Roof & Wall Envelope
Steel Wall Panels and Sheeting for Metal Buildings
Definition: A steel wall panel is a cold-roll-formed, coated metal sheet attached to the wall girts of a building to form its external skin. It resists wind pressure and suction, keeps out weather, and gives the building its appearance through profile, color and orientation.
Key facts
- Usually installed vertically on horizontal girts, though horizontal panels on vertical sub-framing are possible.
- Exposed fastener panels are economical; concealed fastener panels give a cleaner facade.
- Panels sit on a base angle or base trim at the slab edge.
- Lower wall areas may use a heavier gauge or a masonry dado for impact resistance.
- Color, profile and trim layout define the visual character of the building.
Role in the structure
Wall panels collect wind pressure and suction and transfer it through their fasteners to the wall girts, which pass it on to the columns. In some buildings the cladding also contributes to stiffness, but in most PEB designs lateral stability comes from frames and bracing, with the wall panel acting as a weather skin and girt restraint.
Exposed and concealed fastener wall panels
Exposed fastener wall panels are screwed through the sheet into the girts, similar to a through-fastened roof. They are quick to install and easy to replace if damaged, making them common on industrial and storage buildings.
Concealed fastener panels hide the screws inside an interlocking side joint. They give flat, uninterrupted lines that suit offices, showrooms and public-facing elevations, at a higher cost and with stricter installation tolerances.
Panel orientation and appearance
Vertical panels on horizontal girts are the standard PEB arrangement. The ribs run in the same direction as rain, which helps drainage, and the panels span between girt lines.
Horizontal panels, often used for architectural effect, need vertical sub-girts and more careful detailing at joints and corners. Mixing profiles, colors or panel directions can break up long facades, and trims at windows, corners and the eave complete the appearance.
Protecting the base of the wall
The base of the wall is where panels are most exposed to impact from vehicles and forklifts, splashback and standing water. The panel is normally stopped above the slab on a base angle with a drip detail, so water drains outward and is not trapped against the steel.
Where traffic is heavy, owners often specify a concrete or masonry upstand, steel bollards or a stronger lower panel. These choices are easiest to make before the foundations are designed.
Wall panels and building performance
Single-skin wall panels are often combined with insulation blankets or liner panels to meet thermal targets. Where higher insulation or a finished interior is needed, insulated sandwich panels are a common alternative.
The wall build-up also affects acoustic performance, condensation risk and fire separation to neighboring buildings. These requirements should be identified at the start of the project so the right system is chosen.
Materials & coatings
- Zinc coated steel to ASTM A653 or EN 10346.
- Aluminum-zinc alloy coated (AZ) steel to ASTM A792 or AS 1397.
- Polyester, silicone-modified polyester or PVDF paint systems in a range of colors.
- Self-drilling screws with sealing washers, color-matched heads where specified.
Design considerations
- Wind pressure and suction, including higher values at building corners.
- Girt spacing compatible with panel spanning capacity.
- Impact zones near doors, loading docks and traffic routes.
- Panel orientation and the sub-framing it requires.
- Fire separation distance and any required wall rating.
- Coordination of openings, louvers and services with panel modules.
Fabrication
- Panels are roll-formed to length from the wall sheeting layout.
- Panels for each elevation are bundled and labeled to suit erection order.
- Matching trims are folded from the same coated coil for color consistency.
- Edges are protected during packing to avoid scratches on visible faces.
Erection
- Check girt alignment and base angle level before sheeting starts.
- Plumb the first panel carefully, since errors accumulate along the wall.
- Fix panels at the specified screw pattern and stitch side laps where required.
- Install corner, jamb and head trims as framing openings are completed.
Inspection & quality
- Panels are plumb, laps aligned and fastener lines straight and level.
- No scratches, dents or color variation on visible elevations.
- Base details drain outward and are sealed at the slab.
- Trims at openings and corners are fixed and sealed as detailed.
What to include in your RFQ
- Panel type: exposed fastener, concealed fastener or sandwich panel.
- Profile, base metal thickness, coating and paint color for each elevation.
- Panel orientation and any accent bands or color changes.
- Impact protection requirements at the base of walls.
- Fire, thermal and acoustic performance targets.
3D model & IFC of this component
Rotate the model, isolate the component and download its IFC4 file for your BIM coordination model.
IFC entity: IfcCovering (CLADDING). Illustrative geometry for coordination and learning. Final member sizes come from the project design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can wall panels be installed horizontally?
Yes, but horizontal panels need vertical sub-framing and careful joint detailing. Vertical panels on horizontal girts remain the most economical arrangement in PEB construction.
What is the difference between exposed and concealed fastener panels?
Exposed fastener panels are screwed through the face and are economical and easy to repair. Concealed fastener panels hide the screws in the side joint for a cleaner facade.
How are wall panels protected from forklift damage?
Common approaches include a concrete or masonry upstand, bollards, guard rails, and stronger or replaceable lower panels. These should be decided before foundation design.
Engineering content is general guidance. Every World Steel building is designed by qualified engineers to the code and loads of the project.
