| SAF introduces two new panel systems |
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August 2010 |
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Introducing the SAF Series 4500 Pressure Equalized Rain Screen Composite Panel System
 The SAF Series 4500 evolved from our Series 4000 drained and back ventilated rain screen, and like the 4000 incorporates a strip of composite material in the reveal between each panel (instead of caulk) resulting in a more uniform appearance. The rain screen Series 4500 system comes with fabricated panels, factory-attached frame extrusions, and shipped-loose “track” extrusions. SAF factory-attaches the “frame” extrusions to the routed and returned edges of the panels, and the installer conveniently fits them into the field installed horizontal and vertical “track” extrusions. The Series 4500 is similar to SAF's Series 4000, but is manufactured with mitered and sealed frame extrusions and reinforcements in the corners of the panels.
The new commercial building panel system meets AAMA 508-07 requirements, and has been tested for air and water resistance as well as structural integrity per ASTM 283, 330, and 331.
For details, please go to http://www.saf.com/spaw_images/pdf/C4500.pdf
SAF’s 4500 rain screen is designed to allow moisture to permeate the outside wall, but subsequently drain through weep holes along the bottom edge of each panel. While remaining moisture is designed to evaporate, the outside wall is not designed to act as a water/vapor barrier for the building. For an explanation of the rain screen principle please see: http://www.metalconstruction.org/pubs/pdf/mca07_Rainscreen.pdf
The SAF Series 4500 Pressure Equalized Rain Screen gives SAF’s commercial contractor customers another panel system option that more effectively resists water intrusion. As with any rain screen system, the installer must install a water or vapor barrier beneath the rain screen for proper performance.
 Introducing SAF’s E Wall Panel System.
The SAF E Wall system is made from sheared flat panels and an exterior extruded frame. SAF customers who install the materials have complete control over how the panels are fabricated. The E Wall allows installers to simply shear their panels to-size and frame the panels with prefinished extrusions supplied by SAF.
The panels are not rout-and-return panels, so fabrication goes quickly. Note that the frame extrusions are exposed and typically spray coated. The extrusions will not perfectly match the coil coated finish on the ACM panels. For details please go to http://www.saf.com/spaw_images/pdf/EWall
ACM Panels Highlight Kingsport Center for Higher Education
- Penn McClatchey, VP and Marketing Manager
 SAF recently fabricated the ACM panels above and around the entrance of the Kingsport, TN, Center for Higher Education. The Kingsport Center for Higher Education is a $12 million, 54,000-square-foot educational facility. McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects of Knoxville designed the facility. According to the firm’s web site the facility is equipped with the latest in teaching technologies and related systems infrastructure, including fully integrated information technology connectivity systems and wireless computer connectivity. The facility also provides audio/visual systems to supplement the live teachers and lecturers. The systems are also used for recording and broadcasting lectures to remote classrooms.
Mauk and Adams Glass out of Blountville, TN, bought the panels from SAF and installed them. SAF did shop drawings, managed procurement of the custom ACM color and fabricated the panels. SAF supplied our Series 4000 rain screen system complete with stiffeners and frame extrusions. The project used about 2,000 square feet of ACM and the color was custom champagne mica PVDF painted finish. Alucobond provided the flat ACM sheets that SAF fabricated.
Understanding Painted Aluminum
- John B McClatchey, Jr, Sales Manager
 Painted aluminum in our industry can seem straightforward at some times and excruciatingly difficult at others. There are a number of trade names and nomenclatures that can be confusing to folks not familiar with the architectural finishing industry. It got me thinking that I often take for granted what I know about painting architectural aluminum, and I would like to provide you with some insight so that the names and types of paints are easier to understand.
The first issue that comes to mind is the use of the term “Kynar” when referring to liquid architectural paints. It seems like every time we have a customer refer to a painted aluminum product in this industry, they refer to the paint as either Kynar or Powder Coat. The term Kynar (or more accurately: Kynar 500) is actually a registered trademark of Arkema Inc. which produces industrial chemicals. Likewise, you may have also heard the word Hylar (or more accurately Hylar 5000). Hylar 5000 is a registered trademark of Solvay Solexis who is a fluorinated products manufacturer. It is much the same as referring to a tissue as a Kleenex, a soda as a Coke, or a copy as a Xerox. The branding of the product is so substantial, that the line between a description and a trade name is blurred. Both Kynar and Hylar can be referred to as PVDF coatings or polyvinylidene fluoride. Though most folks know what you mean when you say ‘Kynar’, the generic term PVDF is equivalent and may reduce your costs.
