With materials catering to different project budgets and systems with flexible dimensions and panel capabilities, metal cladding is an ideal commercial and residential facade solution.
Metal cladding is an appealing external finish. However the specification process and more importantly creating correct specifications, can be confusing. While generic product nominations can be made, accurately documenting cladding materials, systems, manufacturers, and even in some cases installers, will ensure drawn details can become a built reality.
Within the Metal Cladding Systems range alone there are more than seventy material options to select from and eight profiles; not to mention custom fabrication options. Once a systems and material has been selected, there are more decisions to be made; pan width, seam height, express size, length, pattern, and substrate suitability. There’s a lot to consider with panel specifics alone. Add other project requirements, such as fire or BAL codes, the BCA, client requests and preferences … it’s a long list.
Projects are complex. At Metal Cladding Systems, we understand that. To bring clarity to cladding specification, this is the first in a series of blogs covering the specification journey, from early concept and exploration through to construction.
Where to start?
Utilising free online resources for inspiration, such as Pinterest, Instagram and design blogs is a great way to start your cladding journey. By looking at lots of different images you can gain an understanding of styles, shapes, materials, and what might be suitable.
While metal cladding might at first seem straightforward, there is a lot to consider. Each profile (Standing Seam, Interlocking, Snaplock, Shingles, Flatlock etc.) is available in almost an endless number of panel sizes. All Metal Cladding Systems panels are made to order on a project production schedule; shape and size (length, width) can be adjusted to suit each developments aesthetic and wall sizes. Research will enable you to identify the direction you want to take, making things easier later on.
To help navigate through profile options and hundreds of materials, begin by collecting inspiration images you like the look of. At this stage, there’s no need to over complicate things. Learn what style, profile, colour, texture and/or effect you appreciate. Once you have a solid inspiration foundation and a firm idea of what appeals, then you can commence researching real life material and system suitability (more on this in Part Two of this blog series).
To begin your research, you might like to visit some of the following online resources:
MCS digital portfolio
- Explore our previous work: https://metalcsystems.com.au/index.php/project-portfolio/
Instagram:
- Our Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/metalcladdingsystems/
- Advanced Metal Cladding: https://www.instagram.com/advancedmetalcladding/
- Concept Cladding: https://www.instagram.com/concept.cladding/
- Specialized Roofing & Cladding: https://www.instagram.com/src_roof_artists/
- JTK Metal Craft: https://www.instagram.com/jtkmetalcraft/
- Unique Metal Cladding Systems: https://www.instagram.com/uniquemetalcladdingsystems/
- Metal Craft Cladding: https://www.instagram.com/metalcraft_cladding/
- Retro Roofing: https://www.instagram.com/retroroofing/
- Craft Metals: https://www.instagram.com/craftmetals/
- Elzinc Australia: https://www.instagram.com/elzincaustralia/
- Architectural Metals Australia: https://www.instagram.com/architecturalmetalsaustralia/
- VMZINC: https://www.instagram.com/vmzincaustralia/
- COLORBOND® Steel: https://www.instagram.com/colorbondsteel/
- Our Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com.au/claddingsystems/
- COLORBOND® Steel: http://www.pinterest.com.au/COLORBONDsteel/
General design inspiration
- Architecture AU: https://architectureau.com/
- The Design Files: https://thedesignfiles.net/section/architecture/
- Australian Design Review: https://www.australiandesignreview.com/architecture/
- Yellow Trace: https://www.yellowtrace.com.au/category/architecture/
- The Local Project: https://thelocalproject.com.au/
Watch this space for Part Two: “Feasibility” coming soon …
Contact our team
If you’re considering metal cladding panels on your next project, our team are here to assist and answer any questions you have. From metal samples to technical project assistance and specification guidance, we’re happy to discuss all aspects of sheet metal cladding panels, from manufacturing and fabrication through to installation and maintenance. To get in touch and learn more, click the button below.
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