Stainless steel is an ideal choice for building exteriors in coastal environments. Add a micro texture, such as Rigidized Metals' InvariMatte, and not only do you have a rust-resistance stainless steel surface, you have a surface that has been engineered to clean naturally, resist damage caused by salt and debris, and reflect heat and sunlight, making this solution extremely environmentally friendly.
15. 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
16. 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
17. 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
18. 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
19. 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
20. 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
21. 658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
22. About Us
• Founded in 1940 as Rigid-tex®
Corporation
• World leader in the development and
production of engineered metal
surfaces
• First applications were industrial-
focused; now serve architectural,
industrial, marine and transportation
applications
• Visit us at rigidized.com to see our full
breadth of products and projects
658 Ohio Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
716.849.4760 | www.rigidized.com
Editor's Notes
Millions of square feet of InvariMatte® stainless steel have been installed in coastal environments.
Nearly 40% of the US population lives in coastal counties, according to the National Ocean Service. Humid areas pose the greatest risk to the wet deposition of chloride ions onto metal surfaces (map). Don’t discount dry areas because lack of rainfall can let salt deposits dwell for a long period of time. As a rule, any site within 3 miles of saltwater is at elevated risk for corrosion. The map suggests a much greater distance in humid areas.
This coastal California residence experienced seam failure in 4 years with zinc soffit panels.
These painted aluminum panels corroded through in less than 7 years in Tampa
Airborne sand particles can destroy painted surfaces in short order. Sand fines, dirt, salt residue, bird droppings and other airborne debris can collect on the surface of roofing and cladding systems, building up over time to create an unsightly appearance and accelerate the deterioration of these surfaces.
Coastal homes are invariably located in open areas to take advantage of water views. The downside is they are open to full sun exposure, which puts a burden on HVAC systems to maintain indoor comfort.
InvariMatte stainless steel is available in duplex stainless steel or titanium for severe environments, and is stocked in T316 marine alloy.. InvariMatte has a uniform hydrophobic finish that is naturally cleaned by rainwater. The low gloss surface does not create glare in the direct sunlight.
The Type 316 stainless sample on the left, installed 80 feet from mean tide at the LaQue Laboratory beach test site in NC is still clean after 59 years. InvariMatte Stainless steel is stocked in Type 316 grade to serve most coastal locations. It is available in duplex alloy and titanium for severe environments.
Stainless steel has a relatively hard surface. InvariMatte is an un-coated high tech surface that resembles a blasted finish. With no coating to get pelted off by airborne sand and a hard surface that is “pre-blasted”, InvariMatte makes a lot of sense.
This InvariMatte roof in Pittsburgh has never been cleaned, ever! But every time it rains, dirt is washed away. That’s because InvariMatte is hydrophobic, with an un-coated surface texture in the metal that acts like a lotus leaf, repelling water and the contaminants that wash away every time it rains. The surface of this roof was tested 14 years after installation and no accumulated dirt could be confirmed!
Stainless steel reflects 94% of the Sun’s radiation. It is a permanent radiant barrier so long as it does not corrode and the surface stays clean. The hydrophobic surface keeps InvariMatte clean, so this efficiency is sustained indefinitely. This has been demonstrated on 3 roofs that were at least 10 years of age, including one on the Rhode Island coast.
The Sun bombards the Earth with an average of 277 watts per meter squared of solar radiation. A black body such as an asphalt roof or city street will absorb most of this energy, converting it to infrared form (or heat) which has a negative impact on climate change as well as the urban heat island effect. At 20 years of age, the best of white paint systems reflect about half of this solar radiation. Also add 20 years of age, a dirt resistant stainless steel surface continues to reflect 94% of the Sun’s radiation directly back into space. There is a very important opportunity at hand to reduce the planet’s temperature in a passive way by maximizing the use of permanent radiant barrier materials like stainless steel.
In order to maintain a temperature gradient of 20°C inside versus outside of a building, 1/3 of the roofing insulation is required if stainless steel is chosen instead of a black body like asphalt or a dark painted metal. While the price of insulation may not be that motivating, the reduced construction costs of providing less cavity space or the opportunity to design a building at the highest levels of efficiency (as in the case of net zero construction) can be more easily attained.
This home in Santa Monica, CA sits comfortably cool in the sun, thanks to InvariMatte wall cladding.
InvariMatte looks great in traditional designs as well. You can paint InvariMatte if you need to.
InvariMatte comes in a Walnut version that has a rich dark brown anodic color. If you need accent color in a salty environment, this is the way to go.
InvariMatte titanium has a naturally warm color tone. It has the same benefits as the stainless steel versions. It will remain free of corrosion in the most severe marine environments.
Want to add a deep textured surface pattern to InvariMatte for added visual interest? We can do that too!
For a great roof…
or a great façade, InvariMatte stainless steel is a great choice for coastal locations.
Rigidized Metals Corporation was founded in 1940 as Rigid-tex® Corporation. We are the world leader in the development and production of engineered metal surfaces. Our first applications were industrial-focused; but soon after serve architectural, industrial, marine and transportation applications. We have proudly served the elevator industry from our humble beginnings. Visit us at rigidized.com to see our full breadth of products and projects
