Category: Danpalon

Make a Statement with Your Building’s Façade

Posted on by Danpal

A building’s façade, is an opportunity to generate a wow factor for the entire structure. Due to this fact, architects spend countless man-hours in the concept and design of their new project’s façade. This architectural feature tends to dominate and project the building’s true nature. It is no wonder then, that so much time and effort is placed in the selection of the right materials and building envelope system to fulfil this role.

Over the course of modern architecture, the building envelope has tended towards the use of various translucent glazing materials. The driving force behind this trend has largely been to create dynamic open interiors spaces, where natural daylight can be used to its maximal effect. The introduction of all this natural light, however, comes with its own set of performance-related challenges.

Danpal Facade Systems

This is where Danpal’s range of facade systems really come into their own! Over the course of the last 30 years, Danpal has pioneered a select range of solutions for the building façade. These systems are based on the translucent Danpalon microcell panel, which was originally developed as a practical solution for balancing thermal and solar performance.

As modern buildings have grown in stature, curtain-wall façade systems have been developed, to accommodate these new heights. These curtain walls traditionally rely on the glass as a medium for transmitting natural daylight into the building. Unfortunately, this can also add a significant amount of unwanted weight to the overall structure. Danpal has addressed this concern by integrating its lightweight Danpalon panels within more advanced Danpal building envelope systems.

It is now possible to have a curtain-wall type translucent building façade that is lightweight, weatherproof, offers solar control, thermal balance, and has aesthetic appeal. Danpal’s solution-driven systems include the Danpatherm system, which offers an industry-unique, double-wall unitized cassette structure that delivers exceptional U-Value performance. The Danpal Controlite system, developed to adapt to a wide range of solar conditions and automatically adjust the amount of incoming daylight, to a set LUX level.

Danpal offers these façade solutions along with standard aluminum famed Danpalon panel-based systems, to provide each architect with a dynamic set of options to create performance-driven feature facades. Allow natural daylight into your building by choosing a Danpal façade system and create a visual masterpiece without compromise.

Contact Danpal to discuss about our Facade solutions for your next architectural project.

How Danpal Makes a Lightweight Curtain Wall Possible

Posted on by Danpal

The concept of a curtain wall in architecture dates back to defensive walls used to protect castles. In modern times, however, a curtain wall is a term that refers to non-structural exterior walls, which protect the interior space of a building from the elements. Since the walls are non-structural, there is an opportunity to use lighter-weight building materials. These exterior walls are designed to span multiple floors, which allows for a contemporary modern finish.

Curtain Wall Façade Systems

As modern buildings have grown in stature, curtain wall façade systems have been engineered, so as to accommodate these new heights. With the trend toward designing multiple-story buildings being the norm, highly developed systems are highly sought after. These curtain wall envelopes, traditionally rely on the glass as a medium for transmitting natural daylight into a building. The glass panes used within the curtain wall are held in place with the use of hefty aluminum framing systems. Unfortunately, this has the potential to add a significant amount of unwanted weight to the overall structure. Even though this type of curtain wall system is considered lightweight when compared to structural loadbearing exterior walls, Danpal has taken the concept a step further. Danpal has addressed this concern by integrating its lightweight Danpalon microcell panels within more advanced Danpal building envelope systems.

It is now possible to have a curtain wall type translucent building façade that is lightweight, weatherproof, offers solar control, thermal balance, and has aesthetic appeal. Danpal’s solution-driven systems include the Danpatherm system, which provides an industry-unique, double wall unitized cassette structure, delivering exceptional U-Value performance. In comparison, the Danpal Controlite system was developed to adapt to a wide range of solar conditions, automatically adjusting the amount of incoming daylight, to a set LUX level. These advanced Danpal curtain wall systems allow for a greener building envelope solution. This is an important aspect to consider, especially with SANS building regulations defining acceptable energy efficiency guidelines.

Danpal Curtain Wall Façade System

By installing a Danpal curtain wall façade system, you also remove the need for including an exterior louver system. This is a great benefit, as it allows for the original design concept of clean lines to dominate the building’s exterior facade. Removing this unwanted clutter, will further reduce the weight of the building envelope and simplify the construction process. Having a clean curtain wall, clear of added shading systems, will result in the ability of the building’s façade to transmit more natural daylight to the interior. More natural light translates into energy savings and the creation of higher-quality interior spaces. This can only be accomplished however if the curtain wall is able to effectively mitigate unwanted heat gain. This in particular, is considered a strength of any Danpal façade system, as our Danpalon microcell panels have been engineered to limit excessive solar heat gain.

