Commercial Building Materials for Architects and Design Professionals
At Walco, we know that form is every bit as important as function. We source construction materials for a variety of architectural styles so you can build exactly what you designed.
Why Walco
Commercial architecture can feel like an uphill battle. Many obstacles can come between your design and its realization. Whether it’s navigating a maze of building code requirements, staying within budget, or getting the materials you need, we understand it’s not often easy.
At Walco, we’ve made it our business to source exterior elements that stand out in form and function. And we do it while helping you navigate price fluctuations, supply shortages, and compliance needs. Drawing on decades of construction industry experience, we’re able to give you the options you need to see your design come to life.
Explore our work
We source high performance products for commercial exteriors. Our range of offerings includes skylights, cladding and facades, and roofing systems that are attractive and cost effective.
Natural light has transformative effects on any space, and it does wonders to accentuate the architectural qualities of your building’s interior. Skylights are an essential component of effective daylighting, and we offer architectural and structural options for commercial construction nationwide.
We can work with you during your design phase to implement beautiful, unique structural skylights into your construction project. We also offer architectural options that can be fitted into any design to maximize the aesthetic use and energy efficiency of daylight with minimal labor and material costs.
In fact, commercial skylights more than pay for themselves in long-term energy savings, despite the possibility of marginal heat transfer, giving them the cost-saving properties to appeal to commercial building owners. Skylights can also be arranged to draw the eye to key features of an interior such as water features, information desks, or anything else deserving of emphasis.
We’ve been known as “the skylight people” in Oklahoma since 1986. In that time we’ve sourced skylights for the iconic, modernist First Christian Church in Oklahoma CIty and many other commercial buildings. We know how to get architects what they need to see a project through just the way they intend.
The most eye-catching feature of a building is often its exterior walls. This puts great importance on the choice of exterior options that are beautiful and feasible for any design. We source a wide variety of facades, cladding, and wall system products that create visual appeal and meet standards for fire resistance, load bearing capacity, and budget requirements.
Cladding options can take advantage of the naturally-derived beauty of materials like engineered stone or wood. Architectural metal solutions and synthetic materials are also available for sleeker or more uniform facades. A variety of patterns are possible from the ribbed look of plank and batten cladding to offset paneling and much more, creating detailed building characteristics that set your design apart.
We can also source materials for wall systems including reinforced concrete and even self-healing concrete, which can dramatically improve the structural integrity, tensile strength, and longevity of a building. We also know that concrete construction can be beautiful by itself, without additional coverings, and can source materials for design that incorporate concrete in this way throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Work with us at Walco to source the right materials for your commercial design and your budget.
Roofing systems are not the most visible side of a commercial building, but it can be argued that they are the most important side of a building. Your roof protects your most important asset - your people. A water-tight roof also ensures your business and its inventory stays dry.
Many designers are treating roofing systems as multi-purpose components of their designs by employing green roofs. A far cry from the utilitarian HVAC hideaway of many commercial roofing systems, green roofs make use of vegetation to create beautiful alternatives that frequently reflect the project’s geographic region by incorporating characteristic flora. Consisting of a waterproofing membrane covered by a root barrier, drainage layer, and growing medium, the benefits of green roofs are almost too numerous to name, but include extending the lifespan of the roofing system, drastically cutting energy costs, and increasing property value due to the attractive nature of the roof.
Despite upfront costs, green roofs are another architectural feature that tend to pay for themselves over time in energy savings, contributing to an efficient green building and a more visibly eco-conscious building sector.
There are many options for the roofing system that matches your design. Whether you want it to be a primary feature that catches the eye, a subtle but strong accent, or simply a protective layer for other, foregrounded features, Walco can get you what you need.
"I have known about Walco and they have worked with me for over 30 years. I have always considered them the go-to company when I needed information or help with any of their products. I’ve received same or next day in person delivery of product data, samples, technical information and if that was not available, advice on other or similar products that might solve my problem, not to mention contact data for manufacturer’s reps. It’s always where I start."
Dwight Rosenbaum
FSB
Your Architectural Questions, Answered
If you’re thinking of reaching out about your next design, don’t wait. You can also check out our FAQ.
What color should I glaze my skylight?
Our most popular glazing option is a clear outer dome and a white inner dome.
We suggest using a double lense option with the inner lense being white in color and the outer lense being clear. This allows for light to pass through the unit with a diffused look to it.
Can I use ACM panels as a coping cap?
No, ACM panels have a fire retardant but combustible plastic core. Many architectural cladding systems feature a gap between the cladding and the building’s insulation. This takes advantage of the chimney effect, circulating air upward and contributing to water-resistance and thermal regulation. However, it has also contributed to disastrous high rise fires in the past when ACM was used as an external cladding material and the chimney effect exacerbated the rate of combustion.
What is the lead time on a complete roofing system?
Do you offer CEU courses or credits?
Yes, we can offer many different CEU courses as well as courses that will cover your HSW credit requirement. Please reach out for a specific need.
See more of our projects and our industry expertise on our blog.
Don’t Wait, Reach Out Today
For architects and designers, Walco is your source for attractive, code-compliant materials. See your design reach its full potential without stretching your budget.