https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/2004 en-us http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/18140 Fri, 01 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/18140-vapor-barriers-help-control-moisture-in-tighter-building-designs http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/18071 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/18071-new-building-envelope-products-for-spring-2026 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17916 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:02:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17916-best-building-envelope-and-cladding-products-of-2025 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17625 Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17625-pre-applied-or-blindside-waterproofing http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17411 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17411-new-cladding-and-building-envelope-products-for-2025 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17263 Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:07:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/17263-best-building-envelope-products-of-2024 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16688 Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:06:36 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16688-continuing-education-building-recladding http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16646 Thu, 04 Jan 2024 08:17:54 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16646-new-cladding-and-building-envelope-products-for-winter-2024 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16647 Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16647-case-study-shading-strategies Architectural Record presents the top facade systems of the year, highlighting timber cladding and architectural mesh.]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16631 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:02:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16631-best-building-systems-and-components-of-2023 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16126 Mon, 20 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16126-new-cladding-products-for-spring-2023 Architectural Record's annual competition presents the best new facade components of the year.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15966 Thu, 08 Dec 2022 06:11:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15966-best-building-envelopes-of-2022 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15835 Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15835-new-cladding-products-for-autumn-2022 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15472 Thu, 20 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15472-the-latest-building-envelope-systems-materials Architectural Record presents the top building skin and glazing systems of the year.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15415 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 00:09:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15415-best-building-envelopes-of-2021 These recent facades—made from a range of materials—help architects push the envelope.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14958 Thu, 14 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14958-new-building-envelope-products-for-winter-2021 Architectural Record presents the best cladding and rainscreen products of the year.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14896 Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:12:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14896-best-building-envelopes-of-2020 http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14464 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 07:15:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14464-new-building-envelope-products-winter-2020 Architectural Record presents the best building envelope products of 2019, from claddings and coatings to comprehensive systems.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14382 Sun, 01 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14382-best-building-envelope-products-of-2019 Ventilated Glass Facade for Parking Structures Engineered to beautify typical garage structures, this cladding system uses proprietary aluminum fittings, which require no drilling or notching and attach directly to walls and slabs, eliminating the need for steel substructures. Decorative safety-glass panels are also functional, filtering light and enabling ventilation through openings created by their steel mounting hardware. bendheim.com Nomad Steel Slab Edge Unlike many metal panels that are laminated and contain petroleum, this single-skin aluminum panel by Pure + FreeForm is HPD-compliant, Red List– and VOC-free, and 100% recyclable. With a maximum dimension of 48" x 177", each panel can be custom finished and is suitable for interior or exterior applications. purefreeform.com NeuSkyns Formulated to be fire-, water-, mold-, and toxin-resistant, this versatile nano-ceramic composite can be applied to buildings as a coating, binder, or solid surfacing. A patented new material made of minerals, recycled foams, farm waste, and sand, NeuSkyns can be sprayed on, troweled on like stucco, molded, and 3-D-printed. nanoarchitech.com Stonitex Reinforced carbon-fiber-mesh backing gives these 0.39"-thick stone-veneer panels 10 times the flexural