In demanding industrial environments or exposed rooftop locations, standard insulation finishes are often insufficient. Custom Steel Cladding (also known as metal jacketing) provides the ultimate physical and environmental “armour” for your building’s infrastructure. At Flair Facilities, we design, fabricate, and install bespoke metal cladding systems that protect your Commercial & Industrial Pipework and Chillers & Cooling Plant from mechanical damage, UV degradation, and weather ingress.
Industrial-Grade Defence
External pipework and plant are subject to harsh conditions that can quickly destroy standard Commercial Pipe Lagging. Our metal cladding solutions provide:
- Mechanical Strength: Protecting Heating & Chilled Water Pipework from being crushed or torn in high-traffic areas or during maintenance activities.
- Weatherproofing: Preventing rain and snow from saturating your Thermal Insulation for Pipes & Plant, which would otherwise lead to “Corrosion Under Insulation” (CUI).
- UV Resistance: Unlike PVC Jacketing Systems, steel and aluminium cladding will not become brittle or discolour when exposed to direct sunlight on rooftops.
- Wildlife Protection: Preventing birds and rodents from nesting in or pecking at soft insulation materials.
Precision Fabrication and Materials
We don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach to cladding. We fabricate every section to the exact dimensions of your Plant Room Pipework Installation:
- Aluminium Cladding: The most popular choice for rooftop Air Conditioning Systems due to its lightweight nature and excellent corrosion resistance.
- Stucco Embossed Finish: A specialized texture that reduces glare and helps hide minor dents or scratches.
- Stainless Steel: The gold standard for Commercial Kitchen & Gas Catering or chemical environments where hygiene and extreme durability are required.
- Galvanised Steel: A cost-effective, high-strength solution for internal industrial headers and Commercial Gas Boiler Systems.
Engineering for Serviceability
A common mistake in cladding is “sealing in” the components that need regular access. We design our systems with maintenance in mind:
- Removable Valve Boxes: Custom-built metal boxes with toggle latches that allow for rapid Commercial Boiler Repair & Maintenance without cutting into the cladding.
- BMS Access Points: Ensuring that sensors for your BMS Integration & Smart Building remain accessible for calibration.
- Expansion Management: We incorporate telescopic joints to allow for the natural thermal movement of Commercial & Industrial Pipework without buckling the metal skin.
Why Choose Flair for Metal Cladding?
- Bespoke Craftsmanship: Every bend, tee, and valve cover is measured and cut by specialists to ensure a “water-tight” professional finish.
- Turnkey Delivery: We manage everything from the initial Safe Preparation for Re-Lagging to the final rivet.
- Comprehensive Integration: We ensure your cladding is correctly colour-coded or labelled to match your Gas Safety Certificates & CP42 and safety requirements.
Custom Steel Cladding Frequently Asked Questions
Indirectly, yes. By keeping the underlying Phenolic Insulation Systems bone-dry and preventing it from being compressed, the metal jacket ensures the insulation maintains its full R-value for its entire lifespan.
Absolutely. We can perform a “Survey & Retrofit,” where we inspect your current Commercial Pipe Lagging and apply a new metal skin to extend the life of your mechanical assets and then encapsulate it in a new, durable metal shell to extend its life.