when used with external insulation, achieve 91% thermal effectiveness.
Segmented Autonomous Tiles
To expand applications of its Prism Autonomous Tiles (debuted in 2017), which enable architects to enliven facades with digital electronic patterns and shapes generated on programmable peel-and-stick film, E Ink has developed a more segmented version. Available in custom sizes, the newer lightweight, solar- and battery-powered panels offer greater flexibility.
QuadCore Technology
A special closed-cell foam insulation in four of Kingspan’s insulated metal panels (ISPs) adds heightened thermal efficiency, performing twice as well as mineral wool and at least 11% better than other standard polyisocyanurate products. The foam, QuadCore, is Greenguard-certified and offered in the company’s Shadowline, Micro-Rib, Optimo, and Designwall 4000 panels.
Neolith Skyline + Pureti
To enhance its sintered-stone cladding, Neolith by the Size now offers a line of slabs pretreated with PURETi’s state-of-the-art self-cleaning water-based photocatalytic solution. The coating (containing titanium dioxide, like sunscreen) is available on five sizes of Neolith’s Skyline product and uses energy from sunlight to break down grime from pollution.
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