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Ceraclad Product Impressions of local Architecture
By Yusuke, Ryoya & Shoko from KMEW Japan
Hello everyone! Today, we’d like to share our impressions from visiting a site where Ceraclad products were used, as well as our thoughts on Seattle architecture. We were struck by the use of designs and materials that are not commonly seen in Japan, and we’d like to highlight some of these unique features.
About the Sites Using our Products
At the site we visited, the exterior walls featured custom colors and wood grain patterns. CERACLAD's Custom Color Program offers a unique advantage that sets us apart. We start with high-quality base panels manufactured at our flagship factory in Japan, then apply customer-specified colors in the U.S., followed by a Protective Clear Coat for added durability. This double-coat finish ensures both accurate color expression and enhanced weather resistance, delivering high-performance siding panels tailored to customer needs.
Wood grain patterns are very popular as accents and are commonly used in both Japan and the U.S. One major difference between the two countries is that, in the U.S., it is typical to combine four to five different materials or colors for exterior walls.
At the property we visited, wood grain was harmoniously used alongside base panels, metal panels, brick, and glossy metals. These five different materials did not compete with one another but instead complemented each other, creating a balanced and aesthetically pleasing look.
Additionally, it is common in the U.S. to source construction materials locally, and at this site, the contractors were processing sheet metal on-site. Caulking relies heavily on the skill of the worker. To address this, Ceraclad has developed Caulk-less T-Joint System to ensure a beautiful finish, regardless of who performs the installation. We believe that with future installations, we can achieve even more refined results.
Ceraclad's Caulk-less T-Joint system creates a sleek, clean surface compared to the traditional caulk joint system.
About Seattle’s Architecture
While observing Seattle’s buildings, we noticed that combining different materials for exterior facades is very common in the U.S. Many buildings featured smooth panels or lap siding, with subdued tones such as white, gray, beige, and charcoal covering large areas. Even when vibrant colors were used, they were generally applied as accents.
Wood grain patterns were frequently used for accenting, with materials like fiber cement and high-pressure laminate panels being common choices. Additionally, we saw many buildings constructed with natural materials such as brick, tile, and metal panels. We also came across some rare materials, such as Corten steel and slate lap walls, highlighting the diversity of materials used in American architecture.
Conclusion
Through this site visit, we gained a better understanding of the trends in exterior materials and designs being adopted in the U.S. The designs and materials used were quite different from those seen in Japan, making this a refreshing and insightful experience.
At Ceraclad, we strive to enhance aesthetics while reducing environmental impact, and we will continue developing products that our customers love. Moving forward, we are committed to improving quality and creating innovative designs to meet the needs and satisfaction of even more customers.
Yusuke:
In Japan, I work in materials development, where we focus on creating products with careful attention to the fine details of texture. However, all the buildings I saw today were very large, making it difficult to fully appreciate those details. While I was aware that large-scale patterns are popular in America, experiencing it firsthand was valuable. I will use this experience to inform future product development.
Ryoya:
I work in the building materials development department in Japan and rarely have the opportunity to see actual properties, making this experience extremely valuable. Through our research on American properties, we found that, unlike in Japan, where subdued exteriors are preferred, vibrant accent colors and distinctive designs are more common. Moving forward, we will develop products with color schemes and designs tailored to the American market to better align with local preferences.
Shoko:
I currently work in sales in Japan and have had the opportunity to review numerous construction case studies. Upon examining examples from the United States, I observed a significant difference in scale. The larger size of the buildings necessitates a wider variety of colors and materials for cladding, allowing for greater flexibility in combinations. To effectively promote Ceraclad products in this market, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of market needs and tailor our offerings accordingly. I believe gathering more feedback on the combination of different materials will be crucial.
Every year, CERACLAD runs an internal internship program to develop the next generation of global leaders. Selected employees spend one month in the U.S. and Canada, visiting customers and job sites to gain firsthand insights into market trends and customer needs. Their mission is to help shape future products and innovative installation methods while directly delivering customer feedback to our product development and manufacturing teams. We truly appreciate our customers for their warm welcome and generous support during these visits.
Team CERACLAD