Danpal has submitted our building envelope solutions to various international regulatory bodies for rigorous testing. In doing so, we have attained certification on all major performance aspects pertaining to our systems. Danpal’s solutions can confidently perform under the toughest of weather conditions. Our systems have been certified against solar degradation, thanks to our advanced co-extrusion technology, which embeds UV protection directly into the surface of the Danpalon panel. We can show that our Danpalon microcell panels deliver an effective 25-year lifespan, during which, your building is protected against the elements. With a Danpalon panel-based system in place, protection against the harsh African sun is guaranteed!

The current trend for the building envelope has been to move away from completely translucent curtain wall systems. Architects are designing exteriors that grab attention and have a greater visual impact on the viewer. Fortunately, over the last 30 years, Danpal has developed a range of constantly evolving color and finish options. Our Danpalon microcell panels are extruded in a wide range of both opaque and translucent colours. Added to this, are advanced finishes such as metallic, reflective, low-e and Softlite. When combined, our Danpal systems offer in a stunning variety of visual aesthetics, unmatched in the industry. We can take this a step further, and customise the colour of our Danpalon panel either for light transmission or purely for the design concept intended by the architect.

Danpal has taken the initial concept of a curtain wall, and developed it further still. When compared to a Danpal solution, any traditional curtain wall system that was once considered to be lightweight, is now downright overweight. All Danpal systems once correctly installed, are maintenance free and under warranty. Our solutions are based on encouraging maximum natural daylight into the building interior whilst providing solar and thermal balance. Our range of colour and finish options are unparalleled, giving architectural teams the ability to design freely and to produce buildings that make a bold statement. Ultimately, Danpal has taken the initiative and the moved the curtain wall industry forward in a brave new direction.

Contact Danpal to discuss our curtain wall solutions for your next architectural project.

Cladding Is A Multi-Faceted Building Addition

Posted on by Danpal

Simply described, cladding is the application of a layer of building material that adds thermal insulation and resistance to the natural elements and enhances the appearance of a structure. Cladding’s role is to prevent moisture from penetrating the building and damaging the interior of the structure. These qualities add to a building’s durability and esthetic appeal, and the experienced experts at Danpal can provide guidance in choosing the cladding that’s right for your building.

Choosing Cladding For Thermal Insulation Protection

Insulation creates a barrier between heat and cold. Thermal insulation is the process by which the transfer of heat between objects is reduced. While the flow of heat is inevitable when there is contact between objects with different temperatures, thermal insulation creates an area where thermal radiation is reflected rather than absorbed by the item which has the cooler temperature.

Clients have discovered why Danpal’s Ventilated Rainscreen System is so popular for building projects. Danpalon panels offer complete insulation protection in the form of double-notched, connector-bound sheets that are made from microcell polycarbonate. An air gap provides natural ventilation. The insulation stays dry thanks to convective motion. Preventing moisture also prevents mold from finding a cozy home in damp insulation.

CladdingCladding Helps Protect Buildings From Weather

We all know what to expect from the weather as the seasons change. Winter brings cold, snow, ice and powerful winds. These elements can cause highways to close to traffic; schools cancel classes and activities; the news media issue warnings about what to do in case of frostbite. The rainy season might bring April showers and in turn, May flowers, but in the meantime, there’s a lot of moisture to deal with. Buildings have no way of escaping the weather and that puts them at risk for moisture managing to get inside a structure and causing leaks.

Leaks aren’t just the nuisance of a drip coming from the ceiling that will need to be repaired. They can cause serious damage to a building; if a leak isn’t tended to, it can lead, in a worst-case scenario, to structural collapse. But what about the leaks that aren’t detected? When moisture gets into the insulation of a building, health risks to the occupants become a concern. If a person suffers from allergies or asthma, the presence of mold can make those conditions worse. Cladding is a recommended way to block leaks before they get a chance to start.

Cladding Dresses Up A Building’s Appearance

Cladding is a building’s wardrobe and, just as clothing for people comes in different sizes, Danpal cladding can be customized up to the standard 12.0m length. Danpal also offers cladding that comes in a wide range of colors and designs so that an architect can give free rein to his or her creativity and imagination. But if color isn’t enough, there’s also sunlight. Danpal’s daylighting architecture is designed to add natural light to the internal living and working spaces of a building. This enhancement adds so much to a building that it, just like the array of color options, provides architects with the pleasure of creating beauty with their designs.

Polycarbonate sheets make building stronger

Posted on by Danpal

No one disputes the need for strength in our building materials. A building is intended to last for generations. While repairs to a structure are an expected part of maintenance, a building should be strong enough to withstand the effects of weather. But standards for strength have evolved as innovative research has discovered newer and better materials. Danpal, always at the forefront of the most cutting-edge products manufactured, has made the use of polycarbonate sheets a primary component in our efforts to build better.

CAN POLYCARBONATE SHEETS WITHSTAND WEATHER?

