Benefits and uses of perforated metal

Check now

We know the environment and finding sustainable options are top of mind for many businesses today. With the goal of cutting down on energy consumption and finding construction solutions that use recyclable materials, perforated metal can meet many of these expectations. It's a building material that is versatile, weather resistant and attractive enough to exceed your construction goals with the right design and location.

But, what is perforated metal?

Perforated metal briefly explained

As construction continues to evolve, perforated metal is used more often for facades of any shape and sheet size. This type of perforated metal sheet metal can resemble a grid or wire mesh and the holes within the metal can be circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal or any other custom design.

Architects typically choose a perforated panel to distribute the weight of a building's framework, for ventilation, sun protection and design. The thickness of the metal sheet will depend on weather and wind exposure and how large the round hole perforation is. Finally, perforated metal is usually easier to install than other types of building siding.

How its made

The most common question about perforated metal is how it's made. With a soft, malleable metal like aluminium, a machine will punch holes of any type into the metal. The critical part of perforating the metal is understanding the thickness level necessary to keep the structural integrity intact.

The strength you need for the metal will depend on how the piece is being used &#; either for structural or decorative purposes. The space around the perforated area must be strong enough to not rip through in the case of high wind and still hold the design of the sheet.

Besides appearance and ventilation, how is perforated metal actually beneficial for building facades?

Benefits of using perforated metal

Metal is known as an environmentally friendly material because it can be reused and reconstructed. And, although the metal is mined from ores in the earth, a lot of the material is already available for use because of its upcycling capabilities.

As the holes are punched into the metal sheet, these waste materials can be recycled for other purposes after they have been molded down and used again.

In addition, perforated metal panels' lightweight properties make it easy to install and lighter to transport onsite, reducing energy consumption. In the same vein, perforated facades can cut down on energy costs. They are capable of providing sun protection for buildings, and with the perforations as actual holes in the sheet metal, you can also use the material for ventilation and to control sunlight coming into the building without the use of additional artificial lighting.

You can even use this material to create intricate designs and interesting images with the use of small and larger holes.

How to use perforated metal

As you may have guessed, perforated metal is a great option for a facade, but it has other uses as well.

For example, perforated metal has been used for noise control as part of resonating absorption. Sound waves can pass through perforated metal sheets without diminishing.

Because of its ventilation and holes, perforated metal can be used as a partition as well. Imagine a bus stop where you need to separate the north- and south-bound routes, yet want a space for benches and sun protection. You can use perforated metal for all three in such a way that commuters can see through to the other side of the stop, get some protection from the sun and are not blocked from any breeze.

Variety and versatility with perforated sheet metal

You can choose any shape or size, aluminium, stainless steel, or mild steel, indoor or outdoor, coated or painted. Perforated steel sheet metal by Locker can give you the material you're looking for, with the perforation pattern design you need to delight clients. For more information or to choose from a variety of off-the-shelf or custom options, reach out to a Locker professional today.

Perforated metal has been used in construction for about 100 years, and it is more popular than ever. Part of the reason for its popularity is that perforated metal is a building material that can fulfill many needs for a specialty contractor &#; both decorative and purely practical. But there are many other reasons why perforated metals are so popular.

Here are a few that just might make you decide to use perforated metals in your next construction project.

Recommended article:
Ultimate Guide to Supplier Performance Management (SPM)
Customized House Building Prefab Double Story Mobile ...
Q. What's the right type of Rockwool?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Jiaohao Wire Mesh.

The Pros

Aesthetic appeal. Architects love working with perforated metals of all types &#; aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, mesh, copper &#; for the style and flair perforated metals give to buildings and other structures. With perforated metals, architects can select from a wide variety of finishes and hole shapes such as round, triangular, hexagonal and square that can be arranged in different patterns to create visual interest. Architects can even create unique custom perforated metal designs to achieve a specific look. 

Privacy, plus functional and decorative lighting. Four solid walls provide maximum privacy while glass walls let natural sunlight in. But if you want both privacy and natural sunlight, perforated metals provide the perfect solution. Perforated metal also creates a more appealing and welcoming environment. It not only lets light enter a building, it can project light outwards from a building, resulting in backlit perforated facades that are simply eye-catching. 

Acoustic performance. Perforated metal is great for diffusing sound, soundproofing and reducing acoustic emissions. When installed along a ceiling, perforated metal can help prevent echoes. It can be used as a protective covering for acoustical material that is designed to either absorb or reflect sound or scatter it in a specific way. Sound waves can pass right through the perforated material. Perforated metal can also be used as a selective sound absorber, tuning out a certain band of frequencies. Keep in mind that some metals are better than others when it comes to sound absorption. 

