Business View Magazine - October 2018

46 47 become more and more popular – some of that popularity we realize is because we’ve made a push into that market. So, while that side of our business grows, it doesn’t necessarily correlate with how popular architectural metal façades are becoming, in general. But we do see it as one of the best ways to economically change the look of a facility. At times, it would be cheaper to re-skin than to repaint a building because it’s very low maintenance. Most paints that go onto architec- tural metal already have a 40-year track record. And they’re getting better. A typical warranty with these paints today is 30 or more years. That means three decades before you’d even have to think about repainting.” BVM: Zinc is being touted a good alternative metal for façades.What are the benefits? Kweton: “The largest benefit is that zinc is an alloy, not a coated material. A lot of people an- ticipate zinc looking the same for 30 years and if that’s their expectation, they’ll want a product that’s more consistent. Something along the line of painted aluminum or painted steel products. I’m a huge proponent of alloys and watching the way the patina process changes it in situ - the way it reacts to its environment. And zinc is one of those wonderful natural materials that looks great the day you put it up and it evolves. I think it gets more beautiful as time goes on. “Another advantage: if you scrape, or scratch, or scuff it, because it’s an alloy you can burnish half of its surface off and it will age on its own back to its natural patina process. No rust marks, or paint you have to touch up. You just simply let it be. I love that about it. Zinc is also a very malleable, SHEET METAL SUPPLY LTD. long-lived material that lends itself well to craftsmanship and old-world detailing. A guy with skills can do magnificent things to it with just hand tools.” BVM: How did you get in- volved with the award-winning Eleanor Boathouse project? Kweton: We were lucky to be part of the first boathouse that Studio Gang designed– the WMS Boathouse. That’s a little further north on the Chica- go River. Out there, we used RHEINZINK. Most of those boathouses are showpiece projects –wonderfully open to the public. And they used zinc because it looks terrific and is ever-changing. If its marred by graffiti or scratches all that can be dealt with because it’s a natural product. The amazing Eleanor Boathouse –Grand Award Winner of the 2018 Metal Architecture Design Awards –has a zinc roof in- stead of slate. Not only did we do the façade tiles out of zinc, we were able to run the zinc roofing for them. “Cost-wise, if you amortize it over its expected longevity the cost is reasonable. Zinc is a premium material, along the same lines as copper, so it’s JAM Solutions is a new, innovative metal facade company and sole supplier of STACBOND aluminum composite panels in the US. With STACBOND, you’ll receive a high quality ACM panel that is NFPA 285 approved at a more cost effective price. By stocking material, as well has having unique rainscreen systems and an install base, JAM is positioned to offer material, or material and fabrication, or work as a subcontractor. Stacbond Mesh Facades Sunshades Solar Energy Aaron Johns, President/CEO Office: 219.440.2116 // ajohns@jam-sol.com www.jam-sol.com one of the pricier of readily available metals –but it stands the test of time. There are examples in Europe that are well over 100 years old that are still intact and very viable.” BVM: Where is your distribution territory? Kweton: “We custom fabricate products and distribute across the country. In the last couple years, we’ve sold into Washington, Cali- fornia, Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, Florida, and parts of Canada.We even did a building on a golf course at Playa Grande in the Dominican Republic, recently.