Based in Elkhart, IN and established in 1942, INOVA Federal Credit Union serves over 42,000 members and various employees from over 500 companies. To extend its ability to serve its ever-growing customer base, the company recently opened a new branch location in nearby Granger. To create the desired look and meet significant challenges related to material availability and color options, the design team turned to Laminators Inc.

The exterior of the new location features Metallic Champagne, Metallic Bright Silver, Charcoal Grey, and Grey Mica Omega-Lite ACM panels.  Anchor Construction, Granger, IN chose Omega-Lite panels because they offer a highly decorative, strong, and durable surface finish for exterior wall surfaces.  Composed of a polypropylene, corrugated core between two finished aluminum sheets, these panels are non-absorbent, water-resistant and easy to maintain.

Over 4,500 sq. ft. of panels were installed using Laminators’ 1-Piece, Tight-Fit Molding installation system.  This proprietary system made the panel installation simple using durable 1-piece moldings—both "H" and "Reveal H" moldings are available providing two different design options for the panel joints – and allowed Anchor Construction to proceed immediately after the wall preparations were completed.  They quickly learned how to install the panels and were able to cut the panels and extrusions on-site to keep the project on schedule.  A traditional, yet high-tech appearance was obtained at an affordable cost for all involved.

Close collaboration with lead architect and project manager, Jonathan Hamm, of Anchor Construction kept the project schedule on track despite significant challenges he faced prior to working with Laminators.  Some of the challenges included - availability and lead time associated with the initial specified finishes, along with a limited color pallet to select from; lack of skilled labor to install the cladding; and the design team's desire to not include EIFS on the project.

Laminators’ Omega-Lite panels installed with the 1-Piece, Tight-Fit system guaranteed INOVA Federal a class A fire rating as well as met NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 285, Miami-Dade County Product Control and Florida Product Approval requirements.  Laminators Inc. manufactures high-quality ACM panels that meet these stringent performance levels and provide design professionals and building owners the confidence that their cladding will withstand the most extreme conditions.