Between keynote sessions, awards presentations, and interviews at the American Institute of Architects‘ (AIA) National 2013 Convention, AN‘s editors joined 20,000 attending architects in the search for the newest and most innovative products on the floor of the Colorado Convention Center’s exposition hall. Following are a few notable discoveries.
SureClad Porcelain Stone
Crossville
The Tennessee-based supplier of interior ceramics has partnered with Shackerley, a British manufacturer of porcelain ventilated facade systems, for an exterior cladding solution that meets U.S. building codes, including all seismic and hurricane standards. The system (pictured above) is supported by an aluminum frame and is delivered to job sites as a prefabricated system to ensure fast and efficient installation.
SunGuard Neutral 78/65
Guardian Industries
Developed to passively retain heat in colder climates, Neutral 78/65’s low-E coating facilitates high visible light and a neutral color. It can be used in double- or triple-glazed units and can also be combined with any of SunGuard’s other low-E coatings.
AA5450 Series OptiQ Window
Kawneer
The new series in the OptiQ line of windows maintains thermal continuity and reduces energy transmission in both single and double hung constructions thanks to a polyamide thermal break. The 4-and-5/8-inch aluminum frame maintains a minimal profile and can be outfitted with 1-inch double pane or 1-and-1/2-inch triple pane insulated glass. OptiQ Windows are also available with expanded configurations.
Benchmark Facade Systems
Kingspan
A fully integrated line of ventilated exterior cladding debuted at AIA 2013 and is now available from Kingspan. The company supplies a complete system of metal rails, insulated panels with a Bayer-developed polyurethane, and fastening solutions. The cladding is available in aluminum composite material (ACM), metal composite material (MCM), plate, high pressure laminate (HPL), ceramic granite, terra cotta, and thin brick, and comes in a broad range of colors.
YUW 750 XTH Unitized Wall System
YKK
Hurricane and impact mitigating glazing for low- to mid-rise commercial buildings can be applied to multi-span curtain and single-span ribbon walls with YKK’s latest addition to its ProTek portfolio. The new wall system can be specified with visible exterior face covers, a four-sided structural silicone glaze, or in a combination of both. It also boasts U-factors as low as .30.
