Cladding is used in numerous projects ' from agricultural to high-end commercial buildings, you're likely to see cladding materials along the exterior of the structure. This offers sturdy and durable protection against weather conditions, abrasions, UV rays, and more environmental factors.
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While a variety of materials are used to create cladding, metal cladding is the top option for many homeowners and business owners due to its form, functions, and advantages.
But what is metal cladding, and what should you know about it? This article discusses the fundamentals. Read on!
Metal cladding is a product made of layered metal. It performs the same function as other cladding options ' protecting the exterior walls (or the interior) of a building. Metal cladding may also be used for roofing material.
Aside from structural protection, the metal cladding also has aesthetic and design purposes, adding versatility to any structure.
Compared to other types, ' such as stone, concrete, and wood ' metal cladding strikes an optimal balance between function and aesthetic. Various metals can be made into cladding, offering versatility and other mechanical properties:
Some projects opt for aluminum cladding, as aluminum offers more resistance against rust and corrosion. It is often used for homes, commercial centers, and other buildings in humid climates.
Aluminum cladding offers other benefits, such as being lightweight and highly versatile when it comes to coating and painting. However, it is not as strong as other metals, so it may not be applicable in harsher environments.
Steel cladding's most important advantage is its high strength. When it comes to rust resistance, steel may not be the best option ' but certain grades of steel offer good protection.
As it is extremely durable, it is popular for exterior and interior cladding. This type is best applied in buildings where long-lasting strength is required, such as in industrial settings.
Copper cladding offers adequate protection against the elements but oxidizes quickly ' turning from shiny orange to light green ' unless a protective coating is applied. Thus, it is often chosen for its aesthetic appeal rather than any protective advantage it may offer. It is typically used for roofing and other finishing work.
All metal cladding systems offer more or less the same properties:
Metal cladding can protect and shield a structure from ever-changing and harsh elements that may damage it ' such as rain, winds, pollution, and temperatures. They're strong and durable enough that they improve the stability and lifespan of a structure. Often, metal cladding products are long-lasting and manufacturers sell them with warranties as long as 30 years or more.
Metal cladding can be quite lightweight, reducing the load of the building, and also making this material much easier to transport, install, and repair.
All metal building materials must be resistant to fire. This puts metal cladding above other materials ' such as wood panels ' in terms of protective advantages.
Metal cladding is often used for architectural and design purposes. While there are many practical benefits to using this product, it offers many aesthetic benefits as well. Installing cladding can change the overall look of a building. Both material and installation choices may be used in such a way that it creates varying styles.
As it is made from common materials, metal cladding can easily be recycled at the end of its life. As a result, you can reduce your building's carbon footprint.
There are two main ways to install metal cladding:
Aside from that, there are many different ways to configure metal cladding. Configuration is important as it affects the overall look of the building.
Common setups include panel, strip, brickwork, mesh, cassette, textile, tube, shingle. Some configurations offer better thermal insulation, protection, and durability.
Aside from configuration, there are multiple finishes to choose from that will affect the aesthetics of your building. The most popular options are: polished, smooth, natural, textured, ribbed, perforated, matte, oxidized, and lacquered. The best choice for your building will depend largely on your personal preference and budget.
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Other kinds of finishes a manufacturer may offer are: grooved, patina, painted, high-gloss, brushed, sandblasted, 3D-printed, aged, oiled, brush-hammered, metalized, lozenge-patterned, and mirror.
There are options for metal manufacturers to add additional characteristics to metal cladding projects. Aside from offering non-combustible, sturdy, and weather-resistant protection, your metal cladding may have other characteristics.
Common additions include LED lighting, backlighting, and planters (to grow plants like moss, ferns, vines, etc.). These additional characteristics improve the aesthetic appeal and help create better-looking facades and environments.
Depending on the material, configuration, finish, and additional characteristics you choose for your building, your metal cladding will have different maintenance needs.
Here are a few pointers for taking care of metal cladding to extend its lifespan:
Now that you know what metal cladding is and the structural and aesthetic benefits it offers, you may be interested in learning more about this product and how it may be applied to your construction project.
Written by Don Schultz, trueCABLE Senior Technical Advisor, Fluke Networks Copper/Fiber CCTT, BICSI INST1, INSTC, INSTF Certified
Buying the right coaxial cable can be confusing! You have different 'RG' designations, multiple shielded variations, and even different outer sheath (cable jacket) options. Adding to the confusion are two different center conductor types. In sorting through this confusion, we will address an age-old debate as to whether you should opt for solid copper center conductor coaxial cable, or if CCS or copper clad steel is 'good enough'. Keep reading to learn about the difference between solid copper and copper clad steel.
Coaxial cable has been provided in two primary center conductors types for some time:
Let's look at an illustration of how coaxial cable is constructed to give you a better idea of what part of the cable we are talking about:
Perhaps the standards setting organizations like ANSI/TIA, SCTE, or some other organization will help clarify which one is better?
So, what will it take to get the answer!? In truth, the answer is 'yes, kind of'.' Confused yet? Let's untangle the difference between solid copper RG6 and copper-clad steel before people start popping anti-anxiety meds.
Coaxial cable constructed of copper clad steel relies on what is known as the 'skinning effect'. In other words, the signal travels down the copper coating to the destination and it is perfectly fine for data transmission. There is no measurable loss in data transmission between copper clad steel and solid copper center conductor coaxial cable. As long as the copper coating over the steel remains intact, all is good.
Where solid copper coax cable really puts copper clad steel to shame is when it comes to cable runs requiring voltage. Now, we don't mean AC voltage here. We are referring to low DC voltage for powering up a satellite dish, for example. In fact, RG6 CCS cable will lose TWICE as much voltage over the same distance as RG6 solid copper coax cable. Finally, we see a big difference between the two! This is why satellite installers and satellite system designers require solid copper coaxial cable. Satellite dishes and receivers use a LNB (Low-Noise Block downconverter) that requires power across the coaxial cable.
Considering you may be installing coaxial cable in multiple environments, it makes little sense to stock and keep track of both. A simple mistake of grabbing the wrong spool will bring your install to a halt if you have to backtrack to the shop to get the right cable. There is also the possibility of the future to consider: What if down the line someone needs to install some sort of power injector onto that coaxial cable? If you used copper clad steel, you just caused yourself a replacement or an angry end customer. If you install for a living, be prepared to educate your end customers about this.
DO NOT under any circumstances attempt and cut copper clad steel with our Cable Cutting and Stripping Tool! Instead, use cutters such as the trueCABLE Heavy Duty Cable Cutters."
Do not confuse CCS for CCA. Copper clad steel is 'OK' to use for coaxial cable per the standards organizations, assuming you are installing it in the right environment. CCA or copper clad aluminum is not suitable for communications cable under any circumstances. See more on CCA in Copper Clad Aluminum vs Copper: The Ultimate Test on a Fluke Versiv DSX CableAnalyzer.
So, in the final analysis yes you can save a couple of bucks buying copper clad steel vs. copper coax but in the long run it is not worth it. trueCABLE recommends purchasing and sticking with solid copper center conductor coaxial cable.
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