How does panel orientation affect visual consistency on facades?

Panel orientation—vertical or horizontal—impacts both aesthetics and façade behavior. Vertically oriented ACP panels emphasize building height, lengthen visible seams, and facilitate natural water shedding along joints. This reduces streaking and staining under rain. Horizontally laid panels highlight building width, create banded patterns, and can integrate ribbon windows seamlessly.

Reflectance also varies: horizontal panels catch sunlight differently at each floor, producing subtle color shifts, whereas vertical panels maintain more uniform reflectivity along their length. Architects may use alternating orientations to articulate façade sections or emphasize entrances.

Installation tolerances differ: horizontal runs often require fewer substructure transitions but demand precise leveling. Vertical layouts need careful leveling across multiple rails to avoid cumulative drift. PRANCE guides clients through mock-up studies and photoreal renderings, ensuring chosen orientation aligns with design intent, maintenance strategy, and daylighting considerations.