In recent years, the weather has become more extreme. We’ve witnessed terrible storms throughout the seasons as blizzards, rainstorms, and other manifestations of nature seem to behave as if they’re in a contest to overpower the landscape. Buildings must be constructed out of materials that give them the stamina that they must have in order to outlast the furies of nature. Every season seems to bring its own special form of nature’s wrath and all over the world, people are experiencing weather that’s unlike anything they’ve known before. That’s why polycarbonate sheets have become so popular. Polycarbonate is light and easy to work with, while at the same time displaying a phenomenal strength. In fact, polycarbonate sheets, although only half as heavy as glass, are two hundred times stronger. As the weather has become more powerful, buildings are now stronger thanks to polycarbonate sheets.

polycarbonate sheets TYPES OF POLYCARBONATE SHEETS

Building materials that are equipped with versatility can offer more to architects and clients. Polycarbonate sheets are available in two different forms. You might choose solid polycarbonate, which resembles glass in its clear, flat sheeting form. Although solid polycarbonate looks like glass, it has far superior strength. Or you might choose multiwall polycarbonate, a structured sheet which has hollow air chambers. Whichever one you select, you can be confident that you’ll benefit from the same reliable polycarbonate strength.

WHY POLYCARBONATE SHEETS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

You’ve heard a lot about the strength of polycarbonate sheets, but you may not realize why that strength is so important. Buildings are very vulnerable to the forces of weather.

Keeping insulation dry is one of the most important ways to protect a building. Damp moisture can lead to problems that begin with leaks and a loss of energy and can turn into structural stress and, ultimately, the possibility of building collapse. The damage isn’t merely confined to the building. Damp insulation creates an atmosphere in which mold thrives and once mold has found a home, it doesn’t want to leave. It leads to health problems for the occupants of a building, and if there’s someone who has asthma or allergies, they’ll feel the effects of mold very quickly. You don’t want to live or work in a building that adversely affects your health. Damp insulation also leads to financial issues because you’re paying for energy that you aren’t using. It’s escaping outside and that’s bad for the environment. Dry insulation is the formula for a healthy building and healthy people.

Not just another pretty facade

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Neighborhoods and commercial districts all have unique identities that take their image from the buildings that are located there. People come and go but the structures remain, instilling an identity in the landscape that adds to the character of the area. Buildings are designed and constructed according to architectural plans based upon certain styles and functions, but there’s a way for a structure to add to its appearance beyond its original design and that’s through facades. Facades, which offer choices of colors, finishes, and textures that deepen the esthetic appearance of a building, are a popular option for architects who want their creative work to impart an extra level of imagination.

ADDING VISUAL FEATURES THROUGH FACADES

Architects enjoy the opportunity to let a building take on an artistic presence as if it were a work of art with people inside. If you’ve ever seen a façade which alternates dark and light colors, you know how vividly this impression catches the eye. Adding depth to the perspective of a building is easily accomplished by layering different shades of a particular color. Other ways to add pizazz to a building are to incorporate columns or brick stacks or feature lighting. Danpal has so many variations on the theme of color that it will be a challenge to choose from all the selections that are available.

FacadesNOT JUST A PRETTY FAÇADE

Danpal facades bring beauty but they also help to resist weather. The facades are made of microcell technology which provides strength. The façade’s thermal insulation prevents energy from being wasted by escaping out of the building. The double-click locking seams provide high-load resistance and security. The structural function of the façade is as much a part of its purpose as is its attractive appearance. All of these features are designed to keep your building strong no matter what the weather is doing outside.

RELYING ON FACADES TO HELP PROTECT AGAINST WEATHER

A Danpal facace, with this microcell technology and double-click locking seams, is well-equipped to handle the harsh elements that weather brings. The world outside your windows might look as if a flood of rain is coming from the skies. You might open the door to a landscape that’s covered in white from heavy snowfall. You might hear the wind howling outside, or hail striking the building. But the building itself is shielded by the power of the façade’s defensive barrier that allows you to stay snug and warm inside.

FACADES IMPROVE BUILDING HEALTH

We’ve all heard a lot about the dangers of mold and how it can cause serious harm for people with respiratory problems. If you work in a building or live in a home that has a mold problem, you may have noticed that allergies and asthma are worse. That’s because mold is born in damp places where moisture has attacked insulation. Once the insulation is no longer dry, it becomes a breeding ground for mold that quickly spreads.

A Danpal façade can make a world of difference in the health and wellbeing of your building and the people inside it.

Cladding delivers insulation protection

Posted on by Danpal

Architecture can be a demanding field, requiring a nimble mastery of talents. An architect who excels in his or her field is one who understands the basic requirements of construction so that a building can emerge from the original design to a finished site. Architecture demands a knowledge of current building codes and federal regulations in order to comply with the legal standards governing the construction industry. The architect who knows the discipline also knows how to translate what the client wants into reality. Through all of this, an architect is a creator, taking building materials and colors and turning these components into a structure that accomplishes its purpose. All of this seems easy to understand, and it is. That is, until the first leak shows up and all of a sudden, the people inside the building are at the mercy of the elements which are supposed to remain outside the building. When that happens, the talented, knowledgeable, skilled, creative architect is going to wonder if he or she neglected to use the right cladding when choosing building materials.

