Green Span Profiles American-made insulated metal panels (IMPs) are impressive before they even leave the Texas facility where they are crafted by a continuously poured-in-place process that binds interior and exterior corrosion-resistant steel facings to a polyisocyanurate insulating foam core.
While these IMPs could rest on their lightweight, cost-effectiveness, and thermal efficiency credentials, they also truly shine once they reach the job site where the panels give building designers a free hand on their drawing board with both vertical and horizontal applications.
“Green Span insulated metal wall panels can be installed both vertically and horizontally, allowing for that perfectly desired architectural look,” said Green Span Profiles Brian N. Jaks, P.E., Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Add in that all our profiles are available in a multitude of different colors and there isn’t a building project in the U.S. that would not benefit from using Green Span IMPs.”
Utilizing vertical and horizontal applications will not sacrifice any of the benefits of IMPs with Green Span Profiles' unique Green-Lock side-joint ensuring a high-performance vapor seal in both vertical as well as horizontal applications.
While the IMPs used are the same for either orientation, there are some differences between vertical and horizontal applications such as how supporting wall systems are designed.
Cost-Effective and Simple: Vertical Applications
Vertical applications of IMPs are both cost-effective and straightforward which is a reason it has been the application of choice in years past.
Green Span Profiles IMP lines have a 42-inch coverage width and run in length up to 53 inches making installation in a left-to-right fashion both economical and labor efficient.
The first and last panels are often ripped in the field to provide smooth corner transitions and equal lengths.
Sheet metal flashing details for Green Span Profile lines includes:
- Side-Lap
- Base
- Outside Corner
- Inside Corner
- Door Header
- Door Jamb
- Window Header
- Window Jamb
- Window Sill
- Side Joint
- Stack Joint
In vertical applications, windows and other framed openings are typically recessed and not flush with the outside face of the IMPs. This will ensure a proper seal on the building envelope.
Horizontal supports (often heavy gauge girts) are used for wall framing systems when installing vertical IMPs.
Step up the Details: Horizontal Applications
You might not have seen horizontal applications of IMPs a decade ago when you drove through your local business park but today architects are making use of this option for a sophisticated cladding look.
While panels are again installed left to right, and bottom to top, in horizontal applications the panels can be designed to meet and highlight features such as framed openings for doors, louvers, windows, and other building components.
Corners are often shipped to the job site and ready to install.
While horizontal applications add new design elements to a building project, they do come with some more involved detailing including:
- Wider vertical joint support widths (often steel stud assembly or tube steel system)
- Additional structural supports
- Tighter tolerances to accommodate fastening, sealant, and other accessories
- Thicker exterior faces (ideally 22 gauge or greater)
The Green Span Profiles WaveLine micro-corrugated architectural profile, which lends itself to horizontal applications, comes in 22 gauge and 24 gauge options with an interior 26 gauge.
Some installers prefer heavier gauge exteriors as they tend to offer a more visually appealing look, reducing any waviness effect.
Horizontal panels are often used in shorter runs than vertical panels due to a tendency of the human eye to detect perceived flaws looking left to right rather than looking up and down.
Architectural IMPs: Best of All Design Worlds
Architectural IMPs have all the benefits of traditional metal panels but open up design possibilities with custom colors, shapes, finishes, and other design elements to go with vertical and horizontal applications.
“Architectural IMPs have the normal attributes of other commercial and industrial segments such as high insulation values, speed of build, vertical and horizontal applications,” says the Metal Construction Association. “Architectural IMPs offer options that can incorporate panels that integrate with windows, louvers, sunshades, or other integrated products to offer total building envelope solutions. IMPs provide architects freedom to create their unique building designs.”
Vertical and horizontal applications can even come with prepainted, high-performance coatings for even more design flexibility.
“Architects and building owners continue to use prepainted metal for its ability to deliver long-term durability in terms of chalk, fade, and adhesion. Similarly, the use of Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) is on the rise in a variety of roof and wall applications due to its sustainability and versatility as a building product,” says the National Coil Coating Association. “Combining the two, prepainted IMPs achieve superior energy efficiency and durability, both of which are necessary to contend in today’s competitive marketplace and comply with ever-evolving, and increasingly demanding building codes.”
Contact Green Span Profiles today to find out more about their IMPs which can add design value to your next building project.
