Specification Details
Pages
2
Dimensions
8.5" x 11"
Editable
Word Doc
Usage Limit
Unlimited Projects
Section
07 42 43
Provided by
Get Instant access
This specification is available for purchase in the following bundles:
Composite Metal Panels
Use this CSI 3 part SimpleSpecs™ master specification to specify composite metal panels; aluminum faces with the thermoplastic core.
Stainless steel, titanium, zinc, and copper panels can also be added to this section with modifications.
The manufacturers listed in this section produce only the composite panel stock. A fabricator is required to form the panels and provide an attachment system.
What is a rainscreen and how does it work?
Composite metal panels are an exterior rain screen system. This type of siding, (wall cladding) has a cavity between the moisture-resistant surface of an air/water barrier applied to the sheathing to create a capillary break and allow drainage and evaporation.
A rainscreen forms a double-wall construction. The outer layer to keep out the rain and an inner layer to provide thermal insulation. This prevents excessive air leakage, and carry wind loading.
The outer layer breathes, like skin, while the inner layer reduces energy losses. The structural frame of the building remains dry, as water never reaches it or the thermal insulation.
Water Management
Water that penetrates the wall cavity evaporates and drains between panel joints. Equalized pressure in the wall cavity, prevents water droplets from migrating into the wall cavity, which is known as the rainscreen principal.
Therefore, there is no significant pressure differential to drive the rain through joints. A minimal amount of water may penetrate the outer cladding during extreme weather.
What is an equalized rainscreen?
When the ventilation openings are large enough for the air pressure to nearly equalize on both sides of the rain screen, its rainscreen wall systems are often referred to as a pressure-equalized rainscreen wall. However, this has been criticized as being redundant and is only useful to scientists and engineers.
Related SimpleSpecs™ master specifications:
07 42 64 – Insulated Metal Wall Panels
Panels require structural support, typically from steel framing. See section 07 05 46 Rainscreen Attachment System.
The SimpleSpecs™ master specs concept
Design professionals are accustomed to seeing lengthy project specifications, so why is SimpleSpecs™ so short?
Specifications have grown evermore wordy over the years for several reasons:
-
The mistaken belief that specifications must be lengthy and legal-sounding to be enforceable. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Having shorter, easily understood specifications makes us less likely to have problems in the field.
-
A belief that having lots of words protects us from a Contactor making mistakes. There is no way to include enough statements to protect yourself from a bad contractor, regardless of the length of your specification.
-
Our desire to be in control of the project by specifying means and methods instead of including simple, enforceable statements.
Easier to Edit
SimpleSpecs™ is written as a series of Microsoft word files that include statements that affect construction costs or overall quality and are far simpler to edit than other master specification systems.
Non-Proprietary
Each SimpleSpecs™ specification section is non-proprietary and includes three manufacturers that meet the specified reference standards, descriptive, or performance-based requirements. They are written to allow any listed manufacturers to provide the specified products.
Hidden Guide Text
Each SimpleSpecs™ specification section includes hidden text to inform and guide users in editing the specifications to suit project conditions.
Streamlined Editing
SimpleSpecs™ sections are edited using pre-defined options that are contained in [brackets] or by selecting optional text separated by "OR" statements. Paragraph and page numbering are included as automatic codes, eliminating the need to renumber when revisions are made manually. Global changes to headers, footer, terms, font colors and phrases are easily updated using a third-party search and replace software, available through ZeroDocs.com.