Cornices are a popular architectural addition to a building’s design, especially if you are looking for a way to draw people’s eyes to your residential or commercial property.
Historically wood cornice boards have been one of the most popular materials for adding cornices to a home or business. Wood grain is unique, wood is long lasting, and it does not require specialty expertise in order to install. But wood is not without its problems as well.
At Patterson Whittaker, we develop an alternative to wood cornice fabrication that is changing how architects design their properties. We create what is casually referred to as “EPS cornices,” which utilize cutting edge technology to replace materials like wood, precast concrete, GFRC, and more, with a lightweight, strong, and affordable alternative.
The reinforced cement coated foam cornices that Patterson Whittaker creates outperform products from materials like wood, and are changing how architects consider and design their construction projects.
If you’d like to know more about our EPS options and how you can have your cornices developed and installed quickly and efficiently, give us a call at (206)-953-5209 if you’re in the United States or (604)-285-6550 if you are in Canada.
Issues with Using Wood Cornices in Construction
Wood remains a fantastic material for building projects. Besides being long-lasting and water resistant, wood also carries a classic look that designers love. It is one of the oldest materials in construction, and every wood cornice out there still looks the part.
But wood, as an architectural material, is not without its flaws:
- Wood can carve into some beautiful shapes, but it is limited by the grains, which makes complicated details more difficult and expensive. Simple designs are easy to create in wood, but the minute you need to design something more ornate, you are going to run into expensive complications.
- As a building or construction gets larger, the wood materials will continue to rise exponentially in price. This can lead to you having to downsize different parts of your construction that you wanted to embellish, or abandon aspects of the property completely because they’re no longer in the budget.
- While wood is commonly considered to be quite durable, it is not weatherproof, and it is not waterproof. Wood warps over time and because it is a natural material, it may rot or be damaged by natural wear and tear. Theoretically, wood can last for several decades but it requires consistent repair and upkeep.
- Wood is heavy. It requires significant manual reinforcement and labor to ship and install. All of these add to the costs and complexities of wood cornices.
Overall, wood cornice boards do offer amazing design elements. But for architects, they are not without their flaws.
Using EPS Cornices in Construction as an Alternative to Wood Cornice Fabrication
Patterson Whittaker’s cement coated EPS cornices offer an invaluable alternative.
EPS fabrication has several qualities that make it a fantastic option to work with for any construction project. Patterson Whittaker’s products are coated with a layer of cement over our reinforced EPS. Because of this, we are able to create and finish our materials in a way that makes them look like whatever you need them to, including wood.
Additionally, unlike wood, our EPS product is weatherproof and incredibly durable. They are also extremely lightweight, easy to ship, and waterproof. We can also design our product with complex designs or styles easily and affordably.
This is why countless contractors and architects have begun using Patterson Whittaker Architectural Profiles as their primary solution as an alternative to architectural wood manufacturing. Our EPS product has changed the game for many builders, providing an alternative to wood cornices that make it an ideal option for a variety of products. Because of the quality of our EPS cornices, our products offer:
- Easier installation
- More environmentally friendly builds.
- Easy shipping without risk of damage.
- Shorter lead times.
- Reduced cost of construction.
- Easier installation with less manpower.
EPS-manufactured cornices are also much easier to maintain than classical wood materials. It’s a simple step to prime, paint, and decorate your cornice after it is designed. This allows for greater adaptability in your construction projects as you’re able to put together all the pieces before your EPS installation.
Because of this increase in quality, we are often asked to help update or develop luxury residential or commercial buildings. Contractors understand that our product comes at a lower cost and a higher quality that will raise their property value when the project is complete.
The Different Cornice Designs We Can Create
Because the manufacturing technique of our foam cornices is so adaptable, Patterson Whittaker can create cornices with the aesthetic that you require. There are several different styles of cornices that we are able to develop in-house, some of these include:
- Roman Cornices
- Round Cornices
- Tudor Cornices
- Gothic Cornices
- Moorish Cornices
We are not limited to making only cornices at Patterson Whittaker. Our EPS Materials can be utilized to create everything from sills, casings, and headers to trims, arches, and more.
While we understand the value of wood as a timeless material, at Patterson Whittaker we are dedicated to the designs and products that will give your property greater longevity and quality. Wherever you live, give Patterson Whittaker a call for the products that you need.