Reduced weight. The perforated metal sheet is made of a material that is lighter than a non-perforated sheet of the same size and thickness, while retaining its durability. Perforated metal&#;s lighter weight makes it easier to handle and work with. It also reduces the load on the building&#;s framework. And, since it weighs less, transportation costs will also be less compared to a similar load of non-perforated sheet metal. 

Superior strength and durability. A perforated metal sheet has a structural strength that is superior to many building materials. According to the Industrial Perforators Association, round holes arranged in a standard 60 degree triangular pattern ranging from .020&#; to .75&#; account for more than 50% of perforated metal production. This standard 60-degree staggered pattern is the most popular hole arrangement because of its &#;inherent strength&#; and the wide range of open areas it provides. A perforated metal panel is also durable and able to withstand harsh weather elements. If the perforated metal panel needs to bear weight, use a stronger metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or galvanized steel. 

Pressure equalization. Because of its strength and durability, perforated metal, when used as cladding for a building, provides equivalent protection as other types of metal siding. The big difference is that perforated metal siding allows for more effective pressure equalization between the space behind the perforated panel and the exterior of the building. Pressure equalization is especially important in construction projects such as high-rise structures, which are subject to variable wind loading. Perforated metal cladding also has more give and flexes along with the natural swaying of tall buildings. 

Improves energy efficiency and building performance. Using perforated metal sheets provides more control over a building&#;s light and ventilation. A big benefit of perforated metal is that it deflects heat build-up from the sun. This means your HVAC system won&#;t need to work as hard to maintain a consistent temperature, and therefore will use less energy. That makes perforated metal a more efficient option for regulating temperature. And since perforated material allows natural light to enter the building, less artificial indoor lighting is needed, further reducing the building&#;s energy usage. This combination of increased sunshade and ventilation has been proven to reduce the maintenance costs for a building. 

Versatility and flexibility. Perforated metal sheets can be made from a variety of materials and manipulated into various sizes, thicknesses, shapes and perforation designs. That means you can get the characteristics such as  strength or  bendability you need to achieve the look or function you want. Perforated metals can be purely decorative or structural. 

Environmentally friendly. Today, more than ever, buildings constructed with environmentally friendly materials are in high demand from building owners. And metal is a green material that satisfies that demand. First of all, perforated metal is recyclable &#; not just once, but many times. Using perforated metal reduces the depletion of our natural resources and promotes sustainability. A large percent of recycled metal is used in the manufacturing process for perforated metal. And the waste created during the manufacturing process is also recyclable. Secondly, by its very nature, perforated metal is eco-friendly, using less metal than a metal panel of the same size. The perforations decrease the amount of metal between 10% and 40%. The reduced weight means less fuel is required to transport it to your jobsite. Finally, buildings designed using perforated metal as a functional element, enjoy better temperature regulation and improved energy efficiency. If light is allowed to pass freely through perforated metal panels, it decreases the amount of required artificial indoor lighting. Taking all these factors in account, you can see that perforated metals leave less of an environmental footprint behind compared to other building materials. 

The Cons

Potentially higher cost.  Steel typically costs more than other building products such as wood, concrete, brick or stone. And galvanized steel is on the low end when it comes to the cost of perforated metals. You&#;ll pay even more for aluminum, stainless steel or copper perforated metal products. 

Potential for corrosion and fracture. Metal, particularly steel, will rust, weakening it and making it brittle and susceptible to fracture. Typically, metal is treated with a protective coating to combat moisture or salt and other corrosive elements. Nearly all steel is galvanized by adding a protective coat of zinc. Other paint coatings can help retard corrosion on other metals. As long as the protective coating remains viable, corrosion should not be a problem.

Not easy to make field corrections. If you&#;re at the jobsite and a piece of wood is the wrong length, you can easily rectify the situation right then and there. But what can you do if a perforated metal component doesn&#;t fit correctly? Trying to force-fit it or modify it can mar the finish and weaken the metal. The only other option is to wait until the manufacturer or supplier can replace it, potentially delaying your project. 

In Summary

Perforated metal has many positive attributes, both aesthetic and practical, that make it a top choice for many projects. But it&#;s not the perfect material type for every project. It&#;s definitely worth considering, however.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of perforated metal mesh. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.