Trends: Open new doors with architectural metals

Architectural metals is a great niche for glaziers to expand business. 

If you’re called in to create an all-glass storefront entrance, go beyond a basic rail system, door openers and handles. Architectural metals can create additional design elements in custom architectural finishes and textures. Custom canopies and sunshades can be added over an entrance. Or incorporate metal column cladding into a storefront or curtain-wall system. Perhaps you would consider custom ornamental handrails with decorative infill panels.

Manufacturer and distributor C.R. Laurence Co. of Los Angeles has expanded the company’s manufacturing operations with recent additions of efficient, high-productivity computer numerically controlled press brakes and laser cutters. These can create a wide variety of custom cladding, break shaped aluminum, ornamental metals, metal column covers, custom canopies, infill panels for railings and guard rails, and many other architectural metal elements. Glaziers can one-stop shop and order an entire entrance package or other combinations of hardware and architectural metals from CRL because the company also manufactures door rails, openers, handles, railings and other architectural hardware. The technical experts assist throughout the design, ordering and fabrication process, and they also help with installation tips, tools and hardware.

Metal wall panel systems in solid sheets or perforated panels provide a great alternative to traditional exterior building shells or skins. Available in a variety of finishes and shapes, they can be configured to meet the specific conditions presented with any building design. These easy-to-install panels are attractive and functional additions that don’t require major structural reconfiguration. They can be custom manufactured in stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, brass or composite aluminum.

Perforated panel systems also can provide a niche for glaziers. Strategically placed panels can provide a more modern look to an existing building while increasing the efficiency of the cooling systems. Functionally, they act as a sunshade to reduce interior heat.  Fabricated from aluminum or stainless steel, they are available in any number of finishes, perforation diameters and patterns. Polished stainless, non-directional and custom paint are some of the stylish finishes available.

CRL engineers assist in the design and installation plans to make a panel wall project functional, attractive and easily installed without major structural alterations.

Aluminum sunshade systems are another contemporary de-sign option for enhancing a building façade and can easily be installed. Perforated and corrugated sunshades can be fabricated to specific dimensions, allow minimal field labor and provide efficient light transmission.

CRL recently introduced two distinct styles of sunshades systems, the CRL 7700 Series Aluminum Sunshade and the CRL 7750 Series Aluminum and Stainless Steel Sunshade. Both eye-catching styles allow efficient light transmission, are fabricated to specific dimensions and can be custom painted.

The company’s metal column covers are available in stainless steel, aluminum, bronze and brass. Versatile wet or dry systems include all the necessary bracketing, angles, trims and clips.

Many possibilities exist when working with a creative architect and a reliable fabricator of architectural metals. For example, CRL has recently been asked to manufacture custom brass grillwork, perforated aluminum light covers, stainless steel and glass handrails with custom metal stanchions and brackets, and a variety of ornamental canopies. 

While the architect is the creative source of these designs, you can be the resource for the materials and installation.

Resources
Companies that offer architectural metals

ACI Distribution
www.acidistribution.com
AMG Design Inc.
www.amgdesign.net
American Metalcraft Inc.
www.americanmetalcraft.com
Architectural Specialty Products
www.a-s-p-inc.com
Armetco
www.armetco.com
Bamco Inc.
www.bamcoinc.org
Carvist Corp.
www.carvist.net
Crescent Designed Metals
www.crescentmichaels.com
C.R. Laurence Co.
www.crlaurence.com
Doralco Inc.
www.doralco.com
Duo-Gard Industries Inc.
www.duo-gard.com
Extech Exterior Technologies Inc.
www.extech-voegele.com
FM Enterprises
www.fmfab.com
Firestone Metal Products/ UNA-CLAD
www.unaclad.com
Industrial Louvers Inc.
www.industriallouvers.com
Innovative Structural Glass Inc.
www.structuralglass.com
J. Sussman Inc.
www.jsussmaninc.com
Julius Blum Co.
www.vistawall.com
Laminators Inc.
www.omegapanels.com
Mapes Industries Inc.
www.mapes.com
Mason Corp.
www.masoncorp.com
McGill Architectural Products
www.mcgillarchitectural.com
Metals 2000 Inc.
www.metals2000.com
Mid-Am Metal Forming
www.midammetal.com
Morse Industries Inc.
www.morseindustries.com
Newcourt Inc.
www.newcourtinc.com
Niles Aluminum
No Web site; 269/683-1191
Petersen Aluminum Corp.
www.petersenaluminum.com
Pittco Architectural Metals, Inc.
www.pittcometals.com
Pohl Inc. of America
www.pohlusa.com
Quality Metalcrafts Inc.
www.qmcrafts.com
Romco Sales
No Web site; 718/583-7100
Southern Aluminum Finishing
www.saf.com
Sun Architectural Products Inc.
www.sunarchitectural.com
Superior Aluminum Products Inc.
www.superioraluminum.com
Vistawall
www.vistawall.com
W & W Glass LLC
www.wwglass.com
The Wagner Companies
www.wagnercompanies.com
Weiss Sheet Metal Inc.
www.weiss-sheetmetal.com
Wrisco Industries Inc.
www.wrisco.com