Come Out on Top

by marika_gabriel | 5 October 2023 2:00 pm

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Designs of commercial spaces can have a resounding impact and leave lasting impressions on guests who visit the facilities. When designing these spaces, it is important to consider materials that will not only enhance the space but also increase efficiencies and decrease costs.

According to Associated Builder and Contractors, the industry will need to hire nearly 500,000 workers¹ to keep up with the demand for labor. With this in mind, products need to be developed from a contractor’s perspective by offering metal products that are simple to install, require little modification, and do not sacrifice design. One such product would be metal ceiling panels.

Collaboration is key

Beginning with manufacturing, products with clear labels and ready-to-go dimensions make an installer’s job seamless. Packaging of the metal ceiling systems is a huge component of jobsite efficiency. Many elements such as directions on installation, arrows to indicate metal panel directionality, room and section locations, and more help contractors navigate the ceiling installation process and aid in making the jobsite more efficient.

Additionally, companies should anticipate what contractors are dealing with on jobsites—such as ceiling obstructions, labor shortages, project delays—so materials can be easily installed and eliminate the need for modification while on-site. Some companies are committed to collaborating with contractors to ensure solutions are innovative, easy to work with, and customized for each jobsite. Pre-construction teams offer support to contractors, assist with design, and manage project cycles through their entirety.

In addition, some manufacturers offer the entire project team the ability to create a mock-up of the ceiling to demonstrate the installation of the various metal ceiling materials, including the suspension system—well before the project is underway. The goal is to deliver a product solution and systems that will save time, meet budgets, and eliminate errors.

Metal benefits

Metal is highly durable, climate-resistant, and ideal for high-traffic areas. The material is resistant to changes in temperature and will not change its shape or form in high-humidity environments and, as a result, is suitable for interior and exterior applications.

Metal is also highly customizable to fit any space or design, as the material is extremely versatile and can be molded into different shapes and forms. For example, some ceiling systems feature robust extruded aluminum beams that can be configured into screens, rafters, and an unlimited range of unique wall and ceiling elements—precision curves, angles, joints, and more. Some lightweight aluminum accent panels shaped in the form of petals provide a unique biophilic design solution—and look particularly attractive. Furthermore, the property of metal ceilings lends itself to be mixed with many other materials such as felt or wood. Various finishes are applied to metal materials, allowing them to come in a wide array of standard colors, wood-look, and custom-finish options.

Acoustic benefits

Commercial spaces with high-traffic areas—such as hotel lobbies, airports, or casinos—require materials that assist with noise reduction. Metal ceiling panels are available in a variety of perforation patterns to optimize acoustical performance. Sound absorption can be achieved by adding backing to these panels with acoustical fabric or pad. The NRC (noise reduction coefficient) rate is published for each product and indicates how much sound can be absorbed on a scale of 0 to 1.

Conclusion

Now more than ever, companies are looking for sustainable options when designing their spaces. Aluminum is a durable metal manufactured with very high recycled aluminum content, and it is a great option for ceilings in commercial spaces.

Simone Abele is director of product management, specialties ceilings, at CertainTeed. Previously, she was the general manager at CertainTeed’s Decoustics division. Abele is focused on growing CertainTeed’s brand reach and product portfolio with the support of new technologies and marketing elements. To learn more, visit certainteed.com/metal.

Mark Brinkman is senior development/product manager of metal ceilings at CertainTeed. Brinkman helps to drive new product development projects and support new business across the metal ceilings portfolio. Prior to joining CertainTeed in 2020, he worked at Fry Reglet, a company that manufactures precision architectural metal systems, for more than 18 years.

References

¹ See abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/construction-workforce-shortage-tops-half-a-million-in-2023-says-abc[2]

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/features/come-out-on-top/

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