Authentic tumbled stone, bird-saving glass, and historically inspired metal panels are some of the latest cladding and facade options for residential and commercial projects.
Rough Ashlar
Dutch Quality Stone
Rough Ashlar is a new stone profile from Dutch Quality Stone blending the traditional texture of tumbled stone with a fresh color palette for both traditional and contemporary styles. The latest profile in the company’s portfolio, Rough Ashlar combines large and medium stones that provide authenticity, depth, and a modern touch of texture to statement walls and home exteriors or commercial facades. The crafted stones come in sizes ranging from 3 1/2-in to 12 1/2-in high and 6-in to 23-in wide.
Saflex FlySafe 3D
Saflex
Unlike other bird-protection approaches that use decals, printing, or etching on the surface of the glass, Saflex FlySafe 3D features three-dimensional, reflective sequins between two layers of glass to catch the light at different angles, subtly twinkling to help birds avoid striking the glass. Due to the three-dimensional nature of the sequins, less coverage is required, and the discreet sequin pattern covers less than one percent of the glass area. Other solutions considered highly effective have at least five times the coverage.
Werkstätte Series Panels
Modern Metal
Annie Kantor of Modern Metal designed 56 panels for a mixed-use development project in Menlo Park, California, by the Oakland-based architecture firm brick. The eight-foot-by-four-foot panels enclose an exterior staircase, providing shade, privacy, and an interesting design perspective for residents looking out from inside. The panels are part of Modern Metal’s Werkstätte series, designed in homage to Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser’s Wiener Werkstätte design movement. The 11-gauge steel panels are powder coated in an exterior finish to withstand the elements of Northern California.
Grad for Kebony
Grad Concept USA
In partnership with decking attachment system maker Grad Concept USA, modified wood manufacturer Kebony is the first manufacturer to provide an off-the-shelf, passive rainscreen with completely hidden fasteners, no pre-drilling, and perfectly aligned boards in the most popular gap options, all while cutting install time in half. Grad for Kebony is a new rainscreen system developed for the North American building envelope industry — and interior accent walls — that utilizes a special cladding profile, which precisely locks Kebony Grad cladding into place quickly and easily.
Rheinzink-Granum
Rheinzink
The architecture firm Booth Hansen designed a private retreat on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario consisting of a cluster of five stand-alone “cabins” connected by weathertight walkways. Decorative, deep-gray zinc cladding is featured on the interior of the walkways as well as the envelope of each cabin. Rheinzink-Granum basalt-colored, matte-finished, architectural-grade zinc material was fabricated and installed by Alpro Sheet Metal as angled standing-seam wall cladding and roofing. In total, nearly 12 tons of the metal was provided for the project.
Wildwood PE Composite Cladding
Fiberon
Fiberon’s Wildwood PE composite cladding is made from 94 percent mixed recycled wood fiber and plastic content destined for landfills and incinerators. Ideal for architects who want a long-lasting, maintenance-free, sustainable alternative to traditional wood cladding, Wildwood PE features an open-joint profile and is available in a variety of board lengths and widths. The cladding’s durable composite core ensures exceptional resistance to rotting, cracking, insects, and decay. Wildwood PE cuts and installs like real wood and is available in two nature-inspired collections.