Wall Panels
Limitless looks that are quick to deliver + easy to install.
CASE STUDY
ALUMINUM COMPOSITE MATERIAL (ACM) ARCHITECTURAL PANELS
ACM PANEL SYSTEMS
Aluminum composite material (ACM) panel systems were introduced to the building materials market in the 1960’s as a durable, low-maintenance cladding solution. Manufactured to exact tolerances, stabilities, and design standards using a pre-engineered approach, today’s ACM metal panels provide an extremely favorable cost to quality ratio for large-scale construction while delivering a timeless, modern aesthetic. An alternative to traditional marble, granite, brick, and pre-cast systems, ACM wall panel systems weigh in at less than 1.5 lbs. per square foot, making for easy, economical installation at any scale.
At SAF, we offer both wet and dry seal wall panel systems, including rainscreen panels and concealed fastener (or “rivetless”) options for seamless design. Available in a wide selection of standard and custom factory-applied colors and finishes, SAF composite wall panels are custom designed and fabricated to your exact project standards for an unmatched finished product every time.
THE BENEFITS OF METAL PANELS SYSTEMS
- Cost efficient for large-scale construction
- Available in a wide selection of colors and finishes
- Low maintenance
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Compatible with interior and exterior design
- Compatible with SAF QUIET acoustical grade sound reduction lining
RAINSCREEN SYSTEMS OFFER SUPERIOR PROTECTION, REDUCED MAINTENANCE
As building science advances, how building envelopes are constructed evolves. Rainscreen walls are a major part of this evolution.
Traditional barrier wall construction relies on a single line of defense against air and water penetration consisting of outer wall cladding that are sealed at joints with gaskets and/or caulking (wet seals). Should these seals fail through poor workmanship or neglectful maintenance, water will penetrate the wall.
Once moisture becomes trapped behind the wall cladding, it is difficult to dry. This is due to a lack of airflow and a drainage path behind the cladding. If breaches in a barrier wall are not identified and remedied in time, costly material damage and even toxic mold development can occur.
Instead, rainscreen wall design takes a far more sensible approach by providing multiple lines of defense.
With a rainscreen wall system the function of the outer cladding is to shed bulk water away from the building, not to prevent all air and water penetration. Hence, the outer cladding is referred to as rainscreen cladding or rainscreen panels. Joints between panels remain unsealed allowing air and water to penetrate behind the cladding freely. Unsealed joints eliminate the need for regular caulking maintenance and panel cleaning due to caulking streaking as the caulking collects dirt and degrades.
Instead, with the open joinery of a rainscreen system, when water penetrates the wall, a cavity or air space behind the cladding and a water-resistant drain plane work together to drain water to the base of the wall, through weep holes, and back to the exterior building, as airflow throughout the cavity promotes rapid drying after the rain event.
Rounding out the wall system is the “backup wall”. This is located behind the wall panels, protected from UV-radiation and other potential sources of damage, and providing critical air, water, thermal, and vapor control layers.
Backup walls generally consist of moisture-resistant continuous insulation, such as mineral wool or rigid polyiso sheathing, and a mechanically fastened or liquid applied air barrier.
Explore SAF’s range of quality rainscreen systems and experience the evolution of the building envelope.
DRY (NO CAULK) RAINSCREEN PANEL SYSTEMS (ask about our NFPA 285 compliant systems)
E WALL PANEL EXTRUSIONS
E WALL PANEL EXPOSED EXTRUSIONS SYSTEM
The SAF E Wall Panel system is fabricated from sheared flat ACM panels and an exterior extruded frame. The panels are not route-and-return panels, so fabrication goes quickly. The frame extrusions are exposed and typically spray coated in analogous or complementary color scheme for a cost-effective, modern appearance. Great for curved wall applications. Easily fabricated and installed on site.
C4000 ACM Panels
C4000 Rainscreen Drained & Back-Ventilated ACM Panel System
The SAF Series 4000 Panel System is a drained and back ventilated rain screen panel incorporating a strip of composite material in the reveal between each ACM panel (instead of caulk) resulting in a more uniform appearance. The rain screen Series C4000 Rainscreen Panel System comes with fabricated ACM panels and shipped-loose aluminum “track” extrusions.
Series C4000 RainScreen Drained & Back-Ventilated ACM Panel system meets Florida Building Code and the requirements for High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) standards required for Florida construction. Architects & design/build contractors can now specify/install the Series 4000 RainScreen Panel System for Florida commercial building cladding.
The fabricated ACM panels include a “frame” extrusion, factory attached to the routed and returned edges of the panel that fits conveniently into the field installed horizontal and vertical “track” extrusions.
