Green Design
Material selection is an important aspect of green design. If you are considering using or reusing architectural metals, TMR Architectural Metals Consulting can provide a comparison of relevant metal characteristics.
Recycling
When determining whether a metal component is likely to be recycled or end up in a landfill, several factors must be considered. What is the recycled content of new material? Does the metal have a coating that will limit or prohibit recycling? What percentage of the scrap metal can be recycled and is the scrap value high enough to encourage recycling? How much metal loss will occur due to corrosion during the expected application life? Metal that has corroded into the environment cannot be recycled and the component may have to be replaced during the building life. Our consultants can provide assistance in answering all of these questions.
Reuse
The ability to reuse a material is dependant on several factors. Has corrosion reduced structural or application integrity? If the finish has deteriorated, can the finish be restored or can another finish be applied without adverse environmental impact? What cleaning methods are required? If the metal is used for a different application, what are the fabrication requirements? TMR Architectural Metals Consulting can assist with these and other questions related to reusing architectural metals.
Regional Materials
TMR Architectural Metals Consulting has extensive fabricator and supplier contacts. If there are suppliers of the product within a 500-mile radius, we can help you identify them and evaluate the quality of the product.
Low-Emitting Materials
With careful metal selection, it is possible to avoid or limit the use of paint and coatings that will produce VOC emissions in indoor environments or add contaminants to soil and water in exterior environments. We can evaluate the site environment to determine corrosion potential and suggest metals that will not require a coating in exterior and interior applications. Our knowledge of metal finishes ensures that your color and texture options will not be limited by your commitment to the environment.
Controlling Daylight
Metals can be used both to bring daylight into a building and as sunscreens to reduce air conditioning expenses. Our consultants are familiar with the applications where metal has been used and can suggest design options. We can also provide independent testing of finish samples to determine the relative reflectivity of products provided by different suppliers.
Maintenance
The maintenance requirements for a metal are dependant on the environment, design, and aesthetic requirements. Our consultants can evaluate these factors and comment on the expected performance of the metals that are being considered. We will provide an evaluation of the site environment, design, and probable corrosion rates of the metals being considered so that maintenance frequency and the potential for replacement can be assessed. Information on the cleaning products that are typically used can also be provided so that environmental impact can be considered.
Services
Each architectural metal has unique characteristics that can impact its performance, design, and selection under different conditions. Retaining the assistance of a metallurgical engineer who understands the unique requirements placed on architectural metals can mean the difference between a successful application and an unsightly problem.
TMR Architectural Metals Consultants provides objective, unbiased advice on the use of stainless steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys (nickel-silver, Monel®), aluminum, and copper-based alloys in architectural applications.