strength of thicker slabs, which also weigh, on average, 40% more. The thinner, lighter panels enable larger-format applications and greater design flexibility. Using a proprietary attachment technology, Stonitex is available in three finishes and 13 colors, and in sizes up to a maximum 4' x 8'. elemex.com UltraShield BPA-free and 100% recyclable, this high-strength composite siding by NewTech Wood is fabricated from recycled plastic and wood pulp, which gives it the benefits of both materials. Unlike wood siding, UltraShield (shown in profile UH46) is resistant to staining, termites, and rot. Standard board dimensions are close to 4¾" x 1" x 16'; custom lengths, profiles, patterns, and colors are available. newtechwood.com 3-D-Printed Mold for Architectural Precast Concrete To realize custom, complex parametric forms in precast concrete, Gate Precast developed a 3-D-printed mold module that can range in size from 10' x 10' to 15' x 40' or larger. The printed mold, made of carbon-fiber-reinforced ABS, is an evolution from previous models made of high-density rubber with a 2' to 3' x 6¾' size limitation. 3-D printing also reduces the time needed to make each mold, from the 48–52 hours required by conventional hand-carpentry to a mere 14 hours. gateprecast.com Advanced manufacturing technology is enhancing the function and installation of these offerings.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14278 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 13:30:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14278-new-building-envelope-products-for-fall-2019 ProtectoR HD Building and roof-insulation manufacturer Johns Manville has developed a new high-density cover board for steel-and-concrete deck applications. Measuring a ½" thick, ProtectoR HD adds a moisture-, hail-, wind-, and puncture-resistant layer to roofs, which also features an R value of 2.5 and gets installed with 50% fewer fasteners. jm.com Insulating Solar Tiles A solar roof system by 3IN1ROOF embeds photovoltaic panels within a hurricane-wind-resistant tile. Each unit features a 2"-thick gypsum core with recesses that hold the glass solar panels and wiring. Those are covered by two coats of a special biopolymer infused with Portland cement. Once installed, the combination acts as both a thermal barrier with R16 insulation value and a power generator with a 50-year warranty. 3in1roof.com 3-D-Printed Precast Gate Precast, a concrete manufacturer, is among the first large-scale producers to use 3-D printing to build stronger high-performing molds for some of its architectural elements. This is because the printed molds (made of a carbon-fiber-reinforced ABS) produce significantly more castings at a faster pace for large-scale projects than conventional wood molds. The result: unprecedented cost savings and quality control on jobs, such as an order for hundreds of punched windows COOKFOX Architects designed for a mixed-use project in New York. Using the new molds, created in half the time of wood ones, also allowed workers to pre-install windows in the precast units while they were still on the ground. gateprecast.com 3-D-Printed Precast Gate Precast, a concrete manufacturer, is among the first large-scale producers to use 3-D printing to build stronger high-performing molds for some of its architectural elements. This is because the printed molds (made of a carbon-fiber-reinforced ABS) produce significantly more castings at a faster pace for large-scale projects than conventional wood molds. The result: unprecedented cost savings and quality control on jobs, such as an order for hundreds of punched windows COOKFOX Architects designed for a mixed-use project in New York. Using the new molds, created in half the time of wood ones, also allowed workers to pre-install windows in the precast units while they were still on the ground. gateprecast.com 3D Printing Mortar Laticrete is developing a special mortar formulated for 3-D printing, which it plans to launch in 2020. A prototype was used to build a shelter called DE|stress for Exhibit Columbus in Indiana. That installation, by Ball State University architecture assistant teaching professor and Design Innovation Fellow Christopher Battaglia, will be on view through December 1, 2019. The mortar is designed to be applied using 3-D technology, which streamlines the building process, reducing labor and construction waste. Visit the manufacturer’s website for availability. laticrete.com Tension Fabric Buildings Legacy Building Solutions provides durable textile-covered structures, which can be built three times as fast as conventional buildings, for stationary or portable applications. Ideal for clients whose programming requires flexibility—such as the military, aviation industry, and sports organizations—these steel-frame volumes can be specified with side walls of steel, concrete, or stone, in addition to an array of polyethylene and PVC fabrics that filter daylight, while also supporting additional insulation and liners, which can reduce energy costs. legacybuildingsolutions.com In the building envelopes category of this year's Record Products contest, winners include claddings, coatings, surfacing, and systems.