Page 50 - Green Builder Nov-Dec 2021 Issue

standing two centuries from now. To this
end, long-lasting structural insulated
panels (SIPs) and cross-laminated tim-
bers were used for the structural system.
When it came to the exterior wall system,
Yoakum says aluminum quickly rose to the
top on his list of options.
“We went through a process of energy
studies, and aluminum started coming in”
as a favored choice, he says. “If you install
it correctly, it will last forever.”
Petersen was the supplier of choice for
almost all the aluminum used in the proj-
ect, supplying 15,200 square feet of pan-
els and sheet metal, including .032-gauge
aluminum panels from PAC-CLAD (cor-
rugated), Snap-Clad (standing-seam), and
Tite-Loc Plus (standing seam), along with
PAC-CLAD 24-gauge galvalume M panels.
Yoakum worked closely with the instal-
lation pros at the local firm of Ralph Jones
Sheet Metal in Arlington, Tennessee, an
archimania collaborator on several previ-
ous projects. Company president Gordon
Jones helped Yoakum develop the unique
façade system for the structure’s highly
exposed southern elevation. The archi-
tect wanted a way to capture rainwater
COURTESY OF ARCHIMANIA 2020 on site, to reduce stormwater impacts
and minimize his family’s demands on
the municipal water supply. He also didn’t

WHAT MAKES METAL SIDING SUSTAINABLE?

A lot can be said about whether metal siding is ■ The paint footprint.
good for the environment. Because the primary Wood siding requires more-
metal is usually aluminum, there are concerns frequent painting—roughly
about the amount of energy needed to create every 5-8 years. Aluminum
it, as well as its contribution to deforestation siding’s embodied energy—a
and groundwater pollution. But proponents calculation of all of the energy,
say there are a number of natural benefits that clean or otherwise, used to
make aluminum a positive choice for housing: produce a material—is not
Producing 1 million tons of aluminum in quite 1.5 times that of acrylic
■
tech-friendly Norway releases 15 million paint used on wood. Assuming
tons less pollution than the same material the same square footage of
produced in industrial China. siding, aluminum is slightly
Because of its recyclable quality, 75 Grid lock. A combination of C channels, Z channels and M panels greener.
■
percent of all aluminum ever produced is still in create an exterior that enables easier collection of rainwater, and ■ Recycling is key. Provided
use. Recycling aluminum uses 95 percent less reduced strain on the city water system. COURTESY OF ARCHIMANIA 2020 it is sourced primarily from
energy to recreate than the virgin material. ideal circumstances (although this number recycled material, aluminum siding should have
Well-maintained aluminum cladding can also varies greatly by type of wood used). a lower overall embodied energy than other
■
last for up to a half century. Wood siding, by A longer lifespan means less environmental durable claddings, including vinyl, brick and
contrast, can typically go 20-40 years under impact due to reduced need for production. fiber cement.
SOURCE: RISE; BOB VILA; HOMEDECORBLISS.COM; UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
48 GREEN BUILDER November/December 2021 www.greenbuildermedia.com