Steel Buildings in Europe

Part 1: Architect’s Guide 1 - 29 4.1 Cladding systems The principal options for cladding systems are:  Profiled steel sheeting - Single-skin - Double-skin, built up on site from a liner panel, insulation and an outer sheet - Composite sandwich panels, pre-fabricated off site from an inner sheet, and outer sheet and insulation.  Steel sheeting with insulation, covered by a waterproof membrane – commonly used on flat roofs.  Wooden panels/decking  Precast concrete slabs  Blockwork (for walls) 4.1.1 Profiled sheet cladding The basic types of profiled steel sheeting system, used in roofs and walls, are summarized in Table 4.1. Table 4.1 Basic types of cladding system System Insulated? Benefits Built up systems yes  free choice for exterior profiled sheeting  high fire resistance  good sound proofing and good sound absorption  fast construction, with simple mechanical fasteners Composite panels yes  fast construction  fully prefabricated single sheeting no  cheap and fast construction  easy to dismantle  large freedom of form 4.1.2 Precast concrete slabs For flat roofs with significant imposed loads, cellular concrete slabs provide both a relatively easily installed building component and a thermal insulation layer. Precast concrete slabs (either hollow core or sandwich panel) provide the necessary strength where there are heavy snow loads or a heavy roof is required for safety reasons (e.g. resisting explosive pressures in accidental situations). However, precast slabs are much heavier than profiled steel cladding and the primary steel structure must be correspondingly stronger. 4.1.3 Blockwork Blockwork construction is often used for the walls of single storey buildings, either full height or partial height (with sheet cladding for the top of the wall). The blockwork provides insulation and robustness; it may also be chosen for appearance.