Perforated Sheet Metals: What You Need to Know

Have you considered which perforated metal would be best for your first project? When making this decision, the first thing you should keep in mind is your application. The qualities you pick for your perforated metal will significantly affect how you can use the finished product. 

A simple perforated metal sheet can fulfill a variety of architectural roles while being cost-effective, attractive, and functional. There are various applications of perforated metal, including outdoor furniture, balustrades, and acoustic applications. Perforated metal is a vital element in the development of large scale construction projects all over the world, and will continue to be an in-demand choice for the foreseeable future.

Today, we will go over some of the most prevalent uses of perforated sheet metal, and its applications in many of today’s major industries.

What Exactly Is Perforated Sheet Metal?

Perforated metal, also referred to as perforated screen or perforated sheet, is sheet metal that has been mechanically or manually punched or stamped to generate various shapes, sizes, holes, and patterns using CNC technology or, in some circumstances, laser cutting. 

Zinc, titanium, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum are just a few of the metals that are utilized in the perforating metal process. The kind of metals for the perforation process is selected according to their materials, gauge, size, and intended purpose. Some of the shapes that can be employed are hexagonal, slotted, square, and round holes.

Practical Constructive & Architectural Benefits of Perforated Metal

Reduction in Solar Radiation & Sun Shading

Sun rays can enter the room directly through common horizontal constructions dividing loggias and balconies, especially in the morning when the sun rays descend for a shorter period. By distributing the sun’s energy and eliminating excessive sunlight, perforated sheets provide a more comfortable environment. 

Additionally, perforated metal shutters can be placed on windows to control radiation from the sun. They drastically alter the facade view by allowing for a changing opening angle when closed or open, thereby managing the quantity of light that can enter your place.

Durability

Since perforated sheet metals are mainly composed of zinc, aluminum, steel, or any alloy combination you can conceive of, the ultimate result will be a long-lasting, hard-to-damage building material. Sheet metals can survive for up to five decades with minimal repair and maintenance once put in a structure.

Using durable materials reduces the long-term cost of repair and replacement. Although alloys and metals are preferable, sheet metals are changeable to have various wall thicknesses. The materials may also assist in mitigating damage caused by impact forces, which could compromise the safety of people inside a building.

Acoustic Performance

Perforated metal sheets with a high open area can effectively reduce noise in an environment and provide a pleasant experience. They can also be engineered to enable sound to travel through quickly, allowing them to be used as speaker grilles to safeguard speakers from damage without affecting the sound they produce. Perforated metal noise barriers constructed of aluminum are also employed to absorb and soften noise on highways and near rail tracks.

Energy Efficiency

Perforated metal can help architects reduce internal heat buildup from the sun by balancing light and ventilation. HVAC systems consume less energy because heat is deflected, resulting in a more consistent interior temperature. As a screening feature, perforated metal minimizes the amount of internal illumination required.

The Flexibility of Perforated Sheet Metal Design

Perforated metal variants rely on their material usage, thickness, dimensions, and application region. Perforated sheet metals are available in diverse shapes and sizes, including hexagonal holes, slotted holes, club-shaped holes, square holes, round holes, and other decorative forms. Metal sheets are available in architectural patterns that help with ventilation and contribute aesthetic appeal to buildings.

The Artistic Potential of Perforated Metal Imaging

An increasing number of artists are discovering the potential of perforated metal and its numerous advantages for artistic applications. Because of the variety of metal materials, hole patterns, and thinnest metal profiles, it can be molded into a wide range of forms and shapes. When particularly in comparison to solid metal components, perforated metal allows light to pass through, generating delicate and one-of-a-kind effects depending on the perforation pattern selected.

At MetalTech Global, we can custom-create functional 2D pixelated artwork in even the most intricate colors and patterns, thanks to cutting-edge production technology and extensive creative skills. Aside from that, we only employ the best semi-precious metals in the development of the metal artwork, making it the ideal artistic material for perforated metal art and sculptures for any building.

Why You Should Rely on MetalTech Global

Building materials must be exactly suited to their intended purpose and physical environment, as well as your budget and design specifications. 

MetalTech Global is able to create custom perforated patterns and shapes with our millimeter accurate CNC machine and other latest fabrication technology. With these tools, our architect support staff can realize an unlimited variety of folded and perforated panel designs.

