Modern exterior siding for commercial buildings
Current trends in commercial exterior siding focus on durability, environmental friendliness and professional design. After all, siding is the very first thing people see when they visit a company, thus it serves to reflect the company’s values from the outset.
The materials offered on the market have become increasingly diversified: some are highly durable, while others are more modern. But how many of them tick both boxes?
Since we know that combining esthetics, respect for the environment, easy maintenance and an affordable price tag is a veritable challenge for architects and general contractors, we’re pleased to offer you an overview of the best choices in modern siding for adding style to your clients’ commercial buildings. For us, it’s all about minimizing the environmental impact while maximizing the visual impact.
Panels, brick, masonry, wood and fiber cement for exterior siding with a modern look
From the get-go, you can forget about proposing siding made of brick, synthetic brick, stone, concrete, corrugated panels or synthetic stucco. All of these once enjoyed their heyday but have since fallen out of fashion. Rather than offering your clientele the modern touch they’re looking for, these materials appear dated and conventional.
While corrugated panels just won’t do, architectural panels have become more popular than ever. There can be little doubt that they’ve figured prominently in your plans and estimates in recent years. Steel sheets, for example, offer a style that’s decidedly modern, but more importantly, streamlined. However, their biggest draw is their affordability. They’re particularly valued for the relief they provide on garage-type buildings and other façades. You can also use them to create divisions on large surface areas. As an essential element in new constructions, they’re synonymous with versatility, timelessness and great value for their price. However, their advantages are offset by their disadvantages: they are fragile and tend to billow. As a result, architects are increasingly hesitant to use them. People also perceive them as a low-budget option. From a purely technical standpoint, you have here a material that’s lightweight but strong, easy to install and immediately adjustable during the installation process.
Classic but efficient, fiber cement has enjoyed unfailing success. There is no question as to its durability. In terms of style, it offers simple lines and an appearance that’s relatively homogenous and contemporary. On the other hand, its greatest assets are also its greatest drawbacks: because of the advantages it offers, it has been overused in commercial buildings. Even though it remains a good choice, we recommend opting for other alternatives in order to highlight the unique character of your clients.
Wood is one of those classic materials that have managed to endure despite ever-changing trends. People value it for its warm aspect and its eco-friendliness. The various available types of wood siding can retain their authentic woodgrain and adapt to modern designs. However, this material not only has a high price tag but also has difficulty withstanding the test of time.
As for large solid aluminum panels, they’re the very image of modernity and a guaranteed, lasting value, as they proved their worth long ago. They were once the favored siding of professionals. However, budgetary constraints have increasingly limited their use.
The best way to stand out is, without a doubt, to use imitation-woodgrain aluminum panels. You’re already well aware of the qualities of aluminum: it’s lightweight but solid, easy to work with and environmentally friendly. It’s nearly perfect, but what about the price? Long considered a rather expensive option, aluminum is more competitively priced these days.
Lightweight, versatile aluminum panels can highlight a glass structure, such as this building, which takes full advantage of the material’s natural luminosity and its remarkable orangish hue.
Colors trends in exterior siding
In order to give your clientele a comprehensive selection, we recommend that you also emphasize the trends in terms of color. Currently, there’s a tendency toward more neutral, harmonious shades, which can create a soothing atmosphere, provide contrasting touches and shape the visual impact of a building’s exterior. Oven-baked powder coating technology, with its tried-and-true durability, has facilitated the development of color finishes, which have enjoyed increasing popularity.
Aluminum panels have once again played their cards right, as they now exist in a truly impressive, nearly unlimited variety of hues. If you’re looking to combine originality, modern style and visual impact, they’ll help you achieve all of those objectives. You can use aluminum siding of the same type and color for the entire façade or simply add it in strategic spots to create a contrast. Using different colors to create clearly demarcated lines will surely give you the contemporary appearance you’re looking for. You can also opt for vividly colored aluminum panels as accent pieces on a more natural, unfinished material, such as stone. It’s a winning combination!
Are you leaning toward imitation woodgrain panels? Here again, you’ll generally have a wide selection of tones to choose from. Rich, deep and warm, the result will be eye-catching.
The deep hues of wood and natural stone combine perfectly in this characterful layout, which establishes a balance between the structures and the colors.
Now you understand how being modern also means using durable, low-maintenance, eco-responsible materials that are available in a variety of colors and styles. To ensure that you offer your clients the best combinations, please feel free to contact the professionals at Promark. Their experience and their understanding of the challenges you face will be major assets in all of your projects.