Colorcoat-Online - System selection

System selection

There are a few questions which need to be answered in order to arrive at a system choice. The first of these is whether the pre-finished steel is to be incorporated into an insulated system or not. If the building is un-insulated, as for many agricultural applications, then a single-skin system is appropriate. In the case of rainscreen systems, the pre-finished steel is used purely as an aesthetic façade and insulation, if present, is dealt with separately.

If, however, the choice is to integrate the insulated wall system, the second fundamental question is whether this is to be assembled on the building or delivered as Factory Insulated Composites (FICs). Whilst both can achieve essentially the same function, there are differences which may favour one over another for a particular project.

Within the categories of site-assembled and FIC systems, there are a number of variations.

Site assembled twin-skin systems

Site-assembled twin-skin systems are constructed from three principal elements:an external sheet or profile; a liner panel and insulation, which is installed between the internal and external profiles. The systems are widely used for both roof and wall applications and can incorporate a wide selection of profile shapes.

Factory insulated composite systems

Factory insulated composites present essentially similar final weatherproofing and insulation characteristics to built-up systems. However the entire cladding system consisting of liner sheet, insulation and external sheet, is delivered to site pre-assembled through either adhesively bonding or a continuous foam-bonding operation. Due to the support offered by the solid insulation, flat or semi-flat profiles are often used.

Un-insulated systems

Often, pre-finished steel cladding is not directly associated with insulation, either where insulation is not required or where it is incorporated elsewhere in the building envelope system. In the former case, a single profiled sheet can simply be used, while an aesthetic finish to a building structure, often used in refurbishment, can be provided by a rainscreen system.