Architectural Flashing Supply
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Method sheet

Cladding Panel Layout & Opening Flashing

Panel layout across a wall with balanced end panels; expansion-joint count for a run from the thermal movement and an entered joint capacity; flashing piece lengths and a cut list for rectangular openings.

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Method

facade-layout 1.1

Engine

1.1.0

Output status

Preliminary - review required

Review

Awaiting review

Formulas

  • Wall = k x module + 2 x end panel + (k + 1) x joint; end panel = (wall - k x module - (k + 1) x joint) / 2
  • k = most full modules that fit; one is given up when the end panels would be below the minimum entered
  • Movement = alpha x L x dT (thermal-expansion/1.0); joints = ceil(total movement / allowable movement per joint)
  • Head = width + 2 x head extension; sill pan = width + 2 x sill extension + 2 x end-dam upturn; jamb = height + lap at head + lap at sill

Conventions

  • Panel layout and opening flashing are informational; the expansion-joint count is preliminary - review required.
  • The allowable movement per joint and every extension and lap are entered by the user; none is assumed.

Limits - what it will not do

  • No joint spacing, joint detail or panel attachment is designed.
  • Corners, trims and non-rectangular openings are not laid out.

Who must review it

  • Cladding designer: module, joint and minimum end-panel rules
  • Panel or joint manufacturer: allowable movement per joint

Worked example

Inputs Wall 30 ft, 16 in modules, 1/2 in joints, 6 in minimum end; 36 x 48 in opening, head +4 in each side, sill +2 in, 1 in end dams, jamb laps 4 in and 2 in

Expected 23 panels (21 full + two 6 1/2 in ends), 22 joints; head 44 in, sill pan 42 in, jambs 54 in

Checked by an automated test on every change.

Sources

  • Panel module layout and opening flashing piece lengths (arithmetic derivation) - Method sheet facade-layout/1.0, read 2026-10-16

    Wall width = full panels x module + 2 x end panel + joints x joint width; joints to absorb movement = ceil(total movement / allowable movement per joint). Capacities and extensions are always entered by the user.

  • Technical Bulletin TB702 - Sheet Expansion - Fabral (metal roofing manufacturer), read 2026-10-16

    Coefficients of linear expansion for roofing sheet: galvanized or Galvalume steel 0.0000065 /degF; formula dL = 12 x dT x L x E.

  • C11000 Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper - physical properties - Copper Development Association, read 2026-10-16

    Density 0.322 lb/in3 at 68 degF; coefficient of thermal expansion 9.4e-6 /degF (68-212 degF).

  • 304/304L Stainless Steel Data Sheet - Rolled Alloys, read 2026-10-16

    Density 0.285 lb/in3; mean coefficient of thermal expansion 9.2e-6 /degF (70-212 degF).

  • 3003 Aluminium datasheet - Smiths Metal Centres, read 2026-10-16

    Density 2730 kg/m3; coefficient of thermal expansion 23.2 um/m/degC.

  • VMZINC attributes (technical support - basic principles) - VMZINC, read 2026-10-16

    Density 7.18 t/m3; linear expansion 0.022 mm/m/degC parallel to the rolling direction (value differs across the roll).