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/13786 Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:45:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/13786-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. ppgmetalcoatings.com 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. unilock.com 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". purefreeform.com 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. cl-talon.com 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. eink.com 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. kingspanpanels.com 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. neolith.com/en New building envelope products from Sierra Pacific, Bendheim, Weyerhaeuser, Dow Corning, and Typar Weather Protection System.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12673 Mon, 01 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12673-may-2017-product-briefs-building-envelopes H3 FeelSafe Windows Sierra Pacific’s new line of storm-tested, impactrated H3 FeelSafe windows combines a high-tech design with a zone 3 rating (PG +50/-60). Made of extruded aluminum, vinyl, and solid wood, the double-hung and casement windows are ideal for builders who don’t want to step down to a vinyl impact-rated window price-point product or increase the budget for a zone 4–prepared window. sierrapacificwindows.com Curved Glass Wall Using channel glass from Bendheim, Steven Holl Architects created 20'-tall curved walls of glass that bring filtered daylight into the studios and open loft spaces inside the new University of Iowa Visual Arts Building in Iowa City, Iowa. The architects selected the 3-D, U-shaped glass to create multiple “centers of light” that break up the otherwise flat expanses of the rectilinear building form. bendheim.com Weyerhaeuser Diamond This engineered subfloor panel is designed to provide wet-weather performance, superior strength and nail retention to help eliminate squeaky floors. Specifically manufactured to resist inclement weather, the subfloor features the company’s patented Down Pore self-draining technology that uses a notch-andgroove system to channel water from the end of the panel and the supporting member. weyerhaeuser.com HPI-1000 Building Insulation Blanket Based on silicon aerogel technology, Dow Corning’s new building insulation blanket has a slim profile that can be easily cut and conformed to complex shapes and tight curvatures, even in difficult building-envelope connection points such as areas where glazing systems meet cavity walls, where belowgrade systems meet above-grade systems, and where parapets meet roofs. dowcorning.com Typar Drainable Wrap The latest addition to the Typar Weather Protection System, Typar Drainable Wrap features a layer of multi-directional polypropylene fibers that diverts bulk water from exterior wall cavities, creating a highly efficient drainage gap that sheds more bulk water than traditional house wraps. The wrap comes with a lifetime-limited warranty and meets code requirements for drainage efficiency. typar.com Kebony Clear Oslo-based Kebony is now offering its clear-grain decking and cladding products in North America. Appropriate for residential and commercial applications, the line includes a ¾" x 4 ¾" FSC-certified lap siding that rivals tropical hardwoods. As with all of the company’s wood, Kebony Clear is treated with a bio-based liquid that provides outstanding durability and dimensional stability. kebony.com/us 3M DI-NOC Exterior Series 3M now offers a range of vinyl architectural finishes recommended for exterior surfaces. The 3M DI-NOC Exterior Series conforms to a variety of nonporous flat or curved surfaces, including aluminum and galvanized-and-painted steel, and comes in 24 stock styles, ranging from a solid color to wood-grain, metallic, or abstract motifs. Applications include the renovation of branded environments such as storefronts, awnings, signs, and other architectural features. http://www.designtex.com/ JetSpray Thermal Insulation System Knauf’s JetSpray spray-on glass mineral wool insulation can be used in netless sidewall application for projects ranging from single- and multifamily dwellings to modular or light commercial structures. It is easily installed around wiring and other wall obstructions to completely fill cavities without settling. JetSpray typically dries within 24 hours, meaning drywall can be installed the next day. jetspray.knaufinsulation.us YES 60 F1 Part of YKK AP America’s new YES 60 line of storefront systems, the YES 60 FI storefront design is structurally 10% stronger than the line’s other two systems, allowing for greater vertical and horizontal spans. The YES 60 FI accepts low-E insulating glass from ¼"–1", delivering the performance necessary for climate zones 1 and 2. ykkap.com Steel Door Collection Jeld-Wen’s Craftsman Collection of exterior steel doors is the first on the market to offer homeowners the look of craftsman design while incorporating the security and affordability of steel. The doors are available in three variations, including two-panel, three-panel, and singlepanel options in a variety of widths. Available in 20-minute and 90-minute fire ratings, the doors can be custom color matched. jeld-wen.com taraskaj@bnpmedia.com (Julie Taraska) New products from Ply Gem, Shildan, DensElement, Georgia-Pacific, PROSOCO, SAF, and VaproShield.