Interview
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Site Visit to PortSmith Construction
By KMEW JAPAN
PortSmith is a full exterior renovation of an existing building in Kirkland, Wa. This project is designed by Kilburn Architect Group and installed by Pacific Building Envelope. It utilizes 8Reveal (horizontal reveal pattern) and Cashmere Smooth (smooth finish). By unifying the exterior with textures from the same material family, the building achieves a cohesive and integrated appearance.
Rendering of the completed project
Interviewing Pacific Building Envelope's Site Supervisor, Mr. Luke Canwell.
Pacific Building Envelope serves as the contractor for the PortSmith project. With more than 50 years of experience, the company specializes in high-quality, durable building envelope restoration.
Q:
Are there any issues with the components?
A:
Due to cost considerations, non-genuine starter and corner trims are often used, because these components are supplied unpainted, contractors must source matching paint locally and finish them on-site. Achieving an accurate color match is particularly challenging, and this is an area we hope to improve.
Q:
What are the good and bad points of using CERACLAD?
A:
Good: The double-clip installation system is very easy to work with.
Bad: The touch‑up paint is expensive and dries quickly, though the brush itself is easy to use.
Q:
How long have you been working with CERACLAD?
A:
We have been installing CERACLAD for five years.
Q:
What is your company's strength in siding installation?
A:
Siding installation is a core strength of our team, supported by five years of hands-on experience with CERACLAD. The system is intuitive and easy to master, contributing to a highly efficient installation process.
Q:
Is the CERACLAD installation manual easy to understand?
A:
Yes, we are satisfied with its clarity.
Q:
How do you evaluate CERACLAD’s maintainability?
A:
We are satisfied with CERACLAD's siding panels. After working with your panels, we have not observed fading or freeze damage on our buildings.
Q:
What was the most challenging part in the PortSmith project?
A:
Since this project is a renovation of an existing structure, many areas were uneven due to the building settling. We found that corner trim installation was especially challenging, as each piece required individual adjustment. We needed to created thick shims so that the panels were straight on the walls.
Q:
What improvements would you like to see from CERACLAD?
A:
It would be helpful if paint color codes were provided for on-site painting of starter trims. Starter bars are supplied as unpainted, so matching them to the exterior finish requires significant effort.
PortSmith is scheduled to complete its siding installation in June of this year.
Overall, CERACLAD received highly positive evaluations on this project, particularly regarding workability, final appearance, and durability, solidifying its position as a premium exterior cladding material.
This opportunity to visit an overseas construction site and conduct in-person interviews was extremely valuable. Hearing the perspectives of professionals working directly in the field provided meaningful insights and broadened our understanding.
We plan to bring the feedback we received back to Japan and review it constructively as we continue improving our products and services.