Architecture 🏛 Addressing "decorative metal" in building material standards

[Suburb Repairman]

We are looking at some of our design standards for non-residential/MU development. I've hit a snag with a couple of our commissioners regarding use of "decorative metal". We currently require exteriors be 100% masonry, decorative metal and/or wood. They have raised a question about what constitutes decorative metal. Oddly enough, I can't seem to come up with an effective way to define/describe it--I know it when I see it. Basically, we don't want the conventional "redneck retail" R-panel type buildings.

We have building design standards beyond just materials, but a few Commissioners see this as a loophole prone to exploitation if we can't effectively define it.

 

[stroskey]

"Decorative metal will be defined as any metal that is non-galvanized nor with exposed fasteners. The metal shall not take up more than X percentage of the front facade."

Those r-panel things show exposed fasteners which is what makes it look ugly.

 

[Dan]

I assume you're talking about something that's vernacular to Texas rather than what's considered "decorative metal" around the Buffalo area, which you really don't want.

Lemme' pull out the Hippo code. The following aren't guidelines; they're requirements for commercial buildings.

10.406.6.8 Materials and color

10.406.6.8.1 Building materials
• Predominant building exterior materials must be high quality, and used in their natural context and color. Masonry (stone, brick, decorative CMU and similar materials) must be used as dominant (≥50% of exterior surface area) exterior materials. Fiber-cement siding and textured concrete/EIFS are examples of appropriate secondary exterior materials.
• Corrugated metal may be used to reinforce a vernacular design theme. Corrugated metal may have a cumulative surface area of ≤25% of the area of all exterior walls for a building.
• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) may substitute for any amount of predominant and secondary exterior materials.
• Smooth-faced concrete block, painted masonry, and tilt-up and precast concrete panels are prohibited.
• T-1-11 and other plywood-based siding materials are prohibited.
• Prefabricated and preengineered metal buildings and panels are prohibited.

A photo from the code showing an example of appropriate metal use.

 

[mendelman]

Like Dan's image I think the the following when I hear "decorative metal":

Oriel window

The above is actually a really nice example of a small scale mixed use building that is 100% brand new construction. If your MU buildings are mainly for a main street setting the above would likely fit nicely pretty anywhere in the US.

 

[Suburb Repairman]

I assume you're talking about something that's vernacular to Texas rather than what's considered "decorative metal" around upstate New York, which you really don't want.

That's exactly what I'm referring to: use of corrugated metal as an accent in the Texas vernacular. In fact, I think I may borrow from the ol' Hippo on this one.

We were just dealing with the definition of masonry after having some bad experiences with split-face CMU and CMU in general, but it looks like we're cracking open the egg on a few other issues.

How does this sound (keeping in mind that I'm working within the structure of a code that kind of sucks):

(3) Building Façade and material Usage
a. Predominant building exterior materials must be high quality, and used in their natural context and color. All building facades shall be clad in masonry. To provide design flexibility, wood and corrugated metal may be used to reinforce a vernacular design theme, provided it does not exceed a cummulative surface area of ≤tbd% of the area of all exterior walls for a building. T-1-11 and other plywood-based siding materials are prohibited. Prefabricated and preengineered metal buildings and panels are prohibited. Expansion, limited to fifteen (15) percent of the gross floor area and not to exceed 3,000 square feet, of non-conforming existing structures on industrially-zoned properties is exempt from this requirement.
b. At least thirty (30) percent of the façade facing the arterial roadway, except I-1 or I-2 which will be fifteen (15) percent, shall be comprised of apertures (doors, windows and other openings). (Note for Cyburbia: this is substantially increased in our downtown overlay and gateway overlay)

and the corresponding definition of masonry:

Masonry
An exterior construction material or veneer consisting of brick, stone, fiber reinforced cementitious board, faux stone, faux brick, and/or stucco. For the purposes of the Unified Development Code, concrete masonry units are not considered masonry unless clad in a veneer of the materials listed above. Split-face concrete masonry units are not considered masonry and are not deemed to meet the definition of “faux stone” or “faux brick.” Concrete finish or pre-cast panel (tilt wall) construction shall be finished and stained in such a manner to replicate natural brick, stone and/or stucco.

 

[Dan]

I'm working within the structure of a code that kind of sucks):

Sounds good, for the legalese-filled code it seems like you're working with.

 

[beach_bum]

Suburb Repairman-how does your code address EIFS? We have found it to be an inferior exterior material that shows cracks, peeling, etc much earlier than other comparable materials, yet every big chain submits an all EIFS exterior until we tell them about our masonry % ordinance.

Depending on your soils you may want to add a shade preference to your lower parts of the building. For example here in red clay land, those light-bottomed knee walls quickly turn orange, so we try to encourage natural colors and more earth tones in the exteriors.

 

[Suburb Repairman]

Suburb Repairman-how does your code address EIFS? We have found it to be an inferior exterior material that shows cracks, peeling, etc much earlier than other comparable materials, yet every big chain submits an all EIFS exterior until we tell them about our masonry % ordinance.

It doesn't, but I'm thinking about addressing it. Don't know if I'll outright ban it, but I'm tempted to restrict the hell out of it because I've yet to see a building owner maintain it properly. Also, I've seen what it looks like after a hailstorm. I absolutely despise EIFS because I've had several bad experiences with projects that used it.

 

[craines]

Galvanized metal can be finished in a manner that would be consistent with the use of if as "Decorative" Metal. I would also shy away from the using the term decorative as its definition may be to hard to define.

 

[Dan]

Slightly off-topic: that is what "decorative metal" is in my hometown. It's so common now in blue-collar neighborhoods that it's almost a part of the local architectural vernacular. The locals think it's kle-YASS-ee.

 

[beach_bum]

Dan-

Decorative railings, porches and the like are common in post-WWII residential architecture. Not only will you find it on your common ranch, but on porch additions on older homes from that era.

Back on topic:

We save the heavy handed design standards for commercial buildings, typically not for residential structures.