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11640 Sun, 01 May 2016 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11640-may-2016-product-briefs-building-envelopes Engineered Cedar Made with recycled resins, these gray roofing tiles mimic the look of weathered wood but are more durable, resisting fire, moisture, insects, and impact. The tiles, which can be cut and scored with a utility knife, attach with nails and do not require additional framing. plygemroofing.com Fabrik This dry-joint architectural mesh system comprises a flexible steel framework into which component materials—such as terra-cotta, glass, or wood—can be woven. The large-scale sheets may be shipped folded or rolled in coils and erected via crane to accelerate construction. The mortarless Fabrik may also be easily repaired and recycled. shildan.com DensElement This sheathing solution from Georgia-Pacific and PROSOCO streamlines installation by integrating air-barrier and water-resistive systems into the gypsum core, beneath the fiberglass mat. PROSOCO’s R-Guard FastFlash then fills and seals the joints and fasteners, eliminating the need to fully coat the wall. denselement.com Insul SAF M5000 These galvanized-steel pans feature a mineral-wool lining that prevents building-perimeter heat gain and loss. The wool also dampens noise, with its various thicknesses (2" to 8") providing up to a 1.0 NRC. The finished panels—which qualify for LEED credits—may be attached directly to a structure’s mullions or, if fabricated with flanges, face-mounted. saf.com VaproMat Designed for stone, stucco, and masonry projects, this lightweight polypropylene matrix with an integrated filtering fabric creates a drainage cavity behind cementitious cladding. Available in 3mm and 7mm depths for arid and mixed climates, respectively. vaproshield.com 1403-building-envelopes.asp Sun, 16 Mar 2014 12:30:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7114-products-focus-building-envelopes The exclusive North American supplier of Argeton's terra-cotta rainscreen systems, Telling now offers in-house glazing for the German brand's cladding. This application enhances performance by lowerin Custom-Glazed Terra-cotta TileTelling Architecturaltellingarchitectural.comThe exclusive North American supplier of Argeton's terra-cotta rainscreen systems, Telling now offers in-house glazing for the German brand's cladding. This application enhances performance by lowering the porosity of the glazed tiles, rendering them more resistant to atmospheric pollution as well as graffiti. Matte, medium, and high-gloss finishes are offered. An expansion of EFCO's Xtherm fenestration line, HX32 is a single-hung tilt window. Its 3¼”-deep frame is thermally isolated from the glass with glass-reinforced nylon struts, resulting in HX32 Single-Hung Tilt WindowEFCOefcocorp.comAn expansion of EFCO's Xtherm fenestration line, HX32 is a single-hung tilt window. Its 3¼”-deep frame is thermally isolated from the glass with glass-reinforced nylon struts, resulting in a U-factor as low as 0.35. Frames come in clear, champagne, light- to dark-bronze, and black anodized finishes, and optional internal muntins can be added to replicate historical grid windows. This new terra-cotta baguette panel rainscreen system uses vertical or horizontal aluminum attachments and can be customized in lengths of up to 10' to create striking textured facades. For a mixed-us Baguette Panel RainscreenShildanshildan.comThis new terra-cotta baguette panel rainscreen system uses vertical or horizontal aluminum attachments and can be customized in lengths of up to 10' to create striking textured facades. For a mixed-use building in Brooklyn, New York, CookFox Architects specified the panels in three shades of gray to produce a ribbed appearance and to reference colors of adjacent buildings. A triple-glazed curtain wall system, Reliance-HTC offers both excellent thermal and acoustical performance. Front-set, using either captured or SSG vertical mullions, the glazing system is able to mee Reliance-HTCOldcastle BuildingEnvelopeoldcastlebe.comA triple-glazed curtain wall system, Reliance-HTC offers both excellent thermal and acoustical performance. Front-set, using either captured or SSG vertical mullions, the glazing system is able to meet ASHRAE thermal comfort standards for climate zones 1–8 thanks to polyamide insulating strips on all vertical and horizontal members, in combination with low-E insulating glass. A precast-concrete cladding system, SlenderWall is now available with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforcement. The PVA is dispersed throughout the concrete to form a molecular bond, resulting in i PVA Fiber Reinforced SlenderWallSlenderWallslenderwall.comA precast-concrete cladding system, SlenderWall is now available with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforcement. The PVA is dispersed throughout the concrete to form a molecular bond, resulting in increased tensile strength and resistance to corrosion and cracking. Each panel's interior frame consists of 6” 16-gauge galvanized-steel studs spaced vertically at 2' intervals. Installed, the system can withstand a wind load of 226 mph. Alcoa has introduced a new finish for its Reynobond aluminum-composite cladding that creates a dramatic visual effect. Shown installed on a business park complex in Warsaw, Poland, PrismFX shifts col PrismFXAlcoa Architectural Productsalcoa.comAlcoa has introduced a new finish for its Reynobond aluminum-composite cladding that creates a dramatic visual effect. Shown installed on a business park complex in Warsaw, Poland, PrismFX shifts color as sunlight conditions change throughout the day. Nine base colorways are available, with or without Duragloss 5000, a high-performance coating that can withstand saltwater corrosion and extreme temperature shifts.