Providing Shade and Solutions That Overcome Supply Chain Challenges

When construction companies and architects started adding sunshades to buildings, they were installed to provide an added dimension to the flat surface of a building, enhancing its overall aesthetic. Both standard and custom sunshades can add color, dimension, and character to the building enclosure.  Sun control devices can be both vertical and horizontal in orientation and can be created using many different aluminum shapes and sizes.

Benefits of Sunshades

Sunshades allow architects to incorporate beautiful form and smart function into the exterior design. However, sunshades provide more than just an aesthetically pleasing feature to the building. They have cost-saving benefits as well.

Sunshades contribute to improved energy efficiency for buildings. Their presence blocks direct sunlight from entering through windows and doorways, which can help better regulate the facility’s temperature. Not only does this keep the tenants cool inside the building, but it can also lower regular air conditioning costs. Reduction in sun glare and solar heat gain provides a better working environment for occupants.

Airfoil blades can be sized and spaced to best achieve desired results and when it comes to customized perforated sunshades, the pattern, hole size and shape allow control over privacy and the amount of light coming into the interior of the building. This can lower energy costs, reduce glare and heat from the sun, allow natural light to illuminate the interior, improve the aesthetic appearance of the building and help contribute to its LEED credit compliance.

While sunshades provide many benefits and are easy to customize for different projects, there have been some new challenges with producing them.

Current Supply Chain Challenges

Currently, the supply chain and inflation are the biggest challenges in the metal fabrication market. Building and construction materials are in short supply, which led to dramatic price spikes once the COVID-19 pandemic started slowing production two years ago. These rising project and material costs affect contractors, subcontractors and building owners, among others.

Inflation has also caused issues in the construction industry as it is hard to keep projects on budget with rising costs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction costs increased by 17.5% year-over-year from 2020 to 2021. That is the largest increase in construction costs from one year to another since 1970. These costs went up by more than 20% from before the pandemic in 2019 to 2021.

Solutions

Fabricated Products Group (FPG) offers free design assist to architects to investigate materials that are in short supply and potential profile substitution with readily available products without compromising the design intent. Also, with FPG working in the industry for several decades, the company has built a large network of vendors to alleviate some of these supply chain issues. Communication is key to overcoming these challenges and making sure everyone understands the situation to ensure expectations are being met. This prevents any surprises if key project dates or budgets need to be adjusted.

When a company has knowledge of what their product demand will be for a project in advance, vendors can operate more efficiently and meet key deadlines. This will also help builders and contractors to do the same. When last minute orders—or changes to orders—are made, that is when the current supply chain issues really affect a project.

Sunshades provide buildings with plenty of character, durability, and function. They can be attached to curtain walls or façades, directly onto the building structure or as infill in a steel frame. They add beauty and functionality to any design. However, like projects in the construction industry, supply chain issues continue to be a problem. Keeping the lines of communication open with all key stakeholders on the project will maintain realistic expectations regarding timing and costs.

www.fabricatedproductsgroup.com

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