Exterior Transformations Can Improve Function as Well as Aesthetics

Beauty and brains, an ideal combination of character traits for your … commercial building.

Advances in engineered building materials for walls and flooring surfaces prove you no longer have to choose between aesthetics and function. Now you can have both.

A commercial building can undergo a stunningly beautiful exterior transformation that also improves its practicality and performance. You don’t have to sacrifice one to get the other.

One example is architectural wall panels. As you can see in these before-and-after photos of an office building, these can be used to dramatically refresh a building’s exterior appearance without creating challenging structural changes.

There’s so much flexibility in the design, as well. The panels are lightweight, yet structurally strong and durable. They can be installed horizontally or vertically; they come in a variety of sizes, colors and finishes; and the panels interlock for a clean, flush appearance.

Function-wise, they’re a sustainable design choice because they’re durable, the metals used in the panels are 100 percent recyclable at the end of their useful life, and they add a layer of insulation and waterproofing to improve the building’s performance.

Floored by what can be done with aged concrete

Newer commercial concrete alternative flooring options give designers and facility manager’s new ways of improving aesthetics while providing practicality, as well.

Companies are transforming unattractive, cracked or damaged concrete in their building entrances and thresholds, , curbing, light posts and stairways into attractive features that both deliver a positive first-impression and serve as a durable, easy-to-maintain solution.

Epoxy alternatives are 2-3 times stronger than standard concrete and can be applied over existing structurally sound concrete bases, meaning you don’t need to tear out the existing concrete and replace it. Epoxy finishes are resistant to chemicals and salt and can also be custom-colored to add a distinctive design touch or meet branding standards.

Could your building exterior use a makeover? Be sure to do your research into what’s available from a building materials standpoint to ensure your transformation improves your building’s function as much as it does its appearance.