Architects and contractors in charge of restoration on historic buildings have to consider how to reproduce the historical properties in a way that won’t damage the existing structure, will look identical to the original designs, and will last long enough to not require a replacement for the near or distant future. That can be especially […]
Restoring Historic Architectural Details Without Custom Stone Carving Read More »
Installing traditional crown moulding is, most of the time, a two-person job. A single length of solid wood or MDF crown is heavy and awkward enough to maneuver along a ladder and hold in place while it’s fastened, that most crews plan for an extra set of hands before they even start. Add compound miter
Why Do Contractors Choose Foam Crown Mouldings? Read More »
A building’s water-resistive barrier is supposed to keep water out for the life of the structure. Every hole poked through that barrier is a place where water can find its way back in. Traditional trim, when it’s mechanically fastened with screws or nails driven through the wall assembly, creates exactly that: a series of small,
Who’s Liable When Trim Penetrates a Building’s Waterproof Membrane? Read More »
Architects who specify PW Profiles’ cement coated EPS products for the first time often know what they want the profiles to do and how they want them to look. What’s less clear is where in the document set they belong, what language to use, what the contractor needs to execute the installation correctly, and how
How to Specify Cement Coated EPS Profiles in an Architectural Drawing Set Read More »
EIFS — Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems — is one of the most common exterior wall assemblies on commercial and multifamily residential buildings constructed over the past several decades. It’s prevalent in the same project types where EPS architectural profiles are most commonly specified: mid-rise commercial, retail, hospitality, and multifamily residential construction where exterior detailing
Most disputes about whether architectural profiles look right on a finished building come down to the same thing: the profiles were too small. The cornice that looked correct on a drawing, the window surround that seemed substantial in the spec book, the bracket that appeared well-proportioned at the product page scale — all of them
Why Scale Matters More Than Style in Exterior Architectural Detail Read More »
Patterson Whittaker’s cement coated architectural EPS profiles are designed to perform for the long term with very little intervention. When installed correctly on a proper substrate and maintained with basic periodic attention to sealant joints, repair is not something most contractors or building owners encounter. The material is lightweight, non-structural, and surface-applied — which means
What is the Repair Process Like for Cement Coated Architectural EPS? Read More »
One of our favorite projects of the past year is now complete. PW Profiles completed the architectural products for the VMP Catholic Church, and we’re thrilled to be able to add it to our portfolio of work. Take a look!
Completed Photos – Our Work with the VMP Catholic Church Read More »
Cement coated EPS profiles finish beautifully. They take paint cleanly, hold color well, and when the process is done correctly, the finished surface is indistinguishable from what you’d get with stone, precast, or traditional plaster. When the process is done incorrectly, problems show up — peeling, adhesion failure, surface cracking along paint lines, or finish
Painting Cement Coated EPS Architectural Profiles — What Contractors Need to Know Read More »
When architects and contractors compare architectural materials, the conversation usually focuses on appearance, durability, and installed cost. Shipping rarely gets the same attention — and for most material categories, that’s reasonable. For heavy architectural products, it’s a significant oversight. The weight of a material doesn’t just affect how it performs on a building. It shapes
How the Weight of Architectural Products Affects Shipping and Project Logistics Read More »
Patterson Whittaker Architectural Profiles sends its products around the world. But we are also based on the West Coast of both Canada and the United States, which means we are uniquely aware of issues related to seismic zones. Seismic design considerations don’t stop at the structural frame. Architects and contractors working in California, British Columbia,
How Cement Coated EPS Performs in Seismic Zones Read More »
Most contractors who try architectural EPS for the first time do so because a project made it the practical choice — the weight of precast wasn’t going to work, or the lead time on stone was going to push the schedule, or the budget couldn’t support what the architect originally specified. They use EPS to
Why Contractors Who Switch to Architectural EPS Rarely Go Back to Anything Else Read More »
The cornice is one of the most defining details on a building’s exterior. It marks the transition between the wall and the roofline, provides visual weight and finish at the top of the facade, and signals the architectural intent of the whole design. When it’s done well, it looks like it belongs. When it’s missing,
Pilasters don’t get talked about as much as columns or cornices, but they show up on more buildings than most people realize. Any time you see a flat, column-like projection rising from a wall surface — framing a doorway, punctuating a facade at regular intervals, or adding vertical structure to an otherwise flat exterior —
Wood trim has been a go-to for decades. It’s familiar, it cuts cleanly, it paints well, and most carpenters can work with it in their sleep. But familiarity has a way of obscuring cost — and when you start adding up what wood trim actually demands across a full project, the number is rarely as
The Real Cost of Wood Trim — Why Contractors Are Switching to Architectural EPS Read More »
Architects designing projects in coastal regions or high-humidity climates face unique challenges. Salt air, moisture, and temperature fluctuations can dramatically impact material performance and longevity. Traditional materials like natural stone, precast concrete, and wood each react differently to coastal environments. Many architects don’t realize how significantly these conditions accelerate deterioration — or how alternatives like
