Posted August 14th, 2014 by Christy Serafini
In today’s world, it’s common for architects to use metal panels on buildings. Usually made of aluminum, these flat panels have multiple functions. They can serve as facades, instruments for external cladding, or prevent heat loss in order to increase energy efficiency. In Texas, there are several companies that offer architectural metal panels. However, none have the profile and experience of Wade Architectural Systems.
The Texas Landscape
A leader in the commercial architecture and construction companies located in Houston, is Wade Architectural Systems. For Texas residents or homeowners, getting a local company is very convenient, based on the likeliness of the project completed in a timely manner. Most companies who provide architectural metal panels focus on cladding, which means that the panels are used to keep away weather elements like rain from getting to the building structure. For this purpose, panels can be applied to the wall, roof or ceiling.
The Wade Background
Wade Architectural Systems, headquartered in Humble, a city within the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area. A family-owned company, Wade Architectural Systems was established by Lisle and Bill Wade in 1988. Since then, the company has been involved in over 2,500 exterior and interior building projects. They include the Student & Conference Center at the Lone Star College’s Kingwood campus, the Siemens Wind Turbine Nacelle Assembly Facility, and the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building and School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
The Wade Advantage
The metal panels at Wade Architectural Systems are not only made of aluminum, like the offerings of most retailers. The company also offers panels made of zinc, stainless steel, copper, galvanized steel, and various other metal alloys. Zinc panels in particular are relatively new to the North American market, but it has been long treasured in Europe for decades due to its color, texture, glossy appearance, and its ability to be shaped without breaking. Wade’s steel selections are particularly valued for their greater strength over regular metal panels.
Experienced and well trained, the professionals at Wade Architectural Systems can handle all types of applications, which include walls, ceilings, and roofing. They work with design and construction teams to decide on the best application for your project needs. The metal panel solutions are usually evaluated for practical indices, such as sun control, moisture protection, and air movement—factors that determine the company’s commitment to energy efficiency and environmental friendliness as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified supplier.
The Brands
As a company that specializes in architectural metal panel solutions, Wade Architectural Systems partners with eight brands. Centria, in particular, has been in existence for over 100 years and is an industry leader in insulated exterior metal building products. VMZINC is Wade’s supplier of titanium-zinc panels, and Epic Metal Corporation specializes in long-span architectural roof deck systems. Dri-Design provides a mixture of zinc, aluminum, and copper sheet metal panels, with a sharpened focus on aesthetic value. Wilkinson Hi-Rise, which is reputed as the world’s largest trash and linen chute manufacturer, produces stainless steel architectural panels. The other manufacturers that Wade Architectural Systems partners with include Ceilings Plus, Construction Specialties, and Pro-Clad.