Composite panels for a modern family dream

Ultramodern architecture in the so-called Mill Quarter sounds contradictory. Anyone looking at the edge of the Austrian municipality of Eidenberg at the slope can recognize the futuristic design of the gleaming aluminum facade from afar in the Mühlviertel quarter. Here, engineer Rudolf Richtsfeld realized his dream of contemporary architecture on a plot of 840 m2 with PREFA aluminum composite panels.



“Building without a roof overhang was an aesthetic issue for me—I didn’t want an ordinary house,” says builder Rudolf Richtsfeld with evident confidence. His idea was clear: a family house with a facade and roof made from the same material. However, the local authority was not very pleased with the flat roof and did not approve the planned structure. Today, thank God, Rudolf Richtsfeld can even laugh about it. “There was supposed to be an alternative with a gable roof, and then I came across PREFA composite panels. That was one of the few options to create both the facade and roof from one material without planning a roof overhang.”

After the municipality gave the construction the green light, the roofers from Harald Seyr GmbH laid 160 m2 of roof area and facade with brown grey PREFA aluminum composite panels. However, it was necessary to create a waterproof under-roof first. Therefore, a plastic waterproof membrane for flat roofs with drainage function was laid on the facade and roof. This way, the builder, with a bit of exaggeration, still obtained a flat roof, although the membrane naturally disappeared under the laying of the aluminum composite panels. The panels were then riveted to the aluminum structure. During this operation, the roofers created fixed and sliding points. Fixed points secure the individual elements in a constant position, while sliding points allow for the expansion of the material, i.e., its dilation. The dimensions of the structure for riveting resulted from calculations of wind load and snow load, but the pattern of joints was determined by the architect. Thus, an aesthetic outer layer was created, which, thanks to clear lines, the absence of a roof overhang, and the use of only one type of material, achieved the desired uniform appearance that the builder envisioned.

The special feature of aluminum composite panels is that they can be adjusted on-site, allowing them to be bent and laid over corners. This can eliminate joint seams, meaning there is no need for cover or edging sheets.

PREFA Aluminum Composite Panels
The sandwich element has become indispensable in contemporary architecture. It consists of two aluminum sheets with a thickness of 0.5 mm coated with baked lacquer, which are bonded on both sides to a 3mm polyethylene core using a melting method. Chemical and mechanical measures ensure high adhesion of the sheet envelope. Integrated installations or creation of facades, whether in new constructions or during the renovation of old buildings. The possibilities of use are practically unlimited, and it is completely indifferent whether it is screwed, riveted, or glued. The advantages of aluminum panels are best demonstrated in the realization of large surfaces that make high demands on flatness and rigidity. They are equally suitable for interiors where small-format solutions are needed.

Technical Characteristics
PREFA aluminum composite panels offer only advantages: they are maximally resistant to corrosion and weather, exhibit minimal expansion, and thus greater bending and impact strength. And all of this is accompanied by minimal panel weight, which is 3.4 times lighter than steel and 1.6 times lighter than pure aluminum. Aluminum panels provide perfect thermal insulation, protection against moisture and mold, against adverse weather conditions, such as hail, and also serve as noise protection in the form of suspended and rear-ventilated facades. They are very suitable for extreme conditions, as they withstand temperatures ranging from -50 to +80 °C.

Processing Options
The panels can be joined using all types of rivets suitable for aluminum, both for joining panels together and for connecting with other materials. Depending on the attachment structure, screw connections, screws, or self-tapping screws for metals can be used. The panels can also be glued. A significant advantage of gluing is that there is no damage to the surface through drilling, screwing, or riveting. Furthermore, the panels can be easily adjusted (bent and cut) directly on-site, creating a flat and visually very sophisticated surface as a whole.

Coloring
Gone are the gray mundanity; the vibrant color palette of PREFA aluminum composite sheets contributes to a more colorful life. Many colors take inspiration from nature, allowing buildings to blend harmoniously into their surroundings. Special glossy shades are ensured by DURAGLOSS 5000—a high-technical standard coating of a new kind that emphasizes the beauty of PREFA aluminum composite sheets and extends their already long lifespan. Special surface finishes, such as stone or wood textures, as well as other specific requirements upon request, are not unattainable on areas exceeding 500 m2.