CladdingKeeping Leaks Out With Danpal Cladding

No one wants a leak in the building. Leaks are messy to clean up; they’re a nuisance for the occupants of the building, whether it’s in the home or the workplace; and they have the potential to cause accidents, if someone would slip and fall. If the leak manages to compromise the insulation of the building, even greater damage is likely. Dry insulation is a must in order for the heating/cooling system to maintain peak energy efficiency. Even buildings in the very best of condition use a lot of energy—they’re responsible for 40% of energy consumption in developed countries—so you can imagine what happens if damaged insulation allows energy to escape. Quality cladding plays a very important role in making sure that your building’s insulation has the protection it needs to maintain efficient use of energy.

Why Danpal Cladding Provides the Best Protection

Danpal’s Ventilated Rainscreen System offers complete insulation protection thanks to the Danpalon panels. The double-notched, connector-bound sheets, made of microcell polycarbonate, provide impenetrable protection for a building’s insulation. The natural ventilation is the result of an air gap; the convective motion is what keeps the insulation dry and free from weather penetration. Dry insulation is like a vaccination against damage for a building; it prevents structural problems from developing and it also prevents the penetration of moisture, which can turn into mold and cause a variety of health concerns, particularly for people who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies.

Cladding and Creativity Make An Unbeatable Combo

Cladding clearly plays an important role in the life of a building. But for architects, it also has a cosmetic part to play. That’s because Danpal cladding, which comes in an impressive array of colors and designs, gives a building a creative identity. Add in the generous customization options—Danpal cladding can be customized up to the standard length of 12.0m—and you can understand why architects are so enthusiastic about our product.

Color is an amazing esthetic advantage, but Danpal doesn’t stop there. We’ve pioneered what’s known as daylight architecture, which means that natural light is easily added to a design that uses Danpal cladding. With cladding that protects your building’s interior from the invasion of moisture while enhancing the inside with the benefits of natural light, the finished result is both structurally supported and esthetically enhanced, for a result that’s sure to please.

Polycarbonate Sheets Score Better in Strength and Appearance

Posted on by Danpal

In the construction industry, the products used to create a building must, first and foremost, fulfill the function for which they were designed. They must be strong enough to withstand the harshest elements of weather. They must conform to current environmental standards. All of these items are important. But for Danpal, a company which, during its 50 years in the industry, has always maintained the highest standards of quality in its products, there’s something else that’s important. Esthetics. A building has a purpose and its components are designed to make that purpose happen. But a building, very often, is occupied by people and Danpal believes that people are better served if the buildings where they work and live can provide an attractive appearance, as well as comfort and safety. The advance of technology has provided new ways of making things so that they emphasize all of these priorities. One of the strongest, most versatile, and most customizable products in today’s market is polycarbonate. Polycarbonate sheets have become the favorite of architects looking for a building material that meets industry requirements while satisfying client preferences.

Polycarbonate SheetsPolycarbonate Sheets Build For Today’s Market

In the history of the building industry, there was a time when glass was one of the most popular products for architects. It was strong and attractive. True, scratching was a problem and it wasn’t particularly to work with, but for its time, it was a favorite. But times have changed. Now there’s a new product, one that is so superior to glass that it’s easy to understand why architects are making the shift to polycarbonate sheets. As we already noted, strength is a primary consideration when choosing a building material, and polycarbonate is 200 times stronger than glass. You might think that something that strong would be difficult to work with, but actually, polycarbonate is so flexible that customization is easy. Polycarbonate sheets, which have been hardened so that they are capable of standing up to very high resistance levels, are virtually impossible to break.

Energy Efficiency Is Certain With Polycarbonate Sheets

Did you know that in the industrialized world, 40% of the primary energy usage comes from buildings? If you want to build with sustainability in mind, you’re looking for materials that enhance energy efficiency. Polycarbonate sheets offer a superior performance when it comes to protecting a building from the damage that weather can cause. Danpal’s Ventilated Rainscreen System, with its natural ventilation, keeps insulation dry and free from the moisture that can cause significant damage over time to a building. The building maintains its energy efficiency by keeping energy from escaping.

Still Like The Look Of Glass? Polycarbonate Can Still Be Your Choice

There are two different choices for polycarbonate sheets, and one of them, solid polycarbonate, is a clear, flat sheeting that resembles glass, but with the strength of polycarbonate. The second option is multiwall polycarbonate, a structured sheet with hollow air chambers. You’ll love the strength of polycarbonate and you won’t have to sacrifice anything in strength or resistance when choosing it.