5 reasons you should consider SMI board and batten wall panels for your next metal project!

By Colin Murnan, Sheffield Metals International. 

Take a look at the unique features, advantages and installation tips that make these panels a great option.  

Metal is a popular choice in the industry because of its unbeatable durability and the growing aesthetic choices that are offered. It’s important to make sure you are picking the right type of panels for your next project, especially as the market becomes more and more saturated with options. Sheffield Metals International (SMI) board and batten metal wall panels make the right choice an easy one.  

These board and batten wall panels are the newest addition to New Tech Machinery’s profile options for the SSQ II Roof Panel Machine. New Tech Machinery is a renowned portable metal roof and gutter rollforming machinery provider. With the introduction of these panels, the SSQ II is now the first portable roll forming machine that makes board and batten like this. Overall, these panels combine the classic aesthetic of wood and board batten with the superior longevity of metal. They were designed by an experienced technical team to be installed easily on vertical surfaces.  

Furthermore, special care was taken to ensure that these panels fit into a variety of existing architectural styles and that the maintenance post-installation is simple. By using this product, you can ensure that your customers are getting the aesthetics they want with the quality they need. Keep reading to learn the five main advantages that come with Sheffield Metals’ board and batten metal wall panel. 

Features: specs, engineering and warranties 

Specs and engineering 

The SMI board and batten wall panel uses 3 5/8” of material to form the seams, with a fastener flange and slots spaced at every 6 3/8”. It has a panel width minimum of 12” and a seam height of ¾” with materials formed from 22 and 24-gauge steel. 

Warranties 

The board and batten wall panel includes the standard Sheffield Metals 40-year warranty and Galvalume warranties. It has also been tested to ASTME 330, a standard that verifies the structural performance of exterior windows, doors, skylights and curtain walls. 

Advantages 

The SMI board and batten offers many advantages, including a sleek appearance, easy application and installation, enhanced aesthetics and versatility. 

1 - Sleek appearance 

This panel utilizes a concealed fastener system. Concealed fastener metal panel systems feature roofs with hidden fasteners, creating a smooth, streamlined appearance. Since fasteners will not be exposed to UV, moisture or wind as they would be on an exposed fastener system, they tend to perform better over time. 

2 - Easy application 

The unique engineering of the SMI board and batten metal wall panel, with slots spaced at 6 3/8”, makes it easy to attach to building substrates. We’ll go into more detail about installing this wall panel later. 

3 - Enhanced aesthetics 

The SMI board and batten wall panel also features vertical lines in its design. This look can add attractive aesthetics to buildings, adding perceived height to single-story structures and offering a clean, elegant appearance. 

4 - Versatility 

With impressive functionality and catching aesthetics, the SMI board and batten metal wall panel can be utilized in both modern and contemporary designs. Sheffield Metals also offers a wide variety of color choices for this panel, from dark, neutral colors suited to a modern look, to flashier, bright colors that offer a contemporary pop. Whatever you’re looking for in your design, you’ll be able to find the right color to match. Also, feel free to utilize the Sheffield Metals color visualizer to see how a particular color would look on your metal roofing project. 

5 - Durability  

The SMI board and batten wall panel profile offers more than just enhanced aesthetics. Because of its metal attributes and concealed fastener design, it can be highly durable in multiple regions, standing up well against sunshine and harsh weather. It’s an excellent option for those looking for a classic look with impressive functionality to match. 

The board and batten metal panel comes available in 22 and 24-gauge steel, offering a significant durability upgrade when compared to its wooden counterpart. This includes advantages such as: 

• Defense against moisture: The metal panel is highly effective against moisture, defending against common wooden material problems such as buckling, rotting and mold. 
• Sustainability: The SMI board and batten wall panel is made from 25% recycled content and is 100% recyclable at end of life. 
• Non-combustible: An impressive advantage of the metal panel is its durability when it comes to fire protection. The metal panel can be used as part of a fire-rated assembly. 
• Low maintenance: Compared to wood, where you have to constantly stay on top of repainting and re-staining, this board and batten metal wall panel offers very low maintenance to keep it looking new. 

Where should you use the SMI board and batten metal wall panel? 

With its timeless look, the SMI board and batten metal wall panel will work for various uses. Its traditional wooden look will mesh perfectly with classic farmhouses and residential homes, while the vertical design and tested performance standards make it suitable for commercial buildings. 

If you need a fully engineered wall assembly or a weathertight warranty for your commercial project, we do not recommend the SMI board and batten wall panel. We do, however, offer fully engineered wall systems for these types of installations. Likewise, panels greater than 25 feet for this profile will be more prone to oil canning due to their limited ability to move with thermal expansion and contraction. 

Sheffield recommends striations, ribs or other panel structures for panels wider than 12” to mitigate oil canning. 

Installation tips 

The SMI board and batten metal wall panel also offers an advantage for roofing contractors due to its ease of installation. Here are three easy steps for installing the SMI board and batten wall panel. 

1. Use a 10-by-1” pancake-head fastener for attachment. 
2. Drive the fastener into the middle of the flange spot. Be sure not to overtighten. 
3. The next panel hooks onto the raised hem over the top of the flange to conceal the fasteners. 

With an easy installation process, great durability and a timeless appearance, the SMI board and batten metal wall panel offers a high-quality product for metal roofing projects. 

At Sheffield Metals, we offer engineered standing seam metal roofing profile systems and specialize in providing painted Galvalume and aluminum sheets and coils for our customers. Our expert team is ready to help you decide which product is right for you. 

Original article source: Sheffield Metals