We produce custom soffit systems, wall screens, cassettes, and panel inserts with any of our architectural metals. Perforation provides architects a way to create unique designs without restraint. Choose one of our standard patterns or customize a pattern specific for your design.

Our team takes a personalized approach to provide you with custom alternatives that are tailored to your specific requirements. We can make perforated plates, sheets, panels, and coils to your exact specifications. 

Contact us today for architectural metals, coils, panels, metal fabrication and cutting, folding, and more!

Why Use Zinc Roofing for Your Next Building Project?

Every construction project needs to be built so that it’ll withstand the test of time. At the same time, you want each building you erect to look aesthetically pleasing, both now and in the future. In short, you want to use zinc roofing sheets and coils nothing but the best materials for a timeless structure.

This is why it is so important to use durable, quality metal panels when designing and installing industrial roofing. To that end, there are few materials that can outperform zinc in terms of malleability and durability, and aesthetics. While steel has been a common choice for countless construction projects, zinc is in many ways a superior choice due to its resistance to corrosion and minimal maintenance.

6 Reasons to Use Zinc for Your Next Roofing Project

Metal roofing is an attractive, modern option for the roof of your new building project. Zinc roofs in particular offer several more benefits to consider:

#1. Zinc is Easily Shaped

When zinc is added to a metal alloy, it makes the metal panels more malleable. As such, they can be easily formed into a variety of unique shapes. You can then use these shapes to create beautiful rooflines with exceptional durability.

#2. Zinc Resists Mold, Algae,Leiken

High-quality roofs and wall facades are resistant to mold, mildew, algae due to its antimicrobial characteristics. This resistance plays a vital role in allowing the roof and wall facade to protect your building and remain aesthetically beautiful regardless of the weather around it.

#3. Zinc is Environmentally Friendly

Due to its numerous environmentally-friendly qualities, zinc is considered a green building material. These various qualities include:

  • The production of zinc uses much less energy because of zinc’s low melting point.
  • Little waste is created when a roof manufactured from zinc is replaced because it’s completely recyclable. In the recycling process itself, manufacturers can preserve both energy and the metal without any degradation.
  • Zinc roofs have a non-toxic runoff, so they pose less risk to the environment compared to many other materials.
  • Zinc roofing is more durable than several other types of metal roofing, so they stand to last much longer. When properly installed, they can last for more than a century.

#4. It’s Inexpensive to Transport Zinc

The materials that are used in zinc roofing are very lightweight. Therefore they’re easier to transport. They’re also more energy-efficient, potentially reducing energy costs.

#5. Zinc Roofs can Repair Themselves

Zinc has many unique properties. Among them is that scratches, nicks, and mild environmental damage can repair themselves over time. This self-repair results in zinc roofs maintaining their fresh, new look for much longer.

Zinc roofs can do this because a protective layer (a.k.a. patina) forms on them. This layer is known as hydroxy carbonate. It’s responsible for blocking moisture. It can also re-form and help to repair blemishes on the roof.

Since zinc roofs are also naturally resistant to corrosion, they’re ideal for rugged environmental conditions. Here they’re able to resist a lot of damage. Thus they only need a little repair throughout their lifetime.

#6. Zinc Roofs Add to a Building’s Aesthetics

Zinc’s high quality and durability create a unique style that’ll enhance the look of any building. Traditional seam panels are available for creating a classic look, but you can also use zinc roofs in more modern designs.

When left unmodified, zinc has a beautifully distinguishable dark gray, metallic look to it. However, you can also paint it to create a unique color and style that fits your building’s aesthetics. These options make zinc roofs an appealing option for any building.

Using Zinc for Your Next Roofing Project

MetalTech Global is the nation’s premiere distributor and fabricator of coil, sheet and finished architectural metals products. Working with our affiliates, we are promoting the use of sustainable metal products in the building. 

We envision that home and commercial construction will be committed to using only durable and reusable products. MetalTech Global can help your commitment be successful as durability, reusability, and sustainability is our area of expertise. We work with companies like elZinc America, VMZinc, Lorin Industries, and Hussey Copper to provide the highest quality architectural products in natural metals. 

While zinc has been used extensively in Europe for hundreds of years, it is a relatively new building metal in North America, and its potential for robust, beautiful structures is unmatched. As of 2021, MetalTech Global is the largest stocking center of architectural zinc in North America, with the capability of re-processing zinc sheets and coils for customers on demand.

Contact us today for architectural metals, coils, panels, metal fabrication and cutting, folding, and more!