SFS supports the continuous development of new roofing and cladding systems with innovation in products and services
The advance of fastening technology over the past 50 years has been a driving force in the creation of high quality, sustainable buildings. Nowhere is this more evident than in building envelope design and installation, where original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) continue to push the boundaries in terms of aesthetics, speed of construction and sustainability.
SFS, the world’s leading manufacturer of fasteners, supports the continuous development of new roofing and cladding systems with innovation in products and services. The SFS brand is synonymous with quality and long-term performance, with its engineering and manufacturing heritage balanced with a deep understanding of what architects and OEMs need to realise the potential of different roofing and cladding approaches.
Unlocking the potential for colour
The ability to colour match fastener heads to roofing and cladding panels is vital for excellent visual appeal. The most durable colour finish is achieved by powder coating, which SFS offers on a wide range of fasteners through its powder coating facility in Leeds. This UK facility ensures customers benefit from short lead times to help them meet build schedules, including those seeking a high performing rivet for rainscreen cladding, following recent investment.
The full range of AP rivets, which lead the market for securing rainscreen support systems in face-fixed rainscreen applications rivets, is now available in 100+ standard powder coated colours for despatch in just three days on orders placed before noon, up to a maximum of 5,000 pieces. Additional volumes and bespoke colours can be easily accommodated too, with lead times depending on the specific requirements.
Providing a single secret-fix solution for Cembrit rainscreen
SFS’s recent development of the TUF-S range of rivets encapsulates how its innovation and close working relationships with OEMs delivers practical benefits. The product challenges the convention that installers need to use different fasteners for different rainscreen panel materials and thicknesses. And, until now, no other rivet of this kind has provided a reliable secret fix for panels manufactured in both HPL and fibre cement.
The TUF-S range has been successfully tested with a range of fibre cement rainscreen panels by leading OEM, Cembrit. The performance of TUF-S for 8mm Cembrit panels was proven by SFS through a series of load tests conducted in its laboratory in Switzerland, allowing for a set of technical values to be calculated to enable façade engineers to easily determine the number of fasteners and clips required to accommodate different locations, wind loadings, etc.
Supporting specifiers and installers
SFS’s technical support is innovative too. In addition to a technically trained building envelope sales force, the company has both technical and specification teams who work closely with architects, contractors and end-clients to ensure the optimum fastening solutions is chosen for the application.
Extensive training is also available to specifiers through a programme of RIBA-approved CPD seminars, along with detailed design information including structured BIM data for fasteners and BIM objects for its Nvelope rainscreen support systems. This support extends to the site too, with pull-out testing and practical installer training provided.
Please note: this is a commericial profile
Vincent Matthews
Marketing Manager
SFS Group Fastening Technology Ltd
Tel: 0113 2085 500