Within the three major manufacturers of PVDF coatings there are trade names as well. PPG’s PVDF paints are either Duranar or Sunstorm. PPG’s Duranar “2-coat” system consists of a primer and a pigmented top coat. Duranar XL is a 3-coat paint where the 3rd coat is a clear “XL” coating. There is even sometimes a 4th ‘barrier’ coat that goes between the primer and the top coat. Sunstorm refers to a 2-coat system where the top coat is a mica-flaked metallic paint.
Valpsar also has proprietary trade names. Fluropon is a 2-coat paint, and Fluropon Classic is a 3-coat metallic. Flurodize and Fluropon Classic II are 2-coat mica flake systems, and Fluropon Premiere is a 3-coat for bright colors. Valspar’s Acroflour and Acrodize are 50% PVDFs that are not as weather-resistant as 70% coatings. Acrodize is the mica-pigmented version of Acroflour. Finally, Akzo Nobel manufactures PVDF paints as well. Trinar is Akzo’s 2-coat PVDF and Tri-Escent is their 2-coat metallic or mica flake coating. As a general rule of thumb, the more coats a PVDF paint has, the more difficult it is to blend (especially metallics), and the more expensive it is.
One way to reduce cost is to use PVDF powder coatings. Conventional wisdom used to hold that powder coatings had an “orange peel” or textured appearance and that they were glossy…not anymore!!! The gloss and orange peel were actually caused by the Polyester resins that were used by powder coaters in the 1990’s. Today, PVDF powder coatings are available and they are identical in appearance to a liquid PVDF coating.
PPG and Akzo Nobel now provide powder coatings that are Flurocarbon based and meet the stringent AAMA 2605 specification. AAMA 2605 means that the paint must resist 4000 hours of salt spray and not fade more than 5 delta E after 10 years exposure. Whereas a liquid PVDF consists of pigment, resin, and solvent, powder coatings are simply the encapsulated pigment without the solvent. PPG Duranar powder coatings are revolutionary. They meet AAMA 2605, they release far less VOCs (Volotile Organic Compounds) into the environment, and they appear identical to a liquid PVDF coating. The only downside is that metallic coatings are not currently available in a AAMA 2605 powder coating.
Liquid PVDF paints will always have their niche due to the ability to quickly mix and match, and their ease of use in small quantities. Powder manufacturers are still working on improvements, but with a job that is 5000 square feet, custom matches of powder are equally as available as liquid coatings. There is simply no aesthetic or performance based difference between liquid Duranar “Kynar” coatings and Duranar powder coatings. Do not be afraid in any shape, form, or fashion to substitute a Duranar powder when possible. Specifications do not use the term “liquid” but rather refer to terms such as PPG Duranar, AAMA 2605, or 2-coat. Any of these can be used to describe SAF’s preferred AAMA 2605 PPG Duranar powder coatings. Powder coating is better for the environment, and SAF offers customers who choose a PPG Duranar powder a significant discount versus liquid coatings. It may help to realize that the same pre-treatment and primer are required with PPG Duranar powder coatings as with liquid coatings.
This all may seem very technical and perhaps even mundane, but it is important to understand the different AAMA 2605 coatings that are available. As more and more projects need LEED credits, perhaps using a powder coated product will qualify for credits. It is important to know the difference between the trade names especially when you are trying to interpret and meet a specification. You should contact your metal finisher for further clarification on all these topics as there are many issues to understand.
Howard Miles joins SAF Atlanta customer service staff
- Penn McClatchey, VP and Marketing Manager
 In April SAF welcomed Mr. Howard Miles to our Atlanta customer service staff. Howard is handling sheet, extrusion and anodizing inquiries in our Atlanta headquarters. While SAF doesn’t sell any perforated sheet, Howard’s six years of experience with the McNichols Company is perfect for SAF.
Howard has ten years experience with the metals industry and he’s stepped right in as one of our main contributors. As everyone involved with business-to-business sales understands, a good inside salesperson is one of a firm’s most valuable and hardworking assets. SAF appreciates the work Howard is doing to help customers.
Howard has a B.S. from NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, NC, and is working on his Master’s from Argosy University. He has also worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield and BMG Metals. After work he coaches Junior Olympic Volleyball.
Visit SAF.com or contact us directly:
SAF ATLANTA: 800-241-7429 • Telephone 404-355-1560 • FAX 404-350-0581
SAF WEST: 866-660-6627 • Telephone 530-244-7518 • FAX 530-244-7830
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