The last two posts talked about steel “stucco-finish” panels, insulated wall panels and synthetic brick or stone panels. But for owners of American steel buildings who prefer the look of traditional stonework or masonry, they should opt for natural products, which now come in highly ingenious forms and supplemented by modern methods of application.

Natural facades for American steel buildings may cost more than their synthetic counterparts, but they are still cheaper when compared to traditional stonework or masonry. Besides, they come in panels, which can be easily shipped to your jobsite and conveniently and efficiently installed by any regular construction crew.

Most suppliers and manufacturers of American steel buildings also have these natural products in their list of offerings, so you don’t have to deal with another supplier.

Anyway, some of these products include brick veneers, stone veneers (natural or “faux”), and masonry.

What are brick veneers? A veneer is actually a thin covering applied to a surface of another object or material in order to hide its true appearance. Of course, the veneer is typically more attractive than the object itself, so basically, it enhances the appearance or improves the value of the object,

Brick veneers have seen an increasing acceptance in the commercial as well as residential markets. This product provides a timeless look and feel of a brick exterior for American steel buildings. Simply put, a brick veneer is a veneer with a thin brick surface on the front.

Modern methods of installing these products involve creating a free standing wall anchored to the building and not installed directly on the walls. The brick veneers are made from shale and/or clay and is then oven-fired. Usually, the installation is easy and less time consuming than laying whole bricks the traditional way. Brick veneer panels for American steel buildings are thin and light, about ½ to 1 inch thick and can be installed by any regular tradesmen.

The innermost element of this type of façade for American steel buildings is usually a structural metal framing. The brick veneer/steel stud wall system is the most popular for owners of American steel buildings with budget considerations.

The resulting brick façade looks exactly like a solid masonry building. Some of its many benefits are durability, low maintenance, high fire rating and variable design choices.

Still on the subject of facades for American steel buildings, for structures located in regions that experience weather extremes and insulation is necessary, insulated wall panels are the practical choice.

Aside from providing American steel buildings with beauty as well as functionality, insulated panels allow for a tighter building envelope, with walls having higher insulating properties. This means savings in operating costs since fewer drafts will be experienced.
Another cost-saving feature of insulated panels is their fast and easy installation.

Insulated wall panels systems come in different designs, profiles and skins including stucco-finish, plaster-finish, natural stone and quartz aggregates. These panels provide a stylish, modern architectural appearance to American steel buildings.

Another option for facades of American steel buildings are the natural-looking simulated or faux stone and brick panels. These products are made of lightweight materials that add value and style, as well as, heighten the exterior appeal of your home of business establishment.

Synthetic stone or brick panels for American steel buildings are waterproof and resistant to unpleasant weather conditions and pests. They are also flame resistant and self-extinguishing. The panels are highly durable and impact resistant. In fact, they have been proven to resist cracking better than their real counterparts.

Since the products are lightweight, easy to handle and are cut on the jobsite with standard tools, installation is very fast and easy, requiring lesser tradesmen. For you, this means a lot of savings in labor costs and time. Besides, simulated stone or brick panels for American steel buildings are typically less pricey than real brick or cast stone facades. And again, since they significantly weigh less, shipping and handling costs are much lower, as well.

Besides, for most applications, synthetic stone or brick finishes provide significant insulation value. And for those who are adherents of the green movement, the good news is that these products for American steel buildings are considered “green”. Why? Because they are 100% inert, non-toxic, non-gaseous and odor-free.

Indeed, simulated or synthetic stone or brick products are popular because they provide beauty, practicality and functionality for American steel buildings.