M4000 METAL PANELS
SERIES M4000 RAINSCREEN PLATE PANELS
The SAF M4000 Rainscreen Panel System is based on the Series 4000 drained and back ventilated ACM panel system, but the panels are manufactured from 0.125″ aluminum sheet. Because the M4000 panels are batch painted rather than coil coated, custom colors are more economical than with ACM on small and midsize projects.
A More Uniform Appearance
The Series M4000 rain-screen incorporates a strip of 4mm aluminum material in the reveal between each panel (instead of caulk) resulting in a more uniform appearance. The M4000 rainscreen system comes with fabricated panels and shipped-loose track extrusions. The fabricated panels include a frame extrusion, factory attached to the routed and returned edges of the panel, that fits conveniently into the field installed horizontal and vertical track extrusions.
Designed for Moisture Management
SAF’s Series M4000 rain screen is designed to allow moisture to permeate the outside wall, but subsequently drain through weep holes along the bottom edge of each panel. While any remaining moisture is designed to evaporate, the outside wall is not designed to act as a water/vapor barrier for the building.
4000I INSULATED RAINSCREEN PANELS
INSULATION ADHERED BY SILICON SEALANT
The 4000i Insulated Panel is essentially an SAF 4000 Series RainScreen ACM, aluminum, or stainless steel building panel with insulation adhered by silicon sealant that meets use ‘G’ and ‘O’ of the ASTM C1184 standard. The type of insulation and R-value is customer specified. SAF recommends mold-and water-resistant insulations such as mineral wool or Polyisocynurate (Polyiso), available in a wide range of R-values.
Reduce Building Energy Consumption
Architects and design-build contractors can reduce building energy consumption while improving performance with 4000i Insulated RainScreen building panels. Energy codes like ASHRA 90.1 have encouraged architects and building owners to specify insulated panels for both exterior and interior applications to reduce energy loss. 4000i Insulated Panels help in noise abatement applications, as well.
Designed to Meet All the Same Building
Construction Code Specs
The 4000i Insulated RainScreen Panels are designed to meet all the same building construction code specifications as other SAF 4000 RainScreen Panels. While Florida Building Code and High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) testing have not been performed with the insulation, the addition of insulation does not materially change structural, air, or water handling properties of the panel system.
C4200 ACM PANELS
SLEEK ARCHITECTURAL RAINSCREEN PANEL SYSTEM
The SAF 4200 RainScreen is a Drained & Back-Ventilated ACM Panel system designed to eliminate the visual appearance of mechanical fasteners from the panel edges.
The sleek panel system has the features most recently requested by architects, fabricators, and installers. Architects desire sleek-looking panels with continuous edge surfaces. Fabricators profit from the elimination of secondary drilling and countersinking of fasteners, reducing assembly time. Installers benefit from using the same wall panel extrusions and installation methods.
The 4200 is based on SAF’s current extrusion platform to ensure that SAF products consistently meet the AAMA 509 performance standard, and can utilize other SAF products such as Simple Fix replacement panel.
The SAF Series 4200 is a drained and back ventilated rain screen panel system incorporating a strip of composite material in a reveal between each panel (instead of caulk), resulting in a more uniform appearance.
The Series 4200 system ships with fabricated panels and “track” extrusions that are ready to assemble on a job-site. The system is engineered to allow moisture to permeate the outside wall but, subsequently, drain through weep holes on each panel frame.
C4500 ACM PANELS
SERIES 4500 RAINSCREEN PRESSURE EQUALIZED ACM PANEL SYSTEM
The SAF Series 4500 Rainscreen Panel System is similar to the Series 4000 Rainscreen Panels. It uses the same “track” and “frame” aluminum extrusions, but is manufactured with mitered frame extrusions and additional reinforcement in panel corners.
Rainscreen Panels comply with AAMA 508
If the panels are manufactured by SAF and are properly installed the resulting rain screen will comply with AAMA 508. Like the 4000, the 4500 comes with fabricated panels and shipped-loose “track” extrusions. SAF RainScreen Building Panels comply with Florida Building Code and the requirements for High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) standards required for Florida construction. Architects & design/build contractors can now specify/install the Series 4000 RainScreen Panel System for Florida commercial building cladding.
QUIET SOUND DEADENING
A SOUND DAMPENING OPTION FOR SAF METAL WALL PANELS & COLUMN COVERS
When you want to reduce noise, QUIET is a sound reduction option for the SAF line of metal column covers and wall panels. The material is an acoustical grade thermoplastic applied to the inside surfaces of SAF column covers and architectural panels.
The acoustical lining dampens acoustic and mechanical resonance noise up to 75%. In buildings with open or high traffic interior areas, acoustical dampening in wall panels and columns can be an important feature for reducing background noise.
The acoustical lining is made from recycled material, resists mold and mildew, meets both ASTM E-119 and ASTM E-84 Fire ratings, and can aid in certifying projects for LEED.
