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ACM
Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), a.k.a. Metal Composite Material (MCM).
Industry term for the resulting panel made by laminating two sheets of aluminium to
a substrate/core.


Acrylic Urethane
Type of finish offered on exterior metal panel systems.  A two component, cross-linked
architectural paint system that provides excellent gloss retention and weather ability.
This coating is applied using electrostatic or conventional spray equipment.


Anodised
Type of finish offered on exterior metal panel systems.  The finish is created by
using a combination of electricity and chemicals to develop the natural oxidation
process.  The result is a durable, transparent surface that is integral with
the aluminium sheet.

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Barrier Wall
Cladding system designed to be completely sealed against moisture intrusion.
Protects the substructure of the wall and sheathing.


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Cavity Wall
Type of wall system in which a small gap is created between the exterior cladding
and the substructure of the building.  This small 'cavity' allows for the escape of
any incidental moisture which may enter the system.  Use of this type system
requires a moisture barrier.


Cleanroom
A type of controlled environment where air and contaminants (i.e. dust, dirt) are
highly monitored.  Most often manufacturing facilities in the pharmaceutical,
medical, or communications industries.


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Factory Curved
A process in which panels (or moldings) are moved through a system of rollers,
staggered to create a slight curve with each pass.  Tight curves may require
several passes through the setup.


Field Curved
A process in which the panels may be gently molded around a curve, using the
substrate or moldings as a guide.  This process is only available for large radius
curves with some panels and is completely dependent upon the flexibility of the
material.  May require 'kerfing' of the core.

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Fire Resistant
Not to be confused with 'fire-rated'.  If a panel is fire resistant, it simply means it
contains material that will reduce the effect that heat will have upon the composition
(i.e. gypsum board core).


FRP
Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic is made from fiber glass reinforcement in a plastic (or
polymer) matrix.  Used in sheet form as durable, and washable skins for interior panels.


HDPE
High Density Polypropylene is a plastic polymer in rigid sheet form and is generally
used for the skins of interior panels.


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Kerf Loss
Refers to the amount of material (equal to the thickness of the saw blade) that is
lost when the panel is cut (i.e. if the thickness of the blade is 1/8", the resulting
pieces from a 48" wide panel cut in half will measure approximately 23-15/16").


Non-Progressive
Refers to the type of installation sequence.  A non-progressive installation may
be started and stopped at any point making the replacement and/or removal
of individual panels more accessible.

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Parapet
Top section of the wall that extends past the roof line.  The cladding is typically
'wrapped' around the wall section or terminated at the top with flashing installed
as a cap.


Polyester
Type of finish offered on exterior metal panel systems.  A thermosetting paint
applied using similar techniques as those used for PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)
creating a hard, durable surface that is available in a wide range of colours.

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Polypropylene
Type of plastic formed into sheets and generally used as a lightweight substrate
or core for laminated panels.  Sheets have a 'fluted' design to provide the appropriate
thickness while minimizing the weight of the material.


Porcelain Enamel
Type of finish available on select products.  A vitreous or glassy inorganic coating
bonded to metal by fusion at extremely high temperatures.


Progressive
Refers to the type of installation sequence.  A progressive installation builds from
one step to the next to move across the elevation.  Each step must be completed
before moving on to the next.

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PVC
Polyvinylidene Chloride is a rigid copolymer that is highly impermeable to water
vapour and is used for various types of molding extrusions.


Rainscreen Principle
Type of wall system, a.k.a. 'cavity wall', which allows incidental moisture to enter
the system, but then be drained away from the substructure.  Use of this type
of cladding system requires that the substrate be covered with a moisture barrier.


Styrofoam
An XPS Insulation foam produce by the DOW chemical company.

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Thermoset Phenolic Resin
Type of hard polymer used as a substrate material and made be impregnating
kraft paper with a resin and then cured with heat.  The resulting material is extremely
durable, impact resistant, and thermally stable.


Type-X Gypsum
Used as a stabilizer/substrate, this type of gypsum is manufactured to provide an
extra degree of fire protection when used within a panel assembly.

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