Articles

While ACM (aluminum composite material) has been transforming building exteriors since the 1960s, many architects and building owners don’t realize there are two distinct installation systems available. Wet-seal and rain-screen ACM systems use identical panel materials but differ significantly in their joint construction—wet-seal systems use caulked sealant between panels for complete watertightness, while rain-screen systems feature splines that create deeper reveal joints.

Learn effective solutions to minimize oil canning in metal roofs and walls: choose panels with striations/pencil ribs, use composite materials, or thicker gauges. Get expert installation tips.

A question we sometimes hear is “Why do you need downspouts installed prior to a dock canopy installation?”

The preferred approach is to have the roofer’s downspouts installed before our mobilization and this approach is based on 20+ years as a subcontractor installing these canopies. This best practice remains valid today for a few important reasons.

Understanding the limitations of materials plays a crucial role in selecting colors for architectural metal projects in commercial construction. Different materials used in constructing awnings, canopies, wall panels, or aluminum composites have inherent properties that can limit the range of colors available.