Associated with its primary sound deadening properties, our QUIET option for interior wall panels and column covers helps create a serene and enjoyable environment for occupants.
REPLACEMENT KIT
SIMPLE FIX KIT
- Replace a panel instead of entire walls
- Speed job completion
- Reduce maintenance time + cost
WET SEALED (CAULKED) Panel Systems
SERIES NM500 EASY CLIP ACM PANEL SYSTEM
EASY CLIP ACM PANEL SYSTEMThe SAF Series NM500 panel clip system is our least expensive wet seal (caulked) panel system. The system uses a series of staggered clip angles along the routed and returned edges of the panel.
Quick, Easy ACM Panel Replacements
The NM500 panel clip system allows quick and easy replacement of damaged panels to lower total cost of ownership. Easy Clip angles are factory attached in such a manner to allow for non-progressive installation and removal of any panel without disturbing adjacent panels. Easy Clip Panels can also be ordered to ship with loose clip angles for field attachment to individual panels, giving installers even more flexibility in determining clip angle location and final panel installation.
SERIES C3000 GLAZED ROUTE & RETURN PANELS
BETTER PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTSSAF Series 3000 ACM Wall Panels are wet sealed, designed for better structural integrity, better water/vapor protection.
While no panel system is completely impervious to vapor/water penetration, the caulked 3000 Route & Return Panel System adds an extra level of protection. Additionally, this system is designed for higher wind loads and flatter panels.
Continuous “Male” & “Female” Extrusions
Series 3000 ACM Wall Panel System uses continuous “male” and “female” extrusions that are factory attached along the routed and returned edges of the panel, requiring a progressive installation method. The 3000 system may be manufactured with factory applied stiffeners to prevent “oil-canning.”Florida Building Code Compliant
The SAF Series 3000 Wall Panel System complies with the Florida Building Code when specified with Alpolic Aluminum Composite Material Panels and constructed as tested.
WET SEAL M3000 GLAZED PLATE PANELS
SAF METAL FABRICATION CAN MEET YOUR NEEDSSAF Metal Fabrication can meet your needs for custom architectural Plate Metal Wet Seal Panel systems.
Designed for Better Structural Integrity
The SAF Series M3000 wet sealed (caulked) panel system is designed for better structural integrity and better water/vapor protection. While no panel system is completely impervious to vapor/water penetration, the caulked M3000 system adds an extra level of protection. Additionally, this SAF Panel system is designed for higher wind loads and flatter panels. This Wet Seal system uses continuous “male” and “female” extrusions factory attached along the routed and returned edges of the panel, requiring a progressive installation method. The M3000 system may be manufactured with factory applied stiffeners to prevent “oil-canning.”SAF Resources for Fabricating Metal Plate Panels
SAF has the personnel, machinery and equipment to meet most Plate Panel project requirements. Our experienced staff of Estimators, Designers and Project Managers will work with you every step of the way from providing a prompt detailed quotation to project completion. Include SAF on your bid list for Plate Panel architectural products.Metal Plate Panel Materials
- 3000 Series Aluminum Alloys
- 5005 Series Anodize Quality (AQ) Aluminum Alloys
- 300 Series Stainless Steel Alloys (Brushed or Mirror Finish)
- Other Specialty Metals (including perforated, embossed and woven materials)
Aluminum Plate Panel Finishing Options
Painted Aluminum Projects: Southern Aluminum Finishing Company is an approved applicator of PVDF (KYNAR 500 or HYLAR 5000). All painted aluminum is pretreated with chrome phosphate for proper paint adhesion. Anodized Aluminum Projects: Southern Aluminum Finishing Company, long recognized as an industry leader in anodizing, has developed the SAFINISH Designation System for specifying exterior finishes used on architectural aluminum building products. Specify SAFINISH for a finish with the longest expected lifetime of any available for aluminum. SAFINISH coatings are available only on aluminum, because aluminum is the only metal with the longevity and resistance to corrosion equal to the quality implied by the SAFINISH designation. SAF recommends SAFINISH for long-term exterior use. Ask about our five and 20 year limited warranties for SAFINISH coatings.WALL PANEL STANDARDS & RECOGNITION
WARNING! ACM products, including the ACM as sold by SAF as its product, are combustible; they can catch fire and burn. Any laboratory testing information provided by SAF or by ACM manufacturers applies only to the particular product or assembly tested and does not necessarily represent how products will actually perform in their use. Reports and test data corresponding to a particular tested product or assembly are not a guarantee that the same product or assembly would always achieve the same test result. End-users of ACM products must consult with building and safety code experts to assure that the actual end-use for the ACM is appropriate on a specific project. SAF has NFPA 285 compliant rainscreen panel systems. Email info@saf.com for more information.
